METAL ANALYSIS IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AA. MP-AES. ICP-OES. ICP-MS. ICP-QQQ

Importance of the Topic

Trace and major element analysis in food and agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring consumer safety, verifying nutritional content and confirming geographic origin of products. Accurate determination of elements ranging from essential nutrients to toxic metals underpins regulatory compliance, quality control and research into environmental contaminants.

Study Objectives and Overview

This summary evaluates a suite of atomic spectroscopy techniques offered by Agilent Technologies for cost-effective, reliable multi-element analysis in food and agricultural samples. It compares four core methods—atomic absorption (AA), microwave plasma atomic emission (MP-AES), inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-QQQ)—highlighting their performance, operating costs and suitability for various sample types.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA): Sequential, flame-based detection ideal for laboratories with low sample throughput or limited element panels. Offers high sensitivity from low ppb to percent levels and handles up to 3 % total dissolved solids.


• Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES): Air-fed plasma source eliminating the need for flammable or expensive gases. Provides unattended multi-element analysis at ppb to percent concentrations with moderate to high sample throughput and low running costs.


• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES): High-productivity system (<30 s per sample) with both axial and radial viewing modes for broad dynamic range and matrix tolerance. Suitable for trace metals in soils, fertilizers, dairy and plant tissues, tolerating up to 30 % dissolved solids.


• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS and ICP-QQQ): Offers the lowest detection limits (down to low ppq levels), wide dynamic range and high matrix tolerance. Quadrupole ICP-MS supports speciation with chromatography coupling and nanoparticle analysis. Triple-quadrupole ICP-QQQ employs MS/MS to resolve complex interferences for difficult elements and advanced applications.

Key Results and Discussion

Comparative assessment reveals:

• AA excels in simplicity and low capital cost but is limited in throughput and multi-element capability.


• MP-AES balances cost savings and moderate multi-element performance, making it a practical AA alternative for routine assays.


• ICP-OES leads in sample throughput and matrix tolerance, supporting high-volume testing with reliable sensitivity across a range of sample types.


• ICP-MS/ICP-QQQ delivers unparalleled detection limits, enabling trace and ultra-trace analysis, detailed speciation studies and nanoparticle characterization in food matrices.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Key advantages of these techniques include:

• Cost-effectiveness through air-plasma operation or low-gas consumption.


• Flexible throughput options for low-volume laboratories up to high-throughput production environments.


• Comprehensive elemental coverage supporting safety screening, nutritional analysis and provenance verification.


• Advanced speciation and nanoparticle analysis capabilities for emerging regulatory and research needs.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments in the field include tighter integration of chromatography with ICP-MS for enhanced speciation, wider adoption of MS/MS for interference removal, miniaturized and portable solutions for field testing, and application of machine learning for data interpretation. Sustainable plasma sources and automation will further reduce running costs and expand accessibility.

Conclusion

Agilent’s portfolio of atomic spectroscopy platforms offers a hierarchical approach to metal analysis in food and agriculture, enabling laboratories to select the optimal balance of throughput, sensitivity and cost. From basic AA to advanced ICP-QQQ, these solutions support regulatory compliance, quality assurance and research into elemental composition and nanoparticle content.