Analysis of Heavy Metals in Pet Food Using the ICPMS-2030

Significance of the Topic

Heavy metal contamination in pet food poses risks to animal health and potentially impacts consumer safety. Regulatory standards in Japan limit levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead to protect domestic and show animals. Reliable analytical methods are essential for quality control, compliance, and ensuring the well-being of pets.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study presents a rapid and sensitive approach for simultaneous determination of As, Cd, and Pb in commercial pet food. It combines closed-vessel microwave digestion with Shimadzu ICPMS-2030 to achieve trace-level quantification in accordance with Japanese component standards.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample Preparation:

• Weighed 0.15 g of pet food.
• Added 0.5 mL HCl and 6.5 mL HNO₃ into a quartz microwave vessel.
• Conducted digestion using Milestone General ETHOS-One system to minimize volatile losses.
• Diluted the digest to 30 mL with ultrapure water and spiked with 10 µg/L Ga, In, and Bi as internal standards.

Analytical Conditions

ICPMS-2030 Parameters:

• RF Power: 1.2 kW
• Plasma Gas Flow: 8.0 L/min
• Auxiliary Gas Flow: 1.1 L/min
• Carrier Gas Flow: 0.6 L/min
• Nebulizer: Type 10
• Spray Chamber: Cyclone (electronically cooled)
• Torch: Mini torch
• Collision Gas: Helium

Calibration and QC:

• Constructed calibration curves for As, Cd, and Pb.
• Performed spike recovery tests for accuracy validation.

Main Results and Discussion

Detection limits were 0.002 µg/g (As), 0.0008 µg/g (Cd), and 0.0003 µg/g (Pb), all well below regulatory thresholds (15, 1, and 3 µg/g respectively). Measured concentrations in pet food samples were 0.053 µg/g As, 0.054 µg/g Cd, and 0.068 µg/g Pb. Spike recoveries ranged from 99% to 102%, confirming method reliability and precision.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The workflow offers rapid digestion, high sensitivity, and minimal analyte loss, making it suitable for routine monitoring of heavy metals in pet food. It ensures compliance with safety standards and supports quality assurance in manufacturing.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Future developments may include fully automated sample introduction to boost throughput and consistency. Advances in collision/reaction cell technology will further reduce spectral interferences. Integration with cloud-based data platforms could streamline regulatory reporting and facilitate trend analysis across production batches.

Conclusion

The combination of closed-vessel microwave digestion and Shimadzu ICPMS-2030 provides a robust, sensitive, and efficient method for quantifying arsenic, cadmium, and lead in pet food. The protocol meets regulatory requirements and enhances quality control measures in the pet food industry.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu ICPMS-2030 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
• Milestone General ETHOS-One Microwave Digestion System

References

1. Ministerial ordinance regarding component standards for pet food (April 28, 2009). Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Ministry of the Environment, Ordinance No. 1.