Analysis of Minerals and Harmful Elements in Formula Milk Powder Using ICPMS-2030

Importance of the Topic

Infant formula milk powder must provide essential minerals such as calcium, iron and copper in precise amounts to support healthy growth, while avoiding toxic elements like lead or arsenic. Accurate quantification of both nutrient and harmful trace elements is crucial for regulatory compliance, quality assurance and safeguarding infant health.

Study Objectives and Overview

This application note details the simultaneous determination of major minerals and toxic trace elements in formula milk powder using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS-2030) with a helium collision gas system. Certified reference material (NMIJ CRM 7512-a) was employed to validate accuracy and recovery performance.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample Preparation:

• Weighed 0.25 g of formula milk powder into a quartz vessel.
• Added 0.5 mL hydrochloric acid and 6.5 mL nitric acid.
• Applied closed‐vessel microwave digestion (ETHOS One) with a six‐step temperature program up to 180 °C to ensure complete decomposition and minimal volatilization loss.
• Diluted digest to 250 mL with ultrapure water (1000× dilution) and spiked with internal standards (Sc, Co, Ga, Y, In, Ti at 10 µg/L).

Instrumental Setup:

• Instrument: Shimadzu ICPMS-2030 with helium collision cell to suppress argon and chlorine interferences.
• Plasma RF power: 1.2 kW; plasma gas flow 8.0 L/min; auxiliary gas 1.10 L/min; carrier gas 0.60 L/min.
• Sample introduction via nebulizer 10 and electronically cooled cyclone chamber with mini‐torch.

Main Results and Discussion

Major mineral concentrations (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Mn, Mo, Sr, Zn) measured in the CRM agreed closely with certified values, all within expanded uncertainties. Toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, As) fell below detection limits (<0.005–0.06 mg/kg) and spike recovery tests yielded 100–108%, confirming quantitative accuracy and minimal matrix effects.

Contributions and Practical Applications

The ICPMS-2030 method enables rapid, sensitive and simultaneous analysis of both nutrient and contaminant elements in infant formula. Its low-interference helium collision cell and robust microwave digestion workflow provide reliable data for regulatory compliance, quality control and product development in the dairy and infant nutrition industries.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include automation of digestion and sample introduction, integration with high-throughput screening, and expansion to other complex food matrices. Further reduction of spectral interferences and lower detection limits will support monitoring of emerging contaminants at ultra-trace levels.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that Shimadzu’s ICPMS-2030 combined with closed‐vessel microwave digestion provides a streamlined and validated approach for quantifying essential minerals and toxic elements in formula milk powder, meeting stringent regulatory and safety requirements.

References

• Permission standards for labeling and component composition of breast milk and formulated milk powder for infants. Food Labeling Division, Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan; March 31, 2016.