A comprehensive workflow for beverage analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Significance of the Topic

Trace metal and nutrient profiling of beverages is critical for ensuring consumer safety, verifying compliance with international regulations and achieving accurate nutritional labeling. Monitoring both essential elements—such as calcium, magnesium and potassium—and potentially toxic metals like lead, cadmium and arsenic supports quality control in manufacturing, protects public health and maintains brand integrity.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This application note outlines a full analytical workflow for the simultaneous determination of key nutrients and trace contaminants in a variety of beverage matrices. The study demonstrates sample preparation by microwave‐assisted acid digestion combined with fivefold argon gas dilution, followed by quantification on a triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The goal is to deliver reliable, high‐throughput data to laboratories supporting regulatory compliance and product development.

Methodology

Sample preparation involved weighing 5 g of each beverage into quartz digestion vessels. An automated acid dispenser added 2 mL HNO₃ and 0.5 mL HCl per sample. Microwave digestion was performed on an UltraWAVE system under controlled temperature and pressure ramps, finishing with a programmed cooldown. Digests were automatically diluted fivefold online using an argon gas dilution (AGD) setup within the ICP-MS to mitigate matrix effects. Calibration employed multielement standards covering trace metals and major nutrients across six concentration levels, with independent low and high quality control solutions to verify accuracy throughout extended runs.

Instrumentation

• Thermo Scientific iCAP MTX triple quadrupole ICP-MS
• Thermo Scientific iSC-65 autosampler
• UltraWAVE microwave digestion system with EasyFILL acid dispenser

Key Results and Discussion

Calibration curves exhibited excellent linearity (R² > 0.999) for most elements. Background equivalent concentrations and method quantification limits met or exceeded regulatory requirements, with detection limits for toxic elements in the low ng/L range. Internal standards (Sc, Ge, Rh, Ir) remained stable within 75–125% over eight-hour sequences. Spike‐recovery experiments in diverse beverage matrices yielded recoveries between 80% and 120%, confirming method accuracy. Analysis of thirteen commercial beverages revealed consistent nutrient profiles in fruit juices, dominated by potassium (700–1 800 mg L⁻¹), sodium and calcium, whereas processed drinks exhibited lower total nutrient loads and different element distributions. All samples were below regulatory limits for toxic metals, except two grape juices showing arsenic and lead marginally above 5 µg kg⁻¹.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High throughput workflow with minimal operator intervention
• Broad analyte range covering major, trace and ultra‐trace elements
• Automatic dilution eliminates additional sample handling
• Effective interference removal via helium collision or oxygen reaction modes
• Robust performance suited for contract testing and regulatory labs

Future Trends and Applications

Advances in miniaturized sample preparation, greener reagents and further automation are expected to streamline beverage analysis. Integration of data analytics and real‐time reporting will support dynamic quality control. Emerging regulatory requirements may expand the target analyte list to include rare earth elements and novel contaminants, driving continued innovation in ICP-MS technology.

Conclusion

The described workflow demonstrates accurate, precise and robust multielement analysis of beverages. Microwave digestion paired with triple quadrupole ICP-MS and online argon dilution offers a streamlined solution for routine testing, meeting the demands of high productivity laboratories while ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Reference

• Naëls L. et al. Thermo Fisher Scientific Application Note 003161 (2024): A comprehensive workflow for beverage analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.