Determination of Inorganic Nanoparticles in Biological Samples and Foodstuffs Using Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Keywords:
inorganic nanoparticles, single particle analysis, mass spectrometry, biological samples, foodstuffsAbstract
Single particle-ICPMS is a powerful analytical technique that enables a detection of inorganic nanoparticles as well as the determination of their size distribution. In the article, the principle of sp-ICPMS is explained. The quantitative relations concerning the calibration of particle number concentration and size are also given. Sample preparation procedures intended for the analysis of biological samples and foodstuffs are briefly mentioned and numerous applications of sp-ICPMS are described. The corresponding studies include e.g. analyses of Ag, Au, Pt or Pd nanoparticles in plants, aquatic organisms or animal tissues.