Elemental analysis of nutritional preparations by inductively coupled plasma mass and optical emission spectrometry

This paper reports the development and using of ICP-MS and ICP-OES methods for determination of major, minor and trace elements in multivitamin preparations and dietary supplements and, based on results, their classification using multivariate statistical methods.The method was optimised and evaluated with the use of “in-house” reference material, commercial reference materials and spiked samples. Macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P), microelements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se, Cr), toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb, Ni, V) and a whole series of other elements (e.g. REEs, Ti, Au, Pt, Pd, etc.) were detected with excellent limits of detection as well as other procedure parameters suitable for the purpose of the elemental analysis.As for physiologically significant elements, contents were found as follows (mg kg⁻¹): Ca 560-196,000, Mg 308-70,300, Na 289-74,000, K from undetectable to 28,200, Cu 28-1460, P from undetectable to 217,000, Zn 2.1-25,000, Fe 115-39,400, Mn 28-1860, Cr 0.486-26.6, Mo 0.0418-9.88, and Se 0.395-161. It was found out, if compared with recommended daily intakes, that maximally 50% Ca, 37% Mg, 3% K, 20% P, 14% Na, 100% Cu, 160% Mn, 190% Fe, 120% Zn, 24% Cr, 29% Mo and 79% Se can be obtained from one dose. Extreme samples presenting a possible health risk (Ni content nearly 200 mg kg⁻¹) were indicated. Most of the remaining elements (e.g. REEs) were analysed in order to get reference values for nutritional preparation.