Elemental analysis is essential for ensuring food safety, verifying nutritional value, and meeting regulatory requirements. With advanced analytical technologies and cutting-edge methods, Aprofood conducts elemental analysis, helping clients verify whether raw materials and finished products comply with regulations.
Elements in Food Products
Foods and dietary supplements contain various elements. Some are essential minerals required to maintain human nutritional balance and normal physiological functions, which are categorized into macrominerals and trace elements. These typically come from natural food sources and additive supplements. Other elements are considered harmful pollutants, which usually originate from environmental (soil, water source) migration or contamination during processing. Global food contaminant regulations set maximum limits for their content. Some elements can also affect the sensory characteristics of products. Analyzing elements in food helps ensure the balance of food elements, supports product research and development, and prevents risks of heavy metal contamination.
Fig 1. Elements in food supplements. (Deepika G, et al., 2023)
Our Service
With state-of-the-art analytical technology, Aprofood is committed to providing high-quality testing services. Our laboratory is equipped with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, ICP-OES/ICP-AES, ICP-MS, XRF Fluorescence Spectroscopy, HPLC, etc., which support to provide the stability and sensitivity required for the detection of low concentration trace minerals and elements. Our elemental analysis services cover, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Macro-minerals
Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Sulfur (S), Chlorine (Cl)
Essential Trace Elements
Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Aluminum (Al), Selenium (Se), Iodine (I), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo)
Contaminant Elements
Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Antimony (Sb), Tin (Sn), Nickel (Ni), and other non-essential elements
Inorganic Mineral Salts
Acid-insoluble ash (Silicon dioxide, SiO₂), Fluoride (F⁻), Nitrate in water (NO₃⁻), Phytic acid in feed/grains, Salt (Sodium chloride, NaCl), Soluble chlorides
Applicable Scenarios
- Food Packaging. Testing for migrating elements (tin, cadmium) and hazardous substances (lead, mercury) in packaging.
- Seasonings. Detection of heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and sodium in soy sauce and table salt.
- Sports Nutrition. Screening for trace elements (zinc, magnesium) and contaminants (arsenic, antimony) in protein powder.
- Meat Products. Analysis of heavy metal residues (mercury, arsenic) & additives (nitrite) in ham, sausage.
- Plant Protein. Screening for trace elements (iron, zinc) and heavy metals (cadmium, chromium) in soy protein.
- Specialty Foods. Elements (selenium, iodine) content and authenticity identification in selenium-enriched rice and iodized salt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What precautions should be taken during sampling?
A1: To prevent cross-contamination, solid samples should be thoroughly mixed before sampling, while liquid samples need to be shaken well and collected from the middle portion.
Q2: What is the minimum detection limit (MDL)?
A2: For routine analysis, a minimum sample size of 50 g (solid) or 50 mL (liquid) is required. Trace element detection requires at least 100 g (solid) or 100 mL (liquid).
Q3: What is the limit of detection (LOD) that your testing can achieve?
A3: For heavy metals, the LOD can reach as low as 0.01 mg/kg. For trace elements, the LOD can achieve parts-per-billion (ppb) level, equivalent to μg/kg.
Q4: What does the test report include?
A4: The report includes the testing items, measured values, comparison with limit values, conclusions, and the testing methods referenced.
Aprofood is your reliable choice for comprehensive element analysis. We aim to help our clients optimize formulation design, improve product quality, and ensure product compliance with nutritional labeling and regulatory requirements. Contact us today to discuss your project and learn more about our services.
Reference:
- Augustsson A.; et al. Trace and major elements in food supplements of different origin: implications for daily intake levels and health risks[J]. Toxicol Rep. 2021, 8: 1067–80.
For Research Use Only.
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