Streamlined sample preparation procedure for determination of perchlorate anion in foods by ion chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Quantification of Chlorate and Perchlorate in a Broad Range of Food Commodities, Including Baby Food, Nutritional Formulas, and Ingredients by LC-MS/MS: First Action AOAC 2022.06

BACKGROUND

Chlorate is an effective herbicide, but also a byproduct of chlorinating agents used to disinfect water, which is one of the reasons why it is regularly found in food. Perchlorate is a ubiquitous contaminant, which is naturally occurring in the environment but also released from anthropogenic sources such as the industrial use of certain natural fertilizers. Chlorate affects the hematological system, and perchlorate the thyroid.

OBJECTIVE

Implement and validate a simple and robust analytical method for the accurate determination of chlorate and perchlorate in baby food, infant and adult formulas, and ingredients thereof, which is suited for its application in routine environments where a broad variety of food commodities must be analyzed simultaneously.

METHOD

Typically, analytes are extracted with a mixture of water, acidified methanol, and dichloromethane. Optionally, for dairy products and byproducts, extraction can be performed with water, acidified methanol, and EDTA, followed by two steps of cleanup (freezing out and dispersive solid-phase extraction with C18 in acetonitrile). Quantitative determination is carried out by isotopic dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

The method was single-laboratory validated in five Nestlé Quality Assurance Centers (NQACs) in a comprehensive range of representative matrixes of different categories such as baby foods, infant/adult formulas, and ingredients, with results generally in agreement with the acceptance criteria of the Standard Method Performance Requirement (SMPR®) 2021.001 defined by AOAC INTERNATIONAL, in terms of representative matrixes validated, LOQs, trueness, and precision.The data generated during validation show that the method proposed is simple, accurate and robust enough to be implemented and applied in routine environments.

CONCLUSION

The data generated during validation show that the method proposed is simple, accurate and robust enough to be implemented and applied in routine environments.

HIGHLIGHTS

The AOAC Expert Review Panel approved the present method as AOAC Official First Action 2022.06.

Ionic Liquid-Modified Gold Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric Sensor for Perchlorate Detection via Anion-π Interaction

A rapid and convenient nanoparticle(NP)-based colorimetric sensor was developed for determining the propellant oxidant, ammonium perchlorate (AP). The sensing element was manufactured by modifying gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with [(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetic acid, which is an imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL), to produce the IL@AuNP nanosensor stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone. The used IL is an exceptional IL which can attach to AuNPs through the sulfanyl-S atom. The sensing principle was based on observing the red shift in the surface plasmon resonance band of AuNPs leading to NP aggregation as a result of anion-π interaction of perchlorate anion with the zwitterionic form of IL@AuNPs so as to bring opposite charges face-to-face, thereby reducing the overall surface charge of NPs. The surface plasmon resonance band of AuNPs at 540 nm shifted to 700 nm as a result of aggregation. The ratiometric sensing was performed by dividing the absorbance at 700 nm to the absorbance at 540 nm and correlating this ratio to the AP concentration. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the sensor for AP were 1.50 and 4.95 μM, respectively. Possible interferences of other energetic substances and common soil ions in synthetic mixtures were also investigated to achieve acceptable recoveries of analyte. This work may pioneer similar sensing systems where the overall anionic charges of IL-functionalized AuNPs are exceptionally reduced by an analyte anion (perchlorate), thereby forcing NPs to aggregate.

Anion Exchange Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray-Mass Spectrometry: An Efficient Tool for Food, Environment, and Biological Analysis

For over 50 years, ion chromatography has been demonstrated to be a successful technique used to quantify a wide range of ions and ionizable compounds, either organic or inorganic, in various matrices using conductimetric or electrochemical detection. It was only since 1996 that ion chromatography was coupled to electrospray-mass spectrometry, opening the field to new applications in complex matrices and the detection of compounds at trace levels. This review covers the recent developments of ion exchange chromatography and mass spectrometry. It focuses on the choice of mobile phases, column geometry, suppressors, make-up solvents and type of ionization sources reported in the literature. A brief overview of a large range of applications in food analysis, environmental analysis and bioanalysis is presented, and performances are discussed.

Perchlorate occurrence in foodstuffs and water: Analytical methods and techniques for removal from water - A review

Perchlorate (ClO₄^-), a type of contaminant with high diffusivity and durability, has been widely detected in water and foodstuffs, arousing a global concern. It can interfere with normal function of the human thyroid gland, affecting human health. Therefore, determination of perchlorate in water and foodstuffs, and removal from water are important. This review focuses on the occurrence of perchlorate, mainly in water and foodstuffs, and provides an overview of analytical methods for determination of perchlorate over the last two decades. In addition, merits and drawbacks of the various methods have been considered. This review also highlights the most commonly used approaches for removal of perchlorate from water. Finally, current trends and future perspectives in determination of perchlorate and removal from water are proposed. This review provided a comprehensive understanding of perchlorate occurrence and its removal from water, and had practical significance in reducing the harm of perchlorate to human.

Accurate, sensitive and rapid determination of perchlorate in tea by hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Perchlorate is an environmental contaminant interrupting thyroid hormone production, and perchlorate in tea has raised wide concern recently. In this study, an accurate method was developed for the determination of perchlorate in tea using hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and a simplified QuEChERS procedure. The method utilized a zwitterion HILIC column for separation, and the optimal gradient eluents consisted of acetonitrile and aqueous solution with 0.1% formic acid and 20 mmol L^-1 ammonium formate. Calibration curves were fitted by the quadratic model with 1/x weight instead of the linear model. As perchlorate was only partially extractable when using acetonitrile or methanol as the extraction solvent, acetonitrile/water (1 : 1, v/v) was chosen to extract perchlorate from tea samples. Graphitized carbon black was used as the dispersive solid phase extraction sorbent to clean up tea extracts. The method exhibited satisfactory accuracy with recoveries of 81.4-100.9% and relative standard deviations of 1.3-14.5% for green and black teas. The limit of quantitation was 0.005 mg kg^-1, while the limits of detection were 0.0011 mg kg^-1 for green tea and 0.0013 mg kg^-1 for black tea, indicating an excellent sensitivity of this method. A 100% positive rate of perchlorate was found in 100 real tea samples, and the concentrations ranged from 0.0030 mg kg^-1 to 0.78 mg kg^-1. This accurate, sensitive and rapid method would be suitable for monitoring, risk assessment and source identification of perchlorate in tea.

Chloroxyanion Residue on Seeds and Sprouts after Chlorine Dioxide Sanitation of Alfalfa Seed

The effects of a 6-h chlorine dioxide sanitation of alfalfa seed (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg seed) on total coliform bacteria, seed germination, and the presence of chlorate and perchlorate residues in seed rinse, seed soak, and alfalfa sprouts was determined. Chlorate residues in 20,000 mg/L calcium hypochlorite, commonly used to disinfect seed, were quantified. Chlorine dioxide treatment reduced (P < 0.05) total coliforms on seeds with no effect (P > 0.05) on germination. Dose-dependent sodium chlorate residues were present in seed rinse (4.1 to 31.2 μg/g seed) and soak (0.7 to 8.3 μg/g seed) waters, whereas chlorate residues were absent (LOQ 5 ng/g) in sprouts, except for 2 of 5 replicates from the high chlorine dioxide treatment. Copious chlorate residues were present (168 to 1260 mg/L) in freshly prepared 20,000 mg/L calcium hypochlorite solution, and storage at room temperature increased chlorate residues significantly (P < 0.01).

Update on dietary intake of perchlorate and iodine from U.S. food and drug administration's total diet study: 2008-2012

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Total Diet Study (TDS) monitors the US food supply for pesticide residues, industrial chemicals, radionuclides, nutrients, and toxic elements. Perchlorate and iodine intakes based on concentrations in TDS samples collected between 2008 and 2012 were estimated in order to update an earlier TDS dietary assessment. Perchlorate is used as an oxidizing agent in rocket and missile fuel, is formed naturally in the atmosphere, and occurs naturally in some soils. Because of perchlorate's presence in soil, and in irrigation, processing, and source water, it is widely found in food. Iodine was included in the study because perchlorate at high doses interferes with iodide uptake in the thyroid. Iodine (the elemental form of iodide) is essential for growth and development, and metabolism. This study uses a novel statistical method based on a clustered zero-inflated lognormal distribution model to estimate mean and 95^th percentile confidence interval concentrations for perchlorate and iodine in US foods. These estimates were used to estimate mean perchlorate and iodine exposures for the total US population and for 14 age/sex groups in the US population. Estimated mean perchlorate intake for the total US population was 0.13 μg/kg bw/day, with mean intakes for the 14 age/sex groups between 0.09 and 0.43 μg/kg bw/day. The estimated mean intakes of perchlorate for all age/sex groups were below EPA's reference dose (RfD) of 0.7 μg/kg bw/day. The estimated mean iodine intake for the total US population was 216.4 μg/person/day, with mean intakes ranging from 140.9 to 296.3 μg/person/day for the 14 age/sex groups, with all age/sex groups exceeding their respective estimated average requirements (EARs).

Stability of Sodium Chlorate Residues in Frozen Tomato and Cantaloupe Homogenates

The objective of this study was to determine the stability of sodium chlorate in frozen (-24 °C) tomato or cantaloupe homogenates for up to 17 weeks (119 days). Chlorate stability was assessed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) at two fortification levels (80 or 600 ng/g for tomato and 200 or 3000 ng/g for cantaloupe, n = 3 each) for each fruit after storage for 0, 1, 7, 14, 28, 56, or 119 d. Within matrix type, chlorate recovery was determined by fortifying duplicate blank homogenate samples on the day of analysis with the same concentrations used for the stability samples. Chlorate limits of quantitation for cantaloupe and tomato matrices were 30 and 60 ng/g, respectively. Sodium chlorate residues were stable (P > 0.05) in frozen tomato and cantaloupe homogenates during storage for 119 days at -24 °C.

Chloroxyanion Residues in Cantaloupe and Tomatoes after Chlorine Dioxide Gas Sanitation

Chlorine dioxide gas is effective at cleansing fruits and vegetables of bacterial pathogens and(or) rot organisms, but little data are available on chemical residues remaining subsequent to chlorine gas treatment. Therefore, studies were conducted to quantify chlorate and perchlorate residues after tomato and cantaloupe treatment with chlorine dioxide gas. Treatments delivered 50 mg of chlorine dioxide gas per kg of tomato (2-h treatment) and 100 mg of gas per kg of cantaloupe (6-h treatment) in sealed, darkened containers. Chlorate residues in tomato and cantaloupe edible flesh homogenates were less than the LC-MS/MS limit of quantitation (60 and 30 ng/g respectively), but were 1319 ± 247 ng/g in rind + edible flesh of cantaloupe. Perchlorate residues in all fractions of chlorine dioxide-treated tomatoes and cantaloupe were not different (P > 0.05) than perchlorate residues in similar fractions of untreated tomatoes and cantaloupe. Data from this study suggest that chlorine dioxide sanitation of edible vegetables and melons can be conducted without the formation of unwanted residues in edible fractions.

Trace determination of perchlorate using electromembrane extraction and capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection

Electromembrane extraction (EME) and CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (CE-C(4) D) was applied to rapid and sensitive determination of perchlorate in drinking water and environmental samples. Porous polypropylene hollow fiber impregnated with 1-heptanol acted as a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and perchlorate was transported and preconcentrated in the fiber lumen on application of electric field. High selectivity of perchlorate determination and its baseline separation from major inorganic anions was achieved in CE-C(4) D using background electrolyte solution consisting of 7.5 mM L-histidine and 40 mM acetic acid at pH 4.1. The analytical method showed excellent parameters in terms of reproducibility; RSD values for migration times and peak areas at a spiked concentration of 15 μg/L of perchlorate (US EPA recommended limit for drinking water) were below 0.2 and 8.7%, respectively, in all examined water samples. Linear calibration curves were obtained for perchlorate in the concentration range 1-100 μg/L (r(2) ≥0.999) with limits of detection at 1 μg/L for tap water and at 0.25-0.35 μg/L for environmental and bottled potable water samples. Recoveries at 15 μg/L of perchlorate were between 95.9 and 106.7% with minimum and maximum recovery values for snow and bottled potable water samples, respectively.

Determination of perchlorate in infant formula by isotope dilution ion chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and selective isotope dilution ion chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (ID IC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of perchlorate in infant formula. The perchlorate was extracted from infant formula by using 20 ml of methanol and 5 ml of 1% acetic acid. All samples were spiked with (18)O(4) isotope-labelled perchlorate internal standard prior to extraction. After purification on a graphitised carbon solid-phase extraction column, the extracts were injected into an ion chromatography system equipped with an Ionpac AS20 column for separation of perchlorate from other anions. The presence of perchlorate in samples was quantified by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Analysis of both perchlorate and its isotope-labelled internal standard was carried out on a Waters Quattro Ultima triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) negative ionisation mode. The method was validated for linearity and range, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and matrix effects. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.4 µg l(-1) for liquid infant formula and 0.95 µg kg(-1) for powdered infant formula. The recovery ranged from 94% to 110% with an average of 98%. This method was used to analyse 39 infant formula, and perchlorate concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 13.5 µg l(-1).

Perchlorate in soybean sprouts (Glycine max L. Merr.), water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.), and lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) root in South Korea

The occurrence of perchlorate in soybean sprouts (Glycine max L. Merr), water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.), and lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) root, which are commonly consumed by people in South Korea, was determined by using an ion chromatograph coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer. For soybean sprouts (11 samples), perchlorate was detected in most (91%) of the samples at various concentrations of up to 78.4 μg/kg dry weight (DW); the mean concentration was 35.2 μg/kg DW. For water dropwort, of the 13 samples examined, four showed concentrations that were above the limit of quantification (LOQ). The mean perchlorate concentration was 20.7 μg/kg DW, and the highest perchlorate value was 39.9 μg/kg DW. Of the six lotus root samples examined, only one exhibited a detectable perchlorate concentration (17.3 μg/kg DW). For the accumulation experiments with artificially contaminated solutions, the concentrations of perchlorate in soybean sprouts gradually increased with the increase of perchlorate concentration in the solution. However, there was a decrease in the bioconcentration factor as the perchlorate concentration in the solution increased.

Analysis of perchlorate in milk powder and milk by hydrophilic interaction chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry

A simple, selective, and sensitive method using hydrophilic interaction chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) for quantifying perchlorate in milk powder and milk was developed. The analysis was conducted on an Inertsil HILIC column (150 mm x 3.0 mm, 3.5 mum) using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% formic acid (60:40, v/v). The detection was performed by MS/MS via electrospray ionization. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 2.00 x 10(-2) to 8.00 microg/g and 4.00 x 10(-1) to 20.0 microg/L for perchlorate in milk powder and milk, respectively. The method detection limit was 4.00 x 10(-3) microg/g for milk powder and 8.00 x 10(-2) microg/L for milk. The recoveries of perchlorate in milk powder and milk were all >90%. This method was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of perchlorate in milk powder and milk.

US Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study: dietary intake of perchlorate and iodine

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted the Total Diet Study (TDS) since 1961, which designed to monitor the US food supply for chemical contaminants, nutritional elements, and toxic elements. Recently, perchlorate was analyzed in TDS samples. Perchlorate is used as an oxidizing agent in rocket propellant, is found in other items (e.g., explosives, road flares, fireworks, and car airbags), occurs naturally in some fertilizers, and may be generated under certain climatic conditions. It has been detected in surface and groundwater and in food. Perchlorate at high (e.g., pharmacological) doses can interfere with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland, disrupting its function. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has identified that "the fetuses of pregnant women who might have hypothyroidism or iodide deficiency as the most sensitive population." This study reports on intake estimates of perchlorate and iodine, a precursor to iodide, using the analytical results from the TDS. Estimated average perchlorate and iodine daily intakes as well as the contribution of specific food groups to total intakes were estimated for 14 age/sex subgroups of the US population. The estimated smallest lower bound to the largest upper bound average perchlorate intakes by the 14 age/sex groups range from 0.08 to 0.39 micrograms per kilogram body weight per day (microg/kg bw/day), compared with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reference dose (RfD) of 0.7 microg/kg bw/day. Infants and children demonstrated the highest estimated intakes of perchlorate on a body weight basis. The estimated average iodine intakes by the 14 age/sex groups reveal a lower bound (ND=0) and upper bound (ND=LOD) range of average intakes from 138 to 353 microg/person/day. Estimated iodine intakes by infants 6-11 months exceed their adequate intake (AI), and intakes by children and adult age/sex groups exceed their relevant estimated average requirement (EAR).

Perchlorate in sewage sludge, rice, bottled water and milk collected from different areas in China

As a new emerging environmental contaminant, perchlorate has prompted people to pay more attention. The presence of perchlorate in the human body can result in improper regulation of metabolism for adults. Furthermore, it also causes developmental and behavioral problems for infants and children because it can interfere with iodide uptake into the thyroid tissue. In this paper, perchlorate in sewage sludge, rice, bottled drinking water and milk was detected for investigating the perchlorate pollution status in China. The places, where the samples were collected, cover most regions of China. Therefore, the final data on perchlorate levels will give an indication of the perchlorate pollution status in China. The final determination of perchlorate was performed by ion chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry with negative mode. The concentration of perchlorate in sewage sludge, rice, bottled drinking water and milk was in the range of 0.56-379.9 microg/kg, 0.16-4.88 mug/kg, 0.037-2.013 microg/L and 0.30-9.1 microg/L, respectively. The results show that perchlorate has been widespread in China.

Dicationic Ion-Pairing Agents for the Mass Spectrometric Determination of Perchlorate

Perchlorate and other hydrophobic ions can be measured with high sensitivity and selectivity by forming a positively charged ion pair with a dicationic agent. A commercially available reagent, 1,6-bis(trimethylammonium)hexane dibromide (Br(N(CH3)3)(CH2)6(N(CH3)3)Br) allows for the determination of perchlorate by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry as the [(N(CH3)3)(CH2)6(N(CH3)3)ClO4]+ ion. Limits of detection (LODs) are better than those previously observed with custom-synthesized dicationic agents. An LOD of 20 ng/L is readily attainable with a single-quadrupole mass spectrometer.