NANOLYSE

Nanoparticles in Food: Analytical methods for detection and characterisation

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The NanoLyse project will focus on the development of validated methods and reference materials for the analysis of engineered nano-particles (ENP) in food and beverages. The developed methods will cover all relevant classes of ENP with reported or expected food and food contact material applications, i.e. metal, metal oxide/silicate, surface functionalised and organic encapsulate (colloidal/micelle type) ENP. Priority ENPs have been selected out of each class as model particles to demonstrate the applicability of the developed approaches, e.g. nano-silver, nano-silica, an organically surface modified nano-clay and organic nano-encapsulates. Priority will be given to methods which can be implemented in existing food analysis laboratories. A dual approach will be followed. Rapid imaging and screening methods will allow the distinction between samples which contain ENP and those that do not. These methods will be characterised by minimal sample preparation, cost-efficiency, high throughput and will be achieved by the application of automated smart electron microscopy imaging and screening techniques in sensor and immunochemical formats. More sophisticated, hyphenated methods will allow the unambiguous characterisation and quantification of ENP. These will include elaborate sample preparation, separation by flow field fractionation and chromatographic techniques as well as mass spectrometric and electron microscopic characterisation techniques. The developed methods will be validated using the well characterised food matrix reference materials that will be produced within the project. Small-scale interlaboratory method performance studies and the analysis of a few commercially available products claiming or suspect to contain ENP will demonstrate the applicability and soundness of the developed methods.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A recently-completed EU research project has developed standard methods for rapid and reliable identification of synthetic nanoparticles in foods.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Nanotechnologies are increasingly used in the food chain. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) may enter food from use of additives in food packaging as well as from environmental contamination. Reliable analytical methods are needed to assess possible risks as well as to enforce current legislation, e.g. on food labelling.

At the start of the EU-funded project 'Nanoparticles in food: Analytical methods for detection and characterisation' (http://www.nanolyse.eu (NANOLYSE)), methods for the detection and characterisation of ENPs in food were limited. Now, at the end of the project, significant strides have been made in this important field.

The aim of the project was to develop methods for reliable detection and analysis of ENPs in food. It also set out to develop and validate reference materials against which to compare various types of ENPs.

Researchers selected representative ENPs from each type of material, for example, nano-silver and nano-silica, to demonstrate their new methods. Methods that could be implemented in existing food analysis laboratories were prioritised.

A two-tiered process of identification and analysis was developed and validated using these representative particles. The first tier focuses on rapid screening, while the second provides reliable identification and quantification of specific ENPs.

Researchers built software to provide semi-automated analysis of electron microscope images, which could reliably detect ENPs in various foodstuffs. Identification and quantification of inorganic ENP was achieved by multidetector field flow fractionation and single particle ICP-MS. Another aspect of the project was to develop reliable ways to handle organic nanoparticles (protein-, lipid- or carbohydrate-based), which are more fragile than their inorganic counterparts. All methods were thoroughly validated.

Finally, NANOLYSE developed reference materials to use in conjunction with the analytic methods developed during the project lifetime.

In the long-term, NANOLYSE contributes to food safety and transparency by enabling to screen foods for the presence of potentially harmful ENPs.