Detection and characterization of biogenic selenium nanoparticles in selenium-rich yeast by single particle ICPMS

A method based on single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICPMS) was developed for the analysis of commercial Se-rich yeasts, to confirm the occurrence of selenium nanoparticles in these food supplements. A considerable reduction of background levels was achieved by combining data acquisition at microsecond dwell times and the use of a H2 reaction cell, improving by a factor of 10 the current state-of-the-art methodology, and bringing size detection limits down to 18 nm for selenium nanoparticles. The presence of nanoparticulate selenium was revealed by size-exclusion chromatography ICPMS, with detection of a selenium peak at the exclusion volume of the column showing absorption at a wavelength corresponding to selenium nanoparticles. SP-ICPMS allowed us to confirm the presence of Se-nanoparticles, as well as to calculate the nanoparticle size distribution, from information about the shape and elemental composition of the nanoparticles obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. These results reveal the significance of nanoparticles in the speciation of metals and metalloids in biological samples and the capability of SP-ICPMS in combination with TEM-EDS to carry out these analyses

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the analysis of inorganic engineered nanoparticles in environmental samples

International audienceThe analysis of engineered nanoparticles in environmental samples involves their detection followed by their quantification and characterization. The development of robust and reliable methods for achieving these objectives is one of the main challenges of analytical chemistry, and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is considered one of such promising methods. The success of SP-ICP-MS lies on the fact that different types of analytical information can be obtained by using any commercial instrument. A priori, the following information related to one or more specific elements can be obtained: (i) qualitative information about the presence of particulate and/or dissolved forms, (ii) quantitative information as particle number as well as mass concentrations and (iii) characterization information about the mass of element/s per particle and particle size. The transformations that engineered nanoparticles can undergo under environmental conditions and the occurrence of natural particles of similar composition bring additional challenges. The aim of this review is to present the current situation of SP-ICP-MS for the analysis of inorganic engineered nanoparticles in environmental samples and the approaches needed to cope with complex environmental problems. © 2016 Elsevier B.V

An insight into silver nanoparticles bioavailability in rats

International audienceA comprehensive study of the bioavailability of orally administered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out using a rat model. The silver uptake was monitored in liver and kidney tissues, as well as in urine and in feces. Significant accumulation of silver was found in both organs, the liver being the principal target of AgNPs. A significant (∼50%) fraction of silver was found in feces whereas the fraction excreted via urine was negligible (\textless0.01%). Intact silver nanoparticles were found in feces by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) coupled with UV-Vis analysis. Laser ablation-ICP MS imaging showed that AgNPs were able to penetrate into the liver, in contrast to kidneys where they were retained in the cortex. Silver speciation analysis in cytosols from kidneys showed the metallothionein complex as the major species whereas in the liver the majority of silver was bound to high-molecular (70-25 kDa) proteins. These findings demonstrate the presence of Ag(i), released by the oxidation of AgNPs in the biological environment

Persistence of copper-based nanoparticle-containing foliar sprays in Lactuca sativa (lettuce) characterized by spICP-MS

Copper oxide and hydroxide nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) are components of some commercial pesticides. When these Cu-NPs dissolve in the environment, their size distribution, efficacy, and toxicity are altered. Since acute toxicity screens typically involve pristine NPs, quantification of the transformation of their size distribution in edible leaf vegetables is necessary for accurate consumer risk assessment. Single particle ICP-MS was used to investigate the persistence of three forms of Cu-NPs following foliar application to live lettuce (Lactuca sativa): CuO NP, Cu(OH)2 NP, and Kocide 3000®. A methanol-based digestion method was used to minimize Cu-NP dissolution during extraction from the leaf tissues. After dosing, the NPs associated with the leaf tissues were characterized over a 9-day period to monitor persistence. Nanoparticle counts and total copper mass concentrations remained constant, though the particle size distributions shifted down over time.Washing the leaves in tap water resulted in removal of total copper while the number of Cu-NPs remaining depended on the form applied. This work indicates that washing of lettuce preferentially removed dissolved Cu over Cu-NPs, and that the amount of residual Cu- NPs remaining is low when applied at the recommended rates for Kocide 3000®.publishe