Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is the technique of choice for the analysis of food materials. This is thanks to its ultratrace detection capabilities, ideal for the determination of low-level contaminants, such as Pb, As, Se, and Hg, while the macro-level nutritional elements, such as Ca, Mg, K, and Na, can be quantified using its extended dynamic range capabilities, allowing the measurement of concentrations over nine orders of magnitude.
However, there may still be some challenges to overcome, including complex sample matrices, high levels of dissolved solids, and interferences, but with the proper ICP-MS instrumental conditions and design, these issues can be overcome, allowing for the successful analysis of food samples. This work focuses on the analysis of non-fat milk powder, demonstrating the ability of the NexION® 300/350 ICP-MS to effectively measure macro-level nutritional elements and lower-level elements in the same analytical run, without having to dilute the samples.