Separation and characterization of nanoparticles in complex food and environmental samples by field-flow fractionation

Author(s)

Thilo Hofmann, Frank von der Kammer, Samuel Legros, Erik H. Larsen, Katrin Loeschner

Abstract

The thorough analysis of natural nanoparticles (NPs) and engineered NPs involves the sequence of detection, identification,

quantification and, if possible, detailed characterization. In a complex or heterogeneous sample, each step of this sequence is an

individual challenge, and, given suitable sample preparation, field-flow fractionation (FFF) is one of the most promising techniques

to achieve relevant characterization.

The objective of this review is to present the current status of FFF as an analytical separation technique for the study of NPs in

complex food and environmental samples. FFF has been applied for separation of various types of NP (e.g., organic macromolecules,

and carbonaceous or inorganic NPs) in different types of media (e.g., natural waters, soil extracts or food samples).

FFF can be coupled to different types of detectors that offer additional information and specificity, and the determination of

size-dependent properties typically inaccessible to other techniques. The separation conditions need to be carefully adapted to

account for specific particle properties, so quantitative analysis of heterogeneous or complex samples is difficult as soon as matrix

constituents in the samples require contradictory separation conditions. The potential of FFF analysis should always be evaluated

bearing in mind the impact of the necessary sample preparation, the information that can be retrieved from the chosen detection

systems and the influence of the chosen separation conditions on all types of NP in the sample. A holistic methodological

approach is preferable to a technique-focused one.

Organisation(s)

External organisation(s)

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Journal

Trends in Analytical Chemistry

Volume

30

Pages

425-436

No. of pages

12

ISSN

0165-9936

Publication date

2011

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

105303 Hydrogeology, 104023 Environmental chemistry, 105105 Geochemistry, 105904 Environmental research

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