MILK POWDER ANALYSIS USING CHINESE GB 5413.21—2010 METHOD & AGILENT 5100 SVDV ICP-OES

Significance of the Topic

The accurate determination of essential and trace elements in infant milk powder is critical for ensuring nutritional value and safety, complying with national regulations, and supporting quality control in the dairy industry.

Objectives and Overview

This study evaluates the performance of the Agilent 5100 Synchronous Vertical Dual View (SVDV) ICP-OES using the Chinese GB 5413.21—2010 method to quantify Ca, Fe, Zn, Na, K, Mg, Mn, and Cu in milk powder for infants. Key goals include simplifying sample preparation, verifying method detection limits, accuracy, and assessing analytical throughput.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Milk powder samples were processed according to the GB 5413.21—2010 acid digestion protocol. Calibration curves were established for each element using standard solutions. A NIST SRM 8435 milk powder reference material was analyzed to assess accuracy and recovery. Data collection employed simultaneous axial and radial plasma views.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 5100 Synchronous Vertical Dual View ICP-OES
• Simultaneous axial and radial plasma observation
• Plug-and-play torch with automatic alignment
• Optimized default gas flow settings, eliminating manual mode changes

Main Results and Discussion

• Linearity: Correlation coefficients > 0.999 for all elements, with Na linear up to 200 ppm and K up to 750 ppm.
• Method Detection Limits (MDL): Ranged from 0.00005 mg/100 g (Sr) to 0.17 mg/100 g (K), all below GB requirements.
• Accuracy: Recoveries between 92% and 107% relative to certified values of NIST SRM 8435.
• Throughput: Single measurement in 68 seconds, consuming less than 24 L of argon per sample (≈50 samples per hour).

Benefits and Practical Applications

This approach enables rapid, cost-effective multi-element analysis without additional sample dilutions, streamlining routine quality assurance and regulatory compliance in dairy and infant formula testing.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Extension to other food matrices and environmental samples.
• Integration with automated sample preparation systems.
• Development of speciation analysis for enhanced nutritional profiling.
• Leveraging data analytics for method optimization and predictive quality control.

Conclusion

The Agilent 5100 SVDV ICP-OES, in conjunction with the GB 5413.21—2010 method, delivers accurate, precise, and high-throughput analysis of essential and trace elements in milk powder, supporting industry quality control and regulatory standards.

Reference

• Chinese National Food Safety Standard GB 5413.21—2010.
• Agilent Technologies Application Note 5991-4900EN, February 2016.
• NIST Standard Reference Material 8435 Whole Milk Powder.