Portable Analysis of Elemental Nutrients and Contaminants for Food Safety and Quality.

Atomic spectroscopy is an endorsed technique to determine the elemental composition of materials. Inductively coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy are recommended for soil, fertilizer, irrigant, plant and food analysis. Both are established technologies capable of measuring a broad range of elements simultaneously. Each technology has advantages and disadvantages depending on the elements of interest, the sample’s natural properties and the overall objectives of the analysis.

This presentation will describe both technologies including their practical advantages and disadvantages for food safety and quality elemental analysis projects. Specific examples of monitoring heavy metal contamination and elemental nutrients for food safety and quality with portable XRF elemental analysis applications will be highlighted. These will include crop science research for increased regional food yields, biomass material screening prior to biofuel processing and produce surface coating treatment optimization.