Extraction and quantification of metal-containing nanoparticles in marine shellfish based on single particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry technique

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2022-02, Vol.424 (Pt A), p.127383-127383, Article 127383
• Main Authors: Sun, Yuan, Yang, Yi, Tou, Fei-Yun, Niu, Zuo-Shun, Guo, Xing-Pan, Liu, Chang, Yan, Jia, Wu, Jia-Yuan, Xu, Miao, Hou, Li-Jun, Liu, Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bivalvia; Mass Spectrometry; Metal Nanoparticles; Method optimization; Mussels; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Shellfish; SpICP-MS
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127383

Quantitative characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) in marine shellfish is critical to understanding the risks of bio-accumulation. Based on single particle (sp)ICP-MS and electron microscopy, a standardized protocol was developed to extract Ag, Au, and indigenous Ti-containing NPs from mussels. The optimal parameters are: dry sample extraction with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), 5% (v/v) final concentration of TMAH, extraction at 25 ℃ for 12 h, and separation by centrifugation (3000 rpm for 5 min). The particle number recoveries of spiked Ag and Au NPs were 88 ± 0.9% and 95 ± 1.1%, respectively, while Ti-containing NPs had a particle number concentration of 8.2 × 106 particles/mg and an average size of 70 nm in tested mussels. Furthermore, titanium oxide NPs, including rutile, anatase, and Magnéli phases (TixO2x-1) were found ubiquitously in 10 shellfish based on the optimal method. The particle number concentrations and average sizes of the Ti-containing NPs were 2.1 × 106–8.4 × 106 particles/mg and 70–80 nm, respectively. These Ti-containing NPs, such as TiO2, accounted for about half of the Ti mass in shellfish, indicating that marine shellfish may be a significant sink for Ti-containing NPs. [Display omitted] •A standardized protocol was developed for Ag, Au, and Ti-containing NPs in mussels.•The optimal parameters are: dry sample, 5% TMAH, 25 ℃, 12 h, and centrifugation.•Ti oxide NPs (rutile, anatase, and Magnéli phases) were identified ubiquitously.•Ti-containing NPs, such as TiO2, accounted for about half of the Ti mass in shellfish.•Marine shellfish may be a significant sink for Ti oxide NPs.