Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry in Biodistribution Studies of (Engineered) Nanoparticles

Abstract

The biodistribution of engineered inorganic nanomaterials with size characteristics of one, two, or three dimensions smaller than 100 nm is a fast‐growing analytical and toxicological research field. This review gives a detailed overview about biodistribution studies with gold (Au), silver (Ag), and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles (NPs). Exposure to NPs is possible via inhalation, injection, ingestion, and skin contact. The distribution of NPs in the body is affected by their chemical/elemental composition, size and size distribution, shape, coatings, surface properties, and their stability under the selected circumstances. The evaluation of the presence of NPs to determine their tissue distribution is not easy. NP presence can be identified by electron microscopy (EM) but this is a time‐ and labor‐consuming technique. So, instead of determining the presence of the NPs themselves, distribution studies can use elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) as indication for the tissue distribution of NPs. In the field of analytical research, the suitable application of ICPMS is crucial and discussed in detail. Other relevant analytical techniques, the obtained results as well as the evaluations, are presented too.

Progress and future of in vitro models to study translocation of nanoparticles

“…Elemental information about the sample can also be obtained by atomic spectrometry methods such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) (Elzey et al 2012 ) and ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Krystek 2012 ; Krystek et al 2013 ), especially in single particle mode (sp ICP-MS) (Laborda et al 2014 ; Pace et al 2011 ; Peters et al 2014a ). From these studies it becomes clear that he smallest particle sizes that now can be determined are around 20 nm for silver and gold nanoparticles.…”

Considerations for Safe Innovation: The Case of Graphene

“…Skin absorption of graphene may not be expected, but studies to demonstrate this are not available and may be difficult to execute. Generally, such studies make use of mass spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction techniques to quantify the element of interest in relevant body tissues, but due to the high background levels of carbon in the body, such analysis is not possible for graphene. One possibility to overcome this challenge is to revert to radio-labeled graphene …”