Absorption and bioavailability studies of mineral nutrients by mass spectrometry

Studies on bioavailability of some bulk and trace elements in Mexican tortilla using an in vitro model

An in vitro gut model was used to investigate the bioavailability of calcium, magnesium, cadmium, chromium, iron, manganese, and lead in the Mexican (maize) tortilla. The samples (4 g) were digested in quartz tubes using concentrated nitric acid (12 mL) at 65 degrees C (2 h) and then at 120 degrees C (4 h). Total element concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out in two steps: first, with pepsin in a hydrochloric acid medium (pH 1.8) and then after neutralization with sodium bicarbonate (pH 6.0), with the mixture of pancreatine, amylase, and bile salts extract. Elements under study were determined in the supernatant by atomic absorption spectrometry. The bioavailable fraction of each element in tortilla was evaluated as the percentage of total element content found in the solution after enzymolysis. The obtained results showed relatively low bioavailability of the selected elements (from 2% to 32%), which possibly may be ascribed to the presence of dietary fiber in tortilla.

Plasma source mass spectrometry in experimental nutrition

The development and commercial availability of plasma ion source, specifically inductively coupled plasma, mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) have significantly extended the potential application of stable isotopes for nutritional modeling. The status of research and commercial ICP-MS instruments, and their applications and limitations for stable isotopic studies are reviewed. The consequences of mass spectroscopic resolution and measurement sensitivity obtainable with quadrupole, sector, time-of-flight, and trap instruments on stable isotope analysis are examined. Requirements for reliable isotope measurements with practical biological samples including tissues and fluids are considered. The possibility for stable isotope analysis in chemically separated compounds (speciation) also is explored. On-line compound separations by chromatography or electrophoresis, for example, have been combined instrumentally with ICP-MS. Som possibilities and requirements are described for stable isotope speciation analysis.