LGC Ltd.. (9/20/10). "Press Release: LGC Applies Novel Technology to Improve Nonafood Research. LGC Combines Mass Spectrometry Technologies to Improve Characterisation of Nanoparticles in Food".

	Region	United Kingdom (GB)
	Organisation	LGC (Group)
	Organisation 2	United Kingdom (GB) (govt)
	Product	ICP mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)
	Product 2	food analysis (food testing)
	Person	Gaskell, Deborah (LGC 201008 Group Communications Manager(

LGC, the UK's designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement, is developing novel methods to enable the rapid determination of size distribution and elemental composition of nanoparticles in food. Nanoscale structures are not new in food (for example chocolate and ice cream contain nanoscale components) but recently developed nanomaterials are said to have potential benefits in food production and food packaging; two industries which generate worldwide sales of over £100 billion.

Applications of nanomaterials in food packaging include lining beer bottles with 'nanoclay' to help prevent the brew from going flat and embedding silver nanoparticles in plastic food storage containers to keep food fresher for longer. Nanomaterials can potentially also be used to create foods with traditional taste, but with lower-than-normal levels of fat, salt and sugar. Currently, nanomaterials are not widely used in food products but this may change as the technology is developed over the coming years.

When structured at the nanoscale, materials develop unique mechanical, thermal and catalytic properties and these have driven the increased use of nanotechnology. Scientists recognise that these unique properties, while beneficial for technological innovation, could also make some nanomaterials toxic to biological tissues. The toxicity of nanoparticles is determined by, amongst several factors, their size and chemical composition, which in turn may affect their ability to cross cell barriers, enter cells and interact with subcellular structures.

There is currently a lack of scientific methodology for the reliable characterisation of inorganic nanoparticles added to food and their cellular interaction, and insufficient knowledge on the stability of such materials. With the global nanofood market estimated to be worth approximately £3.5 billion, analytical methods that enable rapid elemental and particle size characterisation are required.

In response to this need, LGC is now applying a novel technique, which combines field flow fractionation (FFF) with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and interference-reducing inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), to determine the size distribution and elemental composition of nanoparticles in food.

Commenting on this new development, LGC's Dr Heidi Goenaga-Infante, Principal Scientist - Mass Spectrometry, said: "Field flow fractionation is a powerful tool for size-fractionation and, when used in conjunction with ICP-MS, it has been proven to produce elemental size distributions with a great level of detail in the submicrometer range without the laborious and repetitive centrifugation steps of current methods. This makes it an ideal technology for the characterisation of nanoparticles in food."

LGC is using its measurement expertise to address, at an early stage, methods for measuring the size distribution and elemental composition of nanoparticles in food. This is both timely and important, following the UK Government's announcement that food safety and strategy for nanotechnologies be a priority research area.

Funded by the UK National Measurement System, it is anticipated that LGC's research in this area will enable industry to improve their products, enter new markets, and benefit consumers from safer and improved food products.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

Information to journalists: A high resolution version of this photo is available. Please email gavin.dallas@lgc.co.uk or tel: +44 (0)20 8943 8491.

http://www.lgc.co.uk/news/notes_to_editors.aspx

Notes to Editors

About LGC

LGC is an international science-based company and market leader in analytical, forensic and diagnostic services and reference standards. A progressive and innovative enterprise, LGC operates in socially responsible fields underpinning the safety, health and security of the public and the regulation of industry, for UK government departments and blue chip clients.

LGC operates internationally through four divisions - LGC Forensics, LGC Genomics, LGC Standards and LGC Science & Technology, which includes specialist laboratories delivering contracts for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and supporting LGC's designated role as the UK's National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement.

Our operations are extensively accredited to international quality standards such as ISO 17025. With headquarters in Teddington, South West London, the LGC Group employs 1,400 staff in 27 laboratories and centres across Europe and at sites in India and China. Privatised in 1996 and now majority-owned by funds managed by Bridgepoint, LGC was founded almost 170 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist - a statutory function maintained by LGC today.

Information contained in our news releases should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. The contents may be superseded by more recent information we have disclosed in later news releases, postings on the website or otherwise. News releases may also contain forward-looking statements based on the expectations of our management as of the date of the release.

Journalists can contact LGC for further information through:
Deborah Gaskell, Group Communications Manager
Email: mailto:deborah.gaskell@lgc.co.uk
Direct tel: +44(0)20 8943 7563.
LGC, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LY
Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000; Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767

Record changed: 2011-11-25

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LGC Ltd.. (9/20/10). "Press Release: LGC Applies Novel Technology to Improve Nonafood Research. LGC Combines Mass Spectrometry Technologies to Improve Characterisation of Nanoparticles in Food".

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