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The need for reference materials when monitoring nitrate intake
Isabel Castanheira1, Luisa Oliveira, Ana Valente
1Centro de Segurança Alimentar e Nutrição, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal. isabel.castanheira@insa.min-saude.pt
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|January 22, 2004
Summary
Accurate measurement of dietary nitrate is crucial for understanding its health effects, as its role in disease and host defense is debated. This study developed and validated In House Reference Materials (IHRMs) for reliable nitrate analysis in foods.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Dietary nitrate's health impact is controversial, with links to cancer and benefits against pathogens.
- Accurate food nitrate analysis is vital for assessing human exposure and health outcomes.
- Limited availability of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) hinders reliable nitrate measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate In House Reference Materials (IHRMs) for accurate nitrate determination in food.
- To ensure traceability and quality assurance in food nitrate analysis.
- To address the scarcity of CRMs for food monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of IHRMs with a high metrological level.
- Evaluation of IHRM homogeneity and stability using statistical designs and isochronous methods.
- Optimization of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for nitrate determination in vegetables.
Main Results:
- Developed IHRMs provided traceability for the analytical process.
- Optimized HPLC demonstrated linearity (1-8 mg L⁻¹) with low detection (0.2 µg L⁻¹) and determination (1.2 µg L⁻¹) limits.
- Analysis revealed variations in measurement uncertainty across food categories, indicating matrix limitations.
Conclusions:
- IHRMs are a viable approach to ensure measurement consistency when CRMs are unavailable.
- The developed analytical method and IHRMs support reliable nitrate exposure assessment.
- Further development of food matrix reference materials is needed to reduce measurement uncertainty.