Characterization of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium citrate dehydrate residues on surfaces

Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and sodium citrate dihydrate (sodium citrate) are the most widely used components in detergent formulations. Here, we characterized these two components on glass surfaces to assess their possible exposures from white spots on dishwasher-washed dishes. Ultraviolet/visible near infrared spectroscopy (UV/Vis-NIR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the attenuated total reflectance mode (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) were utilized to design calibration models for a range of STPP and sodium citrate concentrations 1-8% w/w) precipitated on glass surfaces. STPP and sodium citrate residues on the dishwasher-washed dishes were also determined quantitatively using ATR-FTIR by utilizing these calibration models. In addition, cytotoxicity assays were performed to elucidate the influence of STPP and sodium citrate on human embryonic kidney cell survival. Cell viability results showed a decreasing trend in the number of cells cultured with increasing concentrations and exposure time of STPP and sodium citrate in the medium. Cell survival was minimum on day four when cells were exposed to 84mg/kg of body/day of STPP and sodium citrate separately. This is the first report about detection and quantification of STTP and sodium citrate and assessment of cytotoxicity. Results of this study provide opportunities for the quantification of detergent residues on dishes and assessment of their possible toxicity on live cells.