Application of ion exchangers in speciation and fractionation of elements in food and beverages

Abstract

A relationship between different species of elements in dietary products and their bioavailability from that source is very important to human safety and wholesomeness. Analytical methods outlined in this report are based on solid phase extraction with polymeric ion exchange resins and other nonionic sorbents can be applied for fractionation analysis of elements in a number of food products and beverages. Their attractiveness mostly lies in simplicity of solid phase extraction operation, versatility, and diversity of available sorbents and possibility of insight into chemical nature of element forms due to different sorption mechanisms served by these sorbents. This article surveys two main means of partitioning of elements by solid phase extraction, including procedures with single sorbents or two coupled sorbents. Attention is also drawn to operational character of fractions of species distinguished and evaluation of possible groups of species of elements. Sample pretreatment and quality assurance and control of results of fractionation analysis achieved using the mentioned solid phase extraction schemes are highlighted.