Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based platforms for studies involving nanoparticle effects in biological samples

Abstract

The widespread application of nanoparticles (NPs) in recent times has caused concern because of their effects in biological systems. Although NPs can be produced naturally, industrially synthesized NPs affect the metabolism of a given organism because of their high reactivity. The biotransformation of NPs involves different processes, including aggregation/agglomeration, and reactions with biomolecules that will be reflected in their toxicity. Several analytical techniques, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), have been used for characterizing and quantifying NPs in biological samples. In fact, in addition to providing information regarding the morphology and concentration of NPs, ICP-MS-based platforms, such as liquid chromatography/ICP-MS, single-particle ICP-MS, field-flow fractionation (asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation)-ICP-MS, and laser ablation-ICP-MS, yield elemental information about molecules. Furthermore, such information together with speciation analysis enlarges our understanding of the interaction between NPs and biological organisms. This study reports the contribution of ICP-MS-based platforms as a tool for evaluating NPs in distinct biological samples by providing an additional understanding of the behavior of NPs and their toxicity in these organisms.