Determination of elemental content in solid sweeteners by slurry sampling and ICP OES

Inorganic species (Ca, Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) were determined in solid sweeteners by ICP OES without employing a mineralization step. Robust conditions were used in the ICP equipment and the samples were analyzed as aqueous suspensions. The analysis of different kinds of sweeteners showed different concentration profiles. Some samples presented contamination by Cd but, in general, the samples were found to contain Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na and Se in tolerable amounts. The method accuracy was evaluated and recovery values between 90% and 110% were attained for the recovery experiments, the RSD values were lower than 5% in most cases and the method was shown to be adequate for monitoring inorganic elements in this kind of sample.