Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-1-2021
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
James Cizdziel
Second Advisor
Kristie Willett
Third Advisor
Amal Dass
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Driven by a demand for health and wellness products worldwide, the dietary supplement industry continues to expand with an economic impact >$100 billion in the USA alone. However, the industry is plagued by a lack of regulation and incidents of contamination, including with toxic heavy metals that can put consumers at potential risk. In this study, eight trace elements (Cd, Pb, Fe, Co, Mn, V, Cu, and Cr), including heavy metals (Cd and Pb), were determined in whey and vegan protein powder by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave-assisted digestion using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Samples were run in triplicate along with blanks and a reference material. Mean concentrations (µg/g ± 1SD) in the vegan protein powder were Fe (133±1) > Mn (25.5±10.3) > Cu (1.4±5.4) > Cr (0.226±0.0414) > V (0.17±0.01) > Co (0.090±0.001) > Pb (0.038±0.013) > Cd (0.033±0.003). This was higher than the whey protein powder: Fe (11.5±4.3) > Cu (1.91±2.2) > Mn (0.20±0.01) > Cr (0.0491±0.0505) > V (0.018 ± 0.005) > Pb (0.017±0.005) > Co (0.012±0.001) > Cd (0.010±0.001). These levels correspond to amounts per serving that were below the US FDA recommended daily allowance for both the whey and vegan protein powders. However, the vegan protein powder had concentrations of Mn and Fe that could exceed the FDA criteria and be a risk to the consumer if they ingest more than the recommended daily serving (which is common for body builders) or attain these metals from other dietary sources. We intended analyze additional samples to confirm this finding and to determine how widespread the issue is, but unfortunately, the ICP-MS became inoperable and is in need of repair. Instead, on suggestion from the Honor’s College, I conducted a deep literature review on the subject of heavy metal contamination in the supplement industry and current guidelines. Herein I also provide my overview and recommendations on this subject.
Recommended Citation
Lofaso, Megan, "Determination of Metals in Whey and Vegan Protein Supplements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry" (2021). Honors Theses. 1649.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1649
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