Characterization of Nanoparticles in Silicon Dioxide Food Additive

Published

January 4, 2024

Author(s)

Monique Johnson, Antonio Montoro Bustos, Karen Murphy, Sadia Khan, Ingo Strenge, Matthew Kalan

Abstract

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is an approved direct food additive in the United States and has been used as an anticaking agent in powdered food products and as a stabilizer in the production of beer. While SiO2 has been used in food for many years, there is limited information regarding its particle size and size distribution. In recent years, the use of SiO2 food additive has raised attention because of the possible presence of nanoparticles. Characterization of SiO2 food additive and understanding their physicochemical properties utilizing modern analytical tools are the first steps in determining the safety of this additive. Herein, we present analytical techniques to characterize some SiO2 food additives, which were obtained directly from manufacturers and distributors. Characterization of these additives were performed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) after the food additive materials underwent different experimental conditions. The data obtained from DLS, and spICP-MS and TEM images confirms the presence of nanosized (1 nm to 100 nm) primary particles, as well as aggregates and agglomerates of aggregates with sizes greater than 100 nm. SEM images demonstrated that most of the SiO2 food additives procured from different distributors showed similar morphology. The results provide a foundation for evaluating the nanomaterial content of regulated food additives and will help the FDA address current knowledge gaps in analyzing nanosized particles in commercial food additives.

Citation

Food Additives and Contaminants

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2023.2297420

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Keywords

Food additive silicon dioxide, nanosized particles, particle size distribution, dynamic light scattering (DLS) assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field effect scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass Spectrometry (spICP-MS).

Citation

Johnson, M. , Montoro Bustos, A. , Murphy, K. , Khan, S. , Strenge, I. and Kalan, M. (2024), Characterization of Nanoparticles in Silicon Dioxide Food Additive, Food Additives and Contaminants, [online], https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2023.2297420, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936915 (Accessed July 17, 2024)