Authors: S. Fernández-Menéndez*, S. Dubascoux

Affiliation: Société des Produits Nestlé - Nestlé Research, Vers-chez-les-blanc, Lausanne, Switzerland 

*Sonia.fernandez@rd.nestle.com

 Trace elements (i.e. Fe, Cu, Zn) intake through food is indispensable for maintaining an optimal human health status. New food concepts have enlarged the range of options to meet our daily needs via novel foods, supplements, and fortified products. Nevertheless, multiple in vitro, in vivo, and in silico experiments have demonstrated that micronutrients solubility and absorption is linked to the ingested matrix, being dependent on the chemical specie present. Their presence in a given matrix extends beyond ionic forms, as they can also be attached to small molecules or large proteins. Accurate quantification of trace elements and their metallospecies is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their impact on bioavailability.

Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), is a powerful orthogonal technique that allows the separation of elemental species. In addition, isotopic dilution analysis (IDA) is a valuable and versatile quantification methodology widely employed for precise total and speciation analysis. Species unspecific (SUIDA) methodologies have revolutionized the field by enabling the separation, and quantification of multiple metallospecies of a given element in a single experiment. Generally, a precise adjustment of tracer addition is key to minimize error propagation during IDA measurements, but this optimization is typically hard in SUIDA. On this work, an easy, user-friendly methodology for tracer concentration optimization was developed and used, ensuring accurate quantifications, simplifying laboratory experiments.

This research relies on multielemental (Fe, Cu, Zn) metallospecies quantification to address the critical need for understanding the complex nature of trace elements. Human milk and infant formula (animal-based and plant-based) are used as initial samples to explore the subject. Unraveling these metallomic profiles provides valuable insights to understanding their bioavailability and physiological effects after food ingestion. Differences and similarities on metallospecies presence and content are highlighted. This provides a deeper understanding on mineral bioavailability and their correlation with health benefits. This knowledge facilitates the future development of innovative, nutrient-rich commodities to meet diverse population needs.