Trace elements in formulas based on cow and soy milk and in Austrian cow milk determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

With inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the 18 trace elements Ba, (Be), (Bi), Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Pb, Rb, (Sb), (Sn), Sr, (Tl), and Zn were quantified in the digests of 13 formulas based on cow milk, of two formulas based on soy protein, of two milk powders, from which formulas were prepared, of two samples of Austrian cow milk, and in the water, with which the powders were suspended. Concentrations in parentheses were at or below the method detection limits in the formulas. The accuracy and precision of the analytical procedure tested with milk powder reference materials BCR 063 and BCR 150 were satisfactory. The concentrations of trace elements in the powders vary considerably from batch to batch. The ratios of high to low concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 4.8 and were higher for the essential trace elements Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Sn, and Zn than for nonessential or toxic elements. The contribution of tap water from the water system of the city of Graz, Austria to the concentrations of trace elements in the formulas ranges from 45% for Pb to 0.2% for Rb and is negligible, for instance, for Cd, Cs, La, Mo, and Sn. Preformulas and follow-up formulas are partly supplemented with the essential trace elements Cu, Mn, and Zn and, therefore, concentrations of these trace elements in the formulas vary considerably. However, supplementation of a formula with a particular element must not necessarily result in higher concentrations compared to nonsupplemented formulas. Concentrations of the essential elements were in the following ranges for preformulas, follow-up formulas, soy-based formulas (in mu g/kg): Co, 8.3-11.2, 4.5-13, 5.0-5.7; Cu, 330-750, 27-730, 440-530; Mn, 33-580, 40-390, 440-530; Mo, 10-32, 9-39, 44-46; Sn, <0.44-3.8, <0.44-1.0, <0.44-5.8; Zn, 3340-11,380, 4120-7100, 5590-6,840. A preformula supplemented with Mn had a 10 times higher manganese concentration than preformulas without supplementation. Concentrations of all trace elements quantified were lower in cow milk than in formulas and do not meet the dietary requirements of infants.