Micronutrients

Micronutrients in human milk are minerals, trace & ultra-trace elements, and vitamins required in relatively small amounts that support infant growth, immune function, neurodevelopment, metabolism, and tissue formation. Unlike macronutrients (fat, lactose, protein), they do not provide energy but are essential for biochemical and physiological processes.

Potentially toxic elements on the other hand are environmental metals and metalloids that can transfer from maternal exposure into milk at low concentrations. Levels are generally very low in most populations, but monitoring is important because infants are uniquely sensitive to toxic exposures.

In close collaboration with Agilent Technologies, MAC has established and validated analytical methods using ICP-MS to measure minerals, trace & ultra trace elements and LC-MS to measure water- and fat-soluble vitamins in human milk and related samples.

Minerals, Trace & Ultra Trace Elements

MAC uses Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for quantitative analysis of minerals as well as trace & ultra-trace elements.

To simplify study design and reporting, MAC offers a suite of targeted panels and specialized assays. Each panel is optimized for concentrations typically found in human milk and supported by robust quality control data.

Main Panels

1. Macrominerals Panel: Quantification of major nutritional minerals and electrolytes present at high concentrations in human milk.

Optimized for high-abundance elements
- Sodium (Na), mean LoD: 1.13 µg/L, precision: 1.36%
- Magnesium (Mg), mean LoD: 0.12 µg/L, precision: 1.71%
- Phosphorus (P), mean LoD: 2.57 µg/L, precision: 1.34%
- Potassium (K), mean LoD: 2.86 µg/L, precision: 1.25%
- Calcium (Ca), mean LoD: 3.81 µg/L, precision: 1.92%
Reported in mg/L
Suitable for nutritional and physiological assessments

2. Trace & Ultra-Trace Elements Panel: Measurement of essential and non-essential trace elements typically present at low µg/L to low mg/L levels.

Covers the following elements
- Aluminum (Al), mean LoD: 0.320 µg/L
- Chromium (Cr), mean LoD: 0.023 µg/L
- Manganese (Mn), mean LoD: 0.014 µg/L
- Iron (Fe), mean LoD: 0.066 µg/L
- Cobalt (Co), mean LoD: 0.002 µg/L
- Nickel (Ni), mean LoD: 0.013 µg/L
- Copper (Cu), mean LoD: 0.017 µg/L
- Zinc (Zn), mean LoD: 0.057 µg/L
- Strontium (Sr), mean LoD: 0.005 µg/L
- Molybdenum (Mo), mean LoD: 0.004 µg/L
- Antimony (Sb), mean LoD: 0.007 µg/L
- Barium (Ba), mean LoD: 0.021 µg/L

Reported in µg/L
Appropriate for micronutrient profiling and exposure assessment

Special Analytes

Dedicated Assays for individual elements.

3. Mercury Assay: Accurate determination of mercury at trace levels.

Covers the following element
- Mercury (Hg), mean LoD: 0.002 µg/L
Analyzed in a dedicated run
Optimized to minimize memory effects
Suitable for low-level exposure assessment
Method validated using additional doping assays

4. Toxic Heavy Metals Panel: Target quantification of toxic heavy metals of high regulatory and toxicological relevance.

Covers the following elements
- Cadmium (Cd), mean LoD: 0.002 µg/L
- Lead (Pb), mean LoD: 0.001 µg/L
Analyzed together using a dedicated calibration scheme
Optimized for accuracy in complex biological matrices
Method validated using additional doping assays

5. Interference-Sensitive Arsenic Assay: Accurate determination of arsenic at trace levels.

Covers the following element
- Arsenic (As), mean LoD: 0.013 µg/L
Analyzed in a dedicated run
Optimized for polyatomic interferences

6. Selenium Assay: Accurate determination of selenium at trace levels.

Covers the following element
- Selenium (Se), LoD: 0.393 µg/L
Analyzed in a dedicated run
Optimized for spectral interference control

7. Iodine Panel: Quantification of iodine, an essential micronutrient requiring specialized chemistry.

Covers the following element
- Iodine (I)
Analyzed using a dedicated run
Optimized using dedicated alkaline digestion method
Assay currently under development

periodic table of the elements

All samples are analyzed as single analytical replicates. This approach is supported by extensive method validation demonstrating excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.999 across calibration curves), low limits of detection and quantification, and strong intra- and inter-day precision across the full analyte panel. Given the robustness and reproducibility of the assay, single-replicate analysis provides accurate and reliable results without compromising data quality.

Additional replicate analyses can be requested if needed and are offered at an additional cost.

Required Volumes: Each analytical run requires 100 µL of sample. To accommodate potential handling losses and to allow for any additional replicate or confirmatory analyses, we recommend submitting a minimum of 200 µL per sample.