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Rationale: To increase the consumption of egg powder and its fractions a suitable quality control method is required to obtain more information on its nutritional composition. The proposed method enables the quantification of important elements for the functioning of the human organism, such as halogens and sulfur, in egg powder and its fractions., Methods: Up to 350 mg of egg powder or its fractions (egg white powder and egg yolk powder) were digested by microwave-induced combustion using 20 bar pressure of oxygen. The analytes were absorbed in 100 mmol L -1 of NH 4 OH solution. The determination of halogens (chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine) and sulfur was performed in a single analysis using ion chromatography with conductivity detection coupled to mass spectrometry., Results: Using the proposed method, spike recoveries between 99% and 104% for all analytes were obtained, and results agreed with certified values of reference materials (agreements were between 100% and 109%). The relative standard deviations were below 8%. The variation in elemental concentration over a wide range in different fractions (whole egg powder, egg white powder, and egg yolk powder) and different brands was also observed., Conclusions: The proposed method provides reliable information about minerals in whole egg powder and its fractions, contributing to better quality control of these products. Because these food products are widely consumed, these results suggest the safe ingestion levels of these elements., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A single analysis of hair for determining halogens (chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine) and sulfur by ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity and mass spectrometry detection (IC-MS) was proposed. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were also used to compare the results. For this purpose, 300 mg of human hair were digested by microwave-induced combustion (MIC) using 20 bar of oxygen pressure. The analytes were absorbed in 100 mmol L -1 NH 4 OH. Trueness of the proposed method was evaluated by analysis of a CRM of human hair; by recovery tests, using standard solution at two levels (50% and 100%), and by comparison of results with those obtained by ICP OES (Cl and S) and ICP-MS (Br and I). Suitable recoveries (ranging from 92 to 105%) were obtained, and the results from CRM analysis did not differ significantly from those described in the certificate. Moreover, results obtained by IC-MS did not present significant differences (p > 0.05) from those obtained by ICP OES and by ICP-MS. Precision was evaluated in terms of repeatability and intermediate precision, and the relative standard deviations were always lower than 8%. The proposed method presented good accuracy and it is a reliable strategy for human hair analysis. Final digests obtained using the MIC method were fully compatible with all proposed determination techniques. Compared to others reported in the literature, the proposed method presents several advantages, especially given that it is possible to determine halogens and sulfur in a single analysis. Graphical abstract.