Physicochemical characterization of inorganic nanoparticles applied in food contact materials by electron microscopy, and evaluating their possible release into food by ICP-MS/ICP-OES.

Service

Sciensano provides a service for characterization of the physicochemical properties of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) applied in food contact materials (FCMs), and to evaluate their possible release into food. The service is provided with respect to improvement of the functionality of the FCM, the assessment of the safety of the FCM, the control of the quality of the FCM and/or of the authorization of the NP in the regulation.

In more detail, the FCM will be subjected to a physicochemical characterization combining ultra-thin sectioning and HAADF-STEM-EDX, allowing in-situ localization of the NP in the FCM matrix and measurement of their properties (size, shape, surface structure, elemental composition, mutual spacing).

When required, a more accurate and precise estimation of the number-based size and shape distributions of the constituent particles isolated by dissolving the matrix using solvents can be envisaged using quantitative EM analysis.

Most importantly, the evaluation of the migration of NP and their corresponding ions from the FCM matrix will be carried out, distinguishing released NP and ions using ultrafiltration using a membrane filter with pore size in the range 3–10 kDa on the one hand, and total element concentrations (ICP-MS/ICP-OES) on the other hand, by using conventional, (accredited) migration tests with the appropriate food simulants.

The access to the service will be remote, indicating the service will be provided by the researchers and lab technicians of Sciensano at their premises.

Who Can Benefit?

The provided service is intended for researchers from research organization, universities or laboratories engaged in food safety and material characterization, as well as PhD students, food business operators, and food control instances.

Deadline

Applications are open from 10/06/2024 to 01/12/2024 at 5 PM.

More detailed information on the timing of the open calls is provided on the general Open Calls website.

Registration

Open call closed on the 1st of December 2024.

Contact

If you have any additional questions or require further information about the open call project, please do not hesitate to contact us on metrofood@sciensano.be