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The migration of chemical compounds from packaging polymers to food presents a multifaceted challenge with implications for food safety and public health. This review explores the interaction between packaging materials and food products, focusing on permeation, migration, and sorption processes. The different migration mechanisms of contact migration, gas phase migration, penetration migration, set-off migration, and condensation/distillation migration have been discussed comprehensively. The major migrating compounds are plasticizers, nanoparticles, antioxidants, light stabilizers, thermal stabilizers, monomers, oligomers, printing inks, and adhesives, posing potential health risks due to their association with endocrine disruption and carcinogenic effects. Advanced analytical methods help in the monitoring of migrated compounds, facilitating compliance with regulatory standards. Regulatory agencies enforce guidelines to limit migration, prompting the development of barrier coatings and safer packaging alternatives. Furthermore, there is a need to decipher the migration mechanism for mitigating it along with advancements in analytical techniques for monitoring the migration of compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the nutritional and therapeutic benefits, Argan oil is praised for its unique bio-ecological and botanic interest. It has been used for centuries to treat cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and skin infections, as well as for its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties. Argan oil is widely commercialized as a result of these characteristics. However, falsifiers deliberately blend Argan oil with cheaper vegetable oils to make economic profits. This reduces the quality and might result in health issues for consumers. Analytical techniques that are rapid, precise, and accurate are employed to monitor its quality, safety, and authenticity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of studies on the quality assessment of Moroccan Argan oil using both untargeted and targeted approaches. To extract relevant information on quality and adulteration, the analytical data are coupled with chemometric techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive chemical characterization of different lipid components, namely fatty acid composition after derivatization in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), sterols, carotenoids, tocopherols, and polyphenols in Chia seed oil, obtained by Soxhlet extraction, was reported. Reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) coupled to UV and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors was employed for carotenoids, polyphenols, and TAGs determination; normal phase-LC in combination with fluorescence detector (FLD) was used for tocopherols analysis; PL and FFA fractions were investigated after a rapid solid phase extraction followed by RP-LC-MS and NanoLC coupled to electron ionization (EI) MS, respectively. Furthermore, gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization (FID) and MS detectors were used for FAMEs and sterols analysis. Results demonstrated a significant content of bioactive compounds, such as the antioxidant tocopherols (22.88 µg mL−1), and a very high content of essential fatty acids (81.39%), namely α-linolenic (62.16%) and linoleic (19.23%) acids. In addition, for the best of authors knowledge, FFA profile, as well as some carotenoid classes has been elucidated for the first time. The importance of free fatty acids in vegetable matrices is related to the fact that they can be readily involved in metabolic processes or biosynthetic pathways of the plant itself. For a fast and reliable determination of this chemical class, a very innovative and sensitive NanoLC-EI-MS analytical determination was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma from patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is a valuable source of information indicating altered metabolites associated with the risk or progression of the disease. Neurotoxicity of dopaminergic neurons, which is triggered by aggregation of α-synuclein, is the main pathogenic feature of PD. However, a growing body of scientific reports indicates that metabolic changes may precede and directly contribute to neurodegeneration. Identification and characterization of the abnormal metabolic pattern in patients' plasma are therefore crucial for the search for potential PD biomarkers. The aims of the present study were (1) to identify metabolic alterations in plasma metabolome in subjects with PD as compared with the controls; (2) to find new potential markers, some correlations among them; (3) to identify metabolic pathways relevant to the pathophysiology of PD. Plasma samples from patients with PD (n = 25) and control group (n = 12) were collected and the gas chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry GC-TOFMS-based metabolomics approach was used to evaluate the metabolic changes based on the identified 14 metabolites with significantly altered levels using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. The panel, including 6 metabolites (L-3-methoxytyrosine, aconitic acid, L-methionine, 13-docosenamide, hippuric acid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid), was identified to discriminate PD from controls with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.975, with an accuracy of 92%. We also used statistical criteria to identify the significantly altered level of metabolites. The metabolic pathways involved were associated with linoleic acid metabolism, mitochondrial electron transport chain, glycerolipid metabolism, and bile acid biosynthesis. These abnormal metabolic changes in the plasma of patients with PD were mainly related to the amino acid metabolism, TCA cycle metabolism, and mitochondrial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food, drugs, dyes, extracts, and minerals are all made up of complex elements, and utilizing unidimensional chromatography to separate them is inefficient and insensitive. This has sparked the invention of several linked chromatography methods, each of them with distinct separation principles and affinity for the analyte of interest. Multidimensional chromatography consists of the combination of multiple chromatography techniques, with great benefits at the level of efficiency, peak capacity, precision, and accuracy of the analysis, while reducing the time required for the analysis. Various coupled chromatography techniques have recently emerged, including liquid chromatography–gas chromatography (LC–GC), gas chromatography–gas chromatography (GC–GC), liquid chromatography–liquid chromatography (LC–LC), GCMS–MS, LCMS–MS, supercritical fluid techniques with chromatography techniques, and electro-driven multidimensional separation techniques. In this paper, the different coupled chromatography techniques will be discussed, along with their wide spectrum of applications for food, flavor, and environmental analysis, as well as their usefulness for the pharmaceutical, color, and dyes industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a global pandemic infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The herbal formula, Ping An Fang Yu Yin (PAFYY), has been used to prevent respiratory viral infections for many years. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PAFYY on SARS-CoV-2 infection, oxidative stress, and inflammation via in vitro, investigate the chemical composition by full constituent quantitative analysis, and verify its anti-viral potential against SARS-CoV-2 using in silico. In this study, a total of eleven compounds, twenty amino acids, saccharide compositions, and trace elements were found and quantitatively determined by chromatographic techniques. PAFYY displayed free radical scavenging activity (DPPH, SC50: 1.24 ± 0.09 mg/mL), SOD activity (68.71 ± 1.28%), inhibition of lipoxygenase activity (75.96 ± 7.64 mg/mL) and interfered the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (48.04 ± 3.18%). Furthermore, in-silico analysis results supported that liquiritin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside with the highest affinity between SARS-CoV-2 RBD and human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) receptor. Our findings suggest that PAFYY has the potential for anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection, anti-oxidation stress, and anti-inflammation, and may be used as supplements for amelioration or prevention of COVID-19 symptoms, as well as the representative compounds can be used for quality control of PAFYY in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of high polar pesticides such as glyphosate and metabolites has increased due to their low cost, low persistence in the environment and high effectiveness. The use of glyphosate is currently permitted in the European Union until 15 December 2022. However, the possible toxic effects on human health and the environment are under debate. Their widespread application on various crops might lead to residues in food intended for animal consumption. For this reason, the Commission, implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/601, recommends the analyses of polar pesticides, not only in matrices of plant origin, but also in those of animal origin such as fat, liver, milk and eggs throughout the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The determination of polar pesticides is hampered by their chemical nature, which poses challenges both in the instrumental detection (poor column retention, low molecular weight MS/MS fragments, etc.) and in the management of matrix effects, which may vary significantly from matrix to matrix within the same food commodity group. For these reasons, nowadays, there is a limited number of methods for the detection of polar pesticides in food of animal origin. This brief review discusses the different approaches for the simultaneous determination of polar pesticides in food of animal origin using both chromatographic and non-chromatographic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by numerous comorbidities, including various metabolic and nutritional abnormalities. In many children with ASD, problems with proper nutrition can often lead to inadequate nutrient intake and some disturbances in metabolic profiles, which subsequently correlate with impaired neurobehavioural function. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the relationship between supplementation, levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and the behaviour of children with ASD using quantitative urinary acid determination and questionnaires provided by parents/caregivers. The study was carried out on 129 children between 3 and 18 years of age. HVA and VMA were extracted and derivatized from urinary samples and simultaneously analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, parents/caregivers of children with ASD were asked to complete questionnaires containing information about their diet and intake/non-intake of supplements. The application of the Mann–Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference between the level of HVA and vitamin B supplementation (p = 1.64 × 10−2) and also omega-6 fatty acids supplementation and the levels of HVA (p = 1.50 × 10−3) and VMA (p = 2.50 × 10−3). In some children, a reduction in the severity of autistic symptoms (better response to own name or better reaction to change) was also observed. These results suggest that supplementation affects the levels of HVA and VMA and might also affect the children's behaviour. Further research on these metabolites and the effects of supplementation on their levels, as well as the effects on the behaviour and physical symptoms among children with ASD is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Gentiana comprises approximately 400 species. Many species have a wide range of pharmacological activities and have been used therapeutically for thousands of years. To provide comprehensive guidance, utilization and quality control of Gentiana species, this review presents updated information concerning the recent application and progress of chemical analysis including phytochemical analysis, sample preparation and chemometrics. Detailed and comprehensive data including number of analytes, extraction/separation methods, analytical techniques and chemometrics are shown as corresponding tables. These data illustrate that the development of newly discovered compounds and therapeutic uses, understanding of the structure--activity relationship and establishment of harmonious and effective medicinal herb standards are the direction of advancement in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a strong drive worldwide to discover and exploit the therapeutic potential of a large variety of plants. In this work, an alcoholic extract of Helleborus purpurascens (family Ranunculaceae) was investigated for the identification of amino acids and peptides with putative antiproliferative effects. In our work, a separation strategy was developed using solvents of different polarity in order to obtain active compounds. Biochemical components were characterized through spectroscopic (mass spectroscopy) and chromatographic techniques (RP-HPLC and GC-MS). The biological activity of the obtained fractions was investigated in terms of their antiproliferative effects on HeLa cells. Through this study, we report an efficient separation of bioactive compounds (amino acids and peptides) from a plant extract dependent on solvent polarity, affording fractions with unaffected antiproliferative activities. Moreover, the two biologically tested fractions exerted a major antiproliferative effect, thereby suggesting potential anticancer therapeutic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a ubiquitous molecule in the Universe. It is a compound that is easily produced in significant yields in prebiotic simulation experiments using a reducing atmosphere. HCN can spontaneously polymerise under a wide set of experimental conditions. It has even been proposed that HCN polymers could be present in objects such as asteroids, moons, planets and, in particular, comets. Moreover, it has been suggested that these polymers could play an important role in the origin of life. In this review, the simple organics and biomonomers that have been detected in HCN polymers, the analytical techniques and procedures that have been used to detect and characterise these molecules and an exhaustive classification of the experimental/environmental conditions that favour the formation of HCN polymers are summarised. Nucleobases, amino acids, carboxylic acids, cofactor derivatives and other compounds have been identified in HCN polymers. The great molecular diversity found in HCN polymers encourages their placement at the central core of a plausible protobiological system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral pesticides with S atoms as asymmetric centers are gaining great importance in the search for new pesticides with new modes of action. As for the rest of the chiral pesticides, the determination of the stereoisomers separately has become crucial in the environmental risks assessment of these pesticides. Therefore, the development of suitable extraction and clean-up methods as well as efficient stereoselective analytical techniques for stereoisomers determination in environmental samples is essential. Currently, liquid/solid phase extraction, microextraction, and QuEChERS-based methods are most commonly used to obtain chiral pesticides from environmental samples. Gas, liquid, and supercritical fluid chromatography together with capillary electrophoresis techniques are the most important for the determination of the stereoisomers of chiral pesticides containing S atoms in its structure. In this study, all these techniques are briefly reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an overview of the modern approaches embracing advanced equipment and validation parameters of both liquid and gas chromatography techniques, including thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column liquid chromatography (CLC), and gas chromatography (GC), suitable for the identification and quantitative determination of various bioactive compounds occurring in pharmaceutical products and medicinal plants in the time from 2020 to 2021 (November). This review confirmed that HPLC is an incredibly universal tool, especially when combined with different detectors, such as UV-Visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and fluorescence detection for numerous active ingredients in different pharmaceutical formulations without interferences from other excipients. TLC, in combination with densitometry, is a very efficient tool for the determination of biologically active substances present in pharmaceutical preparations. In addition, TLC coupled to densitometry and mass spectrometry could be suitable for preliminary screening and determination of the biological activity (e.g., antioxidant properties, thin layer chromatography (TLC) by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method) of plant materials. Gas chromatography, coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS, GC-MS/MS), is of particular importance in the testing of any volatile substances, such as essential oils. LC, coupled to NMR and MS, is the best solution for identifying and studying the structure of unknown components from plant extracts, as well as degradation products (DPs). Thanks to size-exclusion chromatography, coupled to multi-angle light scattering, the quality control of biological pharmaceuticals is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia genus (Theaceae) is comprised of world famous ornamental flowering plants. C. japonica L. and C. sasanqua Thunb are the most cultivated species due to their good adaptation. The commercial interest in this plant linked to its seed oil increased in the last few years due to its health attributes, which significantly depend on different aspects such as species and environmental conditions. Therefore, it is essential to develop fast and reliable methods to distinguish between different varieties and ensure the quality of Camellia seed oils. The present work explores the study of Camellia seed oils by species and location. Two standardized gas chromatography methods were applied and compared with that of data obtained from proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) for fatty acids profiling. The principal component analysis indicated that the proposed 1H-NMR methodology can be quickly and reliably applied to separate specific Camellia species, which could be extended to other species in future works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigenetic modifications play a key role in gene regulation and expression and are involved in numerous cellular processes. Due to the limited research on nucleosides in Parkinson's disease (PD), it is very important to consider epigenetic factors and their role in the development of PD. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the levels of modified nucleosides, such as O-methylguanosine, N6-methyl-2′-deoxyadenosine, 1-methyladenosine, 1-methylguanine, 7-methylguanine, 3-methyladenine and 7-methylguanosine in the urine of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and the control group, and to verify that the results obtained differ in a subgroup of patients with parkinsonian syndromes. The study group comprised 18 patients with diagnosed idiopathic Parkinson's disease and four parkinsonian syndromes. The control group consisted of 30 age- and sex-matched neurological patients without confirmation by neuroimaging brain damage and extrapyramidal symptoms. The levels of nucleosides were determined by validated liquid chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Lower levels of O-methylguanosine, 3-methyladenine, 1-methylguanine, N6-methyl-2′-deoxyadenosine and a higher level of 7-methylguanine in the urine of 22 PD patients were observed. Moreover, elevated levels of 1-methyladenosine, 7-methylguanine, and O-methylguanosine were observed in the parkinsonian syndrome subgroup. These preliminary results may indicate that modified nucleosides describe metabolic disturbances in the metabolism of purine, which was the most severely affected pathway that mediated the detrimental effects of neuroinflammation on PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Gentiana comprises approximately 400 species. Many species have a wide range of pharmacological activities and have been used therapeutically for thousands of years. To provide comprehensive guidance, utilization and quality control of Gentiana species, this review presents updated information concerning the recent application and progress of chemical analysis including phytochemical analysis, sample preparation and chemometrics. Detailed and comprehensive data including number of analytes, extraction/separation methods, analytical techniques and chemometrics are shown as corresponding tables. These data illustrate that the development of newly discovered compounds and therapeutic uses, understanding of the structure-activity relationship and establishment of harmonious and effective medicinal herb standards are the direction of advancement in future research.