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Morinda cilrifulia (Rubiaceae), also known as noni, is a plant found in the Hawaiian and Tahitian islands. It is considered as one of the most important plants brought to Hawaii by the first Polynesians. The yellow fruits have a distinctive "grenade-like" shape and can grow up to a size of 12 cm. It has a foul taste and a soapy smell when ripe. It was proposed that the fruits of noni might suppress the growth of tumors by stimulating the immune system. In recent years, noni juice has been sold in the US market as a nutraceutical supplement. Here we addressed the volatile compounds in the fresh and ripe noni fruits. Carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, esters, terpenes and six organosulfur compounds were isolated by SDE and SPME, and further identified by GC/AED and GC/MS. The sulfur compounds identified may make a major contribution to the characteristic flavor of noni fruit juice. SPME is useful to recover low boiling point and low molecular weigh compounds; in contrast, SDE owns higher extraction capacity and higher recovery for polar compounds. SPME and SDE can provide complementary information; when use together, a deep understanding of aroma profile of food systems can be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a steadily growing number of published data on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey and pollen. This raises the question whether honey and/or pollen used as ingredients in food processing might provoke a downstream contamination in the food chain. Here we addressed two different facets in connection with PAs in honey and pollen. First, we analysed the PA content of several food types such as mead (n = 19), candy (n = 10), fennel honey (n = 9), soft drinks (n = 5), power bars and cereals (n = 7), jelly babies (n = 3), baby food (n = 3), supplements (n = 3) and fruit sauce (n = 1) that contained honey as an ingredient in the range of 5% to approximately 37%. Eight out of 60 retail samples were tested as being PA-positive, corresponding to 13%. Positive samples were found in mead, candy and fennel honey, and the average PA content was calculated to be 0.10 µg g–1 retronecine equivalents (ranging from 0.010 to 0.484 µg g–1). Furthermore, we investigated the question whether and how PAs from PA pollen are transferred from pollen into honey. We conducted model experiments with floral pollen of Senecio vernalis and PA free honey and tested the influence of the quantity of PA pollen, contact time and a simulated honey filtration on the final PA content of honey. It could clearly be demonstrated that the PA content of honey was directly proportional to the amount of PA pollen in honey and that the transfer of PAs from pollen to honey was a rather quick process. Consequently, PA pollen represents a major source for the observed PA content in honey. On the other hand, a good portion remains in the pollen. This fraction is not detected by the common analytical methods, but will be ingested, and it represents an unknown amount of 'hidden' PAs. In addition, the results showed that a technically and legally possible honey filtration (including the removal of all pollen) would not be an option to reduce the PA level of the final product significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen in Mannheim, Germany requested support from a toxicological laboratory in evaluating occupational exposures before a cleanup and renovation period in 2006. Samples of dust and dirt and scrapings of exhibits were collected from several locations. Following toxicologically relevant compounds could be identified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC/MS) by comparison with a mass spectra library: dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and its breakdown product dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (DDD) as well as dichlorodiphenyl dichlorethylene (DDE), methoxychlor, nicotine, and camphor. In recent times various insecticides have been used to protect museum artefacts against moths, woodborers and other insect pests. Caution has to be made because the presence of hazardous compounds can result in security problems for museum staff as well as for visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migration of phthalates into foodstuffs from food-contact materials (FCM) is a well-known source of food contamination. In 2005, the European Food Safety Authority finalized its risk assessment for several of the classical phthalate plasticizers. In their risk management procedure the European Commission transformed the tolerable daily intakes established by the Authority into legislative limits for phthalates in both plastic and food simulants, while taking exposure from other sources into consideration. These limits have been into force since 1 July 2008. A detailed interpretation of the regulation of these substances was agreed upon in the European network of FCM reference laboratories. This paper reports results from a Danish control campaign of samples collected by official food inspectors and analysed by a newly validated analytical method run under accreditation. Samples were from FCM producers, FCM importers and importers of packed foodstuffs from third-party countries. Products containing phthalates above the current limits were found in several categories of FCM: conveyor belts (six of six), lids from packed foodstuffs in glasses (eight of 28), tubes for liquid foodstuffs (four of five) and gloves (five of 14). More than 20% of the samples analysed contained dibutylphthalate (DBP) or di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) above the compositional limits of 0.05% and 0.1%, respectively. Analysis of residual phthalates in metal lid gaskets instead of analysis of phthalates in the food when controlling foodstuffs packed outside the European Union proved to be an efficient and simple control method. All findings of phthalates were associated with the use of plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of melamine, ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid in egg using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The samples were first extracted by the solution of diethylamine–water–acetonitrile (10:40:50, v/v/v). Clean-up employed an 'On Guard II' RP cartridge, and the dried elute was derivatised using bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) with 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). Derivatised samples were analysed by GC-MS/MS using multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) with 13C3-15N3-labelled melamine and cyanuric acid as internal standards. Blank samples of egg were spiked with the four analytes at concentration level of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg kg−1, and the intra-day and inter-day recoveries were in the range 75.7–122.5% with the relative standard deviation (RSD) from 2.6% to 22.8%. Decision limits (CCα, α = 0.01) for melamine, ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid in egg samples and milk powder were 3.5–5.9 and 2.5 to 3.8 µg kg−1, and the detection capabilities (CCβ, β = 0.05) were 4.9–8.4 and 3.6–9.5 µg kg−1, respectively. The method was successfully applied to egg samples and milk products as well. Satisfactory results were obtained as part of the 2009 European Union melamine proficiency test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable and sensitive method for simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol F (BPF) in canned food by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is described after extraction and pre-concentration by a new solid-phase microextraction (SPME) adsorbent. The potential of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as SPME adsorbent for the pre-concentration of environmental contaminants has been investigated in recent years. This work was carried out to investigate the feasibility of SWCNTs as a headspace SPME adsorbent for the determination of bisphenol derivatives in canned food. Potential factors affecting the extraction efficiency, including extraction time, extraction temperature, desorption time, desorption temperature, and salinity were optimized. Calibration curves were linear (r2≥ 0.994) over the concentration range from 0.30 to 60 µg kg-1. For both target analytes, the limit of detection (LOD) at signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 was 0.10 µg kg-1. In addition, a comparative study between the SWCNT and a commercial polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) SPME fibre for the determination of bisphenol derivatives in canned food was conducted. SWCNT fibre showed higher extraction capacity, better thermal stability (over 350°C) and longer life span (over 150 times) than the commercial PDMS fibre. The method was successfully applied to determine BPA in canned food samples which were purchased from local markets. BPA was found in some of the samples within the concentration range from 0.5 to 5.2 µg kg-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to offer a method based on headspace gas chromatography-mass (HS-GC-MS) spectrometry technique in-house validated and use to estimate furan concentrations in jarred baby-food samples purchased from the Spanish market. The validation was performed according to ISO 17025 and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requirements and the results obtained (limit of detection (LOD) = 0.05 µg kg−1; limit of quantification (LOQ) = 4 µg kg−1, lowest validated level; relative standard deviation (RSD) = 3.1–10.5%; recoveries = 85.4–101.5%) confirm that this method is fit for the routine analysis of furan in jarred baby food control. Furan was analysed in 39 different baby-food samples and the mean levels varied between 64.6 µg kg−1 (rice and chicken samples) and less than or equal to the LOQ (fruit-based samples). The mean concentrations found for the different matrices were 5.0, 37.8, 25.2, 33.8 and 30.5 µg kg−1 for fruit, vegetables, meat/vegetables, fish/vegetables and dairy-containing baby foods, respectively. According to the statistical analyses, fruit-based baby-food samples had significantly lower concentrations of furan. Mean values for the other matrices were at least five times higher, and this is in accordance with the levels reported in other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study carried out migration investigations with different spiked and non-spiked paper and board packaging materials in contact with foodstuffs and food simulants in the temperature range between −18°C and 40°C. The aim was to deepen the understanding of the migration behaviour of target substances in paper and board fibres. Components and contaminants of paper and board with different molecular weight and chemical structure were selected as target migrants. From the kinetic migration studies, diffusion and partition coefficients were derived by using software for modelling migration in multilayer materials. On the basis of these results, for the first time a model for the migration from paper and board into foods and simulants was developed by adapting the validated diffusion model for plastics. In contrast to the migration in plastic materials, where the migrants are solved and homogeneously distributed in the polymer matrix, mass transfer in paper and board is a more complex phenomenon, because the migrants can be adsorbed on the cellulose surface with different strength. The most important finding of the study was that for a correct modelling of the experimental results in many cases paper and board must be regarded as a two-layer system: the main mass of paper and board (B1) defines the core layer with high diffusion rates, and a thin second layer (B2) represents the surface region of the paper and board with decreased diffusion rates due to the slow desorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) concentrations in the atmosphere and in four vegetable crops including Brassica chinensis L. (bok choy), Brassica campestris L. (field mustard), Vigna unguiculata Walp. (cowpea), and Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) cultivated on land surrounding a plastic production factory were determined. The air DEHP concentrations (means) at the sites 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 km away from the plastic production building were about 9.4–12.8, 5.8–9.6, 1.6–5.0, and 0.04–0.27 µg m−3 dry weight (DW), respectively. Wind direction is a key factor influencing the measurable DEHP concentration of the air, which was highest in the downwind direction and lowest in the upwind direction, and thus the vegetables accumulated the highest DEHP contents in the downwind direction and the lowest quantities in the upwind direction. The highest DEHP accumulations content of bok choy, field mustard, eggplant, and cowpea were 52.0 ± 3.1, 43.1 ± 2.2, 36.2 ± 2.8, and 19.4 ± 0.47 mg kg−1 DW, respectively. Safety estimation on the basis of the daily intake limit referenced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) led to the conclusion that eating vegetables cultivated 0.2 km away from the plastic production building is not a food safety problem under normal conditions. A strong positive linear correlation between atmospheric DEHP concentration and DEHP content of the vegetable crops was found. The limits for air DEHP concentration for safe vegetable cultivation are 24.0, 34.8, 40.8, and 82.8 µg m−3 for bok choy, field mustard, cowpea, and eggplant, respectively, by calculating from the equation of linear regression between air DEHP concentration and vegetable DEHP content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several chemical changes in soil are associated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. An endosporeforming bacterium, strain XTBG34, was isolated from a Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden soil sample and identified as Bacillus megaterium. The strain’s volatiles had remarkable plant growth promotion activity in Arabidopsis thaliana plants; after 15 days treatment, the fresh weight of plants inoculated with XTBG34 was almost 2-fold compared with those inoculated with DH5α. Head space volatile compounds produced by XTBG34, trapped with headspace solid phase microextraction and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, included aldehydes, alkanes, ketones and aroma components. Of the 11 compounds assayed for plant growth promotion activity in divided Petri plates, only 2-pentylfuran increased plant growth. We have therefore identified a new plant growth promotion volatile of B. megaterium XTBG34, which deserves further study in the mechanisms of interaction between plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furan has been found to form in foods during thermal processing. These findings, a classification of furan as a possibly carcinogenic to humans, and a limited amount of data on the concentration of furan in products on the Canadian market prompted the authors to conduct a survey of canned and jarred food products. Methyl analogues of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, were analysed concurrently with furan via a newly developed isotope dilution method, as these analogues were detected in foods in the authors' earlier work and are likely to undergo a similar metabolic fate as furan itself. The paper reports data on 176 samples, including 17 samples of baby food. The vast majority of samples were packaged in cans or jars. Furan was detected above 1 ng g−1 in all non-baby food samples with a median of 28 ng g−1 and concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 1230 ng g−1. Also, 96% of these samples were found to contain 2-methylfuran above 1 ng g−1 with a median of 12.8 ng g−1 and a maximum concentration of 152 ng g−1, while 81% of samples were found to contain 3-methylfuran above 1 ng g−1 with a median of 6 ng g−1 and a maximum concentration of 151 ng g−1. Similarly, furan was detected above 1 ng g−1 in all baby food samples with a median of 66.2 ng g−1 and concentrations ranging from 8.5 to 331 ng g−1. Also, 100% of these samples were found to contain 2-methylfuran above 1 ng g−1 with a median of 8.7 ng g−1 and a maximum concentration of 50.2 ng g−1, while 65% of samples were found to contain 3-methylfuran above 1 ng g−1 with a median of 1.6 ng g−1 and a maximum concentration of 22.9 ng g−1. Additionally, three coffee samples were analysed 'as is', without brewing, and were found to have high levels of furans, especially 2-methylfuran, at a maximum of 8680 ng g−1. Using this data set, dietary exposures to furan and total furans were calculated. Average furan and total furan intakes by adults (≥20 years) were estimated at approximately 0.37 and 0.71 µg kg−1 of body weight day−1 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in butter available on the Polish retail market. A gas chromatography-based method was developed for the purpose of this study. An ion-trap mass spectrometer was used as a detection system with high-resolution chromatography. Recoveries of individual PCBs from spiked samples varied from 58% to 105% with a recovery relative standard deviation in the range 3-16%. Levels of eight non-dioxin-like and twelve dioxin-like congeners were determined. Toxic equivalent factors (TEQs) were calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) TEQs. The average concentration of the sum of six PCBs (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) was found to be 1561 ± 728 pg g-1 (fat) and the upper-bound concentrations of dioxin-like congeners were (1 standard deviation uncertainty) 0.441 ± 0.384 pg PCB-TEQ g-1 (fat). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a survey carried out on 87 rotted fig fruits samples collected in the Apulia region of Italy, the authors isolated 126 Fusarium strains identified as F. ramigenum (69 strains), F. solani (49), F. proliferatum (five) and three not identified. Investigation on the fertility of the strains belonging to F. proliferatum and F. ramigenum revealed that only strains of F. proliferatum were fertile. The identity of F. ramigenum strains was confirmed by sequencing a portion of the translation elongation factor-1α gene. When Fusarium species were analysed for their toxigenicity, 37/69 strains of F. ramigenum produced fusaric acid (FA) up to 525 mg kg−1; 30 strains produced beauvericin (BEA) up to 190 mg kg−1; 60 strains produced fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) up to 1575 mg kg−1 of total FBs; and two strains produced fusaproliferin (FUP) up to 345 mg kg−1; all five strains of F. proliferatum produced FA at low levels; two strains produced BEA up to 205 mg kg−1; one strain produced FB1 and FB2, 1100 and 470 mg kg−1, respectively; and one strain produced FUP, 820 mg kg−1; F. solani (30 strains) produced FA, 13 strains up to 215 mg kg−1. Few fungal extracts showed high toxicity toward brine shrimp larvae and in some cases in relation to BEA and FA content. A pathogenic assay on fig fruits showed that all three species were pathogenic, with higher virulence of F. ramigenum. These data report for the first time the production of BEA and FB1/FB2 by F. ramigenum and show that it is a main agent of fig endosepsis in Apulia and can contribute to fumonisin contamination of fresh and dried figs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a wide range of foods of animal origin and estimates their dietary exposure for secondary school students in Hong Kong, China. Dietary exposure to PBDEs was estimated using local food consumption data obtained from secondary school students in 2000 and the concentrations of PBDEs in food samples taken from local market in 2008. The PBDE levels on a fresh weight basis for fish ranged from 13 to 6600 pg g−1, for seafood and seafood products ranged from 15 to 1200 pg g−1, for meat and meat products ranged from 23 to 3500 pg g−1, for poultry ranged from 68 to 670 pg g−1, for eggs ranged from 280 to 800 pg g−1, and for dairy products ranged from 12 to 480 pg g−1. The dietary exposures of secondary school students for the average and high consumers were estimated to be 2.6 and 6.4 ng kg−1 body weight day−1, respectively. According to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), for the more toxic PBDE congeners, adverse effects would be unlikely to occur in laboratory animals at doses of less than approximately 100 µg kg−1 body weight day−1. The resulting margins of exposures (38,000 for average consumers and 16,000 for high consumers) showed that the estimated dietary exposures of secondary school students were far below any adverse effect dose observed in laboratory animals and were therefore of low concern for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to study the effect of electron-beam irradiation on the production of radiolysis products and sensory changes in experimental high-barrier packaging films composed of polyamide (PA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Films contained a middle buried layer of recycled LDPE, while films containing 100% virgin LDPE as the middle buried layer were taken as controls. Irradiation doses ranged between zero and 60 kGy. Generally, a large number of radiolysis products were produced during electron-beam irradiation, even at the lower absorbed doses of 5 and 10 kGy (approved doses for food 'cold pasteurization'). The quantity of radiolysis products increased with irradiation dose. There were no significant differences in radiolysis products identified between samples containing a recycled layer of LDPE and those containing virgin LDPE (all absorbed doses), indicating the 'functional barrier' properties of external virgin polymer layers. Sensory properties (mainly taste) of potable water were affected after contact with irradiated as low as 5 kGy packaging films. This effect increased with increasing irradiation dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of furan in some food products has already been known for a few decades, and it has been reconfirmed in more recent investigations that furan is present in a variety of foodstuffs. This list of products includes roasted coffee, which has been shown to generate furan as a result of the heat treatment at roasting which is applied to achieve the desired aroma and flavour profile of a roasted coffee. The objective of this study is to provide data to allow a better understanding of the available data of furan in coffee, the kinetics of furan generated during roasting, and to estimate the reduction of furan levels afterwards due to subsequent processing steps and consumer handling. Finally, the study is meant as a contribution to establish exposure data on the basis of scientific data at the stage of coffee consumption. This paper shows that the formation of furan during roasting is dependent on roasting conditions and is, therefore, directly linked to achieving targeted flavour profiles. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that modifications in process conditions potentially to reduce furan levels may have the opposite effect on other undesired reaction products of the roasting chemistry such as, for example, acrylamide. Due to the high volatility of furan, any subsequent processing step or consumer handling has an impact on the level of furan. As a guidance from this study and in consideration of the identified losses of each process and handling step on the basis of the trial conditions, it is estimated that only approximately 10% of the initially generated furan during roasting gets into the cup of coffee for consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, after the crisis of buffalo dairy fields in Campania, Italy, an assessment of the contamination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) was also necessary for other animal species bred in the region. The contents of PCDDs, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dl-PCBs were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HR-GC/MS) (according to USEPA method 1613) in 69 sheep and goat milk samples from 63 farms. In eleven samples from six sheep farms, the PCDD/Fs levels exceeded the maximum limit of 3.0 pg g-1 fat established by the European Commission, in particular the concentrations ranged between 3.89 and 12.90 pg g-1 fat. Statistical treatment of the results for the congener profiles of the non-compliant and compliant samples has been used to identify the sources of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of the uptake of 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), and its metabolite pentachloroanisole (PCA) from contaminated sawdust from the forest industry in horticultural products such as apples, raspberries, and fodder maize for cattle feed. The samples were obtained from Bio-Bio Province in South Chile between 2002 and 2006. The analytical parameters of the methodology applied to the different matrices are presented and discussed. The chromatographic method was applied to determine the residues in 413 horticultural product samples. Eleven per cent of fodder maize samples showed detectable or quantifiable levels of PCP, TBP or PCA, 3% of samples presented quantifiable levels, although the concentrations surpassed the maximum allowed concentrations for vegetables (>10 µg kg-1) in only two samples. Traces of TBP were detected in eight samples, PCA was detected in 15, and PCP in 14 samples. Based on these results, a risk analysis was performed, indicating a low probability, 0.4% for PCA, 1.6% for TBP and 1.9% for PCP, to find concentrations higher than the allowed maximum. For apples and raspberries, no residues of these compounds were detected. These results indicate that those cultivars directly exposed to sawdust, like fodder maize, could contain detectable residues in several samples. To confirm this observation, a field assay was performed on fodder maize cultivated in the presence of sawdust artificially contaminated with 30 mg of TBP and/or PCP under controlled conditions. The results showed that under the experimental conditions used in the study, TBP can be transferred from sawdust to the plant, with an uptake rate of 0.04% from the TBP applied initially with sawdust but not to the corn ear. Also, the degradation of PCP to PCA was observed in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of elemental sulfur, So, in light fractions and products of petroleum was studied based on a new analytical method for determination of So that was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The test shows that the structure of So is changed, and a small quantity of S2, S6, and S7 is obtained. The mass proportion of S2:S6:S7:S8 is 0.13:0.05:0.04:1.00 under the analysis conditions. So the change of So structure with temperature has no effect on its quantity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study retrospectively analyzes the daily results of relative response factors (RRFs) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Although instrumental routine maintenance can enhance the reliability of measurement, there is no quantitative study to investigate the effects of glass liner contamination, manifold temperature drop, and column degradation on deteriorating sensitivities and stabilities of RRFs. This study demonstrates that by removing the contribution of outliners to the background level, great reductions of RRFs were achieved. Although several factors potentially undermined the analyzer's confidence on data reliability, there were no significant differences on the relative sensitivities of RRFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bread, cakes and biscuits were manufactured from flour containing deoxynivalenol (DON) and low concentrations of zearalenone (ZON) and nivalenol (NIV). The results show that these mycotoxins remain mostly unaffected during manufacture. Although the results indicate that the mycotoxins are largely stable and survive processing, when concentrations were determined on an 'as is' basis as stipulated in legislation, levels in finished products were usually lower than in the starting flour due to the dilution effect of other ingredients such as fat, sugar and water. Thus mean concentrations of DON in bread were reduced by about 35% and 39% in white and wholemeal bread respectively which are in close agreement with the reduction required by the regulations although the changes that occur during milling white and wholemeal flour from whole wheat also need to be taken into account. The reduction of DON during cake manufacture is greater than for bread because flour makes up only about 25% of the starting ingredients. However, in biscuit production, particularly for crackers for which flour constitutes about 90% of the recipe ingredients, the reduction indicated by the regulations is not achieved. It is concluded that for some commercial processes, the whole-wheat or flour ingredients used will need to contain DON levels lower than those set by legislation to ensure that the final products will still meet statutory limits. Limited results with consignments containing low concentrations of ZON and NIV suggest that their stability and survival are similar to those for DON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain chemicals possess the potential to modulate endocrine systems, and thereby interfere with reproductive and developmental processes. Bisphenol A is suspected to be one of them. The compound is widely used as a plastic additive, lacquer, resin, or plastic and can usually be found in food samples. An accurate and reproducible gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method to detect and measure trace amounts of the compound in rice-prepared dishes samples is proposed. Solid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile was carried out in order to isolate and pre-concentrate the analyte. The solvent was removed and a silylation step using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoro acetamide/pyridine (BSTFA/PYR) was carried out. The silylated compound was identified and quantified by GC-MS using a DB-5 MS column. Bisphenol F was used as a surrogate internal standard. The detection limit was 2.0 ng g-1 while inter- and intra-day variability was less than 6%. Due to the absence of reference materials, the method was validated using standard addition calibration and a recovery assay. Recoveries for spiked samples were between 90% and 105%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The preparative scale isolation of multiple components from an essential oil matrix is described using multidimensional gas chromatography (prep-MDGC) which allows their further characterisation by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Menthol, linalyl acetate, carvone and geraniol were isolated individually, and were also collected in various combinations. It was demonstrated to be possible to collect multiple selected components from numerous repeat injections of the sample, to permit increased mass recovery from an external cryotrap collection device. Peak retention times remained reproducible (<0.3s) over the repeated injections and switching events. This methodology may be utilised to confirm peak identity or to produce unique mixed-component reference standards, for instance to allow their identification in other samples using GC/MS, or identify them in comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are generated by heat treatment and smoke curing of meat, pose a risk to human health. At present, the determination of these unwanted contaminants requires costly, time-consuming chemical analysis of smoked meat. An alternative is effect-directed high-throughput bioassays, which could also be used as a pre-screening method. The authors recently adapted the in vitro chemical-activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) assay as a rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive screening technique for compounds such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and PAHs. The aim of the present study was to apply a practical approach under realistic conditions. Custom-made meat samples produced under defined conditions with different PAH levels were analysed using this bioassay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine the influence of different smoking conditions (temperature and duration) on PAH levels. It was found that cold smoking for up to 6 h did not result in strong PAH contamination, whereas hot (65°C) and longer smoking times caused a considerable increase in both the bioassay response and the levels of 31 individually determined PAHs. The response in the effect-based bioassay was in good agreement with the values of chemical analysis. The bioassay made it possible to determine accurately the degree of contamination. The results show that this assay is suitable for high-throughput screening for unknown levels of toxicologically relevant PAHs in meat samples and is sensitive enough to differentiate between different PAH levels generated under various smoking conditions. Effect-based screening techniques, therefore, provide a new instrument for official food monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method based on automated gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and on-line quantitative concentration was developed for the determination of residues of 38 typically used pesticides in high-oil peanuts. Pesticides were extracted using acetonitrile into an oil fraction containing little of the peanut matrix. After changing the solvent to the mobile phase (1 : 1 cyclohexane : ethyl acetate), clean-up was carried out using GPC, the final collected solution being automatically concentrated to a fixed volume and transferred into vials for gas chromatography (GC) injection. The pesticides were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Average recoveries (spiked levels of 0.02, 0.05, and 0.1 µg g-1) were between 70 and 117%. The relative standard deviation of the method was 3.5-21% (n = 6). This approach gave comparable results with a previously published method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the identification and isolation of pancuronium bromide in aged autopsy tissues and fluids. Optimization of a novel protocol for the isolation of the target drug in highly decomposed tissues; Investigation on the solid-phase extraction cartridges containing styrene-divinylbenzene; Provision of a qualitative and semiquantitative basis for the investigation of difficult cases involving overdoses of polar drugs.

The use of alcohol and tobacco is prevalent among pregnant women despite the well-known adverse effects of these substances imposed on the developing fetus and immense public health education efforts. Confirmation of gestational exposures to these compounds have relied mostly on maternal self-reporting, which is often underestimated because of guilt, embarrassment, and fear of punitive action. The presence of fatty acid ethyl esters in various biological matrices as a result of alcohol consumption initiated the development of neonatal screening tests for these emerging biological markers in meconium and hair. The levels of nicotine and cotinine in hair have long been used as objective indices for the quantification of exposure to active and passive smoking. Maternal segmental hair analysis in the study of pharmacokinetic changes in nicotine metabolism in the obstetric population is a novel application of this traditional analytical method. The latest developments and novel applications of meconium and hair testing for the confirmation of prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure are discussed in this review. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The unique feature of the genus Sphingobacterium is the presence of sphingophospholipids and ceramides, besides diacylglycerophospholipids. As major cellular lipid components, five kinds of sphingophospholipids were purified from Sphingobacterium spiritivorum ATCC 33861T, the type species of genus Sphingobacterium. They were identified as ceramide phosphorylethanolamines (CerPE-1 and CerPE-2), ceramide phosphoryl-myo-inositols (CerPI-1 and CerPI-2), and ceramide phosphorylmannose (CerPM-1). The ceramide of CerPE-1, CerPI-1, and CerPM-1 was composed of 15-methylhexadecasphinganine (isoheptadeca sphinganine, iso-C17:0) and 13-methyltetradecanoic acid (isopentadecanoic acid, iso-C15:0), whereas that of CerPE-2 and CerPI-2 was composed of isoheptadeca sphinganine and 2-hydroxy-13-methyltetradecanoic acid (2-hydroxy isopentadecanoic acid, 2-OH iso-C15:0). These sphingophospholipids were also found in cellular lipids of Sphingobacterium multivorum ATCC 33613T, Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299T, Sphingobacterium faecium IFO 15299T, Sphingobacterium thalpophilum ATCC 43320T, and Sphingobacterium antarcticum ATCC 51969T. To our knowledge, the existence of CerPM-1 is a novel sphingophospholipid through eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Volatiles profiling of Jasminum flower taxa was performed via SPME coupled to GC/MS. • A total of 77 volatiles were identified belonging to 10 different classes. • Difference between flowers versus concrete and absolute products aroma was observed. • Benzenoids and terpenoids accounted for jasmine flowers and products fragrance. Jasmine is one of the most valuable commercial oil bearing plants from family Oleaceae used for the production of jasmine scent mostly in the form of concrete and absolute. Being an export commodity, development of reliable analytical methods for its jasmine species and derived products authentication and or adulterants detection should now follow. A comparative volatiles profiling of Jasminum grandiflorum L., J. multiflorum (Burm. f.) Andrews and J. sambac (L.) Aiton flowers in addition to J. grandiflorum products viz. , concrete and absolute at different time periods was performed using solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to GC/MS. A total of 77 volatiles were identified belonging to esters, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, ketones, aldehydes, phenols, hydrocarbons and nitrogenous compounds. The phenylpropanoid/benzenoid and terpenoid classes were the major volatile classes in jasmine. Benzyl acetate was the chief scent volatile whereas major terpenoids included linalool, nerolidol, α-farnesene and cis -jasmone. Results revealed aroma variation among different flowers and products obtained from J. grandiflorum at different months. This study provides the first comprehensive and comparative aroma profile for Egyptian Jasminum species along with its products that could be used for its future quality control in industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This dataset contains raw area counts and percent recoveries of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) standards desorbed from selected sorbent tubes and analyzed using thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). The results of this study were published in the article "Recovery and reactivity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected on selected sorbent tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry" in Journal of Chromatography A [1]. The sorbent tubes studied include stainless steel Carbograph 2TD/1TD, glass quartz wool-Carbograph 2TD, inert-coated stainless steel Carbograph 2TD, glass and stainless steel Tenax TA, PAH (chemical weapons), and glass and stainless steel XRO-440 sorbent tubes. Tables listing the experimental conditions, TD methods, and types of sorbent tubes are included in the manuscript. Data for experiments, including the investigation of incomplete desorption of PAHs from Carbograph 2TD/1TD and XRO-440 sorbent tubes, the comparison of PAH recoveries from three different TD methods, the analysis of PAH breakthrough from sorbent tubes, the investigation of the effect of heat on PAH percent recovery from sorbent tubes, and the formation of reaction products during PAH loading and desorption are included in Appendix A. These data can be used to guide sorbent tube selection for PAH analyses in future studies.

The ginger extract obtained with supercritical CO 2 fluid was purified by molecular distillation (MD), and the chemical compositions, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of ginger extract and its distillates were investigated. Analysis revealed that the ginger extract was rich in terpene hydrocarbons, along with oxygenated terpenes and other non-volatile compounds. The MD distillates were prepared in a series of stages and the active compounds like terpenes and gingerols could be separated by MD. The major compounds of the distillates purified by MD at 40 °C, 80 Pa and 60 °C, 80 Pa were terpene hydrocarbons. Additional distillates obtained by MD at 80 °C, 80 Pa and 100 °C, 60 Pa were predominated by terpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated terpenes. Until the operating conditions of MD reached 150 °C and 2 Pa, some non-volatile compounds were concentrated in the final distillate. Moreover, antioxidant activities and the cytotoxic effects on three human cancer cells in final MD distillate were superior to other extracts, and this phenomenon could be mainly supported by the phenols. The MD could be used to prepare ginger distillates with better antioxidant and cytotoxic activities., (© 2019 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)