2014 Annual Report of the Board of Experts in Monitoring Water Content in Poultrymeat following Regulation (EC) No 543/2008

This report describes tasks, activities and achievements in 2014 of the Board of Experts in monitoring water content in poultrymeat following Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008, in particular the launch of a survey on methods of homogenisation of poultry carcases and parts used by the National Reference Laboratories, the revision of Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008 and the Special Expert Group Meeting in Uppsala, Sweden. As every year, the National Reference Laboratories are obliged to provide control data from each slaughterhouse. Similar to previous years, the control data received for 2013 are rather heterogeneous. This time a more detailed evaluation of all submitted data took place with focus on plausibility of the data. Where possible reported numbers were recalculated. Furthermore, the data were sorted and evaluated according to the applied chilling methods, types of poultry cuts as well as on over-the-limit cases and on imports from non-EU countries.JRC.D.5-Standards for Food Bioscienc

Progress in processing and certification of new mycotoxin matrix reference materials for mycotoxin analysis ERM-BD285 (pistachios), ERM-BD286 (paprika powder) and ERM-BC473 (barley)

This report describes the processing and certification of a set of new mycotoxin reference materials for the determination of the aflatoxin content in pistachio powder (ERM BD285), the determination of the aflatoxin and ochratoxin A content in paprika powder (ERM BD286) as well as the determination of ochratoxin A content in barley (ERM BC473) to improve the quality of analytical data in the field of mycotoxins in food and to support EU legislation. An overview is given regarding the base materials, project planning, homogeneity, short-term stability and characterisation studies of the above mentioned materials. Furthermore, achievements as well as the currently on-going studies, the recruitment of competent laboratories and other planned activities are described.JRC.D.5-Standards for Food Bioscienc

The Certification of the Mass Fractions of Tristearin in Blends of Pure Tristearin and Triolein Representing the Solid Fat Content - IRMM 805 (Set of 12 Primary Standards)

This report describes the preparation and certification of IRMM 805. This reference material is comprised of a set of 12 tristearin/triolein blends (primary triglyceride samples) for the solid fat content (SFC) determination by low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (LR NMR). The preparation and processing of the materials, stability studies and a characterisation study (by interlaboratory comparison) are described hereafter and the results are discussed. Uncertainties were estimated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties due to gravimetric sample preparation, purity and possible instability.JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

The Certification of the Mass Fraction of Oxytetracycline in Partially Skimmed Milk - Certified Reference Materials ERM®-BB492 and ERM®-BB493

This report describes the preparation of two milk powder matrix reference materials (ERM-BB492 and ERM-BB493) and the certification of their content (mass fraction) of oxytetracycline. The preparation and processing of the material, homogeneity and stability studies, and the characterisation are described hereafter and the results are discussed. Uncertainties were estimated in compliance with ISO Guide 98-3, Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [1]. For ERM-BB492, the uncertainty contains contributions from possible heterogeneity, instability, characterisation, and purity of the common calibrant.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

Efficient chemotherapy of rat glioblastoma using Doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles with different stabilizers

Background: Chemotherapy of glioblastoma is largely ineffective as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents entry of most anticancer agents into the brain. For an efficient treatment of glioblastomas it is necessary to deliver anti-cancer drugs across the intact BBB. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with poloxamer 188 hold great promise as drug carriers for brain delivery after their intravenous injection. In the present study the anti-tumour efficacy of the surfactant-coated doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles against rat glioblastoma 101/8 was investigated using histological and immunohistochemical methods. Methodology: The particles were prepared by a high-pressure solvent evaporation technique using 1% polyvinylalcohol (PLGA/PVA) or human serum albumin (PLGA/HSA) as stabilizers. Additionally, lecithin-containing PLGA/HSA particles (Dox-Lecithin-PLGA/HSA) were prepared. For evaluation of the antitumour efficacy the glioblastoma-bearing rats were treated intravenously with the doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles coated with poloxamer 188 using the following treatment regimen: 3×2.5 mg/kg on day 2, 5 and 8 after tumour implantation; doxorubicin and poloxamer 188 solutions were used as controls. On day 18, the rats were sacrificed and the antitumour effect was determined by measurement of tumour size, necrotic areas, proliferation index, and expression of GFAP and VEGF as well as Isolectin B4, a marker for the vessel density. Conclusion: The results reveal a considerable anti-tumour effect of the doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles. The overall best results were observed for Dox-Lecithin-PLGA/HSA. These data demonstrate that the poloxamer 188-coated PLGA nanoparticles enable delivery of doxorubicin across the blood-brain barrier in the therapeutically effective concentrations

The Certification of the Mass Fractions of Proximates and Essential Elements in Rye Flour and Wheat Flour -- Certified Reference Materials ERM®-BC381 and ERM®-BC382

This report describes the preparation of the rye flour matrix reference materials ERM®BC381 and ERM®-BC382, respectively, and the certification of the contents (mass fractions) of four proximates and four essential elements. All results are expressed as a mass fraction on a dry mass basis. The preparation and processing of the materials, homogeneity studies, stability studies and characterisation are described hereafter and the results are discussed. Uncertainties were calculated in compliance with Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties due to possible heterogeneity, instability and from characterisation.JRC.DDG.D.2-Reference material

Certification of the crude Protein, Fat, Lactose and Ash Content of whole Milk Powder and the crude Protein and Fat Content of Skim Milk Powder, BCR-380R & BCR-685

This report describes the preparation of two milk powder reference materials and the measurement exercises that led to the certification of the content (mass fraction) of the crude protein (Kjeldahl-N x 6.38), fat, lactose and ash in whole milk powder (BCR-380R) and crude protein (Kjeldahl-N x 6.38) and fat in skim milk powder (BCR-685).JRC.D.2-Reference material

Certification of a Refillable PET Bottle Material with Respect to Chemical Inertness Behaviour According to a PR-CEN Standard Method, BCR-712.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

Certification of the Mass fractions of Crude Protein, Crude Oils and Fats, Crude Fibre, Crude Ash and Phosphorus (According to Methods Specifications Laid down in EU-Legislation) and of Copper, Calcium and Magnesium, BCR-708 (Synthetic Dairy Feed), ....

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel