A Non-Targeted High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Study for Extra Virgin Olive Oil Adulteration with Soft Refined Oils: Preliminary Findings from Two Different Laboratories

This work presents a non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry inter-laboratory study for the detection of new chemical markers responsible of soft refined oils addition to extra virgin olive oils. Refined oils (soft deodorized and soft deacidified) were prepared on a laboratory scale starting from low-quality olive oils and analyzed together with a set of pure extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples and with mixtures of adulterated and pure EVOO at different percentages. The same analytical workflow was applied in two different laboratories equipped with two types of instrumentation (Q-Orbitrap and Q-TOF); a group of discriminant molecules was selected, and a tentative identification of compounds was also proposed. In summary, 12 molecules were identified as markers of this specific adulteration, and seven of them were selected as discriminative in both the laboratories, with a similar trend throughout the samples (i.e., propylene glycol 1 stearate). The results obtained in the two laboratories are comparable, concretely demonstrating the inter-laboratory repeatability of non-targeted studies. As a confirmation, the same markers were detected also in "in-house"mixtures and in suspect commercial deodorized mixtures, reinforcing the robustness of the results obtained and proving that, thanks to these molecules, mixtures containing at least 40% of adulterated oils can be detected

Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate samples by microwaveassisted extraction and liquid chromatography

A methodology based on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and LC with fluorescence detection (FLD) was investigated for the efficient determination of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) regarded as priority pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency and dibenzo(a,l)pyrene in atmospheric particulate samples. PAHs were successfully extracted from real outdoor particulate matter (PM) samples with recoveries ranging from 81.4±8.8 to 112.0±1.1%, for all the compounds except for naphthalene (62.3±18.0%) and anthracene (67.3±5.7%), under the optimum MAE conditions (30.0 mL of ACN for 20 min at 110ºC). No clean-up steps were necessary prior to LC analysis. LOQs ranging from 0.0054 ng/m3 for benzo( a)anthracene to 0.089 ng/m3 for naphthalene were reached. The validated MAE methodology was applied to the determination of PAHs from a set of real world PM samples collected in Oporto (north of Portugal). The sum of particulate-bound PAHs in outdoor PM ranged from 2.5 and 28 ng/m3.http://recipp.ipp.pt/handle/10400.22/289

Communication campaign Food4Future_cz - Series of videos

Food4Future_cz is a communication campaign developed by the EU-funded project FoodSafety4EU. The campaign aims to raise youngsters’ awareness about food safety and sustainability for a conscious and considerate approach to the environment. For more information about the campaign in Czechia, please visit http://www.foodnet.cz/cs/food4future_cz and in English please visit FoodSafety4EU. 6 VIDEOS in Czech language with subtitles in English: CROPS ON A DRY PLANET (BACKGROUND): Do you care about the food choices you make? On a planet that's slowly running out of water, alternative ways of farming will become progressively more important. Watch the video with our AquaFriend explaining the water-saving benefits of aquaponics! LONG LIVE LETTUCE (KITCHEN): Do you care about the food choices you make? Not only is aquaponic production safer, but by maintaining the integrity of the root system, the produce such as salad can be stored for longer while staying fresh. Watch the video with our AquaFriend explaining the longevity of produce grown from aquaponics! NOT THAT COMPLICATED (LABORATORY): Do you care about the food choices you make? Even though the principles of aquaponics may sound complicated at first glance, it is a simple and old method of effectively producing crops and fish. Watch the video with our AquaFriend explaining the main principles of aquaponic farming! FISH ARE FRIENDS (POND): Do you care about the food choices you make? Aquaponic farming is not only a source of produce but also fish which is an important protein source. Watch the video with our AquaFriend explaining the benefits of producing fish in an aquaponic farm! BETTER THAN ORGANIC (RESTAURANT): Do you care about the food choices you make? Even though aquaponic produce cannot be marked as “BIO”, it has multiple benefits over traditional farming. Watch the video with our AquaFriend explaining the benefits (i.e. pesticide-free, sustainable) of aquaponic farming! SHARE WITH CLASS (SCHOOL): Do you care about the food choices you make? Watch the video with our AquaFriend explaining the aquaponic cycle

Communication campaign Food4Future_cz (Czech version) - Series of materials for secondary schools

Food4Future_cz is a communication campaign developed by the EU-funded project FoodSafety4EU. The campaign aims to raise youngsters’ awareness about food safety and sustainability for a conscious and considerate approach to the environment. For more information about the campaign in Czechia, please visit http://www.foodnet.cz/cs/food4future_cz and in English please visit FoodSafety4EU. The teacher materials are prepared for teachers of upper secondary education institutions (approx. age 15-18 years) and are fit for learners with different levels of prior knowledge. The materials have been designed for the purpose of the Food4Future_cz campaign together with the flyer which teachers are encouraged to distribute to their class before using the materials. The teaching materials are divided into three chapters followed by a list of exercises with indications of length connected to each chapter. The exercises are action-learning oriented focussing on fostering a participatory and learner-centered discussion about the chapter topics in class. The chapters are also available as power point presentation

Studium pruniku polycyklickych aromatickych uhlovodiku do potravnich retezcu.

Text and summary also in EnglishAvailable from STL, Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi

Metabolic fingerprinting strategy: Investigation of markers for the detection of extra virgin olive oil adulteration with soft-deodorized olive oils

As extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a high value commodity, it might be subject of various fraudulent practices. This study is focused on a challenging authentication issue, addition of lower grade, soft-deodorized olive oil to EVOO. In the first step, sample sets of authentic EVOOs, soft-deodorized oils and their admixtures were extracted by aqueous methanol; obtained polar fractions were then analysed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS/MS). Subsequent chemometric evaluation of metabolic fingerprints enabled suggestion of several ions that might be characteristic for deodorized oils; most of tentatively identified compounds were oxidized fatty acid derivatives. In the second phase, the ‘marker' ions were employed for target analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) what enabled achieving lower the detection limits. Two compounds were selected as the best markers for detection of soft-deodorized olive oil addition, tentatively identified as methyl ester of hydroxy octadecenoic acid and ester derivative of oleic acid

Analysis of chlormequat residue in milk by UPLC-MS/MS

Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator generally used to promote lateral branching and flowering of ornamental plants. It is also frequently used to improve yields for different types of cereals in Europe. These cereals are often processed into animal feed. Consequently chlormequat residues could potentially be found in matrices of animal origin. The MRL in milk were fixed at 0.05 mg/kg in annex I part B of the regulation 396/2005. Milk is a very complex matrix composed of different proteins and fat. Therefore, intensive clean-up is needed before injection to prevent interference or clogging during LC analysis. For the extraction, 4ml of water is added to 1g of milk just after the addition of chlormequat D4 as internal standard. The cleanup strategy selected was the use of dichloromethane andacetic acid to eliminate fat and precipitate protein, respectively. This step was followed by a solid phase extraction (SPE) of the aqueous phase on a Weak Cation Exchange cartridge. The chlormequat was eluted by using ammonium acetate, before injection on an UPLC-MS/MS system (Waters premier). Due to his ionic characteristic, no retention is observed on classical C18 column. The reverse phase polymethacrylate Shodex RSpak DE413 (150 × 4.6 mm) recommended in the CEN method prEN15054 has been selected. Isocratic condition (water/acetonitrile/ methanol/acetic acid - 71.25+17.5+7.5+3.75 V+V+V+V 50 mM ammonium acetate are used at a flow of 0.4 ml/min. The observed a retention time is 4.0 min. The analytical method has a limit of quantification of 0.025 mg/kg (limit of detection of 0.0125 mg/kg) and was validated following SANCO/12495/2011 criteria at the LOQ and at a higher level (10 times LOQ - 0.25 mg/kg). Results show a recovery of approximately 100% (between 100.6 and 103.0) with a repeatability and in-house reproducibility below 10%. These very good validation data are correlated to the robustness of the method and to the use of an isotopic surrogate.</p