Fast and simple extraction of pesticide residues in selected fruits and vegetables using tetrafluoroethane and toluene followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

WOS: 000310396700144PubMed ID: 22953939An extraction and analytical method for the determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables has been developed. The method includes extraction with a pressurised liquid solvent containing a mixture of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and toluene, and identification/quantification of pesticides using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS). Validation studies were carried out to evaluate the performance of the method for the determination of 71 different pesticides and metabolites in tomato, cucumber, pepper, spinach, zucchini, grape, cherry, peach and apricot. Matrix-matched calibration curves were applied and correlation coefficients (r(2)) came out to be greater than 0.99. Limit of quantification (LOQ) values of the active substances were found to be lower than the maximum residue limits (MRL) according to regulations in Turkey. The recovery values were found to be between 70% and 120% with relative standard deviations less than 20%. Based on these results, the proposed method is fast, cheaper, rugged and gives quantitative results with no additional clean-up steps. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from the Aegean region, Turkey

WOS: 000336773900052PubMed ID: 24799252The purpose of this study was to investigate pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from the Aegean region of Turkey. A total of 1423 samples of fresh fruit and vegetables were collected from 2010 to 2012. The samples were analysed to determine the concentrations of 186 pesticide residues. The analyses utilized ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) and gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) confirmed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after a multi-residue extraction procedure (the QuEChERS method). The results were evaluated according to maximum residue limits (MRLs). for each commodity and pesticide by Turkish Regulation. All pomegranate, cauliflower and cabbage samples were pesticides-free. A total of 754 samples contained detectable residues at or below MRLs, and 48 (8.4%) of the fruit samples and 83 (9.8%) of the vegetable samples contained pesticide residues above MRLs. MRL values were most often exceeded in arugula, cucumber, lemon, and grape commodities. All detected pesticides in apricot, carrot, kiwifruit and leek were below the MRLs. Acetamiprid, chlorpyriphos and carbendazim were the most detected pesticide residues. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Determination of Gluten Contamination in Foods Available on the Turkish Market via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Wheat, along with maize and rice, is one of the "big 3" cereal crops, and although it is a major component of many food products, it is one of the top eight food allergens listed by the Codex Alimentarius. The wheat protein gluten is responsible for several diseases including wheat allergy (WA), gluten sensitivity (GS), and celiac disease (CD). The presence of a "gluten free" label on food products specially produced for these patients facilitates the selection of safe products. To enforce food labeling regulations and quantitatively assess the potential degree of gluten contamination in gluten-free foods, standardized analytical methodologies are required. In recent years, multiple techniques for detecting gluten utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), lateral flow devices/dipsticks, polymerase chain reaction, and mass spectrometry have been developed. In this study, the R-Biopharm Ridascreen((R)) Gliadin Kit, a commercial ELISA kit, was used to assess the degree of gluten contamination, if any, in naturally gluten-free foods and foods labeled "gluten free" obtained from Izmir Province and its surroundings. In total, 71 samples (45 naturally gluten-free food samples, and 26 processed food samples labeled "gluten free") were investigated for gluten contamination. Gluten extraction was performed with cocktail solution (patented, R-Biopharm), and contamination was analyzed quantitatively using the ELISA method based on the antigen-antibody relationship with the R-Biopharm Ridascreen((R)) Gliadin Kit. In total, 94.37% of the samples were found to be gluten-free, 4.23% were found to be low in gluten, and 1.40% were found to be beyond the limit. In conclusion, gluten-free product manufacturers should implement comprehensive measures in the production stage to eliminate contamination risks, and individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should be vigilant when reading labels and inquiring about food preparation to manage symptoms and maintain good health

The role of chrysin against harmful effects of formaldehyde exposure on the morphology of rat fetus liver and kidney development

This study was aimed to investigate possible harmful effects of formaldehyde (FA) exposure on the morphology of fetus liver and kidney development during pregnancy and also to determinate possible protective role of chrysin (CH) against these harmful effects. For this aim, after pregnancy was induced, 58 female rats were divided into 6 groups. Serum physiologic (SF) was injected to the Group I rats intraperitoneally (i.p.). 20 mg/kg CH was given to the Group II via gavage. 0.1 mg/kg FA was applied to the Group III (i.p.), 1 mg/kg FA was injected to Group IV (i.p.) 0.1 mg/kg FA was given to Group V i.p., and 20 mg/kg CH was given to the same group via gavage. 1 mg/kg FA was applied to Group VI i.p., and 20 mg/kg CH was given to the same group via gavage. Fetuses were taken from each pregnant rat with cesarean section on the 20th day of the pregnancy. The morphological analyses of the fetuses, liver and kidney; biochemical and histological analyses of the liver and kidney were performed. The fetal body, liver and kidney weight of the FA groups demonstrated a statistically significant decrease the compared to control group. Also the FA-1 group were observed histopathological changes on the fetus liver and kidneys. FA exposure causes harmful effects on fetus the liver and kidneys. CH reduces the negative effect on morphological variables statistically. Although CH is insufficient to fix the histopathological changes that occur in the liver, damaging effects that occur in the kidney decreased statistically. [Med-Science 2017; 6(1.000): 73-80