Dioxins in Food and Feed - Reference Methods and New Certified Reference Materials (DIFFERENCE)

The European research project DIFFERENCE (“Dioxins in Food and Feed – Reference methods and New Certified Reference Materials”) was focussed on the development of an alternative methods for analysis of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) using comprehensive multi-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC), gas chromatography combined with low resolution ion-trap mass spectrometry (GCLRMS/ MS), the CALUX bioassay and an Ah-PCR technique. GC combined with high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used as a reference method in all comparisons

Modeling the absorption lineshape of embedded systems from molecular dynamics: A tutorial review

In this tutorial review, we focus on a multiscale method to compute the electronic absorption line shape of molecular dyes embedded in a biological environment. To treat the coupling of the electronic excitations with the nuclear degrees of freedom of the system, we use the spectral density (SD) of the exciton-phonon coupling computed from a Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, which takes into account the effect of the biological environment on the dye's nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom. The theoretical basis of the approach is given, as well as a comprehensive description of the computational protocol for the extraction of the energy gap autocorrelation function evaluating the electronic excitation along the classical trajectory. Furthermore a benchmark application from a recently published study is presented as an example of how the derived SD can be used in computational spectroscopy to accurately simulate the absorption lineshape, including both vibronic and temperature effects

Rapid method for the confirmatory analysis of chrysoidine in aquaculture products by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

&lt;p&gt;A sensitive and fast method for the quantification of the illegal dye chrysoidine in aquaculture products with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) is presented. Muscle tissues were made alkaline with sodium hydroxide and extracted with ethyl acetate. After evaporation and subsequent defatting with n-hexane, extracts were directly injected onto the UPLC-column. Chromatography was performed on a C(18) column using 0.1% formic acid in water and an acetonitrile gradient within 6 min. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed in the positive electrospray MS/MS mode. The limit of quantification was 0.25 ng/g, which was 30 times lower than the only previously published method with gas chromatographic detection. A complete validation according to the scientific literature and as defined by the European Union was performed. The applicability of the method was shown in the analysis of more than 50 unknown samples in the framework of a monitoring program.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Enantiomeric fraction of hexabromocyclododecanes in foodstuff from the Belgian market

Diet is considered a major route of human exposure to hexabromocyclododecane, a chiral environmental contaminant. A previous study reported on the occurrence of hexabromocyclododecane diastereoisomers in food items of animal origin collected in Belgium. The present study reports further results on corresponding enantiomeric fractions of the same samples. None of the samples could be considered as racemic for the α-isomer suggesting that foodstuff contamination occurred prior to death of the corresponding producing animal and was not the result of the food item being in contact with technical HBCDD. Non-racemic chiral signatures were also observed for β- and γ-isomers. We conclude that, depending on their dietary habits, different individuals might be overall exposed to non-racemic profiles. Considering that toxicological effects are enantiomer-dependent, this could modulate potential adverse&nbsp;effects.</p

Investigation of migrating substances from textile used as food contact material

With the polarized debate about paper and board packaging materials, food contact materials (FCM) made from fabrics/textiles has gain importance on the market. This trend is expected to rise with the prohibition of the Walloon and Brussels-Capital Region for single use plastic bags. In this context, the aim of the research was to evaluate the safety of these “new” food fabrics. A simple ultra-sound assisted extraction of substances from the fabrics was done with acetonitrile to avoid any compound losses. Both a GC-MS full scan screening method and targeted quantitative assays were used to determine the levels of substances migrating from food fabrics. These protocols were carried out for 43 food fabrics carefully selected on the Belgian market. Well known food contaminants such as butylated hydroxy toluene, phthalates and photo-initiators were detected, but at very low levels. On the contrary, one bread bag sample contained higher amounts of bisphenol A. It is well characterized that the migration of contaminants from food contact materials in foodstuffs is challenging due to the complexity and large variety of foodstuffs. To overcome this issue, migration experiments were carried out using food simulants. Consequently, the bread bag was brought into contact with the simulants for bread using accelerated time and temperature conditions to simulate migration. Analysis of the simulants afterwards showed no significant migration for Bisphenol A. Although this particular bread bag contains Bisphenol A, the migration thereof is limited and the article is considered to be food safe. In conclusion, 43 food fabrics surveyed on the Belgian market were investigated for the migration of possible contaminants towards foodstuffs. Different compounds were detected but measured levels are very low and do not trigger safety&nbsp;concerns.</p

Dietary exposure of Brazilian adolescents to acrylamide

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Multi-residue analysis of macrolides in bovine and porcine muscle by LC-MS/MS

presentation at Symposium &#039;Mass spectrometry in Food and Feed&#039;, 9 juni 2011, Merelbeke</p

Contribution of selected foods to acrylamide intake by a population of Brazilian adolescents

Acrylamide dietary intakes from selected foods are estimated in this work for Brazilian adolescents from S+úo Paulo State. The exposure assessment was carried out by combining levels of acrylamide in foods determined analytically by an accredited LC</p