David M. Ruggio

Vitamin D and Sterol Composition of 10 Types of Mushrooms from Retail Suppliers in the United States

Vitamin D(2) (ergocalciferol) and sterols were analyzed in mushrooms sampled nationwide in the United States to update the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Vitamin D(2) was assayed using HPLC with [(3)H]-vitamin D(3) internal standard and sterols by GC-FID mass spectrometric (MS) confirmation. Vitamin D(2) was low (0.1-0.3 μg/100 g) in Agaricus bisporus (white button, crimini, portabella) and enoki, moderate in shiitake and oyster (0.4-0.7 μg/100 g), and high in morel, chanterelle, maitake (5.2-28.1 μg/100 g) and UV-treated portabella (3.4-20.9 μg/100 g), with significant variability among composites for some types. Ergosterol (mg/100 g) was highest in maitake and shiitake (79.2, 84.9) and lowest in morel and enoki (26.3, 35.5); the range was <10 mg/100 g among white button composites but 12-50 mg/100 g among samples of other types. All mushrooms contained ergosta-5,7-dienol (22,23-dihydroergosterol) (3.53-18.0 mg/100 g) and (except morel) ergosta-7-enol. Only morel contained brassicasterol (28.6 mg/100 g) and campesterol (1.23-4.54 mg/100 g) and no ergosta-7,22-dienol. MS was critical in distinguishing campesterol from ergosta-7,22-dienol.

Precise quantitative determination of phytosterols, stanols, and cholesterol metabolites in human serum by capillary gas-liquid chromatography.

Total lipid extraction, solid-phase extraction, saponification, derivatization to trimethylsilyl ether derivatives, then capillary gas-liquid chromatography were used for quantitative analysis of sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitostanol, campestanol, lathosterol, desmosterol, and lanosterol in human serum. Details of quality control integral to the accuracy and precision of analyses are included. The method limits of detection and quantitation, respectively, ranged from 0.05 microg/ml and 0.2 microg/ml for sitostanol to 0.4 microg/ml and 1.2 microg/ml for campesterol and campestanol. Analytes were measured at concentrations of 120 ng/ml to 6 microg/ml with standard deviations of 0.02 to 0.12 microg/ml for 55 analyses of a control serum sample conducted over a 2-month period.

Folate composition of 10 types of mushrooms determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

White button, crimini, shiitake, maitake, enoki, oyster, chanterelle, morel, portabella, and uv-treated portabella mushrooms were sampled from U.S. retail outlets and major producers. Folate [5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-CH3-H4folate), 10-formyl folate (10-HCO-folate), 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5-HCO-H4folate)] was analysed using a validated LC-MS method in four composites of each product, including an in-house mushroom control composite and a reference material (BCR 485 Lyophilised Mixed Vegetables). Chanterelle and morel had the lowest total folate (2-6μg/100g), oyster had the highest (mean, 44.2μg/100g); other types contained 12.4μg/100g (shiitake) to 29.8μg/100g (vitamin D-enhanced portabella). Enoki and oyster had almost exclusively 5-CH3-H4folate. Morel and chanterelle contained predominately formyl folates. Other species had similar amounts of 5-CH3-H4folate and formyl folates. Enoki, oyster, and shiitake, unlike all others, had low to non-detectable 10-HCO-folate (<1μg/100g). These precise data on the composition of folate vitamers in different types of mushrooms will facilitate assessment of the dietary contribution of naturally occurring folate.

Sterol composition of shellfish species commonly consumed in the United States.

Background Shellfish can be a component of a healthy diet due to a low fat and high protein content, but the cholesterol content of some species is often cited as a reason to limit their consumption. Data on levels of non-cholesterol sterols in commonly consumed species are lacking. Objective Shellfish were sampled and analyzed to update sterol data in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Design Using a nationwide sampling plan, raw shrimp and sea scallops, canned clams, and steamed oysters, blue crab, and lobster were sampled from 12 statistically selected supermarkets across the United States in 2007–08. For each species, four composites were analyzed, each comprised of samples from three locations; shrimp and scallops from six single locations were also analyzed separately. Using validated analytical methodology, 14 sterols were determined in total lipid extracts after saponification and derivatization to trimethylsilyethers, using gas chromatography for quantitation and mass spectrometry for confirmation of components. Results Crab, lobster, and shrimp contained significant cholesterol (96.2–27 mg/100 g); scallops and clams had the lowest concentrations (23.4–30.1 mg/100 g). Variability in cholesterol among single-location samples of shrimp was low. The major sterols in the mollusks were brassicasterol (12.6–45.6 mg/100 g) and 24-methylenecholesterol (16.7–41.9 mg/100 g), with the highest concentrations in oysters. Total non-cholesterol sterols were 46.5–75.6 mg/100 g in five single-location scallops samples, but 107 mg/100 g in the sixth, with cholesterol also higher in that sample. Other prominent non-cholesterol sterols in mollusks were 22-dehydrocholesterol, isofucosterol, clionasterol, campesterol, and 24-norcholesta-5,22-diene-3β-ol (4–21 mg/100 g). Conclusions The presence of a wide range of sterols, including isomeric forms, in shellfish makes the analysis and quantitation of sterols in marine species more complex than in animal and plant tissues. The detailed sterol composition reported herein provides data that may be useful in research on the impact of shellfish consumption on dietary risk factors.

Folate content of different edible portions of vegetables and fruits

Purpose – Significant differences may occur in the nutrient content of different edible portions of vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study was to screen the folate content of different edible portions of some common fruits and vegetables.Design/methodology/approach – 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in composites of asparagus tips and stems, broccoli florets and stems, the bulb and leaves of leeks, and the peel and flesh of apples, pears, peaches, and potatoes.Findings – Folate content was significantly higher (25 µg/100 g) in asparagus tips vs stems or whole vegetable and leek bulbs compared to leaves or the whole plant, on an as‐consumed basis. No significant difference was found in the edible portions within the other products.Practical implications – Selective consumption of asparagus tips and leek bulbs would increase folate intake compared to the whole vegetable or the stems and leaves. Consideration should be given to pos...

Folic Acid Content of Ready-to-Eat Cereals Determined by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: Comparison to Product Label and to Values Determined by Microbiological Assay

ABSTRACT Twelve popular ready-to-eat breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid were sampled in the United States in 2006, and the data have been incorporated into the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Cereals were collected from three statistically selected retail outlets in each of four primary census regions, and four composites of each product were prepared using random groupings of three locations each. Folic acid was determined using a validated LC-MS method, with 13C-folic acid as an internal standard, after trienzyme treatment and solid phase extraction. A cereal reference material (AACC VMA399) was analyzed as a control. Selected samples were also assayed using the standard microbiological method, with and without trienzyme extraction, to generate an estimate of endogenous folate. On average, as shown on the label, folate content was underestimated. In seven cereals, folate was within 5% of the declared value; in four cereals, it was 5–20% higher; and in two cereals, it was...