Gregory W. Diachenko

Migration of fluorochemical paper additives from food-contact paper into foods and food simulants

Fluorochemical-treated paper was tested to determine the amount of migration that occurs into foods and food-simulating liquids and the characteristics of the migration. Migration characteristics of fluorochemicals from paper were examined in Miglyol, butter, water, vinegar, water–ethanol solutions, emulsions and pure oil containing small amounts of emulsifiers. Additionally, microwave popcorn and chocolate spread were used to investigate migration. Results indicate that fluorochemicals paper additives do migrate to food during actual package use. For example, we found that microwave popcorn contained 3.2 fluorochemical mg kg−1 popcorn after popping and butter contained 0.1 mg kg−1 after 40 days at 4°C. Tests also indicate that common food-simulating liquids for migration testing and package material evaluation might not provide an accurate indication of the amount of fluorochemical that actually migrates to food. Tests show that oil containing small amounts of an emulsifier can significantly enhance migration of a fluorochemical from paper.

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of economically motivated adulteration in protein-containing foods

A new analytical method was developed to determine the presence of six (6) compounds with the potential to be used in economic adulteration to enhance the nitrogen content in milk products and bulk proteins. Residues were extracted from the matrix with 2% formic acid, after which acetonitrile (ACN) was added to induce precipitation of the proteins. Extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography using a ZIC-HILIC column with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using electrospray ionization (ESI). Single-laboratory method validation data was collected in six matrices fortified at concentrations down to 1.0 μg/g (ppm). Average recoveries and average relative standard deviations (RSD) using spiked matrix calibration standard curves were the following: cyromazine (CY) 95.9% (7.5% RSD), dicyandiamide (DC) 98.1% (5.6% RSD), urea 102.5% (8.6% RSD), biuret (BU) 97.2% (6.6% RSD), triuret (TU) 97.7% (5.7% RSD), and amidinourea (AU) 93.4% (7.4% RSD). This method provides a rapid and effective approach to proactively combat economically motivated adulteration in protein-containing products.

Occurrence of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in edible oils in the United States

Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and glycidol are processing contaminants found in a wide range of edible oils. While both 3 MCPD and glycidol have toxicological properties that at present has concerns for food safety, the published occurrence data are limited. Occurrence information is presented for the concentrations of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in 116 retail and/or industrial edible oils and fats using LC-MS/MS analysis of intact esters. The concentrations for bound 3-MCPD ranged from below the limit of quantitation (<LOQ) to 0.09 mg kg−1 (ppm) in 22 unrefined oils and from 0.005 to 7.2 mg kg−1 (ppm) in 94 refined oils. The concentrations for bound glycidol ranged from <LOQ to 0.03 mg kg−1 (ppm) in unrefined oil samples and from <LOQ to 10.5 mg kg−1 (ppm) in processed oil samples. The highest concentrations for both 3-MCPD and glycidol were seen in refined palm oil and palm olein samples. Palm olein samples also contained a higher percentage of 3-MCPD in mono-ester form than any other type of oil.

Analysis of tetramethylene disulfotetramine in foods using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

An automated solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) method for the determination of tetramethylene disulfotetramine in foods was developed. A comparison of direct immersion (DI) and headspace (HS) extraction techniques using a 70microm carbowax/divinylbenzene (CW/DVB) fiber is presented. The optimized DI-SPME method provided an aqueous extraction limit of detection (LOD) of 9.0ng/g while the HS-SPME LOD was 2.7ng/g. In both SPME modes, recovery was highly matrix dependent and quantification requires standard addition calibrations. Analysis of foods using DI-SPME encountered many obstacles including fiber fouling, low recovery and poor reproducibility. HS-SPME was successfully applied to food analysis with minimal interferences. Standard addition calibration curves for foods gave high linearity (R2>0.98), reproducibility (RSD<12%) and sensitivity with LODs ranging from 0.9 to 4.3ng/g.

Survey of chloropropanols in soy sauces and related products

A survey of soy sauces and related products available in the USA was conducted to determine the levels of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) in these products. Fifty-five retail samples were purchased and analysed for 3-MCPD. 3-MCPD determinations were made according to a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method validated by a collaborative trial. Eighty-five per cent of the samples analysed contained greater than the detection limit of 0.005 ppm (μg g−1) for 3-MCPD. Thirty-three per cent contained greater than 1 ppm; the highest level was 876 ppm 3-MCPD. Thirty-nine of the samples analysed for 3-MCPD also were analysed for 1,3-DCP by using a modified method developed and validated in-house. Fifty-six per cent of the samples analysed for 1,3-DCP contained greater than the detection limit of 0.055 ppb (ng g−1) for 1,3-DCP; the highest level was 9.8 ppm 1,3-DCP. Products manufactured in Asia contained the highest chloropropanol levels.

Determination of 1,3-dichloropropanol in soy and related sauces by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for 3-MCPD in foods and food ingredients was modified for the determination of 1,3-DCP in soy and related sauces. The method was validated by using a blank soy sauce. The detection limit, quantitation limit and recoveries were determined, and identities were confirmed by mass spectrometry on the basis of analyses of test portions spiked with 1,3-DCP at 10, 25, 50 and 100 ng g−1. The spiked test portions were quantitated by using an internal standard calibration curve. For the spiked test portions, the mean internal standard-corrected recovery for 1,3-DCP was 100% with a relative standard deviation of 1.32%. The limits of detection and quantitation were determined as 0.055 and 0.185 ng g−1, respectively. The method also was compared with a headspace GC/MS method recently developed by the UKs Central Science Laboratory. Results from the method comparison showed that the recoveries for the spiked test portions, as well as the amounts of 1,3-DCP found in the retail products, were comparable.

Comparison of membrane assisted solvent extraction, stir bar sorptive extraction, and solid phase microextraction in analysis of tetramine in food

Three environmentally friendly extraction techniques, membrane assisted solvent extraction (MASE), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), and headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), were compared for the direct analysis of the highly toxic rodenticide tetramine in food. The optimized MASE method was applied to seven foods fortified with tetramine and compared to previously reported SBSE and HS-SPME results. Parameters such as the standard addition linearity (MASE (0.964-0.999), SBSE (0.966-0.999), HS-SPME (0.955-0.999)), recovery (MASE (12-86%), SBSE (36-130%), HS-SPME (50-200%)), reproducibility (MASE (3.0-30%), SBSE (4.4-9.6%), HS-SPME (1-12%)), and LOD (MASE (1.6-6.4 ng/g), SBSE (0.2-2.1 ng/g), HS-SPME (0.9-4.3 ng/g)) were compared.

Evaluation of accelerated UV and thermal testing for benzene formation in beverages containing benzoate and ascorbic acid.

Under certain conditions, benzene can form in beverages containing benzoic and ascorbic acids. The American Beverage Assn. (ABA) has published guidelines to help manufacturers mitigate benzene formation in beverages. These guidelines recommend accelerated testing conditions to test product formulations, because exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and elevated temperature over the shelf life of the beverage may result in benzene formation in products containing benzoic and ascorbic acids. In this study, the effects of UVA exposure on benzene formation were determined. Benzene formation was examined for samples contained in UV stabilized and non-UV stabilized packaging. Additionally, the usefulness of accelerated thermal testing to simulate end of shelf-life benzene formation was evaluated for samples containing either benzoic or ascorbic acid, or both. The 24 h studies showed that under intense UVA light benzene levels increased by as much as 53% in model solutions stored in non-UV stabilized bottles, whereas the use of UV stabilized polyethylene terephthalate bottles reduced benzene formation by about 13% relative to the non-UV stabilized bottles. Similar trends were observed for the 7 d study. Retail beverages and positive and negative controls were used to study the accelerated thermal testing conditions. The amount of benzene found in the positive controls and cranberry juice suggests that testing at 40 degrees C for 14 d may more reliably simulate end of shelf-life benzene formation in beverages. Except for cranberry juice, retail beverages were not found to contain detectable amounts of benzene (<0.05 ng/g) at the end of their shelf lives.

Stir bar sorptive extraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of tetramethylene disulfotetramine in food: Method development and comparison to solid-phase microextraction

A stir bar sorptive extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC-MS) method for the determination of tetramethylene disulfotetramine is presented. The limits of detection (LOD) of the optimized method was 0.2ngg(-1) for extractions from water and 0.3-2.1ngg(-1) for extractions from foods. Recovery was highly matrix dependent (36-130%) and quantification required standard addition calibrations. Standard addition calibration lines had high linearity (R(2)>0.97) and replicate extractions had good reproducibility (R.S.D.=4.4-9.8%). A comparison of the SBSE method and a previously developed headspace (HS)-solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was performed. Generally, SBSE provided higher sensitivity with decreased analysis time.

LC-UV and LC-MS analysis of food and drink products containing kava

A method for the determination of six kava lactones, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, kawain, dihydrokawain, yangonin and desmethoxyyangonin, in solid foods and beverages has been developed. Solid samples were prepared using methanol extraction, while beverages were extracted using a separate solid phase extraction (SPE) method. After sample preparation, the extracts were analysed using LC-UV or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) LC-MS in the positive mode. Using the method, 10 beverage products, two chocolate products, three unbrewed tea products, three dietary supplements and a drink mix product were analysed. The results obtained using the LC-UV were comparable to those obtained using APPI-LC-MS for most products. Using the SPE method in conjunction with LC-MS, individual kava lactones were detected in drink products at ppb concentrations. Concentrations of total kava lactones ranged between 135–0.035 mg per serving in the food and beverage products tested and between 40–61 mg per serving for the dietary supplement products tested. Results of these analyses as well as extraction efficiency and reproducibility data are reported.