Renata Jędrkiewicz

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for determination of the terpenes profile of blue honeysuckle berries.

Terpenes are the main group of secondary metabolites, which play essential role in human. The establishment of the terpenes profile of berries of different blue honeysuckle cultivars was achieved by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC×GC-TOFMS). The berries were found to contain 44 terpenes identified by GC×GC-TOFMS. From these, 10 were previously reported in blueberries. According to their chemical structure, the compounds were organised in different groups: monoterpene hydrocarbons and monoterpene oxygen-containing compounds (oxides, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones). Positive identification of some of the compounds was performed using authentic standards, while tentative identification of the compounds was based on deconvoluted mass spectra and comparison of linear retention indices (LRI) with literature values. The major components of volatile fraction were monoterpenes, such as eucalyptol, linalool and p-cymene. Furthermore, quantitative analysis showed that eucalyptol was the most abundant bioactive terpene in analysed berries (12.4-418.2 μg/L).

Green analytical chemistry introduction to chloropropanols determination at no economic and analytical performance costs

In this study we perform ranking of analytical procedures for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol determination in soy sauces by PROMETHEE method. Multicriteria decision analysis was performed for three different scenarios - metrological, economic and environmental, by application of different weights to decision making criteria. All three scenarios indicate capillary electrophoresis-based procedure as the most preferable. Apart from that the details of ranking results differ for these three scenarios. The second run of rankings was done for scenarios that include metrological, economic and environmental criteria only, neglecting others. These results show that green analytical chemistry-based selection correlates with economic, while there is no correlation with metrological ones. This is an implication that green analytical chemistry can be brought into laboratories without analytical performance costs and it is even supported by economic reasons.

3-MCPD: A Worldwide Problem of Food Chemistry

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a heat-induced food contaminant that has been widely investigated for decades. This paper presents an overview of current knowledge about 3-MCPD, including its formation routes, occurrence in various foodstuffs, analytical approach, toxicological aspects, and future research perspectives. So far, 3-MCPD was determined in its free and bound form in thermally treated foods, edible oils and fats, and infant foods including human breast milk. Contaminants in infant foods and human breast milk were highlighted in this paper as a serious problem as they can pose a potential hazard for infants. The analytical approach of 3-MCPD determination has been modified for over a decade. Nowadays, the method based on determining the derivative of this compound by using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is widely used. However, there is still a big need for developing new methods that would produce repeatable results. Some of the toxicologic aspects associated with 3-MCPD still remain unknown. A number of studies on the carcinogenicity and genotoxicity of 3-MCPD were carried out on rodents; however, no clinical studies on humans have been reported so far. Moreover, both detrimental effect on kidneys and antifertility activity have been widely reported. The knowledge of 3-MCPD absorption into body fluids and tissues and its metabolic pathways is based on sometimes conflicting data derived from different studies. In conclusion, although a lot of research has been carried out on 3-MCPD, there is still a need for further research in this area.

Rapid and Green Separation of Mono- and Diesters of Monochloropropanediols by Ultrahigh Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Using Neat Carbon Dioxide as a Mobile Phase

This study demonstrates the effect of column selectivity and density of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) on the separation of monochloropropanediol (MCPD) esters, known as food toxicants, using SC-CO2 without addition of cosolvent in ultrahigh performance supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPSFC-MS). This study shows that over 20 2-monochloropropanediol (2-MCPD) and 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) mono- and diesters are separated on a 2-picolylamine column in less than 12 min. The presence and position of a hydroxyl group in the structure, the number of unsaturated bonds, and the acyl chain length play a significant role in the separation of MCPD esters. The flow rate, backpressure, and column oven temperature, which affect the density of the mobile phase, were shown to have a substantial impact on retention, efficiency, and selectivity. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of MCPD esters in refined oils and showed a close to excellent green analysis score using the Analytical Eco-Scale.

Determination of Terpene Profiles in Potential Superfruits

The aim of this work was to characterize and compare the profiles of volatile terpenes in four potential superfruits. These profiles were determined using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography linked to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The proposed technique allowed the separation and identification of 79 terpenes present in cape gooseberry, crabapple, cherry silver berry, and scarlet hawthorn. The preliminary compound identification was based on the analysis of deconvoluted mass spectra and a comparison of the calculated linear retention indices with their values reported in the scientific literature. The compound identification was performed using the available standards. Also, a semi-quantitative total ion chromatogram-based analysis was performed. The richest terpene profile was identified in cape gooseberry (62 terpenes), where the terpene fraction constituted about 14% of total volatile fraction.

Simultaneous grouping and ranking with combination of SOM and TOPSIS for selection of preferable analytical procedure for furan determination in food

Novel methodology for grouping and ranking with application of self-organizing maps and multicriteria decision analysis is presented. The dataset consists of 22 objects that are analytical procedures applied to furan determination in food samples. They are described by 10 variables, referred to their analytical performance, environmental and economic aspects. Multivariate statistics analysis allows to limit the amount of input data for ranking analysis. Assessment results show that the most beneficial procedures are based on microextraction techniques with GC-MS final determination. It is presented how the information obtained from both tools complement each other. The applicability of combination of grouping and ranking is also discussed.

Novel fast analytical method for indirect determination of MCPD fatty acid esters in edible oils and fats based on simultaneous extraction and derivatization

A novel method for indirect determination of MCPD esters levels in lipid samples has been developed. The method is based on combination of extraction and derivatization in the same sample preparation step. It is achieved by the application of diethyl ether as extraction solvent for isolation of analytes released from esterified forms from the water phase and as dilution solvent for solid PBA – the derivatization agent. It is a noteworthy improvement of recommended indirect approaches available in the literature because such steps as sample clean-up, multiple liquid–liquid extractions, and preconcentration are excluded in the proposed solution. In this way, the developed procedure is shortened and simplified. Such an approach also minimizes the utilization of organic solvents; therefore, it is in accordance with the principles of “green analytical chemistry.” In spite of the fact that the step of sample clean-up is omitted, no deterioration in GC-MS system performance was observed. Equivalence testing of the developed procedure and AOCS cd 29b-13 official method (SGS) has been conducted. It was concluded that results obtained by both methods do not significantly differ statistically. The procedure has been applied to determination of MCPD esters concentrations in lipid fractions isolated by accelerated solvent extraction technique from such foodstuffs as bakery products, salty deep-fried snacks, and instant products. In all investigated samples, the level of bound MCPD was elevated. Additionally, for both procedures, the environmental impact (with the use of analytical Eco-scale) and uncertainty budget have been assessed and compared.

The 15th Workshop on Progress in Trace Metal Speciation for Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Aims and topics The Workshop on progress in trace metal speciation for environmental analytical chemistry is one of the well-known periodic meetings organized by the members of the International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry (IAEAC). The 15th TraceSpec conference was organized by IAEAC in cooperation with Gdańsk University of Technology and Committee on Analytical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It was held on September 4–7, 2016, at one of themost significant academic centers in Poland, Gdańsk University of Technology. As stated in the preface of Professor Dr. José A. C. Broekaert, President of IAEAC, “the topic is of paramount importance as the toxicologic and ecotoxicologic relevance of the elements strongly depends on their compounds and their metabolization (...), which makes the field of high actuality and of high scientific value.” The conference is aimed at exchanging ideas and establishing a scientific network in this field with the possibility of getting updated with novel equipment solutions offered by exhibitors.