Viorica Popescu

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides in milk powder.

This Research Communication reports analysis of 37 compounds comprising polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides (OCPS and OPPS) in milk powder (one brand each of commercial infant formulae, follow-on formulae and baby formulae purchased from a local supermarket in Romania). The selected analytes were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography with electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography with thermionic sensitive detection (GC-TSD). The estimated limits of detection for most target analytes were in the μg/kg level (range 0·001-0·320 µg/kg). The purpose of the study was to determine the selected analytes, to assess the exposure of babies and infants and to produce data for comparison with tolerable limits according to the European Union Regulations. In most of the samples the organochlorine pesticides values were under the limit of detection. Exceptions were heptachlor epoxide and endosulfan sulphate, the last of which was found in all analysed samples at low concentrations. We also found detectable levels of ethoprophos, parathion-methyl, chlorpyrifos, prothiofos, guthion, disulfoton and fenchlorphos in most of the analysed samples. Benzo[a]pyrene, which is used as an indicator for the presence of PAHs, was not detected in selected samples. The low level of exposure to contaminants indicates that there are no health risks for the infants and babies that consume this brand of milk powder formulae.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Romanian Baby Foods and Fruits

Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in commercially available baby food and in different sorts of fruits were investigated. PAHs determination was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The sum of 15 PAHs varied in baby food from 2.52–6.7 μg/kg and in fruits from 0.40–21.52 μg/kg. Benzo[a]pyrene used as a marker for PAHs contamination was detected in lower levels in baby food than the maximum tolerable limit (1 μg/kg) stated in Commission Regulation no 1881/2006.

Trace element levels of three mushroom species

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine Cu, Fe and Cr contents of three species of fresh mushrooms and canned mushrooms: white and brown champignon (Agaricus bisporus) and Pleurotus Ostreatus. Were analyzed various plant parts: stem, cap and cuticle of fresh mushrooms and only stem and cap for canned mushrooms. The levels of trace metals of mushroom samples collected from regions of Romania, Poland and Turkey were determined by UV/Visible spectrometry - standard addition method after digestion method. The contents of investigated trace metals in mushroom samples were found to be in the range of 0.01 - 2.26 mg/Kg for chromium, 2.02 - 430.67 mg/Kg for copper and 240.40 - 7952.89 mg/Kg for iron. The iron content was found to be higher than those of the other two minerals in all the samples. Mushrooms species in the highest levels of trace elements were found white champignon for Cu and Fe and brown champignon for Cr.

Physico-chemical characterisation of some samples of fresh milk and milk powder

Abstract Milk consumption is important in the diet of all age groups because it provides important nutrients that are essential for humans. Children are the largest consumers of milk, thus, it’s very important that milk is free of toxic compounds that can be harmful for humans. Aim of the study was to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of some samples of milk powder for different stage of baby growing and for some samples of fresh milk: raw cow’s milk, milk trade and UHT type. The following physico-chemical properties: density, pH, acidity, the presence of acetone, enzymes, antiseptics, dry substance, the ash, total fat, saponification and peroxide index, total nitrogen and protein content were determined. Comparing the values of acidity for analyzed samples it can be concluded that the powder milk acidity value is much lower than the fresh milk. The presence of antiseptics and acetone was not identified, and amylase and peroxidase were found only in raw cows milk. The highest protein content was found for milk powder (27.22%).

The quality control of some dermo-cosmetic products

Abstract This paper refers to the quality analysis of three dermo-cosmetic products: two face creams and a biphasic solution used for skin cleaning: a treatment cream for acne complexion, an anti-irritating soothing cream and a matifying purifying lotion. The following characteristics have been investigated: aspect, smell, colour, solubility, type of emulsion, stability test at certain temperatures (4°C and 40°C), pH, melting point, water, volatile substances and total fats contents, acidity, ester index, saponification index, iodine index, peroxide index, microbic carriage, metal traces (determined by ICP-MS method). All analysed dermo-cosmetic products have appropriate physico-chemical characteristics. The analyses made for determining the microbial charge have proven that the three dermo-cosmetic products do not contain any aerobic pathogen germens or micromicetes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli. The ICP-MS analysis has proven that the dermocosmetic products do not contain traces of Hg and Pb.

Quantification of sugar in different brands of drinks

Abstract The levels of invert sugar (glucose/fructose mixture resulting from inversion) were determined in different brands of orange, grapefruit, lemon, apricot and raspberry products. Samples of fresh juice, soft drink, syrup, nectar and compote were representative of the Romanian market. The invert sugar was quantified by Ofner’s method (a titrimetric method) and the refractive and Brix indices were measured for the quantification of sucrose in studied samples. International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis accepts reading of sugar content based on the refractive properties of sucrose despite the fact that the sugar in analyzed juice sample is fructose, not sucrose. This usually does not result in significant error. There were significant differences among orange, grapefruit, lemon, apricot and raspberry products brands, in the levels of sugars.

Nitrite determination in spices

Abstract The aim of this study is to determine the nitrite content in some spices: basil, pepper, dill, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, cinnamon, mint, mustard and cumin. The nitrite content was measured using UV-VIS spectrometric method with Griess reagent. The method was tested and partial validated. The nitrite content varied from 0.23 to 7.7 mg/Kg and these values are lower than those encountered in the literature.

Quality control of distilled beverages

Abstract The aim of this research is to characterize some distilled drinks commercially available on the market (brandy, gin, vodka, whiskey) and some distilled beverages provided by private manufacturers (palinca made in copper, aluminum and stainless steel distillation apparatus). For this purpose the alcoholic concentration, the dry extract, the total acidity, the ash content and copper level were determined. The alcoholic concentration was measured using the picnometer method and the copper content was determined by UV-VIS molecular absorption spectrometric method. This study shows that the distilled beverages commercially available on the market can be discriminated from palinca, a homemade brandy using the differences between the obtained results.

Characterization and stability study of some pharmaceutical ointments

Abstract In the present study we have determined some characteristics (aspect, odor, solubility, emulsion type, water and volatile substances content, total fatty matter, saponification index, ester index) for three pharmaceutical ointments belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory: Diclac, Ketonal, Indometacin and one antibiotic ointment for ophthalmic use: Ophtagram. In order to achieve stability study of studied ointments, the pH, the acidity index, the peroxide index and the iodine index were determined over a year every three months. After 9 months from the opening of the tubes, analytical determinations have shown that pH values, acidity, peroxide and iodine indexes no longer fit to the values recommended for medical use, which confirms the directions available on the package.

CONTENT OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (PAHS AND POPS) IN SURFACE WATERS FROM DANUBE DELTA AND PLITVICE LAKES

The objective of this work was to assess the contents of selected organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs and organochlorine pesticides POPs) in the surface waters of Danube Delta and Plitvice Lakes. These organic pollutants are among the most prevalent pollutants, being detected in almost all environmental compartments. The analyses of PAHs were performed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS) and that of POPs by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD).