Vitamins in wine: Which,what for,and how much?

Vitamins are essential compounds to yeasts, and notably in winemaking contexts. Vitamins are involved in numerous yeast metabolic pathways, including those of amino acids, fatty acids, and alcohols, which suggests their notable implication in fermentation courses, as well as in the development of aromatic compounds in wines. Although they are major components in the course of those microbial processes, their significance and impact have not been extensively studied in the context of winemaking and wine products, as most of the studies focusing on the subject in the past decades have relied on relatively insensitive and imprecise analytical methods. Therefore, this review provides an extensive overview of the current knowledge regarding the impacts of vitamins on grape must fermentations, wine-related yeast metabolisms, and requirements, as well as on the profile of wine sensory characteristics. We also highlight the methodologies and techniques developed over time to perform vitamin analysis in wines, and assess the importance of precisely defining the role played by vitamins in winemaking processes, to ensure finer control of the fermentation courses and product characteristics in a highly complex matrix.     

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in Canadian wheat shipments, 2010–12

Randomly selected domestic and export shipments (n = 1907) of Canadian durum and other wheat that occurred between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012 were analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA). The majority of samples did not contain OTA above the LOQ of 1 μg kg^–1. Only 37% of samples analysed contained quantifiable OTA; the median OTA of the positive results was 2.10 μg kg^–1. Canada Western Amber Durum shipments contained OTA more frequently, and at slightly higher concentrations, than Canada Western Red Spring wheat. For both wheat classes the frequency of OTA occurrence and mean concentrations appeared to increase in the lower grades, but these increases were not statistically significant. A periodic trend of a late summer increase of mean monthly OTA concentrations in shipments appears tied to the cycle of producer deliveries of wheat to primary grain elevators.     

Tropane and ergot alkaloids in grain-based products for infants and young children in the Netherlands in 2011–2014

An LC-MS/MS multi-method was developed to simultaneously quantify ergot alkaloids (EAs) and tropane alkaloids (TAs) in 113 cereal-based food for infants and young children. To assess yearly variation, samples were collected in 2011, 2012 and 2014. EAs were detected in 54% and TAs in 22% of the samples. Mean EA levels in the three sampling years were 10.6, 6.2 and 8.6 µg kg^?1, respectively (maximum: 115.4 µg kg^?1), indicating that exposure to EAs would not have exceeded the health-based guidance values set by EFSA in 2012. Mean TA levels were 3.9, 2.4 and 0.4 µg kg^?1, respectively (maximum: 80.8 µg kg^?1). The acute reference dose for TAs, derived by EFSA in 2013, would have been exceeded by young children when consuming some of the products sampled in 2011–2012. TA levels had decreased drastically in 2014, possibly due to measures taken by producers as response to the EFSA Opinion.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in food and feed in Latvia in 2009–2011

During 2009–2011 a monitoring programme for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) was conducted in the Latvian food and feed market. Using ISO 17025-accredited analytical methodology, investigation of 121 food (milk, dairy products, meat, eggs, fish, fish products) and 66 feed samples (fish meal and oil, compound and mineral feed, vegetable and animal fats) was performed. Most samples showed contamination below the European Commission (EC) Regulation No. 1881/2006 and Commission Directive 2006/13/EC limits. Average total toxicological equivalent (total-TEQ₍₁₉₉₈₎) concentrations within the food sample groups, except fish and fish products, ranged between 0.41 and 15.1 pg total-TEQ₍₁₉₉₈₎ g^?1 fat. Fish and fish products showed contamination levels from 0.18 to 46.0 pg total-TEQ₍₁₉₉₈₎ g^?1 fresh weight (f.w.). Fifty-seven per cent of cod liver samples were non-compliant. The most contaminated feed samples were fish meal and fish oil. A comparison with WHO-TEF₍₂₀₀₅₎ data is given.     

Provision of Apparel for the Poor in London, 1630–1680

Abstract

Understanding the precise construction of early sixteenth-century women's dress presents considerable difficulties. Satisfactorily reconstructing it is an even greater challenge. The study reported here used contemporary archaeological, pictorial and documentary evidence to inform alternative experimental approaches to constructing the garments worn on a woman's torso in the 1540s. The results showed that stiffening the kirtle was more successful than stiffening the petticoat or gown in achieving the characteristic body shape portrayed in Holbein's work.     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection for Simultaneous Analysis of Phytosterols (Stigmasterol, β-Sitosterol,Campesterol, Ergosterol,and Fucosterol) and Cholesterol in Plant Foods

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence (FL) detection for the simultaneous analysis of phytosterols (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, campesterol, ergosterol, and fucosterol) and cholesterol was developed. To fluoresceinate the sterols, they were derivatized by 1-anthroyl cyanide to the hydroxyl group at carbon 3 of each sterol skeleton. This HPLC-FL method consists of a C-30 column, an isocratic solution using acetone/acetonitril/hexane/water (71:20:4:5, v/v) as the mobile phase at 1.0 mL min^?1 and fluorescence detection at an excitation of 370 nm and an emission of 470 nm. The separation of five phytosterols, cholesterol, and 1-hexacosanol as an internal standard was achieved with sufficient reproducibility and quantitative ability. Our method could evaluate the sterols of land plants such as wood ear fungus, soybean, and parsley, as well as marine algae such as Hiziki (Phaeophyta), Ogonori (Rhodophyta), and Heraiwazuta (Chlorophyta). As a result of the analysis of land plants, wood ear contained a large amount of ergosterol as a precursor of vitamin D₂. Soybean contained a large amount of stigmasterol, campesterol, and β-sitosterol. Parsley contained small amounts of these sterols compared with wood ear and soybean. Among the marine algae, Hiziki, Ogonori, and Heraiwazuta contained large amounts of fucosterol, cholesterol, and β-sitosterol, respectively. The compositions of marine algae differed from those of land plants.     

Validation of Two Variations of the QuEChERS Method for the Determination of Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Cereal-Based Infant Foods by LC–MS/MS

Over the past years to ensure food safety and particular for food that intend to be consumed by infants and young children, the European Union has adopted specific legislation concerning the control of pesticide residue levels in that kind of food. In this paper, a liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) multiresidue method for the simultaneous analysis of 23 pesticides and metabolites chosen according to the Commission Directives 2006/141/EC, 2006/125/EC, and 96 multiclass pesticides and metabolites chosen according to their physicochemical properties is presented and validated. The extraction procedure is based on three modifications of the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method according to the analyte. The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of extracts from cereal-based infant foods, spiked at two concentration levels for each pesticide or metabolite. Good sensitivity and selectivity of the method were obtained with limits of quantification at 10 or 3 μg/kg, depending on the analyte. All pesticides and metabolites, except six cases, gave recoveries in the range of 60.4–125.4%, with relative standard deviations less than 29.7%, for both validation levels.     

Headspace Liquid-Phase Microextraction Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Determination of Furanic Compounds in Baby Foods and Method Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

In the present study, a sensitive, rapid, and simple method for determination of furanic compounds in baby foods has been developed. Headspace liquid-phase microextraction (HS-LPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to extract and measure furan, 2-methylfuran, and 2,5-dimethylfuran in baby foods. Effective parameters such as salt amount (NaCl), stirring rate, temperature, and time of extraction were optimized using response surface methodology based on a central composite design to obtain the best conditions for extracting furanic compounds. The optimum parameter values were 1 g NaCl, 700 rpm stirring rate, 40 °C extraction temperature, and 15 min extraction time. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.2–200 ng?mL^?1 (R ² ?>?0.99) for all compounds, and the repeatability of the method, described as relative standard deviation, ranged between 3.84 and 7.06 % (n?=?6). The recovery of spiked baby food sample after extraction ranged between 89.33 and 103.64 %, and the best enrichment factor was achieved about 972-fold for furan. The limits of detection and quantitation ranged between 0.021 and 0.038 ng?g^?1 and 0.069 and 0.126 ng?g^?1, respectively. The merit figures of the HS-LPME/GC-MS method showed that it can be considered as a new, fast, and effective alternative method for investigating furanic compounds in baby foods.     

Wearing Propaganda: Textiles on the Home Front in Japan,Great Britain,and America during the Greater East Asian War, 1931–45

Abstract

Textiles and clothing, although not normally thought of as vehicles for propaganda, can provide excellent public and personal canvases for the expression of patriotic and nationalistic ideas and feelings, serving as visible markers of national unity and support for military and political goals. The textiles to be examined in this article, unknown by many today but fashionable in their time, played just such a role during the Greater East Asian War (1931-45), first in Japan, and later in Great Britain and America. Made for civilian use and patterned with wartime motifs (e.g. battleships, bombers, and children dressed as soldiers) and slogans (V for Victory), the fabrics are provocative records both of the patriotic fervor of the period and the civilian support in all three countries of the national mission of “total war.”     

Evaluation of a GC–MS method for benzyl chloride content in processed food,meats, and marine products distributed in Korea

Food Science and Biotechnology - Benzyl chloride is a harmful chemical that contaminates air, water, and food. A static headspace GC–MS method for determining benzyl chloride in food was...     

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection for Simultaneous Analysis of Retinoids (Retinyl Palmitate,Retinyl Acetate,and Free Retinol) and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Tocopherols in Foods

A method based on high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the simultaneous analysis of retinoids (vitamin A) and tocopherols (vitamin E) was developed. This method consists of an isocratic solution using hexane/ethyl acetate (85:15, v/v) as the mobile phase and fluorescence detection using a time program that sets the excitation (Ex) and emission (Em) wavelengths at adequate elution times for retinoids (Ex 342 nm, Em 476 nm) and tocopherols (Ex 298 nm, Em 325 nm), respectively. The separation of three retinoids (retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and free retinol) and four tocopherol homologs was achieved with sufficient reproducibility and quantitative ability. Additionally, the necessity of saponification was considered. As a result, saponification was not used in this method because of the complexity of the procedure and the loss of free retinol. The retinoid and tocopherol contents of various foods were evaluated using the developed method. Our method could evaluate the retinoid and tocopherol contents of fish (eel, Anguilla japonica, and amberjack, Seriola dumerili) muscle and liver, roasted soybean (Glycine max) flour, and Japanese torreya seed (Torreya nucifera). Additionally, our method could be applied to the determination of retinoids and tocopherols not only in foods but also in supplements and cosmetics.     

Method for the determination of cadmium,lead, nickel,cobalt and copper in seafood after dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction

A method using dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) and detection by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was developed for the determination of trace elements in seafood samples. The procedure allowed the simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Ni(II) Cu(II) and Co(II) after pre-concentration using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) as a chelating agent. Under optimised conditions, the method had a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03, 0.11, 0.12, 0.18 and 0.12 µg l^?1 for Cd(II), Pb(II), Ni(II) Cu(II) and Co(II), respectively. The following enrichment factors were obtained: 16 (Cd), 34 (Pb), 20 (Ni) 34 (Cu) and 12 (Co). The procedure was applied for the determination of these elements in seafood (shrimp, mussel, bass and mullet) samples. The method is simple, efficient and easy to perform for the simultaneous determination of elements in seafood samples by ICP-OES.     

An LC–ESI–MS/MS method for residues of fluoroquinolones,sulfonamides, tetracyclines and trimethoprim in feedingstuffs: validation and surveillance

ABSTRACT

An increasing concern about food safety has been observed over the years. The presence of drugs residues in food is one of the major subjects of research in food safety. Feedingstuffs can be responsible for carryover into the food chain of residues of several drugs. This paper describes the development, validation and application of a fast and simple method for analysis of 24 antibiotic residues in feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry. Analytes include compounds from different antimicrobials classes, such as sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfachlorpyridazine, sulfadoxine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfizoxazole, sulfamerazine and sulfathiazole), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, sarafloxacin, flumequine, nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid), tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline) and trimethoprim. Samples were extracted with methanol:water (70:30) 0.1% formic acid, followed by clean-up steps using centrifugation, low-temperature purification (LTP) and ultracentrifugation. Instrumental analysis was performed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 column and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and water, both with 0.1% formic acid. Validation parameters such as limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were determined and meet the adopted criteria. LOD and LOQ were set to 30 and 75 µg kg^?1, respectively. Inter-day precision were in the range from 4.0 to 11.1%, and linearity provides values of r² above 0.95 for all analytes. The optimised method was applied to the analysis of more than 1500 real samples within the period 2012–2017. Non-compliant results were discussed and classified in terms of analytes, feed types and target species. Multivariate analysis of the data was performed using principal component analysis.     

Understanding the potential for adoption of high-iron varieties of pearl millet in Maharashtra,India: what explains their popularity?

Pearl millet is one of the most important food staples of poorer populations in the drylands of India. To better understand the potential market for high-iron, pearl millet hybrids, we explored factors associated with growing pearl millet, and those that influence whether farmers grow major (popular) hybrids, as compared with minor cultivars in the State of Maharashtra. We tested the relationships among cultivar choice, seed source, and information sources. The data confirm that pearl millet is more likely to be grown by poorer households in drier, drought-prone areas. Scheduled castes are more likely to grow popular hybrids, and less likely to grow minor cultivars, but are no less likely to acquire seed from commercial vendors than less privileged people. Farmers who ascribe more importance to consumption attributes are more likely to grow minor than popular hybrids. De facto, popular pearl millet varieties are likely to reach less privileged farmers. To attain adoption potential, popular hybrids could be targeted for iron enrichment, and commercial marketing strategies should be pursued with diversified public and private sector partnerships.     

Comparison of headspace-SPME-GC–MS and LC–MS for the detection and quantification of coumarin,vanillin, and ethyl vanillin in vanilla extract products

A headspace-solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) GC–MS method has been developed for the determination of coumarin, vanillin and ethyl vanillin in vanilla products. Limits of detection ranged from 1.33 to 13.2 ng mL⁻¹. Accuracy and precision data for the method were measured and compared to those obtained using LC-ESI-MS. A survey of 24 commercially available vanilla products was completed using both techniques. No coumarin was detected in any of the samples. Examination of the GC–MS chromatograms revealed the presence of 18 other flavor related compounds in the samples. The method validation and sample analysis data using HS-SPME-GC–MS were comparable to those obtained using the LC–MS method. Because the two methods are conceptually different from one another, both methods would not be subject to the same interferences. This would allow them to be used as confirmatory methods for each other.     

Improved method for the determination of 12 non-nutritive sweeteners and monitoring in various foods using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An improved and highly sensitive method was developed and validated for the determination of 12 (7 permitted and 5 non-permitted in Korea) non-nutritive sweeteners in various foods using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Xbridge BEH C18 column (3 mm × 100 mm, 2.5 μm) with gradient elution using 10 mM ammonium acetate in water and 10 mM ammonium acetate in methanol. Sample preparation consisted of simple dilution, homogenisation, centrifugation and purification with a C18 cartridge prior to analysis. The relative matrix effect (%ME) was within ±20% for all sweeteners. The method also showed good linearity (R² > 0.99). The limit of detection and limit of quantification values in sample were in the range of 0.02–2.66 and 0.06–8.05 mg kg^?1, respectively. The recoveries at three concentration levels ranged between 80% and 119%, with relative standard deviation values below 10%. In addition, the expanded uncertainties determined for 12 sweeteners in 5 different food matrices were confirmed to be <14%. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the analysis of sweeteners in 681 food samples purchased in Korea, Australia and Turkey. These results demonstrate that the method is suitable for the simultaneous determination of multiple-sweeteners in a variety of foods.     

Alterations in monovarietal,blended and aromatized Portuguese virgin olive oils under four storage conditions for 12 months

Though olive oil is a perishable product, there is not a European regulation for maximum consumption time after production, in part because its durability depends on the storage conditions. The main objectives of this study were to compare the influence of the type of storage on changes of Portuguese virgin olive oils and to verify whether the addition of Catostylus tagi could increase the oxidative stability of olive oil. Over 12 months, the conservation status of monovarietal and blended olive oils in four contexts possible to be used by the consumer was monitored. The analyzed parameters were chlorophyll content, free acidity, peroxide value, specific extinction coefficients at 232 and 270 nm and delta K. Spaced determinations of iodine index and total tocopherol contents complemented the study. Results showed that at Mediterranean temperatures and normal storage procedure, the mean time to reach maximum peroxides value was 12–13 months. At artificial light storage, C. tagi was effective in reducing peroxides evolution by 11 %.     

A rapid gas chromatographic method for direct determination of short-chain (C2–C12) volatile organic acids in foods

A simple, rapid and accurate GC analytical method for direct quantification of short-chain volatile organic acids in liquid foods was established. Hydrophilic 1,3-butanediol was selected as the internal standard. Thirteen volatile organic acids including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, caproic, heptanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, lactic and levulinic acids were simultaneously determined with detection limits 0.025–1 ng . The recovery rates of tested acids from fruit juice and vinegar were 92–109% with coefficients of variation below 9.4%. The contents of volatile organic acids in 37 commercial liquid food samples were determined.