Quantification of Sodium from Food Sources by Using Various Analytical Techniques

Fullerenol as a water-soluble MALDI-MS matrix for rapid analysis of small molecules and efficient quantification of saccharin sodium in foods

TLC combined with densitometry was used and chromatographic conditions developed to separate omeprazole and diclofenac sodium from their potential impurities. The development of the TLC–densitometry method is based on the elaboration of new chromatographic conditions allowing for the simultaneous determination of omeprazole and diclofenac sodium in a pharmaceutical preparation. Identification and quantification of omeprazole in simple and combined (with diclofenac) pharmaceutical preparations was performed on silica gel 60F254 using one mobile phase: chloroform–methanol–ammonia (36:4:0.60, v/v). Diclofenac sodium was determined in the presence of omeprazole after 2D separation on silica gel using two mobile phases of the first phase of chloroform–methanol–ammonia (36:4:0.60, v/v) and the second mobile phase cyclohexane–chloroform–methanol–glacial acetic acid (6:3:0.5:0.5 v/v). The developed method is simple, economical, specific, precise, accurate, sensitive, and robust, with a good range of linearity for the quantification of omeprazole and diclofenac sodium. TLC in combination with densitometry can be used as an effective analytical tool for quality control and quantitative determination of omeprazole in simple and combined pharmaceutical preparations containing diclofenac sodium. TLC in combination with densitometry can be recommended for the analysis of omeprazole and diclofenac sodium in the absence of HPLC or spectrophotometer in the laboratory or to confirm results obtained with other analytical techniques.

The development of sustainable analytical methodologies that minimize hazards, waste generation, and energy consumption has become crucial. This study introduces pioneering green‒blue-white approaches for the simultaneous quantification of montelukast sodium (MLK) and fexofenadine hydrochloride (FEX) in combination formulations. The first approach employs an ultra-performance liquid chromatographic method (UPLC) with a green micellar mobile phase of 0.02 M sodium dodecyl sulfate and 10% 1-pentanol (65:35%). The method demonstrated excellent resolution, peak symmetry, and a short analysis time, with retention times of 3.53 min for MLK and 1.67 min for FEX. The MLK and FEX linearities were 1–260 and 1.2–312 μg/mL, respectively. The second approach involves complementary built-in spectroscopic techniques (second derivative, third derivative, and ratio difference methods) using water as a solvent, providing a green, simple, low-cost alternative in laboratories where expensive chromatographic devices may not be readily available. The MLK and FEX linearities were 3–50 and 3–60 μg/mL, respectively. All methods were comprehensively validated and showed satisfactory results. The proposed methods demonstrated excellent linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9990), accuracy (recovery 98.5–101.5%), and precision (RSD ≤ 2%) across wide concentration ranges. A multifaceted evaluation was conducted to assess the environmental sustainability, real-world applicability, and economic viability of the proposed methods in comparison with previously reported techniques. This comprehensive assessment leveraged several state-of-the-art tools, including NEMI, ComplexGAPI, AGREE, ESA, BAGI, and RGB12. The suggested approaches exhibited favorable quadrant profiles in the NEMI and ComplexGAPI assessments, coupled with higher AGREE scores (0.90, 0.86) than reported (0.62, 0.74, 0.75, 0.69, 0.74, 0.74, and 0.75), in addition to higher ESA score (88, 92) than reported (75, 84, 85, 79, 82, 82, and 83), collectively affirming their environmentally friendly credentials. Moreover, we embraced the innovative notions of 'blueness' and 'whiteness' assessment by harnessing the recently formulated BAGI and RGB12 algorithms. The higher BAGI score (90, 82.5) than reported (72.5, 70, 70, 67.5, 67.5, 67.5, and 72.5), confirmed the excellent real-world applicability of the proposed methods, while the notable RGB12 indices (89.8, 88.1) than reported (67.8, 72.8, 71.5, 67.1, 73.7, 70.3, and 73.2), validated their cost-effectiveness and overall sustainability, contributing to an eco-friendly future for quality control processes.

For proper functioning of the human body, several metals are required in different concentrations but if their concentration slightly elevates, because of any metal-contaminated environment or of other food sources, which leads to high toxicity and different chronic health issues. Different analytical techniques like atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma- mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy are used for metals analysis present in different samples in different fields but nowadays neutron activation analysis (NAA) is preferred over other analytical techniques because it is an efficient, multi-elemental, nondestructive analytical technique having an ultralow minimum detection limit, therefore it can detect heavy metals (HMs) even if at a very trace level parts per billion (ppb) with a quite simple sample preparation technique. This technique is known as "referee technique" because of its accuracy and trustworthiness. There is a widespread use of this technique in biomedical science like in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, metabolism study, brain tumor and in many more conditions where metals are actively present. For its typical sample sizes and due to a multitude of additional benefits, it also helps in mapping of pathophysiology of the disease. Besides all, mainly in biomedical science the biological samples can easily be analyzed irrespective of any form. In recent years NAA is preferred over other analytical techniques in several research fields, so this article focuses on the analytical technique, its general principle and recent applications.

Evaluation of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy as a method for the rapid and direct determination of sodium in cheese

Flavonoids are phytochemical compounds that can be found in a wide range of plants, including vegetables, fruits, and leaves. This vast set of phenolic plant elements can be split into numerous classes based on their diverse structures, including Flavanones, Flavanols, Flavonols, Flavones, Isoflavones, and Anthocyanins. Interestingly, they possess various applications such as natural dyes, medicinal uses, and food sources. Flavonoids have been shown to have anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties in clinical studies. They also have cardio-protective and neuroprotective effects. In addition, they are responsible for the presence of different colors and flavors in various fruits, flowers, and food sources. Multiple spectroscopic techniques, including Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, are being used to identify the structure of flavonoids. UV-Vis spectroscopy data can be used to estimate the position, type, and number of substituents present in a conjugated system. IR spectroscopy is primarily used to determine the type of functional groups and aromatic ring substitutions. The structure of Flavonoids, their type, number of protons, and carbons can be determined by NMR spectroscopy. The current review was based on searches of the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for literature reviews. The purpose of this review article is to demonstrate the structure, function, and different extraction methods of flavonoids. It also summarizes the isolation and analytical identification techniques for flavonoids.

Diabetes, a metabolic syndrome of global importance has been on a progressive rise in recent years. Several pharmacological approaches have been made, which have proved effective, but with underlying side effects. Bioactive hydrolysates (BHs) and peptides (BPs) from food sources, however, have shown the relative advantage of imparting less adverse effects. Furthermore, BHs and BPs from food have been discovered to impart their antidiabetic potentials through one or more mechanisms such as inhibition of digestive enzymes, inhibition of the antigenic enzyme – Dipeptyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), decrease in blood glucose levels and increase in insulin uptake. Several plants and animal sources have been used as protein sources for the isolation of antidiabetic hydrolysates and peptides through different mechanisms and analytical techniques. This review integrates recent research information about several popular and unconventional food sources of BHs and BPs, their isolation techniques, antidiabetic effects and protein profiles. In addition, the fractionation technique(s) employed in each study and inhibition potentials of BHs and BPs are reviewed. This article is intended to supplement accessible scholarly literature and intellectual awareness on the subject of food-oriented approach for the management of diabetes.

Fruit and fruit-based products are a valuable source of essential nutrients, critical for food security, and drive economic productivity with minimal inputs. The significant rise in global demand for high-quality imported fruit and fruit-based products reflects a shift in consumer awareness and interest in the products origin and potential health-promoting bioactive compounds. Analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, inductively coupled plasma techniques, isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, visible near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, terahertz spectroscopy, dielectric spectroscopy, electronic nose (e-nose), and electronic tongue (e-tongue) coupled with supervised and unsupervised chemometrics can be employed for traceability, authentication, and bioactive profiling of fruit and fruit-based products. Regulatory bodies are seeking a comprehensive and updated list of analytical approaches to support law implementation for identifying cultivars, geographical origin traceability, authentication, and bioactive profiling of fruit and fruit-based products. This review article presents the most relevant and updated information regarding destructive and nondestructive analytical techniques for traceability, authentication, and bioactive profiling of fruit and fruit-based products. This document will be a reference for fruit processing industries to adopt and implement these advanced laboratory-based techniques. Technical challenges and future directions related to applying analytical techniques and chemometrics for traceability, authentication, and bioactive profiling of fruit and fruit-based products are also discussed, which should be investigated in future studies.

Sausages are among the most vulnerable and perishable products, although those products are an important source of essential nutrients for human organisms. The evaluation of the quality of sausages becomes more and more required by consumers, producers, and authorities to thwarter falsification. Numerous analytical techniques including chemical, sensory, chromatography, and so on, are employed for the determination of the quality and authenticity of sausages. These methods are expensive and time consuming, and are often sensitive to significant sources of variation. Therefore, rapid analytical techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), among others were considered helpful tools in this domain. This review will identify current gaps related to different analytical techniques in assessing and monitoring the quality of sausages and discuss the drawbacks of existing analytical methods regarding the quality and authenticity of sausages from 2015 up to now.

BackgroundTrends in food retailing associated with the consolidation of smaller-format retailers into fewer, larger-format supercentres have left some rural areas with fewer sources of nutritious, affordable food. Access to nutritious, affordable food is essential for good dietary habits and combating health issues such as type-2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Many studies on food environments use inaccurate or incomplete methods for locating food retailers, which may be responsible for mischaracterising food deserts. This study uses databases of every residence in and every food retailer in and around Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada. Residences were geocoded to their precise address, and network analysis techniques were performed in a geographic information system (GIS) to determine distances between every residence and different types of food retailers (grocery stores, fast food, fruit and vegetable sources, grocery stores plus fruit and vegetable sources, variety stores), both when considering and neglecting facilities outside the area of study, to account for a deficiency in analysis termed the 'edge effect'.ResultsAnalysis of household accessibility to food outlets by neighbourhood socioeconomic distress level indicated that residents in the most distressed neighbourhoods tended to have better accessibility to all types of food retailers. In the most distressed neighbourhoods, 79 percent of residences were within walking distance of a grocery store, compared to only 10 percent in the least distressed neighbourhoods. When the edge effect was neglected, 37 percent of distance estimates proved inaccurate. Average accessibility to all food retailer types improved dramatically when food outlets adjacent to the study area were considered, thereby controlling for the edge effect.ConclusionBy neglecting to consider food retailers just outside study area boundaries, previous studies may significantly over-report the actual distance necessary to travel for food. Research on food access spanning large rural regions requires methods that accurately geocode residents and their food sources. By implementing methods akin to those in this paper, future research will be better able to identify areas with poor food accessibility. Improving identification of food desert communities is a first step in facilitating more effective deployment of food policies and programs in those communities.

Ombrotrophic peatlands are remarkable repositories of high-quality climatic signals because their only source of nutrients is precipitation. Although several analytical techniques are available for analysing inorganic components in peat samples, they generally provide only low-resolution data sets. Here we present a new analytical approach for producing high-resolution data on main and trace elements from ombrotrophic peat cores. Analyses were carried out on a 7-m-long peat core collected from Danta di Cadore, North-Eastern Italy (46° 34' 16″ N, 12° 29' 58″ E). Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Y, Cd, Ba and Pb were detected at a resolution of 2.5mm with a non-destructive X-ray fluorescence core scanner (XRF-CS). Calibration and quantification of the XRF-CS intensities was obtained using collision reaction cell inductively coupled plasma quadruple mass spectrometry (CRC-ICP-QMS). CRC-ICP-QMS measurements were carried out on discrete samples at a resolution of 1cm, after dissolution of 150-mg aliquots with 9ml HNO3 and 1ml HF at 220°C in a microwave system. We compare qualitative XRF-CS and quantitative CRC-ICP-MS data and, however the several sources of variability of the data, develop a robust statistical approach to determine the R (2) and the coefficient of a simple regression model together with confidence intervals. Perfect positive correlations were estimated for Cd, Cr, Pb, Sr, Ti and Zn; high positive correlations for Ba (0.8954), Y (0.7378), Fe (0.7349) and Cu (0.7028); while moderate positive correlations for Ga (0.5951) and Ca (0.5435). With our results, we demonstrate that XRF scanning techniques can be used, together with other well-established geochemical techniques (such as ICP-MS), to produce high-resolution (up to 2.5mm) quantitative data from ombrotrophic peat bog cores.

Among the many classes of pollutants, bioactive contaminants including pesticides, herbicides, and other pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) are causing significant concern. These chemicals have been linked directly to contamination of freshwater and food sources, threatening water and food security. Contamination from antibiotics, one class of PhACs, is also considered to link strongly to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Pollution from these contaminants has hit developing countries harder as a consequence of less stringent legislation on waste discharge from agricultural industries. Current sampling and monitoring methods [e.g. liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS)] are expensive, time‐consuming, immobile and require skilled users. Recent development of devices fitted with molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been found to be particularly attractive owing to their low cost, stability, high selectivity and mobility. MIPs also can be used to extract these organic pollutants at low concentrations. The latest development of magnetic MIPs (MMIPs) further facilitates the separation and recovery of these absorbents by using an external magnetic field after the target molecules have been bound, thus avoiding laborious centrifugation and filtration for separation and recovery. The purpose of this perspective is to summarize the recent development of MMIPs in the past ten years. We will focus on their applications in food industries and the agricultural sector. Several potential developments in combined analytical techniques using MMIPs also will be discussed. As pollution to our environment is now a focal point in human life, new analytical techniques based on MMIPs will be of great interest to the science communities. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

Loggerhead and green turtles of the south west Pacific: investigating foraging ecology and migration using integrated analytical methods

Crude fiber represents the indigestible fraction of plant-derived foods that remains after sequential acid and alkali digestion and mainly consists of cellulose and lignin. Although traditionally used as a nutritional parameter in food and animal feed analysis, crude fiber estimation provides only a partial representation of total dietary fiber. This review article aims to summarize the definition, physiological significance, health benefits, limitations, disease-modulating effects, dietary requirements, food sources, and analytical methods related to crude fiber. Crude fiber plays an important role in maintaining digestive health by increasing stool bulk, improving bowel motility, and preventing constipation. It also contributes to weight management, glycemic control in diabetes, reduction of cardiovascular risk through cholesterol regulation, and lowering the risk of certain cancers by diluting intestinal carcinogens and reducing transit time. However, the conventional crude fiber method underestimates total dietary fiber as it excludes soluble fiber components such as pectins and gums and may lead to nutrient loss during harsh chemical extraction. The review also discusses daily fiber intake recommendations across age groups, commonly consumed fiber-rich plant sources, and analytical techniques, including the traditional Weende method and modern enzymatic-gravimetric methods. Overall, while crude fiber analysis remains relevant for animal nutrition and basic food evaluation, modern dietary fiber assessment methods provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of fiber’s role in human health.

Biochemical and ecological components of Holothuria (Halodeima) grisea, Selenka 1867 (Echinodermata:Holothuroidea)