Baby Food Samples Research Articles

Development and validation of a novel analytical method to quantify aflatoxins in baby food samples by employing dispersive solid phase extraction with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A new method for the quantification of four aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) in baby food samples is described herein. In this method, the extraction/cleanup step was performed by using multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a sorbent material in a dispersive solid phase procedure. In sequence, these mycotoxins were quantified via liquid chromatographic coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The method was fully validated according to the EC/657/2002 and SANCO/12571/2013 directives. Adequate values were obtained for all figures of merit, mainly veracity (recoveries: 75.8 to 120.6%) and quantification limits (LOQs: 60.0 to 560.0 ng kg-1), with no noticeable matrix effects. The method was tested in real samples (n = 4) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was detected in just one of them. Finally, this analytical procedure has an evident potential to be applied to analyze aflatoxins (and other mycotoxins) in distinct types of complex samples.

Aluminium in infant foods: Total content, effect of in vitro digestion on bioaccessible fraction and preliminary exposure assessment

The objective of this study was to determine the total concentration and bioaccessible fraction of aluminium (Al) in 95 different baby food samples and estimate the exposure assessment. Total Al content was determined following oxidative microwave digestion by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. An in vitro digestionmethod was optimized to evaluate the bioaccessible fraction. Total concentration and bioaccessibility varied according to the sample composition (saltypurees, fruit purees, infant drinks and petitsuisse). Petit suisse, soy-based drink and salty puree samples presented the highest total Al concentrations of 4170 μg kg−1, 2860 μg kg−1 and 2760 μg kg−1, respectively. Bioaccessiblefraction varied from 0.5%–48% according to their composition.Exposure to Al was estimated and compared with the tolerable weekly intakes currently established. The results showed that the consumption of 3 portions/day of soy-based drink along the week could represent a concern.

Dietary exposure to pesticide residues and associated health risks in infants and young children – Results of the French infant total diet study

A total diet study (TDS) was undertaken to estimate the chronic dietary exposure to pesticide residues and health risks for the French infants and young children below 3 years old. As a whole, 516 pesticides and metabolites were analysed in 309 food composite samples including 219 manufactured baby foods and 90 common foods, which cover 97% of infants and young children's diet. These composite samples were prepared using 5,484 food products purchased during all seasons from 2011 to 2012 and processed as consumed. Pesticide residues were detected in 67% of the samples and quantified in 27% of the baby food samples and in 60% of the common foods. Seventy-eight different pesticides were detected and 37 of these quantified at levels ranging from 0.02 to 594 µg/kg. The most frequently detected pesticides (greater than 5% samples) were (1) the fungicides 2-phenylphenol, azoxystrobin, boscalid, captan and its metabolite tetrahydrophthalimide, carbendazim, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, dodine, imazalil, metalaxyl, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, (2) the insecticides acetamiprid, pirimiphos-methyl and thiacloprid, (3) the herbicide metribuzin and (4) the synergist piperonyl butoxide. Dietary intakes were estimated for each of the 705 individuals studied and for 431 pesticides incl. 281 with a toxicological reference value (TRV). In the lower-bound scenario, which tends to underestimate the exposure, the TRV were never exceeded. In the upper-bound scenario that overestimates exposure, the estimated intakes exceeded the TRV for dieldrin and lindane (two persistent organic pollutants) and propylene thiourea, a metabolite of propineb. For these three substances, more sensitive analyses are needed to refine the assessment. For 17 other detected and/or prioritised pesticides, the risk could not be characterised due to the lack of a valid TRV, of certain food analyses or the absence of analytical standards for their metabolites.

A simple and efficient preconcentration method based on vortex assisted reduced graphene oxide magnetic nanoparticles for the sensitive determination of endocrine disrupting compounds in different water and baby food samples by GC-FID

This study utilized reduced graphene oxide magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4/rGO-MNP to preconcentrate two alkyl phenols, two organochlorine pesticides and one organophosphate pesticide from water and baby food samples for the determination by gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Parameters of the micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) were fully optimized to boost the measurement signals of the analytes. Optimum extraction conditions were applied to aqueous standard solutions to validate the method. The limit of detection ranged between 0.48 and 2.4 μg/L, recording about 60–100 folds enhancement in detection power when compared directly with the detection limits of the instrument before preconcentration. The optimum method was applied to aqueous samples and spiked recovery tests produced satisfactory results. The baby food sample was treated with the QuEChERS standard method before applying the μ-SPE method. Matrix matching was used to overcome matrix interference to obtain approximately 1.0 % recovery results for all analytes spiked at different concentrations.

Natural Radioactivity Level of <sup>238</sup>U, <sup>232</sup>Th, and <sup>40</sup>K in Baby Food and Committed Annual Effective Dose Assessment in Bangladesh

Worldwide, the contagion of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer among children has made the nutritionists thoughtful. Food contamination with radioactivity, became a severe health threat for children below five since they are under developing immune systems and cannot fight off infections like adults. Radioactivity concentrated in food chain may be transferred to human body and increase the cumulative risk of developing cancer and some other diseases. Therefore the assessment of radioactivity levels in baby food and their associated doses are of crucial importance for health safety. The study is focused on the radiation contamination of baby food due to the nuclear disasters and make public awareness about infant’s nutrition followed by the health safety. The natural radioactivity level due to 238U, 232Th and 40K in baby food (cereals and powder milk) samples, marketed in Bangladesh were estimated and annual effective dose was assessed. Gamma spectrometry was performed by HPGe detector coupled with MCA, and certified reference materials were used for quantification and quality control. The average concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K were found to be 5.42±0.42, 5.71±0.50 and 334.4±12 Bq.Kg-1 in milk sample and 2.98±0.38, 3.94±0.29 and 155.7±7.5 Bq.Kg-1 in cereal sample respectively. The committed effective doses due to ingestion of natural radionuclides (238U, 232Th and 40K) from the consumption of milk and cereals for age group <1 year were 1.30 and 0.51 mSv/yr and for age group 1-2 year were 0.31 and 0.15 mSv/yr respectively. The age group < 1yr, who are completely depend on formula milk are under highly threat since their annual effective dose 1.30 mSv/yr exceeds the recommended permissible limit of 1 mSv/yr. The data generated in this study will provide base-line radiometric values of activity concentration and annual effective dose attributed from baby foods in Bangladesh.

Aluminum content and effect of in vitro digestion on bioaccessible fraction in cereal-based baby foods.

The aim of this work was to determine the total concentration and the effect of in vitro digestion on the bioaccessible fraction of aluminum (Al) in 35 different cereal-based baby food samples and estimate the exposure to this element considering the consumption of this product. Total Al content was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after oxidative microwave digestion. An in vitro digestion method was applied and optimized to evaluate the bioaccessible fraction. The methods performance was efficient for both approached analysis and presented limits of detection and quantitation of 53μgkg-1 and 89μgkg-1, respectively. Total concentration and bioaccessibility varied according to the product composition (rice, oat, wheat, barley, corn, multicereal and fruit). Multicereals and fruit-based (plum) cereals presented the highest total Al concentrations (8.82mgkg-1 and 7.49mgkg-1, respectively), whilst lower values were observed for corn and rice flour cereals (0.92mgkg-1 and 1.09mgkg-1, respectively). The bioaccessible fraction varied from 1.5% to 10.4% in the evaluated samples. Exposure to Al was estimated and compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) of 2mgkg-1 body weight. The results showed that the daily consumption of three portions of cereals contributes up to 10.48% of the PTWI, when considering the total Al concentration reported in this study.

HEAVY METALS IN MILK INFANT FORMULAS

Baby food can contain harmful components that are very dangerous to little consumers. One of the most common harmful factors is heavy metals, in particular lead. It is known that introducing one extra microelement into the body changes not only the concentration of this element, but also the concentration of other elements. Disturbing the physiological balance of microelements leads to changes in complex enzymatic processes, which in turn violates the structure of tissue cells of individual organs. Studies by Russian scientists (T. Suldina and others) have determined, in milk for newborns, the maximum levels of lead (0.02 mg/kg), of cadmium (0.02 mg/kg), of arsenic (0.05 mg/kg). While studying certain samples of baby food, the method for determining the content of lead and other heavy metals was improved. Depending on the lead concentration, characteristic lines of both the ultraviolet and the visible spectral regions can be used. Monitoring heavy metals in infant milk has shown that lead, copper, and zinc are the main contaminants of the product. The concentration of toxic agents in baby milk depends on the type of raw materials and on the environmental conditions of their manufacture. To detect lead in products quickly and accurately, a method was used based on the emission spectral analysis. To this end, spectrographs ISP-28 and ISP-30 widely employed in industry and laboratory studies were taken, but the detection limits were lowered compared to those in the methods that had been used previously. Besides, the field-proven method for determining lead is applicable to detecting zinc and copper, too. An excess of lead by 0.08 mg/kg, copper by 0.07 mg/kg, zinc by 0.45 mg/kg was observed in the baby milk “Malyatko Premium 2.” In the milk “Bellakt 2,” the excessive amount of copper was 0.05 mg/kg, of zinc 0.20 mg/kg, of lead 0.05 mg/kg. In the baby milk “Nitricia Malyuk Istrynsky,” only zinc was found to exceed the normal level (by 0.1 mg/kg). The baby milks “Nutricia Milupa 2,” “Nestle Nestogen 2,” “HiPP Organic 2” do not contain excessive heavy metals, and thus, can be recommended as safe for consumption.

Bisphenol A in infant urine and baby-food samples among 9- to 15-month-olds

Diet is the predominant source of bisphenol A (BPA) intake, but limited data are available on BPA levels in the diet of younger infants. This study investigated BPA levels in baby-food and urine samples collected from young infants (under 2 years old). Samples of homemade baby food (n = 210) and urine (n = 187) were collected at 9, 12, and 15 months after birth from a panel of Korean infants (n = 173). BPA levels in urine and food were measured using HPLC-MS/MS and GC–MS, respectively. BPA was above the limit of detection (LOD) in 85.5–85.7% of the urine samples and 32.5–76.3% of the baby-food samples. The median levels of BPA were 0.45 ng/g wet weight (IQR: not detectable to 5.16 ng/g wet weight) in homemade baby food, 0.93 μg/L (IQR: <LOD to 2.66 μg/L) in unadjusted urine samples, and 0.94 μg/L (IQR: <LOD to 2.80 μg/L) in urine samples adjusted for specific gravity. The BPA levels detected in this study were comparable or lower compared to previously reported levels of BPA in baby-food and infant urine samples. The BPA concentrations in the baby food of 15-month-old children (median: 5.09 ng/g) were significantly greater than those detected at 9 or 12 months of age (median: <LOD and 0.47 ng/g, respectively). Considering that the dietary changes from solid food with high water content to solid food as infants grew were accompanied by greater exposure to BPA, it is noteworthy that urinary BPA levels did not significantly differ according to infants' age. These results suggest that solid food with high water content did not drive the internal dose in younger infants, implying that there may have been other sources of exposure in their baby-food (other than weaning-food) and the environment, although further study would be needed to confirm this possibility.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in infant formulae, follow-on formulae, and baby foods in Iran: An assessment of risk

Twenty-seven samples of infant formulae and follow-on formulae and fifteen samples of baby food from Iranian markets were analyzed for concentrations of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH4) determined by use of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrophotometry. An assessment of risks posed to infants and toddlers was conducted by calculating the margin of exposure and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) by use of the Monte Carlo Simulation Method. Benzo (a) anthracene, was not detected in any of the samples, while approximately 64.3% samples contained detectable amounts of benzo (a) pyrene, while chrysene was observed in three samples and benzo (b) fluoranthene was detected in one sample. One of the samples contained 1.43 μg PAH4/kg, which was greater than the maximum tolerable limit (MTL; 1 μg/kg) stated in Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1125. Accordingly, the 95% ILCRs in the infants/toddlers due to ingestion of milk powder and baby foods were determined to be 1.3 × 10−6 and 7.3 × 10−7, respectively. Also, the 95th centiles of the MOEs, due to ingesting milk powder or baby foods by infants/toddlers were estimated to be 3.6 × 104 and 7.2 × 104, respectively. In Iran, infants and toddlers are not at serious health risk (MOE ≥ 1 × 104 and ILCR < 1 × 10−4).

Comparison of high-throughput microextraction techniques, MEPS and μ-SPEed, for the determination of polyphenols in baby food by ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography

In this study, two different high-throughput microextraction techniques, microextraction by packed sorbents (MEPS) and micro solid phase extraction (μ-SPEed®), were evaluated and compared, regarding the performance criteria, for the isolation of polyphenols from baby foods prior to their determination by ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC). To achieve the best performance, influential parameters affecting extraction efficiency (including type of sorbent, number of extraction cycles, pH, elution solvent and elution volume) were systematically studied and optimized. To enable an effective comparison, selectivity, linear dynamic range, method detection (LODs) and quantification limits (LOQs), accuracy, precision and extraction yields, were determined and discussed for both techniques. Both methods provided the analytical selectivity required for the analysis of polyphenols in baby foods. However, μ-SPEed® sample treatment in combination with UHPLC-PDA has demonstrated to be more sensitive, selective and efficient than MEPS. Appropriate linearity in solvent and matrix-based calibrations, very low LODs and LOQs, ranging between 1.37 and 13.57 μg kg−1 and 4.57 – 45.23 μg kg−1, respectively, suitable recoveries (from 67 to 97%) and precision (RSD values < 5%) were achieved for the selected analytes by μ-SPEed®/UHPLC-PDA. Finally, the validated methodologies were applied to different commercial baby foods. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid, rutin, naringenin and myricetin are the most dominant polyphenols present in the studied baby food samples. The proposed methodology revealed a promising approach to evaluate the nutritional quality of this kind of products.

Proximate Analysis of Some Selected Infant Formula Sold in Makurdi Metropolis

Infant formula is a synthetic version of mother’s milk and belongs to a class of food materials known as dairy substitutes. This study was designed to evaluate the proximate composition of some selected infant formula sold in Makurdi metropolis. Six (6) different brands of infant formula samples were purchased from the major markets, Wadata market and North bank market Makurdi Benue State, North Central Nigeria. The six different brands comprise of three (3) infant milk formulae and three (3) infant cereal formulae. Samples on some Selected Infant Formulae were analysed in the laboratory for proximate composition and the data were subjected to Analysis of Variance to rank the significant differences in means. There were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) across the selected infant formulae sample for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fate, crude fibre and carbohydrates. The result shows that FRISOGOLD significantly (P&lt;0.05) has the highest moisture content (11.60%) with cowbell having the lowest (2.45%) while the ash content of cowbell was found to be the highest compared to other formulae. In conclusion, the commercial baby food samples (MYBOY, NAN and cowbell) have a low moisture content which suggests an asset as this prolongs the shelf life and also inhibits microbial activity on these products thereby preventing spoilage.

Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of Aflatoxins and Deoxynivalenol in Cereal-Based Baby Foods for Infants.

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic to humans and deoxynivalenol causes digestive disorders, and both mycotoxins occur frequently in cereal-based foods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and levels of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereal-based baby foods as well as to calculate the estimated daily intakes (EDI) in different stages of infancy. Sixty samples of infant cereals (wheat-, corn-, rice-, oat-, and mixed grain-based) were collected during a 2-year period and analyzed by validated methods. Aflatoxins were detected in 12 samples (20%), six of which exceeded the EU maximum level for aflatoxin B1 set at 0.10 µg/kg. Deoxynivalenol appeared in 20% of baby food samples, with one sample exceeding the EU maximum level established at 200 µg/kg. There were no significant differences between gluten-free products for babies aged 4–6 months and multi-cereal products for infants aged 7–12 months, nor between whole-grain-based and refined ingredients. However, baby food products of organic origin showed significantly higher levels of deoxynivalenol than conventional ones (p < 0.05). It is proposed for the health protection of infants and young children, a vulnerable group, to establish the lowest maximum level for the sum of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) in baby food.

Reliable determination of tropane alkaloids in cereal based baby foods coupling on-line spe to mass spectrometry avoiding chromatographic step

Cereal based foods are a major part of the infant diet and they can be contaminated with Solanaceae and other plants containing tropane alkaloids. This study was focused on the optimisation of an extraction procedure based on a solid-liquid method and an online SPE system, directly coupled to different mass spectrometry analysers as Orbitrap and triple quadrupole (QqQ), removing the chromatographic separation step. Total running analysis time was 15.8 min (17.3 min in the QqQ system). The developed method was validated obtaining recoveries ranging from 66 to 98% and 68–97% for the Orbitrap and QqQ respectively (RSD lower than 14.3%) and limits of quantification from 0.5 to 5 µg kg-1 and 0.5–10 µg kg-1 for the QqQ and Orbitrap analyser respectively. The validated method was applied to several cereal based baby food samples, finding a positive sample containing atropine (11.5 µg kg-1), scopolamine (2.8 µg kg-1) and apoatropine (7.5 µg kg-1).

Analysis of perchlorate in baby food on Canadian (Ottawa) markets in 2009 and estimated dietary exposure

ABSTRACTIn order to determine the baseline levels of perchlorate in major brands of baby food, 200 baby food products were collected from retail stores in Ottawa, Canada and analysed for perchlorate in 2010. The seven food groups tested were fruit, juices, vegetables, meat, yogurt, mixed (vegetable mixed with meat) and other (e.g. vegetable mixed with meat and cereal, cheese, egg,). Samples were extracted with a mixture of methanol and 1% acetic acid (4:1, v/v). Determination was conducted by stable isotope dilution ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-IC-MS/MS). The complexity of different food matrices required additional method validation. The perchlorate levels in 46 samples were found to be lower than the quantification limit (0.2 ng g−1). The perchlorate levels in the other 154 baby food samples were also low; about 96.7% of the baby foods had perchlorate levels less than 10 ng g−1 (ranged from 0.2 to 22.4 ng g−1, median1.35 ng g−1); only 5 samples had perchlorate levels higher than 10 ng g−1. Dietary exposure to perchlorate from analysed baby food was conservatively estimated to range from 0.007 to 0.121 µg/kg bw/d based on the mean intake for children (1–5 years old).

Lead and cadmium contamination in a large sample of United States infant formulas and baby foods

Data is limited on lead and cadmium contamination in baby food, a population uniquely susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals. The goal of this study was to examine lead and cadmium concentrations in a large convenience sample of US baby foods. We identified the number of baby food product samples that exceeded US FDA and California Proposition 65 limits for daily lead consumption across a range of servings/calories, and the number of samples that exceeded World Health Organization and California Proposition 65 limits for daily cadmium consumption across a range of servings/calories. In total, 564 baby foods were tested across infant and toddler formula, cereals, meals, juices/drinks, jars, pouches, snacks, and electrolyte water. ICP-MS analysis of lead and cadmium was completed using a modified version of EPA method 6020A. Samples were analyzed using kinetic energy distribution mode. Lead was detected in 37% of samples (median = non-detect, 75% = 5.6, maximum = 183.6 μg/kg), and cadmium in 57% (25% = non-detect, median = 2.8, 75% = 9.5, maximum = 103.90 μg/kg). Of 91 infant formula samples, none exceeded FDA lead consumption guidelines in 31 oz, but 22% exceeded the Proposition 65 lead guidelines, 23% exceeded the Proposition 65 cadmium guidelines, and 14% exceeded the WHO tolerable cadmium intake levels for a four-month-old baby. In the solid baby food samples, 1% exceeded FDA lead guidelines in two servings (26% exceeded CA Proposition 65 limits), 3% in 300 cal (34% exceeded CA Proposition 65 limits). For cadmium, 6% exceeded Proposition 65 guidelines in two servings, 8% in 300 cal. There was no association between whether the product was certified organic and its heavy metal concentration. Products containing rice were higher in both lead and cadmium concentrations. Further research is needed to understand the long-term health effects of this chronic daily low level heavy metal exposure in babies.

Analytical Method Validation for Determining Organophosphorus Pesticides in Baby Foods by a Modified Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Method and Gas Chromatography–Ion Trap/Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Baby food is made specifically for babies between the ages of 4/6 months up to 2 years, and it comes in multiple varieties and tastes. This paper proposes a protocol for a rapid and reliable determination of 19 organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) by means of a method based on ultrasound-vortex-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with a gas chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry (UVALLME–GC-IT/MS). The method development starts from the extraction solvent evaluation, i.e., n-heptane; the solution, held for 5 min on the vortex mixer and for 6 min in an ultrasonic bath to 100 W for favoring the solvent dispersion and the determinant extraction, is centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 30 min: 1 μL of the organic extract is injected into the GC-IT/MS. All the analytical parameters investigated are deeply discussed; LODs/LOQs (0.2–1.3 and 0.5–2.9 ng/g) and recoveries (81–109%) are compared with other papers dealing the determination of OPs in baby food matrix. The whole method has been applied to real commercial freeze-dried and soft baby food samples: the results do not show any significant contaminant values.

Simultaneous Determination of Five Coccidiostats in Veterinary Powders, Feed Premixes, and Baby Food by Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography: Application to Chicken Tissues and Liver

A new, simple, and reliable micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of amprolium, ethopabate, diaveridine, sulphadimidine, and sulphaquinoxaline. The separation was achieved using 50 mM tris buffer (pH 8.5) with 50 mM SDS and 15% acetonitrile (v/v) at 28 kV and the components were detected at 200 nm. Different factors affecting the electrophoretic mobility of the five investigated drugs were studied and optimized. Method validation showed that calibration plots were linear within the range from 0.5 to 100 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient > 0.998. Intraday and interday precision and accuracy evaluated by relative standard deviation were lower than 2%. The limits of detection were in the ranges of 0.02 to 0.07 μg/mL. The new method with simple sample pretreatment based on aqueous methanol extraction has been successfully applied for analysis of these drugs in powder preparations, feed premixes, baby food, chicken tissues, and liver samples with the recoveries of 97–101%. The present method is suitable and favorable for the analysis of the five coccidiostats drugs on account of its cost effectiveness, simplicity, rapidity, and sensitivity.

Preconcentrations and determinations of copper, nickel and lead in baby food samples employing Coprinus silvaticus immobilized multi-walled carbon nanotube as solid phase sorbent

Preconcentrations of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions by using Coprinus silvaticus immobilized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were investigated. Effects of important parameters on preconcentration procedure were examined. The best pH values of for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) were found to be 6.0, 6.0 and 4.0, respectively. Flow rate of sample solution was 2.0 mL min−1, while desorption was achieved at 1.0 mL min−1 flow rate. Preconcentration factors were achieved as 60 for Cu(II), Ni(II) and 70 for Pb(II) (by dividing initial sample volume to final volume). LODs were calculated as 0.014, 0.016 and 0.093 ng mL−1, respectively for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II). Accuracy of the method was checked by applying to certified reference samples. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP OES) was employed for measurements of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) in digested baby food samples.

Assessment of mutagenicity caused by popular baby foods and baby plastic-ware products: An imperative study using microbial bioassays and migration analysis

Specialized products for infants have become every parent's first choice. Although these products claim to be safe and mild for infant use, yet there is a need to monitor them using different tools for mutagenicity detection to ensure further safety. In this study, a range of popular ready to eat and powdered baby foods, formula milk powders and attractive plasticware for infants were picked from the Indian market and tested for their mutagenicity using two microbial bioassays based on Salmonella typhimurium, viz., Ames bacterial reversion assay and fluctuation assay. Furthermore, chemical migration analysis was done on the most toxic baby food and baby plasticware samples as shown by the bioassays to detect possible leaching of Bisphenol a (BPA), lead and Di-2 ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP). It was surprising to find that the products made for the most risk-prone group in the society, i.e., infants have a significant potential to cause mutagenicity.

Core–shell Fe3O4 polydopamine nanoparticles as sorbent for magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction of copper from food samples

In the present study, core–shell Fe3O4 polydopamine nanoparticles were synthesized and used for the first time as an adsorbent for the vortex assisted magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of copper from food samples. After elution, copper in the solutions was determined by FAAS. The adsorbent was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, and zeta potential measurements. Various parameters affecting the magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction were evaluated. The optimum pH and magnetic adsorbent amount were found to be 5 and 40 mg, respectively. Elution was made by 3 mL of 2 mol L−1 HNO3.The major advantage of the method is the fast equilibration during adsorption without the need for vortexing or shaking. The preconcentration factor and detection limit of the method were found to be 150 and 0.22 mg L−1, respectively. The precision (as RSD%) and adsorption capacity of the method were 3.7% and 28 mg g−1, respectively. The method was successfully verified by analyzing four certified reference materials (SPS-WW1 Batch 114 Wastewater, TMDA-53.3 Lake water, BCR-482 Lichen and 1573a Tomato Leaves) and by addition/recovery tests of copper standard solution in organic baby food, muesli, macaroni, honey, and milk samples.