Food Analysis Research Articles

Exploring Green Practices: a Review of Carbon Dot-Based Sustainable Sensing Approaches.

The increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly technologies has driven significant interest in carbon dots (CDs) due to their unique optical properties, low toxicity, and versatile applications in sensing. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current advancements in CD-based sensing approaches, with a focus on their environmental sustainability based on greenness evaluation tools. We begin by discussing the principles and methodologies of greenness evaluation, including various assessment tools and metrics used to measure the environmental impact of CD synthesis and applications. Key applications of CD-based sensors in detecting pollutants, biomolecules, and other analytes are examined, emphasizing their potential in environmental monitoring, biological, and food analysis. The review concludes with a discussion on future research directions aimed at overcoming these challenges and enhancing the sustainability of CD-based sensing technologies. Through this detailed exploration, we aim to provide valuable insights into the greenness of CDs, fostering their development as a cornerstone of sustainable sensing technologies. The evaluation tools applied for future probes confirmed their superior environmental friendliness.

Nano-biotechnological Approach for the Ultrasensitive Electrochemical and Fluorescence Detection of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium with a gram-positive characteristic and spherical shape, is typically harboured in the human nose and skin. It can survive in a wide range of temperatures (15°C to 45°C) and shows virulence factors and contains toxins, enzymes, and surface proteins. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B is the heat-stable protein toxin with 28kDa in size. Food poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea due to consuming contaminated food. Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection (graphene, carbon, and gold nanoparticles) and fluorescence detection (quantum dot, carbon dot, Forster resonance energy transfer, graphene oxide and metal-enhanced fluorescence) can detect Staphylococcal enterotoxin B due to their high sensitivity, specificity, and potential for miniaturization. Nanotechnology improves the detection of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B with increased sensitivity and specificity. This review addresses the nano-biotechnological approach to potential detection of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B. This platform can be extended to the application of in vitro diagnostic, food analysis, biosafety, environmental application, and clinical analysis, especially cancer biomarker diagnosis.

Kinetic Method Coupled with Thermal-Assisted Paper Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Direct Determination of Enantiomeric Excess of Multiple d/l-Amino Acids in Functional Foods.

Amino acids are commonly used as nutritional fortification substances in functional foods, and their chiral configuration is an important determinant of food function. Rapid chiral screening methods are urgently needed in food analysis but are limited by the long-time chiral separation and matrix interference. In this study, we show a kinetic method coupled to thermal-assisted paper spray ionization mass spectrometry for direct determination of enantiomeric excess (ee) of multiple d/l-amino acids in complex food matrixes without sample pretreatment. 3-(2-Naphthyl)-l-alanine was selected as a new chiral reference ligand for the kinetic method to achieve efficient chiral differentiation (discrimination degree is 8.7 for d/l-phenylalanine and 10.2 for d/l-tyrosine). An additional thermal-auxiliary device was developed for paper spray ionization mass spectrometry to facilitate the enantiomeric purity determination. The developed method allowed a rapid simultaneous enantiomeric purity determination of multiple chiral amino acids (d/l-phenylalanine and d/l-tyrosine) within 30 s. Good linearities were achieved for the quantitation of ee (R2 = 0.9996 for phenylalanine and 0.9995 for tyrosine) with unknown amino acid concentrations ranging from 10 μM to 600 μM. The developed method was successfully applied for the enantiomeric purity determination of multiple chiral amino acids in functional capsules and beverages and showed great potential for efficient enantiomer-related food safety screening and nutrition analysis.

A Comprehensive Review of Instrumentation and Applications in Post-Column and In-Source Derivatization for LC-MS.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has become an indispensable tool for elucidating molecular structures and quantifying diverse compounds within complex mixtures. Despite its versatility, it faces various challenges such as ion suppression, low sensitivity, analyte instability, and matrix effects, which are being overcome by different kinds of offline and online derivatization techniques to improve specificity and reduce potential interferences. In this context, considerable advancements have been made in reviewing and critically evaluating a wide range of developed methods and techniques; however, little attention has been given to post-column derivatization (PCD) in LC-MS. Therefore, this comprehensive review highlights state-of-the-art advancements in LC-MS with a specific focus on various types of chemical and physical PCD, and in-source derivatization. It also examines the latest instrumentation developments, highlights methods and influencing factors, and explores applications in food, proteomics, biology, pharmaceuticals, and environmental analysis from the past four decades. Besides, this review critically examines the role of PCD in LC-MS along with outlining its advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, special emphasis is also made on prospects and insights for developing more versatile LC-PCD-MS techniques and in-source methodologies, to address ongoing challenges and aim to open new research avenues for analysts.

High‐throughput Photoactive Magnetic Microrobots for Food Quality Control

AbstractEnsuring food quality and safety according to stringent global standards requires analytical procedures that are accurate, cost‐effective, and efficient. This present innovative high‐throughput microrobots designed for the detection of antioxidants in food samples. These microrobots consist of photocatalytic bismuth subcarbonate anchored on silica‐coated magnetite nanoparticles. Upon exposure to UV light, they generate reactive oxygen species via photocatalysis, which oxidize the colorless dye into a green‐colored radical cation. The presence of antioxidants inhibits this reaction, allowing for the quantification of antioxidant activity. The magnetic Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ core enables steering of the microrobots using a transverse rotating magnetic field, facilitating automated assays on a custom‐designed 3D‐printed sensing platform. This results demonstrate that these magneto‐photocatalytic microrobots can perform automated, high‐throughput assessments of food quality, representing a significant advancement in food analysis technology.

3D printed miniature attenuated total internal reflection assisted fluorescence microscopy

Imaging and sensing technologies are crucial in various fields, encompassing applications in cell and tissue analysis, DNA and RNA characterization, food and drug composition analysis, and forensic science. Instead of using complex and heavy conventional instruments to perform these analyses, lightweight, portable, and field-ready instruments have recently become commercially available. In this study, a miniature attenuated total internal reflectance fluorescence (mini-ATIRF) microscope has been demonstrated using a 3D printer. By utilizing evanescent field illumination and surface plasmon-coupled emission, the proposed mini-ATIRF microscope not only delivers fluorescence images four times brighter but also weighs 73% less than conventional fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of the equipment is more than 95% cheaper.

Comparative voltammetric determination of ascorbic acid at three different carbon electrodes: application of carbon screen-printed electrode for citrus fruits analysis

Determining the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content in citrus fruits is crucial for dietary and nutritional considerations. Traditional analytical methods for ascorbic acid analysis often involve expensive and less portable electrodes, limiting their practicality in food analysis. This study focuses on the quantification of ascorbic acid in citrus fruits using a cost-effective and portable carbon screen-printed electrode. The efficiency of these electrodes was assessed using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry due to the irreversible oxidation behavior of ascorbic acid. A comparative analysis was performed with glassy carbon, carbon paste, and commercial carbon screen-printed electrodes, focusing on sensi¬tivity variations based on analyte concentration and scanning rate. The carbon screen-printed electrode demonstrated superior sensitivity to the other electrodes tested, establishing it as a practical alternative for ascorbic acid analysis in citrus fruits. This study employed the standard addition method in conjunction with linear sweep voltam¬metry to accurately determine ascorbic acid concentrations in pear-orange, Tahiti lemon, and Ponkan tangerine samples. The obtained values were cross-referenced with existing literature data, enhancing our understanding of vitamin C content in these citrus fruits. Overall, this research highlights the potential of the carbon screen-printed electrode as a valuable tool for vitamin C analysis, offering new insights into food science and nutrition.

Preliminary Ethnographic Analysis of Infant Complementary Foods in a Peruvian Quechua Community

ABSTRACT This study examines infant feeding beliefs and practices in a rural Peruvian Quechua community. The aim was to assess which infant foods are considered culturally meaningful, and if concordance exists between beliefs and practices. Mothers were asked to free-list their child’s “actual” first foods (n = 85), then to free-list “ideal” infant foods (n = 87). Food lists were analyzed for cultural salience. Mothers listed 43 foods; four (potato, mazamorra, egg, and liver) were culturally salient on both lists. Some discordance was found between beliefs and practices. Culturally salient “ideal” foods were animal-source and protein-iron rich, whereas salient “actual” foods were plant-source and carbohydrate-based.

A simple chromone-derived fluorescent "Turn-on" probe for accurate detection of Al3+ Ions: Applications in food Analysis, test strips and bioimaging.

A simple chromone-derived fluorescent "Turn-on" probe for accurate detection of Al3+ Ions: Applications in food Analysis, test strips and bioimaging.

Deep eutectic solvent-induced coacervation in micellar solution of alkyl polyglucoside surfactant: Supramolecular solvent formation and application in food analysis.

Deep eutectic solvent-induced coacervation in micellar solution of alkyl polyglucoside surfactant: Supramolecular solvent formation and application in food analysis.

Efficient adsorption and detection of steroid hormones in foods through the combination of novel magnetic TAPB-COF materials with click isotope probes.

Matrix effects pose a significant challenge in food analysis for the quantitative analysis of complex food samples. Herein, a novel magnetic covalent organic framework nanocomposite and the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction-based stable isotope labeling (SIL) method were presented for highly selective and sensitive detection of steroid hormones in food samples using HPLC-MS/MS. The nanocomposite, Fe3O4@TAPB-COF, with acore-shell structure exhibited high adsorption capacities for steroid hormones. Combined with a SIL method based on the CuAAC click reaction, steroid hormones were accurately quantified in food samples with high sensitivity and selectivity. A pair of SIL agents, N-(2-azidoethyl)aniline (d0-NAEA) and d5-N-(2-azidoethyl)aniline (d5-NAEA), was synthesized to label steroid hormones in the samples and standard solutions, respectively. The labeling reaction is highly specific, and the formation of the derivatives is easily ionized by MS, thus overcoming matrix effects. More surprisingly, the ionization efficiency of steroid hormones increased by a factor of 4 to 56, with matrix effects ranging from 87.3 to 99.3%. Under optimal conditions, this method exhibited a low limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.1 to 2.6 μg L-1 and overcame the interference of matrix effects for trace-level steroid hormone analysis in foodstuffs.

Development of a dual-mode lateral flow assay based on structure-guided aptamers for the detection of capsaicin in gutter oils.

Development of a dual-mode lateral flow assay based on structure-guided aptamers for the detection of capsaicin in gutter oils.

Ratiometric fluorescence sensor for Escherichia coli detection using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled metal-organic frameworks.

Aratiometric fluorescence sensor for detecting Escherichia coli(E. coli) was fabricated based on the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled zirconium (Zr)-tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid (TPPS) hydrate metal-organic frameworks (ZTMs@FITC). The ZTMs have strong red fluorescence emission at 683nm, which can be quenched by Cu2+. E. coli can capture and convert external Cu2+ into Cu+ through its distinctive metabolic activities. To minimize environmental and instrumental influences and enhance detection precision, green FITC with an emission peak at 515nm was utilized as the fluorescence labeling agent to fabricate the ratiometric fluorescence probe (ZTMs@FITC). The prepared ZTMs@FITC probe showed excellent performance in the detection of E. coli. As the concentration of E. coli increased, the fluorescence intensity at 683nm (ZTMs, F683) increasedconsiderably, while the fluorescence intensity at 515nm (FITC, F515) decreased. By monitoring the increase in the ratio of F683 to F515, this sensor achieved rapid and sensitive detection of E. coli within the concentration range from 1.0 × 101 to 5.0 × 105CFU/mL. The limit of detection was 6CFU/mL. When observed under a 365nm ultraviolet lamp, the fluorescence color of the solution changed from yellow to red. Additionally, the dual-signal ratiometric fluorescence method exhibited high selectivity for E. coli and was successfully utilized to detect E. coli in juice samples, demonstrating its practical application potential in food analysis.

Gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for the analysis in food of 110 chemicals from printing inks and adhesives used in food contact materials.

Gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for the analysis in food of 110 chemicals from printing inks and adhesives used in food contact materials.

Deep eutectic solvents in food contaminants detection: Characteristics, interaction mechanism and application advances from extracting to other roles.

Deep eutectic solvents in food contaminants detection: Characteristics, interaction mechanism and application advances from extracting to other roles.

Microextraction-Driven Optical Fiber Sensor Coupled with Signal Enhancement by Gold Nanostars for Detection of Antibiotics in Food and Water.

In this work, a portable optical fiber-based "microextraction sensing" platform coupled with gold nanostars (Au NSRs) was designed for the detection of kanamycin (Kana). Replaceable optical fibers were used as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) devices and sensing probes. Au NSRs and Kana aptamers were sequentially modified onto a fiber core as sensing elements. The evanescent wave generated from the fiber interacted with the surface of the Au NSR, and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect was triggered. In the presence of Kana, the refractive index of the Au NSR surface changed, causing the LSPR characteristic peak to shift, thereby enabling the quantitative detection of Kana. Benefiting from the strong "hot spot" effect produced by the sharp branches of the Au NSR, the intensity of the signals was greatly increased. Under optimal conditions, the sensing platform exhibited high selectivity toward Kana. The calibration linear range was 0.5-500 nM (r2 = 0.997), and a limit of detection of 0.138 nM was achieved. The optical fiber could be easily disassembled and reused. Signal stability remained intact even after a replaceable optical fiber probe was cleaned and used 10 times. The sensor was successfully applied to the analysis of Kana residues in genuine cow's milk samples. The procedure was also applied to river water samples. This assay has unique advantages of low cost, simplicity, and recyclability, making it a promising approach for food analysis and environmental monitoring.

Advances in High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics: Applications in Food Analysis and Biomarker Discovery.

Consumer concerns regarding food nutrition and quality are becoming increasingly prevalent. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based metabolomics stands as a cutting-edge and widely embraced technique in the realm of food component analysis and detection. It boasts the capability to identify character metabolites at exceedingly low abundances, which remain undetectable by conventional platforms. It can also enable real-time monitoring of the flux of targeted compounds in metabolic synthesis and decomposition. With the emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning, it has become more convenient to process the vast data sets of metabolomics and identify biomarkers. The review summarizes the latest applications of HRMS-based metabolomics platforms in traditional foods, novel foods, and pharmaceutical-food homologous matrices. It compares the suitability of HRMS to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in metabolomics across three dimensions and discusses the principles and application scenarios of various mass spectrometry technologies.

The Right to Food in Question: A Comparative Analysis of Food Security Policies Aimed at the Elderly in Spain and Argentina

Abstract Since the 2008 economic recession, and in the wake of the health and energy crises, many countries have experienced growing precarization, forcing their governments to implement policies to alleviate increasing inequality suffered by the most disadvantaged groups. In this study, we show how this process has affected older people in Spain and Argentina. In particular, we want to determine whether there has been an increase in food insecurity (FI) during this period in two countries that, on paper, recognise the fundamental right of everyone to enjoy adequate food in all its dimensions and also have specific plans for active and healthy ageing. Based on a compilation and comparative analysis of socio-demographic, food and health indicators and policies/programmes targeted at this age group, we describe the profile and main needs of older people, as well as the mechanisms in place to guarantee (or not) this right. We discuss the different conceptions of food security in the two countries, along with the nature and scope of the measures adopted. We conclude that although food security (FS) policies are very different in Spain and Argentina, what they have in common is the absence and/or insufficiency of specific mechanisms for identifying the impact of growing precarization on food practices and health, and those most affected in terms of gender, social class or ethnic origin. We highlight the need to develop intersectional studies capable of diagnosing and detecting FI situations among older people and counteracting possible forms of ageism arising from this lack of knowledge.

Receipt of poly(ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harboring BRCA1/2 alterations.

108 Background: PARPi are approved for the treatment of pts with mCRPC either as single agents or as a combination with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) [PMID: 37442702]. In a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pooled analysis, the benefit from PARPi appeared greatest for pts harboring BRCA1/2 alterations [PMID: 38484203]. However, real-world uptake of PARPi in pts with mCRPC with BRCA1/2 alterations is unknown. Herein, our objective was to assess the usage of PARPi in real-world pts with mCRPC harboring BRCA1/2 alterations. Methods: A de-identified nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record (EHR)-derived database was used to extract pt-level data. Eligibility criteria: pts with mCRPC harboring alterations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or both and alive after 8/15/2020 (i.e., 3 months following the approval of the first PARPi, rucaparib, in mCRPC) with available treatment information. The data cutoff date was 5/31/2024. Pts were categorized into two cohorts based on the receipt of any PARPi or not. Baseline characteristics at the time of mCRPC diagnosis, including age, race-ethnicity, and insurance plan, were collected in both cohorts. Results: Of the overall cohort of 24,105 pts with metastatic prostate cancer, 443 pts had mCRPC with BRCA1/2 alterations and were eligible and included in this analysis. 227 (51.2%) received a PARPi, while 216 did not (48.8%). Among the 227 pts who received a PARPi, 166 received it as a single agent (73.1%), 40 received it in combination with an ARPI (17.6%), and 21 received it in combination with other agents (9.3%). The median age was 72 in both cohorts (IQR 65 – 79 in patients receiving a PARPi and 66 – 78 in patients who did not). Other baseline characteristics in both groups are shown (Table). Conclusions: Despite PARPi demonstrating survival improvement in pts with mCRPC with BRCA1/2 alterations, a significant proportion of pts do not receive them. Our findings highlight the need to improve education among clinicians of level 1 evidence and improve access to life-prolonging therapies in pts with mCRPC. Baseline characteristics of pts with mCRPC who received vs. did not receive a PARPi. Characteristic Subgroup Pts who received a PARPiN = 227 Pts who did not receive a PARPiN = 216 Race-ethnicity, n (%) Asian 9 (4) 1 (0.5) Black 22 (9.7) 30 (13.9) Hispanic-Latino 10 (4.4) 10 (4.6) White 149 (65.6) 124 (57.4) Other and unknown 37 (16.3) 51 (23.6) Insurance, n (%) Commercial health plan 192 (84.5) 182 (84.3) Medicare-other government programs 31 (13.7) 18 (8.3) Medicaid 1 (0.4) 3 (1.4) Others and unknown 3 (1.3) 13 (6)

A163 DIETARY PATTERNS OF BREASTFEEDING POST-PARTUM MOTHERS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS ON INFANT GROWTH

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation. Since IBD is often diagnosed in young adulthood, many people will have IBD at the time of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chronic inflammation can cause severe nutritional deficiencies; however, it is unclear whether nutrient deficiencies during postpartum affect patients with IBD. Aims To investigate the dietary patterns of breastfeeding mothers with IBD and correlate their dietary patterns with their infant growth within the first 6 months. Methods A total of 21 mothers with IBD (9 CD and 12 UC) were recruited from the Preconception and Pregnancy IBD clinic at Mount Sinai. Inclusion criteria include females between 18-45 years olds with a diagnosis of CD or UC, who are at least 24 weeks gestational age, and females with multi-fetal gestation, co-morbid intestinal disease, or autoimmune comorbidities were excluded. Mothers completed a 3-day food diary and clinical disease activity scores at 1-month (1M) and 3-months (3M) postpartum, and self-filled questionnaires related to infant growth over a 6-month follow-up. Food and dietary patterns were analyzed using a food analysis software called ESHA based on age, gender, weight and height. Infant growth was compared to the World Health Organization’s growth curve Z-scores. Results About half (52% at 1M and 48% at 3M) of mothers with IBD met the protein recommendation. Over half (62% at 1M and 3M) met their total fat recommendation. However, most did not meet the carbohydrate (33% at 1M and 19% at 3M) and fiber (24% at 1M and 10% at 3M) recommendations. All infants included in the analysis were breastfed at 1M and 3M postpartum. Breastfed infants born to mothers who met their total fat recommendation had higher length measurements compared to those who did not at 6 months. Conclusions Our study findings show that breastfeeding mothers with IBD may not meet their recommended carbohydrate and fiber dietary intake, and that infants breastfed by mothers who do not meet their macronutrient dietary intake and lengths in the lower percentile range. Future research will delineate the specific nutrient composition in mothers’ breastmilk. Funding Agencies American College of Gastroenterology, University of Toronto, CAN-TAP-TALENT