Determination of non-volatile compounds of different botanical origin Brazilian honeys

The levels of water, HMF, free proline, total acidity, diastase activity, fructose and glucose in 74 different floral type honeys from four Brazilian regions are reported. The majority of the samples showed adequate water and HMF contents indicating the use of good practices by beekeepers in Brazil. Large variation in the contents of proline (389–520 mg/kg) was found in the honeys from the four regions studied. These findings are presumably due to the more intensive labor of the bees on the collected nectar by adding gland secretions. The high amount of diastase (40–120°G) found in some honeys from the northeast region could be due to the visit of the bees to Manhiot sp. (cassava) flour factories to collect starch-rich food, consequently increasing the diastase activity in the honey. Xerotolerant yeasts may be responsible for higher total acidity and ratios below 1 for fructose/glucose found in some samples. The majority of the analysed honeys (82%) were within the limits of the European Codex Honey Standards and Brazilian legal regulations.     

Phenolic acids in Australian Melaleuca,Guioa, Lophostemon,Banksia and Helianthus honeys and their potential for floral authentication

Eight phenolic acids and two abscisic acid isomers in Australian honeys from five botanical species (Melaleuca, Guioa, Lophostemon, Banksia and Helianthus) have been analyzed in relation to their botanical origins. Total phenolic acids present in these honeys range from 2.13 mg/100 g sunflower (Helianthus annuus) honey to 12.11 mg/100 g tea tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) honey, with amounts of individual acids being various. Tea tree honey shows a phenolic profile of gallic, ellagic, chlorogenic and coumaric acids, which is similar to the phenolic profile of an Australian Eucalyptus honey (bloodwood or Eucalyptus intermedia honey). The main difference between tea tree and bloodwood honeys is the contribution of chlorogenic acid to their total phenolic profiles. In Australian crow ash (Guioa semiglauca) honey, a characteristic phenolic profile mainly consisting of gallic acid and abscisic acid could be used as the floral marker. In brush box (Lophostemon conferta) honey, the phenolic profile, comprising mainly gallic acid and ellagic acid, could be used to differentiate this honey not only from the other Australian non-Eucalyptus honeys but also from a Eucalyptus honey (yellow box or Eucalyptus melliodora honey). However, this Eucalyptus honey could not be differentiated from brush box honey based only on their flavonoid profiles. Similarly, the phenolic profile of heath (Banksia ericifolia) honey, comprising mainly gallic acid, an unknown phenolic acid (Ph1) and coumaric acid, could also be used to differentiate this honey from tea tree and bloodwood honeys, which have similar flavonoid profiles. Coumaric acid is a principal phenolic acid in Australian sunflower honey and it could thus be used together with gallic acid for the authentication. These results show that the HPLC analysis of phenolic acids and abscisic acids in Australian floral honeys could assist the differentiation and authentication of the honeys.     

Carbohydrate composition and electrical conductivity of different origin honeys from Lithuania

The main task of this study was to characterize Lithuanian honeys obtained from various sources by their carbohydrate composition and electrical conductivity and to determine if there is any dependence between these characteristics and pollen content. Twenty six samples of honey collected in Lithuania in 2006 during flowering season were analyzed by gas chromatography. Botanical source of honey samples was established by the melissopalynological method: 15 of analyzed samples were unifloral rape (winter and spring), 7 willow and 4 polyfloral honeys. Fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, isomaltose, turanose, trehalose, palatinose, cellobiose, raffinose and panose were identified and quantified in all samples. Glucose was predominant in 22 out of 26 samples. The mean values of fructose and glucose varied from 329.2 to 400.0 and from 346.0 to 426.3 mg/g honey, respectively. The amount of sucrose was 0.7-2.5 mg/g. Some correlations between sugar concentration and the content of pollen were established. The ratios of fructose/glucose, maltose/isomaltose, maltose/turanose, sucrose/turanose, which may be used as indicators for honey authenticity, were calculated. In addition, electrical conductivity was measured and it was found that it varied from 0.27 to 0.89 mS/cm. Unifloral rape honeys had the lowest electrical conductivity. Data obtained was thoroughly compared with previously published results and it was found that the characteristics of Lithuanian honeys in most cases meet international requirements for natural honey. However, the information on honey sugar composition and electrical conductivity was not sufficient for the reliable determination of the botanical origin of honey.     

Difructose anhydrides as quality markers of honey and coffee

Difructose anhydrides (DFAs) are pseudodisaccharides produced by condensation of two fructose molecules by means of caramelization reaction which takes place during heating of sugars or sugar-rich foodstuffs. The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of DFAs as chemical markers of honey authenticity and sugar-roasted torrefacto coffee. DFAs were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry after conversion to their trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives. α-d-fructofuranoside-1,2′:2,1′-α-d-fructofuranoside (DFA7) and α-d-fructofuranoside-1,2′:2,1′-β-d-fructopyranoside (DFA9) can be used as quality markers of honey and coffee. DFA7 and DFA9 were detected in honey added with 5% fructose and sucrose caramels and 15% of glucose caramels. Torrefacto coffees showed DFAs values ranged from 0.195 to 0.570 g/100 g whereas only traces were found in natural roasted coffees. Quantities from 0.073 to 0.189 g/100 g were measured in blends of natural and torrefacto roasted coffees. A relationship between DFAs content in torrefacto coffees and roasting conditions was observed. In conclusion, this study indicated that DFAs are useful chemical indicators to control honey authenticity and torrefacto coffee roasting.     

PREDICTION OF HONEY SHELF LIFE

Fourteen commercial honey samples of different botanical origin (acacia, chestnut, citrus, eucalyptus, multifloral) were stored for up to 18 months at room temperature. Both 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and diastase were evaluated and kinetics carried out. The highest HMF increase was in citrus and eucalyptus honeys at 3 mg/kg/month; the lowest in chestnut at 0.256 mg/kg/month. The highest diastase deactivation was in eucalyptus honey at 0.485 DU/kg/month; the lowest was in chestnut at 0.258 DU/kg/month. Honey shelf life was estimated for both indices, HMF and diastase, using a Bayesian approach. The results show that commercial honey shelf life depends on botanical origin as well as processing. Except chestnut, all other honeys showed shorter shelf lives than the declared one (usually 36 months). The shortest values, 15 months, were for citrus and eucalyptus honeys. The longest, 20 months, was for acacia and multifloral honeys.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Both kinetic equations and results of simulations can be used to estimate, for quality control purposes as well as regulation requirements, the most probable value of shelf life for a specific honey.     

Kinetics of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural formation in chinese acacia honey during heat treatment

In this paper, the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contents of the acacia honeys after heat treatment were determined by HPLC; the kinetics of HMF formation was also investigated. The HMF content of acacia honey was 0.38±0.01mg/kg, but rapidly increased to the maximum of 18,320.07±14.29 mg/kg at 190°C and decreased to 1,180.24±6.54 mg/kg at 230°C after heating. The HMF content increased gradually in honey samples heated in 12 h at the temperature of 80, 100, and 120°C. The apparent frequency constant was k _f =3.91×10²⁵/h, and the apparent activation energy was E _a=173.10 kJ/mol. The HMF content in the acacia honey was related to honey composition, heating temperature, and time, and the HMF formation could also be related to the initial honey pH.     

Determination of important biochemical properties of honey to discriminate pure and adulterated honey with sucrose (Saccharum officinarum L.) syrup

The aims of the present study were to determine biochemical properties of honey samples and to discriminate pure and adulterated honey produced by the standard bee feeding method (control honey), the shaking method (pure blossom honey), and overfeeding (100 kg/colony syrup) with sucrose syrup (adulterated honey). The biochemical properties evaluated were moisture, ash, acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), specific sugars (i.e. fructose, glucose, fructose–glucose, sucrose, and maltose), diastase activity, δ¹³C value (honey), δ¹³C value (protein), electrical conductivity, potassium, vitamin C, and proline. Fifteen honey samples were analyzed by discriminant analysis stepwise method. Proline, electrical conductivity and sucrose were found as discriminative characters of samples. Based on these three properties 100% of original group cases (samples) correctly classified in their real group. We found that the honey produced by feeding with 100 kg sucrose syrup per colony contained the sucrose as low as pure blossom honey. Therefore, the sugar (sucrose, fructose and glucose) content of honey cannot be used to distinguish between adulterated (sucrose syrup) and pure blossom honey.     

Polyphenolic and antioxidant content of white and blue corn (Zea mays L.) products

The polyphenolic and antioxidant content of white, Mexican blue, and American blue corns processed into nixtamal (cooked kernels), tortillas, and chips was investigated. A post-nixtamalization acidification treatment was assessed as a means to reduce polyphenolic and antioxidant losses. Similar anthocyanin composition (cyanidin 3-monoglycosides) and concentration (314 mg/kg) was observed for both blue corn genotypes as was their non-anthocyanin polyphenolic composition ((+)-catechin, free and esterified ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid derivatives). Six derivatives of ferulic acid (88.8–816 mg/kg) along with the free form (2480 mg/kg), p-coumaric acid (6.6 mg/kg), two protocatechuic acid derivatives (4.2 and 14.2 mg/kg), and gallic acid (3.9 mg/kg) were identified in the white genotype. Both blue genotypes contained higher antioxidant capacity (>8.3 μmol Trolox equivalents/g) yet lower polyphenolic levels (3.6–4.4 g/kg) than the white genotype. Comparable anthocyanin losses were observed when the blue genotypes were processed into nixtamals (37%), tortillas (54%), and chips (78%) that correlated to polyphenolic (r = 0.91) and antioxidant capacity (r = 0.94) losses. Acidification was mainly effective in reducing anthocyanin (9–17%), polyphenolic (10%), and antioxidant capacity (6–14%) losses for the blue genotypes. This study compared polyphenolic and antioxidant content among corn genotypes and confirmed that acidification post-nixtamalization could reduce polyphenolic and antioxidant losses.     

Effect of inverted saccharose on some properties of honey

In this study, three groups of honey [natural honey; honey produced by the supplementary feeding of bees with saccharose syrup (SSH) and heat and acid (88 °C, 2 h; 0.1% HCl) treated saccharose syrup honey (ISSH)] were produced and physicochemical (water content, pH, free acidity, ash, HMF, diastase activity, sucrose, protein and viscosity), microbiological and sensory properties of these honeys were determined. Also, mineral contents of the honeys were measured. Moisture and ash contents of SSH were higher, acidity level was lower than those of other honeys. The mineral content of natural honey was higher than that of the others, except for Pb and Zn. Diastase activity of ISSH was below the standard limit and HMF content of this honey was high, but not exceeding the limit. Supplementary feeding of honey bees with inverted (acid and heat treatment) saccharose yielded a honey which had a higher HMF content and a lower diastase activity, moisture content and free acidity than natural honey or SSH.     

Carbohydrate composition of honey from different floral sources and their influence on growth of selected intestinal bacteria: An in vitro comparison

Five human intestinal Bifidobacterium spp. (B. longum, B. adolescentis, B. breve, B. bifidum, and B. infantis) and intestinal microorganism (Bacteriodes thetaiotaomicron, Clostridium perfringens, Eubacterium aerofaciens, and Enterococcus faecalis) were cultured in De Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) medium or thioglycollate medium supplemented (5% w/v) with different unifloral honeys (sourwood, alfalfa, or sage). Inoculated samples were incubated anaerobically at 37 °C for 48 h. Samples were collected at 12 h intervals and examined for specific growth rate. Levels of fermentation end products (lactic and acetic acids) produced by Bifidobacterium spp. were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Growth of intestinal microorganisms co-cultured with Bifidobacterium spp. in the presence of different unifloral honeys were also examined. All three honeys enhanced (p < 0.05) growth and activity of the five intestinal Bifidobacterium spp. Their effect on other organisms of the intestinal microflora was selective. Growth of C. perfringens and E. aerofaciens was inhibited (p < 0.05) in the presence of honey and further inhibited when co-cultured with Bifidobacterium spp. Bifidobacterium spp. was not affected.     

Analysis of nutrient and antinutrient content of underutilized green leafy vegetables

Analysis of chemical composition of 13 locally available underutilized green leafy vegetables (GLV) was the objective of this study. Moisture, ash and ether extract of the greens were in the range of 73–95 g/100 g, 0.77–3.54 g/100 g and 0.2–0.9 g/100 g, respectively. Four GLV had high iron content (13.15–17.72 mg/100 g) while the rest had lower levels (2.62–9.86 mg/100 g). Calcium content varied largely between the greens ranging from 41 mg/100 g in Polygala erioptera to 506 mg/100 g in Digera arvensis, whereas phosphorous ranged from 16 to 63 mg/100 g. Ascorbic acid was higher in Delonix elata (295 mg/100 g) and Polygala erioptera (85 mg/100 g) and lower in others (3–46 mg/100 g). Thiamine was found to be less than 0.1 mg/100 g in six greens and 0.1–0.33 mg/100 g in others. Total carotene content ranged between 10 and 35 mg/100 g in all with exceptionally high amount in Cocculus hirsutus (67 mg/100 g) and Delonix elata (60 mg/100 g). $\beta$-carotene was 13–25% of total carotene in all greens. Oxalate content was below 100 mg/100 g in five greens and less than 1400 mg/100 g in the remaining GLV. Tannin content ranged between 61 and 205 mg/100 g in all GLV with the exception of Coleus aromaticus (15 mg/100 g) and Delonix elata (1330 mg/100 g).     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure and high-temperature short-time on mango nectars: Changes in microorganisms,acid invertase, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural,sugars, viscosity,and cloud

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 600 MPa/1 min) and high-temperature short-time (HTST, 110 °C/8.6 s) treatments of mango nectars were comparatively evaluated by examining their effects on natural microorganisms, acid invertase, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugars, pH, titratable acid (TA), viscosity, and cloud, immediately after treatments and during 16-week storage at 4 and 25 °C. At both stages of the experiment, the counts of yeast and mold in treated mango nectars were less than 1.00 log₁₀CFU/mL, while total aerobic bacteria were less than 1.70 log₁₀CFU/mL. Both HHP and HTST treatments caused a significant decrease in fructose, glucose and total sugar, as well as a significant increase in HMF and cloud of mango nectars, while changes in sucrose, pH, and TA were insignificant. During the 16-week storage, however, fructose, glucose, TA and HMF increased, while sucrose, total sugar, pH and cloud decreased significantly. The kinetic data of changes in sucrose, fructose and glucose fitted well into a combined model. The activity of acid invertase was reduced by 91.4% in HTST-treated mango nectars and, increased by 8.57% after HHP treatment. In both cases, these levels remained stable during storage. There was no significant change in the viscosity of mango nectars after HHP treatment, while a significant increase after HTST treatment. Both HHP- and HTST-treated mango nectars showed a gradual decrease in the viscosity during storage.Industrial relevanceMango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the important tropical fruits, and its processed products are of high commercial and economic importance. This work presents a comparison on HHP- and HTST-treated mango nectars after processing and during storage, on natural microorganisms, acid invertase, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, sugars, pH, titratable acid, viscosity, and cloud. The available data would provide technical support for the evaluation and application of HHP or HTST in the mango nectar industry, and also for the establishment of criteria for commercial production of high quality mango nectars with safety requirements.     

Evolution of potential and free furfural compounds in milk-based infant formula during storage

HPLC-DAD was used to monitor the evolution of potential and free furfural compounds (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, HMF; 2-furaldehyde, F; 2-furyl methyl ketone, FMC; and 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde, MF) over the shelf life of two types of infant powder formula: one supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in the form of microencapsulated fish oil (MFO), the other not supplemented with LC-PUFA. Following production, the formulae were stored at 25 and 37 °C. The initial furfural content in the supplemented formula was as follows: potential HMF (485.88 μg/100 g), potential F (167.13 μg/100 g), and free HMF (58.23 μg/100 g), while free F was not detected. In the unsupplemented formula, the following values were recorded: potential HMF (515.85 μg/100 g), potential F (170.29 μg/100 g), free HMF (84.92 μg/100 g), and free F (1.19 μg/100 g). In general, increased furfural content was observed during storage, an increase more pronounced in formula stored at 37 °C. Hardly any differences in furfural evolution during storage were observed between supplemented and unsupplemented infant formulae. The results suggest that the uses of MFO material for supplement formula not affected furfural formation. Neither FMC nor MF was formed in the formulae studied.     

Determination of trace and minor elements in Slovenian honey by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Trace and minor elements in Slovenian honey were analysed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Upto 16 elements (K, Cl, S, P, Ca, Mn, Rb, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cr, Br, Ti, Pb, Sr and As) were detected, in a range of average content from 1.24 mg kg⁻¹ for Sr to 2590 mg kg⁻¹ for K. Statistically significant differences were established between different types of honey (acacia, floral, lime, chestnut, spruce, fir, forest and Metcalfa pruinosa honeydew honey). The highest content of elements was determined in forest honey and the lowest in acacia honey. Honeys were also separated according to their botanical origin as nectar honey or honeydew honey. Total elemental content and the content of S, Cl, K and Rb in honeydew honey was statistically significantly higher than in nectar honey. Chestnut honey differed in statistically its significantly higher contents of Rb and Ca from nectar and honeydew honeys. The year of honey production proved to have no statistically significant influence on elemental content. A comparison of our data with the literature data showed a relatively large diversity.     

Classification of Honey from Its Bee Origin via Chemical Profiles and Mineral Content

Raw honeys from four different bee species, namely the honey bees and stingless bees, were classified based on its chemical profiles, mineral contents and heavy metals. Chemical profiles including proximate composition, predominant sugars, hydroxymethylfurfural content, and diastase activity were determined following official methods while mineral and heavy metals contents were obtained from atomic adsorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements, respectively. Both hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis show high possibility of distinguishing honey by its bee species of honey bees (Apis spp.) and stingless bees (Heterotrigona itama) based on distinctive differences in chemical compositions and mineral contents. Potassium and sodium were the major elements in raw honey samples at average of 904.9 and 617.6 mg/kg, respectively. Honey from stingless bee contained more protein, 0.85 g/100 g and less total sugar of fructose and glucose at 24.99 g/100 g. The information of bee speciation origin of honey bees and stingless bees enhances the identity of honey on the product labelling.     

The phenolic compounds and the antioxidant potential of infusion of herbs from the Brazilian Amazonian region

The consumption of tea increased significantly in the past few years as a result of its health benefits as potent antioxidants in the diet. However, studies on the antioxidant compounds from Brazilian tea are scarce. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoids (TF) contents and the antioxidant capacity (DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid system) of nine herb infusions from the Amazonian region, namely agirú (Chrysobalanus icaco), açoita-cavalo (Luehea speciosa), capim-santo (Cymbopogon citratus), erva-cidreira (Lippia alba), graviola (Annona muricata L.), jucá (Libidibia ferrea), pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia ungulata), parirí (Fridericia chica) and sacaca comum (Croton spp.). These herbs were chosen based on popular knowledge and consumption. C. ferrea (68.13 mg GAE/g), L. speciosa (47.54 mg GAE/g) and C. icaco (51.30 mg GAE/g) presented the highest TPC contents, while L. speciosa (12.85 mg CE/g) and L. alba (15.42 mg CE/g) showed the highest TF contents. The highest antioxidant capacity, using both assays, was shown by L. ferrea. The three herbs with the highest TPC contents were selected to be analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a diode array detector (DAD). A commercial green tea (Camellia sinensis) was also analyzed as a reference. The main compounds tentatively identified were gallic acid (0.45 mg/g), myricetin (0.78 mg/g) and quercetin (0.14 mg/g) in C. icaco; (+)-catechin (1.20 mg/g) and quercetin (0.14 mg/g) in L. speciosa; gallic acid (0.59 mg/g) and quercetin (0.13 mg/g) in C. ferrea; and gallic acid (0.24 mg/g), (−)-epicatechin (2.44 mg/g), (+)-catechin (0.68 mg/g) and quercetin (0.66 mg/g) in green tea. Among the nine studied herbs, the importance of L. ferrea should be pointed out since it presented the highest TPC content and antioxidant capacity and its gallic acid content was much higher than that of green tea.     

Polar lipids,sphingomyelin and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids from the milk fat globule membrane are increased in milks produced by cows fed fresh pasture based diet during spring

Milk lipids are an interesting source of bioactive molecules with functional and nutritional properties. Although the composition of milk lipids is of utmost importance for food processing and human consumption, it is far from being fully known. The objective of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the chemical composition of lipids from bovine milks produced in French Brittany during spring (fresh pasture based diet) and winter (corn silage based diet). The polar lipid content and relative proportions of the glycerophospholipids and sphingomyelin were determined using HPLC/ELSD. The fatty acid composition of total lipids and polar lipids was determined using GC. The milks collected in spring contained i) a lower amount of total lipids: 39.7 ± 0.8 g/kg vs 41.7 ± 0.5 g/kg in winter, ii) a higher amount of polar lipids: 138 ± 11 vs 112 ± 8 mg/kg milk; 3.5 ± 0.3 vs 2.7 ± 0.4 mg/g fat, which was related to a smaller size of fat globules, and iii) a higher amount of sphingomyelin, 32 mg/kg milk vs 25 mg/kg milk in winter. Interestingly, the polar lipids from the milk fat globule membrane contained a higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in spring (C18:1 n − 9, C18:2 n − 6, C18:3 n − 3 and long-chain n − 3 fatty acids). Milk from cows fed a fresh pasture-based diet during spring is an interesting source of dietary long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for human consumption.     

Chemical composition and potential of some underutilized tropical biomass. I: fluted pumpkin (telfairia occidentalis)

The seeds of Telfairia occidentalis have been subjected to standard chemical analysis to evaluate their properties. Proximate analysis indicated a low moisture content (6.30 ± 0.50%). The ash content was slightly higher than the range recommended for compounding of animal feed (3.44 ± 0.06%). The carbohydrate content was low (16.5 ± 0.12%). Starch, however, constituted the dominant carbohydrate (62.5 ± 0.48), while three sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose were detected in the seed. The crude protein in the seed was high (16.0 ± 0.03%), a value which compared favourably with high protein seeds and nuts. In all, 16 amino acids were detected in the protein. Glutamic acid showed the highest concentration (16.4 g 100 g⁻¹), while lysine showed the lowest (2.6 g 100 g⁻¹). The brown oil extracted from the seed (yield 48.6 ± 0.94) had the following physicochemical properties; acid value, 3.05 ± 0.80 g, saponification value 166 ± 1.34 mg/KOH g⁻¹, free fatty acids, 0.3 g and peroxide value 3.02 ± 0.07 mg Eq kg⁻¹. The iodine value (80.1 ± 0.10)g 100 g⁻¹ indicated a preponderance of unsaturated fatty acid. Four fatty acids were detected whilst unsaturated acids constituted 61.3 g. Triglyceride was the dominant lipid species while hydrocarbons, waxes, sterols and sterol esters and higher alcohols, were detected in the unsaponifable matter. Results of nutritionally valuable mineral elements indicated that potassium occurred at the highest concentration.     

Content of Vasoactive Amines in Sremski Kulen and Sremska Kobasica Traditional Dry Fermented Sausages From Vojvodina

The aim of this paper was to determine the content of vasoactive biogenic amines in Sremski kulen and Sremska kobasica and to estimate hygienic conditions and good manufacturing practice (GMP) according to proposed criteria. Formation of dansyl chloride derivatizated vasoactive amines were determined using HPLC–DAD. Tryptamine (47.6; 34.2 mg/kg), histamine (16.1; 6.42 mg/kg) and tyramine (95.1; 45.2 mg/kg) were detected in both investigated type of traditional dry fermented sausages while phenylethylamine was not detected. Total content of vasoactive amines did not exceed the sum (200 mg/kg) proposed as a possible indicator of hygienic conditions and GMP in sausage production.     

Detection of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in commercial honey using liquid chromatography–ion trap mass spectrometry

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are known secondary plant metabolites which can cause hepatotoxicity in both humans and livestock. PAs can be consumed through the use of plants for food, medicinal purposes and as contaminants of agricultural crops and food. PA contaminated grain has posed the largest health risk, although any PA contamination in our food chain should be recognised as a potential health threat. For this purpose, retail honeys were tested by LC–MS/MS. The method allows for specific identification of toxic retronecine and otonecine-type PAs by comparison to reference compounds via a spectral library. In total, 50 honey samples were matched to the reference spectra within a set of tolerance parameters. Accurate data analysis and quick detection of positive samples was possible. Positive samples contained an average PA concentration of 1260 μg kg^?1 of honey. Good linear calibrations were obtained (R² > 0.991). LOD and LOQ ranged from 0.0134 to 0.0305 and 0.0446 to 0.1018 μg mL^?1, respectively.