Evaluation of the QuEChERS Method with GC-MS Detection for the Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Food of Animal Origin

This paper reports the evaluation of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method for the determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in food of animal origin with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry detection. There is a very little information about sample preparation method for the determination of pesticide residues in food of animal origin in the literature. Moreover, any example of application of the QuEChERS method for the determination of pesticide residues in food of animal origin has not been reported as yet. The results showed that the best recovery ratios from 75 to 112 % were obtained for the method with primary secondary amine, C₁₈ sorbents and evaporation to dryness and dissolving the residues in hexane with relative standard deviation lower than 10 % for most compounds. The limit of quantification ranged from 0.0015 to 0.0071 mg kg^?1. This method was also used for the determination of pesticide residues in 15 samples of pork ham. In 12 samples, low concentrations of DDT or its metabolites and isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane were detected. Heptachlor epoxide and α-chlordane were determined in one sample and HCB in two samples. There were no exceedances of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the determined pesticides in any of the analysed samples.     

The application of d-SPE in the QuEChERS method for the determination of PAHs in food of animal origin with GC–MS detection

This paper reports the evaluation of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food of animal origin with GC–MS detection. Although in the available literature, there is a lot of information about sample preparation method for PAHs determination in food samples, but the QuEChERS method application for PAHs determination in food of animal origin has not been reported as yet. The results showed that the best recovery ratios 72.4–110.8 % with relative standard deviation lower than 10 % for all determined compounds were received for the method with ethyl acetate as an extraction solvent, primary–secondary amine and C₁₈ sorbents and evaporation to dryness and dissolving the residues in the hexane. The limit of quantification ranged from 0.0003 to 0.0030 mg kg^?1 for pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene, respectively. This method was also used for the determination of PAHs in 15 samples of pork ham. In 8 of 15 samples selected, PAHs were identified. It was observed that in 6 cooked ham and one smoked and cooked samples, any PAHs were found. In other samples, which were smoked and roasted, some low concentration of PAHs was detected. In one sample benzo[a]pyrene (0.0015 mg kg^?1), in one sample benzo[b]fluoranthene (0.0015 mg kg^?1) and in one sample chrysene (0.0024 mg kg^?1) were detected. A number of other less harmful PAHs were also determined. There were no exceedances of maximum levels (according to Commission Regulation (EU) No 835/2011) for determined PAHs in any of the analysed samples.     

The vertical transmission of antibiotic residues from parent hens to broilers

ABSTRACT

Imprudent and superfluous use of antibiotics contributes to the selection of resistant bacteria, which is a large threat to human health. Therefore analytical procedures have been implemented in the poultry production sector to check if antibiotic treatments are registered, aiming to achieve more prudent use of antibiotics. These methods rely on the analysis of feathers, a matrix in which antibiotic residues persist. However, other routes besides direct administration, through which poultry feathers could contain antibiotic residues, should also be taken into account. In this research the vertical transmission from parent hen to broiler was investigated through a controlled animal study for the antibiotics enrofloxacin, doxycycline and sulfachlorpyridazine. Vertical transmission was observed for all antibiotics to both egg and egg shell. Also it is demonstrated that the transferred antibiotics from parent hen to chick are subsequently excreted via the chick’s droppings. Through this route, the broilers’ environment is contaminated. If eggs are hatched that were taken during treatment of the parent hen, this indirect route and/or the direct vertical transmission can eventually result in the detection of low concentrations of antibiotic residues in the broilers’ feathers at greater age: <50 µg kg^?1 for freely extractable residues and <10 µg kg^?1 for non-freely extractable residues. No antibiotics were detected in the broilers’ muscle or kidney from 4 weeks of age. This research provides relevant information regarding the possible amount of residues originating from vertical transmission when monitoring matrices such as feathers and broiler droppings in order to stimulate correct use and registration of antibiotics in the poultry sector.     

Probabilistic risk model to assess the potential for resistance selection following the use of anti-microbial medicated feed in pigs

The cross-contamination of non-medicated feed with residues of anti-microbials (AM) causes a public and animal health concern associated with the potential for selection and dissemination of resistance. To analyse the associated risks, a probabilistic model was built using @Risk® (Palisade Corporation®) to show the potential extent of the effect of cross-contaminated pig feed on resistance selection. The results of the model include estimations of the proportion of pigs per production stage with residues of doxycycline, chlortetracycline, sulfadiazine and trimethoprim in their intestinal contents, as a result of exposure to cross-contaminated feed with different carry-over levels, in Belgium. By using a semi-quantitative approach, these estimations were combined with experimental data on AM concentrations associated with potential for resistance-selection pressure. Based on this model, it is estimated that 7.76% (min = 1.67; max = 36.94) of sows, 4.23% (min = 1.01%; max = 18.78%) of piglets and 2.8% (min = 0.51%; max = 14.9%) of fatteners in Belgium have residues of doxycycline in their intestinal tract due to consumption of feed with at least 1% carry-over. These values were estimated to be almost triple for sulfadiazine, but substantially lower for chlortetracycline and trimethoprim. Doxycycline concentrations as low as 1 mg/L (corresponding to consumed feed with at least 1% carry-over) can select for resistant porcine commensal Escherichia coli in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions on this risk could not be drawn for other AM at this stage, due to the lack of data on concentrations associated with resistance development. However, since the possibility of resistance mechanisms (e.g. co-selection) occurring cannot be excluded, the results of this model highlight that the use of AM medicated feed should be minimised where possible. In case of medicated feed production, good practice should be followed thoroughly at all levels of production, distribution, storage and administration, with a special focus on the feed distributed to piglets and sows.     

Ochratoxin A in traditional dry-cured meat products produced from sub-chronic-exposed pigs

The presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) was determined in traditional dry-cured meat products made from sub-chronically OTA-exposed pigs. The experimental group of pigs (n = 5) was treated with 300 µg OTA kg^–1 of feed during 30 days, whereas the control group (n = 5) remained untreated. After the household production of six types of dry-cured meat products based on traditional recipes, OTA residues were determined in final products produced from each treated and untreated animal using an immunoenzymatic technique (ELISA) and HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD). The analytical methods showed acceptable analytical performance results and high correlation coefficients. Mean OTA concentrations ranged from 4.51 ± 0.11 µg kg^–1 in smoked ham to 6.87 ± 2.01 µg kg^–1 in home-made Slavonian sausage. The study demonstrated that pig exposure to OTA leads to the accumulation of OTA residues in muscle and adipose tissue used for the production, and consequently results in contamination of the final meat products.     

LC-MS/MS-based determination of chloramphenicol,thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in poultry meat from the Punjab-Pakistan

A simple, reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based confirmatory method was redeveloped and validated for the simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in chicken muscles. The analytes were extracted from minced chicken muscle with acetonitrile and ammoniated water mixture. A second extraction with ethyl acetate was followed by evaporation and dissolution of the residue in ammoniated methanol before defatting with n-hexane. Finally, the extract was further cleaned up by dispersive solid phase extraction using C-18 end-capped dispersive material. The validation protocol was adapted from the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and all the performance characteristics were successfully satisfied. The recoveries of all the analytes were found to be in the range of 86.4–108.1% and the precision values, within day and between days, ranged from 2.7% to 11% and 4.4% to 16.3%, respectively. The method was tested in various incurred samples and applied to analyse a wide range of random poultry market samples (n = 120) collected from three cities of the Punjab, Pakistan. Chloramphenicol and florfenicol residues were detected at low levels in less than 11% of the samples. Chloramphenicol was detected only in 4 samples with the concentration range of 0.17–0.477 µg kg^–1, whereas the levels of florfenicol/florfenicol amine residues detected in 9 samples ranged from 8.7 to 32.8 µg kg^–1. Moreover, most of the florfenicol residues were identified as tissue bound, extractable only after strong acid hydrolysis.     

Sex steroid levels in urine of cattle of different ages: evaluation of abuse control procedures

Levels of several natural urinary steroids have been determined in the urine of a large number of animals of different cattle categories in the context of steroid abuse in beef production. Bovine animals of different breeds, sex and age included in the Slovene national residue detection plan for steroid abuse were studied. Urine from 120 males and 174 females was analysed. Urinary boldenone, boldione, androstenedione, equiline, medroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, melengestrol acetate, progesterone, stanozolol, trenbolone, trenbolone acetate, 17α-ethinylestradiol, 17α-methyltestosterone, epitestosterone, 17β-estradiol, testosterone, and nandrolone were determined by LC-MS/MS. Epitestosterone was found in all bulls; while the proportion of animals containing testosterone and androstenedione increased with age. Testosterone was not detected in bulls less than 5 months of age. Epitestosterone levels, however, were not age dependent. The ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone thus increased with age, from 0.13 ± 0.09 at 1–7 months to 0.42 ± 0.10 at 25–38 months. It was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in bulls above 13 months than in younger animals. In contrast to males, no urinary testosterone was found in females, whereas epitestosterone, androstenedione, progesterone and estradiol were present. The proportion of animals of various age groups in which epitestosterone was detected ranged from 68% to 100%, but the differences were not significant. The presence of both estradiol and progesterone in the same sample was not observed in any animal. The results of this study could be helpful in determining physiological urinary steroid levels in order to provide a baseline for the control of steroid abuse in beef production.     

Determination of ractopamine residue in tissues and urine from pig fed meat and bone meal

In many countries, ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) is allowed to be used in animal production as a β-agonist, which is an energy repartitioning agent able to offer economic benefits such as increased muscle and decreased fat deposition, feed conversion improvement and an increase in average daily weight gain. However, some countries have banned its use and established strict traceability programmes because of pharmacological implications of β-agonist residues in meat products. In Brazil, commercial RAC is controlled (5–20 mg kg^?1) and only added to pig diet during the last 28 days before slaughter. However, the control is more difficult when co-products, like meat and bone meal (MBM), which can be produced from RAC treated animals, are part of the feed composition. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of RAC residue concentrations in urine and tissues of gilts (n = 40) in four dietary groups: 0%, 7%, 14% and 21% (w/w) of MBM-containing RAC (53.5 µg kg^?1). The concentration of RAC residues in MBM, pig tissues and urine was determined by LC–MS. Low RAC concentrations were detected in muscle, kidney, liver and lungs (limit of detection = 0.15, 0.5, 0.5 and 1.0 µg kg^?1, respectively); however, no RAC residues were quantified above the limit of quantification (0.5, 2.5, 2.5 and 2.5 µg kg^?1, respectively). In urine, the RAC concentration remained below 1.35 µg L^?1. These data suggest that MBM (containing 53.5 µg kg^?1 RAC) added to diet up to 21% (w/w) could hamper the trade where RAC is restricted or has zero-tolerance policy.     

Rapid multiresidue determination of pesticides in livestock muscle and liver tissue via modified QuEChERS sample preparation and LC-MS/MS

ABSTRACT

Many multiresidue methods for the determination of pesticides in vegetables and fruits have been reported to date. However, few such methods have been employed to investigate pesticide residues in animal tissue. In this study, an LC-MS/MS multiresidue method coupled with modified QuEChERS extraction was developed and validated for the investigation of eight pesticide residues: prallethrin (PR), resmethrin (RMT), imidacloprid (IMC), diflubenzuron (DFB), cyromazine (CYR), etofenprox (EFP), dinotefuran (DNT) and phthalthrin (PTLT). This method involves initial extraction in a water/acetone system, the addition of salts and a subsequent extraction/partitioning step and, finally, a clean-up step utilising dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE). The mean recoveries of seven of the pesticides (the exception being CYR) ranged between 74.7% and 113.5%, and the CVs of the livestock tissue – bovine, swine, and chicken muscle and liver tissue spiked at 10 ng g^–1 (50 ng g^–1 for RMT and DNT) and 100 ng g^–1 – were < 13.8%. The recoveries of CYR in all muscle and liver spiked samples ranged from 56.9% to 78.3%, while those of RMT in swine liver were > 120%. Therefore, this method was considered as being unsuitable for the investigation of these samples. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) of seven of the investigated pesticides (the exception being swine liver) in the tissue samples ranged from 0.9 to 15.2 ng g^–1. We therefore concluded that this LC-MS/MS multiresidue method is a valid and suitable for the investigation of seven pesticides in animal tissue, but it is unsuitable for the analysis of CYR in all animal tissues and RMT in swine liver tissue.     

Cadmium and lead in animal tissue (muscle,liver and kidney), cow milk and dairy products in Korea

A survey of Cd and Pb in animal tissue, milk and dairy products was conducted. Muscle, liver and kidney of domestically produced cows, pigs, chickens and ducks were collected from eight regions in Korea. Raw cow milk was collected from 9 regions, and imported dairy products (butter, cheese, cream and powdered milk) were collected from 15 countries. Cd and Pb were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. Concentrations of Cd and Pb did not exceed the Korean legal maximum levels in any of the samples. Correlation coefficients were estimated between concentration of Cd or Pb and animal age and between muscle, liver and kidney. In cows, there were good correlations between age and Cd in kidney (r = 0.748) and between Cd in liver and in kidney (r = 0.878). Continuous monitoring will be an important role to safeguard consumers in the event of a food contamination incident.     

A simple method for the determination of fluoroquinolone residues in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) employing LC-MS/MS QToF

The use of antimicrobials in livestock production is a powerful resource applied throughout the world to guarantee high yield and control bacterial diseases in aquaculture. However, residues of these substances in animal products represent a potential risk to consumer health when residue levels are above the established maximum residue limits (MRLs). Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are antimicrobials commonly used worldwide in aquaculture. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a simple analytical method for the simultaneous determination of norfloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin levels in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fillets using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quadrupole time of flight (QToF). The FQs were extracted from the fillets with 1% acetic acid–methanol and 1% acetic acid–acetonitrile solutions using ultrasonic assistance. The clean-up was performed with hexane. Chromatographic separation was conducted in an XTerra RP18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 5 µm) at 25 °C with a flow of 0.2 mL min^?1. The mobile phase consisted of 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile, with gradient elution. The validation parameters for all FQs were linearity (>0.99), intra-day precision (CV of 1%–9%), inter-day precision (CV of 3%–17%), decision limit (63–126 ng g^?1), detection capability (76 –152 ng g^?1) and accuracy (90%–111%). The limit of quantification was lower than the MRL for each FQ, indicating that the method is suitable for the determination of the FQ levels in the fish fillets. The mass analyser of the QToF type was able to confirm the identities of the FQs with an error of the accuracy of the mass (reasons m/z) of less than 10 ppm.     

Influence of grass pellet production on pyrrolizidine alkaloids occurring in Senecio aquaticus-infested grassland

1,2-Dehydro-pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and their N-oxides (PANO) exhibit acute and chronic toxic effects on the liver and other organs and therefore are a hazard for animal and human health. In certain regions of Germany, an increasing spread of Senecio spp. (ragwort) on grassland and farmland areas has been observed during the last years leading to a PA/PANO-contamination of feed and food of animal and plant origin.

This project was carried out to elucidate whether the process of grass pellet production applying hot air drying influences the content of PA and PANO. Samples of hay (n = 22) and grass pellets (n = 28) originated from naturally infested grassland (around 10% and 30% dominance of Senecio aquaticus) and from a trial plot with around 50% dominance. Grass pellets were prepared from grass originating from exactly the same plots as the hay samples. The samples were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for PA/PANO typically produced by this weed.

The results of the study revealed that PA/PANO levels (predominantly sum of senecionine, seneciphylline, erucifoline and their N-oxides) in hay ranged between 2.1 and 12.6 mg kg^?1 dry matter in samples with 10% and 30% dominance of S. aquaticus, respectively. Samples from the trial plot (50% dominance) had levels of up to 52.9 mg kg^?1. Notably, the hot air drying process during the production of grass pellets did not lead to a reduction of PA/PANO levels. Instead, the levels in grass pellets with 10% and 30% S. aquaticus ranged from 3.1 to 55.1 mg kg^?1. Grass pellets from the trial plot contained up to 96.8 mg kg^?1. In conclusion, hot air drying and grass pellet production did not affect PA/PANO contents in plant material and therefore, heat-dried products cannot be regarded as safe in view of the toxic potential of 1,2-dehydro-pyrrolizidine alkaloids.     

Direct comparison of β-glucan content in wild and cultivated barley

β-Glucan is an important chemical found in cereals, tremendously beneficial to human health. In this study, β-glucan contents in wild and cultivated barley from representative regions worldwide were investigated. Results exhibited that coe?cient of variation of β-glucan content of wild and cultivated barley was 24.18% and 13.99%, respectively. The β-glucan contents of studied wild barley accessions were ranged from 3.26% to 7.67% while cultivated barley varieties were ranged from 2.68% to 4.74%. A significant difference of β-glucan content (p ≤ 0.001) was found between wild and cultivated barely. Wild barley showed a higher β-glucan content and variation than cultivated barley. This study gives an idea about elite germplasms for genetic improvement and shed light to trace barley domestication in relation to grain metabolite view.     

Determination of Chlorantraniliprole Residues in Grape by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

An effective analytical method for the residue analysis of a novel insecticide chlorantraniliprole and its dissipation in grape were studied. Chlorantraniliprole residues were extracted from grape samples with ethyl acetate. The extract was cleaned up with QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD). At fortification levels of 0.06, 0.5, and 1.0 mg kg^?1 in grape, it was shown that recoveries ranged from 95.11 to 102 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6 to 11 %. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 0.02 and 0.06 mg kg^?1, respectively. The dissipation half-life time of chlorantraniliprole residues in grape was 2.70 days. According to maximum residue limit (MRL), the preharvest interval (PHI) of chlorantraniliprole on grape was 4 days after the treatment. Based on the results of this study and the relevant residue regulation, chlorantraniliprole residue levels will be acceptable when applied to grape in Egypt.     

Residue behaviour of six pesticides in button crimini during home canning

The effect of home canning (including washing, boiling, cooling, adding solution and sterilisation) on residue levels of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, abamectin, pyriproxyfen and β-cypermethrin and chlorothalonilin on button crimini was assessed. Residues of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, abamectin and pyriproxyfen were measured by UPLC-MS/MS; the residues of β-cypermethrin and chlorothalonil were measured by GC. Results showed that washing resulted in a 3.8% reduction of the initial residue level of imidacloprid (p ≤ 0.05). From washing to sterilisation the processing effect was significant compared with raw crimini (p ≤ 0.05), but processing through cooling and adding solution had no effect. For diflubenzuron, from raw crimini to sterilisation the processing effect was significant by comparison with the initial level (p ≤ 0.05); the processing effect was not obvious between two sequential steps, and the sequential steps have list: washing and boiling, boiling and cooling, boiling and adding of solution, cooling and adding solution. The changes in abamectin levels were also significant from raw crimini to sterilisation compared with raw crimini (p ≤ 0.05), but the changes were not obvious from boiling to adding solution and amongst them. For pyriproxyfen, washing resulted in a 39% reduction, but changes were not obvious from washing to sterilisation, p ≤ 0.05 between two consecutive steps. The whole procedure could significantly decrease residues of β-cypermethrin (p ≤ 0.05); washing could significantly reduce residues of β-cypermethrin; the effects of last procedures were complicated, and p ≤ 0.05 between two consecutive steps. Washing resulted in an 80% reduction of chlorothalonil; after washing there were no detectable residues. After the whole process, the processing factors for imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, abamectin, pyriproxyfen, β-cypermethrin and chlorothalonil were 0.40, 0.22, 0.04, 0.85, 0.28 and 0, respectively.     

Co-occurrence of ochratoxin A and citrinin in unprocessed cereals established during a three-year investigation period

The aim of this study was to investigate ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) co-occurrence in different unprocessed cereals (n = 189) originating from Croatia during a three-year investigation period (2014–2016) using validated enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) methods. CIT and OTA were determined in 49% and 7% of samples, respectively. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) overall mean concentrations were determined for CIT (66.8 ± 76.0 µg/kg) in comparison to OTA (5.2 ± 1.1 µg/kg). Based on the analysis of all investigated cereals, CIT was found about 15 times more frequently than OTA and in similarly (15-fold) higher concentrations, irrespective of the cultivation year. The results revealed a moderately positive correlation between OTA and CIT concentrations in maize (r_s = 0.44) and wheat (r_s = 0.59), whereas in barley and oat this correlation (p > 0.01) was not significant.     

Co-occurrence and distribution of deoxynivalenol,nivalenol and zearalenone in wheat from Brazil

Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV) and zearalenone (ZEN) were investigated in wheat from the 2009 and 2010 crop years. Samples (n = 745) from commercial fields were collected in four wheat producing regions (WPR) which differed in weather conditions. Analyses were performed using HPLC-DAD. Contamination with ZEN, DON and NIV occurred in 56, 86 and 50%, respectively. Also, mean concentrations were different: DON = 1046 µg kg^?1, NIV < 100 µg kg^?1 and ZEN = 82 µg kg^?1. Co-occurrence of ZEN, DON and NIV was observed in 74% of the samples from 2009 and in 12% from 2010. Wet/cold region WPR I had the highest mycotoxin concentration. Wet/moderately hot region WPR II had the lowest mycotoxin levels. Furthermore, the mean concentration of each mycotoxin was higher in samples from 2009 as compared with those from 2010. Precipitation during flowering or harvest periods may explain these results.     

Microwave-assisted derivatisation and LC-MS/MS determination of nitrofuran metabolites in farm-raised prawns (Penaeus monodon)

A new microwave-assisted derivatisation and LC-MS/MS method has been developed for the analysis of nitrofuran metabolites – 3-amino-5-morpholino-methyl-1,3-oxa-zolidinone (AMOZ), 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), 1-aminohydantoin (AHD) and semicarbazide (SEM) – in farm-raised prawns (Penaeus monodon) from the coastal regions of South India. Analysis was carried out by reverse-phase column (Phenomenex Luna C₁₈) with gradient elution using mobile phase A (0.02% acetic acid in water) and mobile phase B (0.02% acetic acid in acetonitrile), at a flow rate of 200 μl min^–1 and an injection volume of 20 μl. Microwave-assisted derivatisation was achieved in 6 min with good recovery. The results showed that the samples collected from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka contained residues of nitrofuran metabolites in the range from 5.0 to 40 ng g^–1. This work emphasises the importance of ensuring the safety of seafood and that a new method of derivatisation is applicable for the analysis of nitrofuran metabolites in seafood.     

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

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

A Highly Sensitive Aptasensor for Sulfamethazine Detection Using an Enzyme-Linked Aptamer Assay

To detect sulfamethazine (SMZ) residues in edible animal products, a colorimetric aptasensor that is based on indirect competitive enzyme-linked aptamer assay (ELAA) is developed in this study. This ELAA uses SMZ-specific aptamers as recognition elements and enzyme as the signal readout element. The detection sensitivity and the specificity of the ELAA were investigated. Our results showed that the indirect competitive ELAA had a ultrasensitivity with a low detection limit of 0.05 ng mL^?1. In addition, the proposed indirect competitive ELAA exhibited an 50% inhibition concentration value of 0.64 ng mL^?1 for SMZ, and recoveries up to 80.5–92.3% with coefficients of variation of less than 10%. Furthermore, when the ELAA was used for incurred samples by detecting SMZ in chicken muscles, the results obtained by the ELAA methods showed a good agreement with those obtained by established TRFIA and HPLC methods. These results demonstrate that the proposed indirect competitive ELAA can be efficiently used with good accuracy and precision, providing a simple method for the detection of SMZ residue in animal tissues.