Aroma Evaluation of Transgenic, Thaumatin II-Producing Cucumber Fruits

ABSTRACT:  Fruits of transgenic cucumber lines expressing preprothaumatin II gene were evaluated concerning their aroma. Four homozygous lines, that is, 210 06, 212 01, 224 09, and 225 03 with different levels of transgene expression were selected. Recipient line cv. Borszczagowski, which was formed by inbred line of Cucumis sativus L., was used as a control. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse and an outdoor experimental plot. The aroma of cucumber fruits was evaluated by GC/MS, as well as GC/MS/TOF in the distillates and by SPME. Irrespective of the isolation/separation technique used, the differences between aroma compounds in transgenic cucumbers and the control were quantitative, and not qualitative. Modified samples showed higher concentrations of volatiles, particularly of the main cucumber fruits odorant (E, Z)-2,6 nonadienal. Transgenic expression of the thaumatin II gene resulted not only in a sweeter taste of fruits in comparison with the control, but also higher aroma acceptability. This was shown by sensory profile analysis. Also electronic nose measurements differentiated between transgenic lines and the control.     

The level of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in kajal and surma of major Indian brands

Kajal and surma are eye cosmetics extensively used in Indian subcontinent. Kajal is prepared by burning of vegetable oil and butter oil while surma by grinding of the stones. High performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry instruments were used for quantification and confirmation of 16 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Significant concentration of PAH was found in all the samples examined. The median concentration of PAH ranged from 0.14 (lowest, anthracene) to 31.18 μg g⁻¹ [dibenz(a,h)anthracene] in kajal sample and from not detectable concentration (naphthalene) to 197.47 μg g⁻¹ of benzo(a)pyrene in surma sample. Fifteen PAHs were detected in all the samples. Therefore the use of kajal and surma in eye should be strictly restricted.     

Survey of phthalate levels in Italian oily foods contained in glass jars with PVC gaskets

A method based on gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was used to assess levels of twelve phthalates in 50 samples of oily foods packed in glass jars with metal closure obtained from a retail market. The amounts of di-methyl phthalate, di-ethyl phthalate, di-propyl phthalate, di-butyl phthalate, di-pentyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, di-cyclohexyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, di-isononyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate in all samples analysed were less than the limit of quantification (LOQ). Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was detected in 20 samples in the range from 0.1 to 6 mg kg^?1 with an average of 1.0 mg kg^?1, and it exceeded the specific migration limit (SML) of 1.5 mg kg^?1 in five cases with an average of 3.0 mg kg^?1. Di-isobutyl phthalate was found in four samples at 0.1–0.4 mg kg^?1. The PVC gaskets used for the lids were negative for all tested phthalates, suggesting that the contamination of the foods originated from other sources, e.g. olive oil.     

Acrylamide formation and antioxidant level in biscuits related to recipe and baking

Heated plant foods may contain compounds with adverse health effects (e.g. acrylamide). On the other hand, health-promoting compounds (e.g. antioxidants) have also been identified in such foods. Therefore, a baking experiment with biscuits was carried out to study the potential impact of both acrylamide and antioxidants in that food. Two different wheat flour types – wholemeal (WMF) and white flour type 550 (T550; 0.55% mineral content) – as well as recipe (fat and leavening agent) and thermal input (temperature?×?time) were changed. Furthermore, the effect of an enzymatic asparagine hydrolysation was tested. Antioxidants were determined with two independent procedures ABTS – (2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)) and FRAP-assay (ferric reducing ability of plasma). WMF samples resulted in an unchanged acrylamide level, but in a significantly higher antioxidant concentration when compared with T550 samples (149 and 141?µg?kg^?1 acrylamide and 9.1 and 5.1?mmol?TE?kg^?1 FW ABTS for WMF and T550, respectively). A reduced fat content yielded in an increased volume. Raising agents had no effect on acrylamide levels, but antioxidants were higher in samples with sodium bicarbonate (SBC) than with ammonium bicarbonate (ABC). Thermal input (temperature?×?time; 150°C?×?25?min to 240°C?×?9?min) indicated an exponential acrylamide increase especially at higher temperatures (from 75 to 236?µg?kg^?1), whereas antioxidant increase was linear (from 7.0 to 7.7?mmol?TE?kg^?1 FW, ABTS). FRAP and ABTS values were correlated on a low level, whereas acrylamide content of biscuits was correlated with FRAP and lightness (R ^2?=?0.62 and 0.47, and 0.71 and 0.85 for WMF and T550, respectively). The enzyme asparaginase reduced acrylamide formation by about 50% for both raising agents (SBC and ABC, respectively), whereas antioxidant levels were not affected. An evaluation of recipe variants with low acrylamide and high antioxidants indicated the advantage of wholemeal biscuits.     

Identification of novel metabolites from Aspergillus flavus by high resolution and multiple stage mass spectrometry

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus is one of the most important species in the Aspergillus genus and is distributed worldwide as a prevalent aflatoxin-producing food and feed contaminant. A. flavus contains more than 55 gene clusters that are predicted to encode proteins involved in secondary metabolite production. One of these, cluster 27, contains a polyketide synthase (pks27) gene that encodes a protein that is highly homologous to the aflatoxin cluster PKS. Comparative metabolomics, using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) was used to detect metabolites differentially expressed in the A. flavus wild-type and ?pks27 mutant strains. Metabolite profiling was aided by a statistical differential analysis of MS data using SIEVE software. This differential analysis combined with accurate mass data from the Orbitrap and ion trap multiple stage MS allowed four metabolites to be identified that were produced only by the wild-type culture. These included asparasone A (358 Da), an anthraquinone pigment, and related anthraquinones with masses of 316, 340 and 374 Da. These latter three compounds had similar fragmentation patterns to that of asparasone A. The 316 Da anthraquinone is particularly interesting because it is most likely formed by incorporation of seven malonyl-CoA units rather than the eight units required for the formation of asparasone A. The 340 and 374 Da metabolites are the dehydration and an oxy-derivative of asparasone A, respectively. Asparasone A was also identified in extracts from several other Aspergillus species.     

Tissue distribution and residue depletion of metronidazole in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Tissue distribution and residue depletion of metronidazole (MNZ) was studied in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following oral administration of MNZ in feed at the average dose of 25 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 for 7 days at 11 ± 2°C. The MNZ concentration in feed was 0.25% while daily feed intake was 1% of body weight. The concentrations of MNZ and its main metabolite, hydroxymetronidazole (MNZOH), in fish tissues were determined by LC-MS/MS. The drug was well distributed in tissues with maximum concentrations on day 1 post-administration. At this time, the mean MNZ concentrations in muscle, skin, kidney, liver and gill were 14 999, 20 269, 15 070, 10 102 and 16 467 µg kg^?1 respectively. MNZ was converted into MNZOH with the ratio of MNZOH:MNZ up to 7% in all fish tissues throughout the withdrawal period. This shows that MNZ itself is the main residue in rainbow trout. MNZ was detected at the level close to the decision limit (0.20 µg kg^?1) in muscle, skin and muscle with adhering skin up to 42 days, while in kidney, liver and gill it was up to 28 days post-administration. MNZOH was eliminated more rapidly from fish tissues and it was present in muscle alone up to 21 days. The elimination half-lives of MNZ and MNZOH in rainbow trout tissues were 1.83–2.53 and 1.24–2.12 days, respectively. When muscle without skin was analysed, higher MNZ and MNZOH concentrations were detected, and for a longer period of time, than in muscle with adhering skin. Thus muscle alone could be more appropriate for the effective residue control of MNZ in rainbow trout. For the same reason, it is also essential to ensure direct cooling immediately after sampling, since MNZ and its metabolite degrade in fish muscle and skin stored in non-freezing conditions.     

Migration of oligomers from PET: determination of diffusion coefficients and comparison of experimental versus modelled migration

ABSTRACT

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is increasingly used as food-contact material in, for example, containers for beverage such as bottles for soft drinks, mineral water, juices and beer. Mass transport of substances present in packaging materials into the packed food and beverages is monitored to verify the food law compliance of the materials. PET is known to contain or give rise to migrants that are oligomers derived from the polymeric material. Until now their actual migration potential has been investigated only poorly. A convenient way to determine their migration would be by using models. To verify existing models with experimental data, a migration kinetic study of PET oligomers was conducted. PET bottle material was submerged in 50% ethanol at 80°C for 15 h. The oligomer content in the migration solutions was determined every hour using LC-MS with the first-series cyclic PET trimer as standard. Diffusion coefficients of five PET oligomers (first-series dimer and trimer, second-series dimer and trimer, and third-series dimer) were calculated from the obtained data and compared with the calculated diffusion coefficients using the models of Welle and Piringer. This is the first study to provide diffusion characteristics of oligomers in PET other than the first-series cyclic trimer.     

A survey of levels of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages in 2009–2012, Hebei Province,China

Results of a survey of levels of ethyl carbamate (EC) (urethane) in alcoholic beverages carried out in four successive years from 2009 to 2012 by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are presented. The beverages were purchased for sampling from Hebei Province of China, including eight main areas of production. The samples comprised wines (n = 212), grain spirits (n = 143) and wine sauces (n = 164). The data show that the average EC content in these kinds of alcoholic beverages remains nearly constant over the years. The results provide valuable data for food authorities to establish maximum limits for EC in China.     

Furan in canned sardines and other fish

Thirty-seven different samples of canned sardines and other fish sold in the United Kingdom were analysed for their furan content using a validated automated headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry procedure. All 37 samples contained detectable furan, with an average level of 26 μg kg^?1. The maximum furan content was in canned fish containing tomato sauce, which had an average of 49 μg kg^?1 and in canned fish packed with lemon which had an average of 55 μg kg^?1. All fish in brine or in oil contained less than 20 μg kg^?1 furan. Furan levels recorded in fish packed in extra virgin olive oil were low with an average of 2 μg kg^?1.     

Doxycycline and sulfadimethoxine transfer from cross-contaminated feed to chicken tissues

During feed preparation at feed mills or during feed mixing in bins at farms, the accidental contamination of feed at trace levels by veterinary drug residues, commonly known as carry-over, can accidentally but frequently occur. To evaluate the concentrations of residual antimicrobials in poultry edible tissues, due to contaminated feed, sulfadimethoxine and doxycycline were administered for 10 days to chickens in poultry feed incurred at the contamination levels frequently found during national feed monitoring programmes (1–5?mg?kg^?1). Sulfadimethoxine and doxycycline residual concentrations detected in muscle (<LOD and 31?µg?kg^?1, respectively), liver (13 and 56?µg?kg^?1, respectively) and kidney (56 and 115?µg?kg^?1, respectively) were compared with their maximum residue limits (MRLs) fixed by EC 470/2009 and EU 37/2010 Regulations for a preliminary risk evaluation.