LC-UV and LC-MS analysis of food and drink products containing kava.

A method for the determination of six kava lactones, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, kawain, dihydrokawain, yangonin and desmethoxyyangonin, in solid foods and beverages has been developed. Solid samples were prepared using methanol extraction, while beverages were extracted using a separate solid phase extraction (SPE) method. After sample preparation, the extracts were analysed using LC-UV or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) LC-MS in the positive mode. Using the method, 10 beverage products, two chocolate products, three unbrewed tea products, three dietary supplements and a drink mix product were analysed. The results obtained using the LC-UV were comparable to those obtained using APPI-LC-MS for most products. Using the SPE method in conjunction with LC-MS, individual kava lactones were detected in drink products at ppb concentrations. Concentrations of total kava lactones ranged between 135-0.035 mg per serving in the food and beverage products tested and between 40-61 mg per serving for the dietary supplement products tested. Results of these analyses as well as extraction efficiency and reproducibility data are reported.

Determination of 1,3-dichloropropanol in soy and related sauces by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for 3-MCPD in foods and food ingredients was modified for the determination of 1,3-DCP in soy and related sauces. The method was validated by using a blank soy sauce. The detection limit, quantitation limit and recoveries were determined, and identities were confirmed by mass spectrometry on the basis of analyses of test portions spiked with 1,3-DCP at 10, 25, 50 and 100 ng g(-1). The spiked test portions were quantitated by using an internal standard calibration curve. For the spiked test portions, the mean internal standard-corrected recovery for 1,3-DCP was 100% with a relative standard deviation of 1.32%. The limits of detection and quantitation were determined as 0.055 and 0.185 ng g(-1), respectively. The method also was compared with a headspace GC/MS method recently developed by the UK's Central Science Laboratory. Results from the method comparison showed that the recoveries for the spiked test portions, as well as the amounts of 1,3-DCP found in the retail products, were comparable.

Survey of chloropropanols in soy sauces and related products.

A survey of soy sauces and related products available in the USA was conducted to determine the levels of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) in these products. Fifty-five retail samples were purchased and analysed for 3-MCPD. 3-MCPD determinations were made according to a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method validated by a collaborative trial. Eighty-five per cent of the samples analysed contained greater than the detection limit of 0.005 ppm (microg g(-1)) for 3-MCPD. Thirty-three per cent contained greater than 1 ppm; the highest level was 876 ppm 3-MCPD. Thirty-nine of the samples analysed for 3-MCPD also were analysed for 1,3-DCP by using a modified method developed and validated in-house. Fifty-six per cent of the samples analysed for 1,3-DCP contained greater than the detection limit of 0.055 ppb (ng g(-1)) for 1,3-DCP; the highest level was 9.8 ppm 1,3-DCP. Products manufactured in Asia contained the highest chloropropanol levels.

Comparison of two clean-up methodologies for the gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric determination of low nanogram/gram levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in seafood.

The March 1989 oil spill in Alaska prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a thorough investigation of clean-up methodologies aimed at determining low ng/g (ppb) levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seafood. The clean-ups from a modified FDA method and a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) method were evaluated on the basis of the determination of 18 PAHs at levels ranging from 1 to 5 ppb by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the modified FDA method, seafood extracts were purified by a liquid-liquid partition followed by a three-step elution through silica, alumina, and C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges. In the NMFS method, seafood extracts were purified by column chromatography through a deactivated silica gel/alumina column and a gel permeation high performance liquid chromatography column. Both methods quantitated 18 PAHs at levels ranging from 1 to 5 ppb. With the exception of naphthalene, average recoveries based on internal deuterated standards ranged from 73 to 144% for the modified FDA method and 63 to 106% for the NMFS method.

Liquid chromatographic determination of sulfite in grapes and selected grape products.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the determination of sulfite in grapes and certain grape products. Sulfite is extracted from grapes with aqueous formaldehyde solution buffered at pH 5; free sulfite is converted to hydroxymethylsulfonate (HMS), which is extremely stable at pH 3-7. Subsequent heating to 80 degrees C for 30 min converts reversibly bound forms of sulfite to HMS. The extract is then analyzed by reverse-phase ion-pairing liquid chromatography, using a C18 column and a mobile phase of aqueous 0.005 M tetrabutylammonium ion in 0.05 M acetate, pH 4.7, and a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Aqueous KOH is added to the eluate to convert HMS to free sulfite, which is then treated with 5,5'-dithiobis[2-nitrobenzoic acid]. This reaction produces the 3-carboxy-4-nitrothiophenolate anion, which is determined by measurement of electronic absorption at 450 nm. For grapes spiked with HMS at 5-20 ppm (as SO2), recoveries ranged from 92 to 112%, with a coefficient of variation of 4.6%. The method was also used to determine sulfite in various grape products. Results were comparable to those obtained by the AOAC official Monier-Williams method.

Liquid chromatographic methodology for the characterization of orange juice.

Liquid chromatographic (LC) methodology potentially useful for the characterization of orange juice, with particular regard to detecting adulteration of orange juice by computer pattern recognition analysis, has been developed. After dilution with methanol the juice is extracted with hexane to remove the carotenoids, which are chromatographed on a C18 column with an acetonitrile-methanol-methylene chloride mobile phase and detection at 450 nm. Further extraction of the juice with methylene chloride isolates the methoxylated flavones, which are chromatographed by reverse phase LC with an acetonitrile-methanol-water mobile phase and detection at 280 nm. The flavanone glycosides remaining in solution are chromatographed on a C18 column with an acetonitrile-water mobile phase and detection at 280 nm. The precisions of the heights of the 32 LC peaks selected for pattern recognition analysis were determined from 5 replicate analyses of a single juice. Coefficients of variation of the replicates ranged from 0.3 to 4.5%, with an average of 2.1%. Adulteration of products with sodium benzoate-fortified pulpwash or grapefruit juice can be detected by this method. Pattern recognition analysis of the data obtained for 80 authentic and 19 adulterated orange juices showed that the method is potentially useful for distinguishing between authentic and adulterated products.

Reduction in levels of volatile N-nitrosamines in rubber nipples for babies' bottles.

Levels of volatile N-nitrosamines were determined in 189 samples of rubber nipples for babies' bottles. Domestic (US-manufactured) and imported rubber nipples for consumer and hospital use were analysed to determine compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration's action level of 60 ppb (b = 10(9] for total volatile N-nitrosamines. Only one sample was found to be in violation of the action level; it contained a total of 137 ppb N-nitrosamines.

Rapid column method for determination of N-nitrosodimethylamine in malt.

A rapid column elution method has been developed for the determination of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in malt. The average recovery of NDMA added to malt at the 10 ppb level was 87%. When a single malt sample was analyzed 10 times, the NDMA found averaged 8.1 ppb with a coefficient of variation of 3.93%. In a study of 15 malt samples, data obtained by the column elution method were in good agreement with those from a vacuum distillation method.

Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection of ethoxyquin in milk.

A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of ethoxyquin (1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-quinoline) in milk. Milk solids are precipitated by adding acetonitrile, and the water-acetonitrile supernate is washed with hexane to remove fat. Addition of sodium chloride causes the water-acetonitrile solution to separate into an aqueous phase and an acetonitrile phase, thus separating ethoxyquin from most water-soluble impurities. A large volume of water is then added to the acetonitrile layer and ethoxyquin is partitioned into hexane, which is removed at reduced pressure. The residue is dissolved in the mobile phase and analyzed on a 4.6 mm id X 250 mm Ultrasphere ODS column using fluorescence detection (excitation 230 nm; 418 nm cutoff filter). Water-acetonitrile with a diethylamine-acetic acid buffer is the mobile phase. Recoveries from samples fortified at 1, 5, and 10 ppb averaged 78% with a coefficient of variation of 5.0%. Low levels (less than 1 ppb) of apparent ethoxyquin were found in commercial milk samples that were analyzed by using the method.

Time required to achieve homogeneity in swine feed mixtures.

FD&C Red No. 3 was mixed with 20 kg pig feed to give a concentration of 0.1%. A mixing time of 30 min was sufficient to achieve homogeneity for this mixture. For larger amounts or more flocculent types of additives, a longer time may be required. Ammoniated glycyrrhizin was mixed with 8 separate batches of pig feed at a concentration of 1%; 1 h was sufficient mixing time.

High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of ethoxyquin in paprika and chili powder.

A method is described for the determination of ethoxyquin (1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline) in paprika and chili powder. Ethoxyquin is extracted from the spice with hexane and partitioned into 0.3N HCl. After adjusting the solution to pH 13-14, ethoxyquin is extracted into hexane, and the hexane layer is evaporated to dryness. An acetonitrile solution of the residue is then analyzed by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography with detection at 254 nm. The mobile phase is water-acetonitrile with ammonium acetate buffer. Recoveries from samples fortified at 50, 100, and 200 ppm averaged 92% with a coefficient of variation of 2.3%. The method was applied to a number of commercial samples of paprika and chili powder. Ethoxyquin was found in paprika samples at levels up to 63 ppm and in chili powder samples at levels up to 20 ppm.

High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of methyl and propyl p-hydroxybenzoates in comminuted meats.

A method was developed for determining methyl and propyl p-hydroxybenzoates (methyl and propyl parabens) in comminuted meats. The parabens were extracted from the meat sample with acetonitrile. After filtering, the extract was analyzed by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography, using a 254 nm absorbance detector. Samples of bologna, chicken roll, and chopped ham were fortified with approximately 100, 200, and 400 ppm of each paraben. Average recoveries were 92% for methyl paraben and 94% for propyl paraben.

Reverse phase ion pair high pressure liquid chromatographic determination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in crabmeat and mayonnaise.

A method is described for the determination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in crabmeat and mayonnaise. EDTA is extracted from the food sample with water and converted to its copper chelate, which is then quantitated by reverse phase ion pair high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Maximum sensitivity is obtained with detection at about 254 nm; higher wavelengths may be used for enhanced specificity. Cleanup procedures for crabmeat and mayonnaise were improved by using a radiotracer method. Analyses of crabmeat and mayonnaise samples spiked at 3 different levels showed greater than 90% recovery of EDTA.