Detection of cashew nut DNA in spiked baked goods using a real-time polymerase chain reaction method

The detection of potentially allergenic foods, such as tree nuts, in food products is a major concern for the food processing industry. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was designed to determine the presence of cashew DNA in food products. The PCR amplifies a 67 bp fragment of the cashew 2S albumin gene, which is detected with a cashew-specific, dual-labeled TaqMan probe. This reaction will not amplify DNA derived from other tree nut species, such as almond, Brazil nut, hazelnut, and walnut, as well as 4 varieties of peanut. This assay was sensitive enough to detect 5 pg purified cashew DNA as well as cashew DNA in a spiked chocolate cookie sample containing 0.01% (100 mg/kg) cashew.     

Determination of total mercury in nuts at ultratrace level

Total mercury, at μg kg⁻¹ level, was determined in different types of nuts (cashew nut, Brazil nuts, almond, pistachio, peanut, walnut) using a direct mercury analyser after previous sample defatting and by cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry. There is not enough sensitivity in the second approach to determine Hg in previously digested samples due to the strong matrix effect. Mercury levels in 25 edible nut samples from Brazil and Spain were found in the range from 0.6 to 2.7 μg kg⁻¹ by using the pyrolysis of sample after the extraction of the nut fat. The accuracy of the proposed method was confirmed by analysing certified reference materials of Coal Fly Ash-NIST SRM 1633b, Fucus-IAEA 140 and three unpolished Rice Flour NIES-10. The observed results were in good agreement with the certified values. The recoveries of different amounts of mercury added to nut samples ranged from 94 to 101%. RSD values corresponding to three measurements varied between 2.0 and 14% and the limit of detection and quantification of the method were 0.08 and 0.3 μg kg⁻¹, respectively.     

In vitro evaluation of Cu and Fe bioavailability in cashew nuts by off-line coupled SEC-UV and SIMAAS

In this work Cu and Fe bioavailability in cashew nuts was evaluated using in vitro method. Extractions with simulated gastric and intestinal fluids and dialysis procedures were applied for this purpose. The proteins separation and quantification were performed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled on-line to ultra-violet (UV) and off-line to simultaneous multielement atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS). The SEC-UV and SIMAAS profiles of the protein fractions obtained by alkaline extraction (NaOH) and precipitation with HCl indicated the presence of high and low molecular weight species in the range between >75 kDa and 9.3 kDa. Almost 83% of Cu and 78% of Fe were extracted during cashew nut digestion and 90% of both elements were dialyzed. With these results it is possible to assume that 75% of Cu and 70% of Fe present in cashew nut could be bioavailable. The SEC-UV and SIMAAS chromatographic profiles obtained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion reveal that Cu and Fe not dialyzed can be associated to a compound of 9.2 kDa.     

Particle-packed column versus silica-based monolithic column for liquid chromatography-electrospray-linear ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry multiallergen trace analysis in foods

A bicarbonate buffer-based extraction method for the simultaneous analysis of five nut allergens (Ana o 2, cashew-nut; Cor a 9, hazelnut; Pru 1, almond; Ara h3/4, peanut; Jug r 4, walnut) in cereals and biscuits using liquid chromatography-electrospray-linear ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-LIT-MS(2)) was developed and validated. The method was based on our earlier published LC-MS(2)-based method in a research frame aimed at the identification and determination of hidden allergens in foods by using selective biomarker peptides. A C18 particle-packed column and a silica-based C18 monolithic column were compared in terms of chromatographic performances, such as peak shape, resolution, analysis time and selectivity. The C18 particle-packed column exhibited better performances and was further used for method development and validation. By operating under MS(2) selected reaction monitoring (SRM) acquisition mode, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation, trueness and precision were evaluated on breakfast samples enriched with a mix of the five nuts. Good linearity of the matrix matched-calibration curves was obtained and detection limit values generally varied from 14 to 55 mg nut/kg matrix. Recoveries were in the 76±4% to 94±3% range with RSD <15%. The capabilities of LIT to perform MS(n) fragmentation was exploited to improve selectivity of the analysis, and the LC-(SRM) MS(2) method was compared in terms of LOD, linearity, precision and accuracy with a LC-(SRM) MS(3) method. Finally, both the LC-MS(2) and LC-MS(3) methods were successfully applied to the analysis of nut traces in commercially available breakfast cereals and biscuits.     

Marker peptide selection for the determination of hazelnut by LC–MS/MS and occurrence in other nuts

The aim of this work was identifying and selecting hazelnut marker peptides and subsequently developing a complementary method of common immunoassay for the detection of hazelnut. For this purpose, at first, an in silico digestion of three major hazelnut allergens (Cor a 8, Cor a 9 and Cor a 11) was performed to get information about expected peptides. After extraction and trypsin digestion of hazelnut proteins, the samples were measured with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) by direct infusion, which led to identification of 14 peptides. Eight of them with the highest MS signal were synthesized and used as standards for developing a liquid chromatography (LC)–MS/MS method in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. Since almost all food allergens derived from nuts belong to the seed storage protein family and have homologue structure, a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) search was performed to identify the hazelnut specificity of the developed method. According to BLAST, only one peptide occurs in three other nuts, and the remaining seven selected peptides are hazelnut specific. Additionally to hazelnut, the eight other listed nuts in Directive 2003/89/EC as allergen were extracted, digested and measured with the developed method to prove the BLAST results. The analytical data confirmed that six peptides are hazelnut specific, on the contrary to anti-hazelnut antibodies, which showed cross-reactivities to all other nut extracts. Comparing these results, it could be shown that with this LC–MS/MS method in SRM mode, the specific detection of hazelnut is possible.     

First screening method for the simultaneous detection of seven allergens by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

The development of a multi-method for the detection of seven allergens based on liquid chromatography and triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction mode is described. It is based on extraction of the allergenic proteins from a food matrix, followed by enzymatic digestion with trypsin. The chosen marker peptides were implemented into one method that is capable of the simultaneous detection of milk, egg, soy, hazelnut, peanut, walnut and almond. This method has been used to detect all seven allergenic commodities from incurred reference bread material, which was baked according to a standard recipe from the baking industry. Detected concentrations ranged from 10 to 1000 μg/g, demonstrating that the mass spectrometric based method is a useful tool for allergen screening.     

Analysis of mucosal mucins separated by SDS-urea agarose polyacrylamide composite gel electrophoresis

Efficient separation of mucins (200 kDa-2 MDa) was demonstrated using gradient SDS agarose/polyacrylamide composite gel electrophoresis (SDS-AgPAGE). Inclusion of urea (SDS-UAgPAGE) in the gels casting were shown to have no effect on the migration of mucins in the gel and allowed casting of gel at room temperature. This simplified the procedure for multiple casting of agarose polyacrylamide gradients and increased reproducibility of these gels. Hence, the implementation of urea makes the technique applicable for high throughput isolation and screening of mucin oligosaccharides by LC-MS after releasing the oligosaccharides from isolated, blotted mucin subpopulations. It was also shown that the urea addition had no effect on other supporting applications such as western and lectin blotting. In addition, identification of the mucin protein after tryptic digestion and LC-MS was possible and no protein carbamylation due to the presence of urea in the gel was detected. LC-MS software developed for metabolomic analysis was used for O-linked oligosaccharide detection and differential display of various mucin samples. Using this method, heterogeneous glycosylation of mucins and mucin-type molecules isolated by SDS-AgPAGE and SDS-UAgPAGE was shown to consist of more than 80 different components in a single band, and in the extreme cases, up to 300-500 components (MUC5B/AC from saliva and sputum and). Metabolomic software was also used to show that the migration of mucin isoforms within the gel is due to heterogeneous size distribution of the oligosaccharides, with the slower migrating bands enriched in high-molecular-weight oligosaccharides.     

Addition of urea and thiourea to electrophoresis sample buffer improves efficiency of protein extraction from TCA/acetone‐treated smooth muscle tissues for phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE

Phosphorylation analysis by using phos‐tag technique has been reported to be suitable for highly sensitive quantification of smooth muscle myosin regulatory light chain (LC₂₀) phosphorylation. However, there is another factor that will affect the sensitivity of phosphorylation analysis, that is, protein extraction. Here, we optimized the conditions for total protein extraction out of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)‐fixed tissues. Standard SDS sample buffer extracted less LC₂₀, actin and myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) from TCA/acetone treated ciliary muscle strips. On the other hand, sample buffer containing urea and thiourea in addition to lithium dodecyl sulfate (LDS) or SDS extracted those proteins more efficiently, and thus increased the detection sensitivity up to 4–5 fold. Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE separated dephosphorylated and phosphorylated LC₂₀s extracted in LDS/urea/thiourea sample buffer to the same extent as those in standard SDS buffer. We have concluded that LDS (or SDS) /urea/thiourea sample buffer is suitable for highly sensitive phosphorylation analysis in smooth muscle, especially when it is treated with TCA/acetone.     

Development of an on-line immobilized-enzyme reversed-phase HPLC method for protein digestion and peptide separation

This paper describes use of a novel glass bead-based immobilized-enzyme micro column for simple and swift on-line protein digestion then peptide separation by reversed-phase HPLC. The inexpensive and easily made immobilized-enzyme micro column was prepared from aminopropyl controlled-pore glass that was reacted first with glutaraldehyde then with trypsin in the presence of phosphate buffer. Tryptic digestion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was achieved simply by passing pretreated protein solution through the laboratory made immobilized-trypsin column; the tryptic fragments were then separated by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptide separation was found to be identical to separation of a sample which had undergone conventional enzymatic protein digestion in solution. Digestion of BSA by the immobilized-trypsin column decreased with increasing flow rate of the solution through the column, and 1.0 μL min⁻¹ was found to be the optimum flow rate for on-line protein digestion with our system. It was also found that the sample required pretreatment with urea before injection, because of a change in the properties of the protein in the presence of urea, and the immobilized-trypsin column lost its function in the presence of acetonitrile. This on-line proteomics system enables simple and rapid protein digestion and was successfully applied to partially micro two-dimensional (2D) chromatographic separation of proteins.     

Application of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous detection of seven allergenic foods in flour and bread and comparison of the method with commercially available ELISA test kits

To protect the allergic consumer, analytical methods need to be capable of detecting allergens in finished products that typically contain multiple allergens. An LC/MS/MS method for simultaneous detection of seven allergens was developed and compared with commercially available ELISA kits. The detection capabilities of this novel method were demonstrated by analyzing incurred material containing milk, egg, soy, peanut, hazelnut, walnut, and almond. Bread was chosen as a model matrix. To assess the influence of baking on the method's performance, analysis was done before and after baking. The same samples were analyzed with ELISA test kits from ELISA Systems, Morinaga, Neogen, and r-Biopharm. Peanut, hazelnut, walnut, and almond could be detected with both ELISA and LC/MS/MS regardless of whether the product was baked or not. LC/MS/MS clearly showed superior detection of milk in processed matrixes compared to ELISA, which exhibited significantly lower sensitivities when analyzing the baked products. Similar results were obtained when analyzing egg; however, one kit was capable of detecting egg in the processed samples as well.     

Effect of roasting conditions on color development and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) analysis of Malaysian-grown tropical almond nuts (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia catappa</Emphasis> L.)

Background

Proper roasting is crucial to flavor, color, and texture development in the final product. In recent years, several research studies have been carried out to establish the best optimum roasting conditions for some common edible nuts such as; hazelnut, peanut, and pistachio nut. Although roasting is an important process for nuts and oilseeds, there is little or no information on the development of color, aroma, and textural changes in Terminalia catappa nuts during roasting.

Results

Results showed that color formation and browning index were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the roasting temperature and time of roasting. However, the fracturability of nuts was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by both temperature of roasting and time as well as pH. The optimized results showed that the best response was reached when the roasting time was 29.9 min, roasting temperature 174.5°C, and pH 6.08, respectively. Moreover, the 3400–15603400–1560°Cm^-1 carbonyl region for carboxylic acid, alkenes, esters, and amines was found to provide a flavor-print of the roasted tropical almond nut. While, increase in temperature did not produce new carbonyl compounds, it however led to higher concentration of compounds. Scanning electron microscopy of the almond nuts showed that the starch granules were embedded in tissues.

Conclusion

These results showed that roasting temperature and time of roasting were the main variables that significantly affected the physicochemical properties of roasted tropical almond nuts. Moreover the flavor-prints for the roasted nut were produced in the 3400–1560°Cm^-1 carbonyl region.

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Graphical Abstract Effect of roasting conditions on fracturability and structural morphology of tropical almond nuts (T. catappa).

     

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Simultaneous Analysis of 353 Pesticides in the Edible Insect Tenebrio molitor Larvae (Mealworms)

Tenebrio molitor larvae (mealworm) is an edible insect and is considered a future food. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a novel method for simultaneous analysis of 353 target analytes was developed and validated. Various sample preparation steps including “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe” (QuEChERS) extraction conditions, number of acetonitrile-hexane partitions, and dispersive-solid phase extraction (dSPE) sorbents were compared, and the optimal conditions were determined. In the established method, 5 g of homogenized mealworms was extracted with acetonitrile and treated with QuEChERS EN 15662 salts. The crude extract was subjected to three rounds of acetonitrile-hexane partitioning, and the acetonitrile layer was cleaned with C18 dSPE. The final solution was matrix-matched and injected into LC-MS/MS (2 μL). For target analytes, the limits of quantitation (LOQs) were ≤10 μg/kg, and the correlation coefficient (r²) of calibration was >0.990. In recovery tests, more than 90% of the pesticides showed an excellent recovery range (70–120%) with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤20%. For more than 94% of pesticides, a negligible matrix effect (within ±20%) was observed. The analytical method was successfully applied and used for the detection of three urea pesticides in 4 of 11 mealworm samples.     

Detection of hazelnut in foods using ELISA: challenges related to the detectability in processed foodstuffs

Hazelnuts are widely used nowadays, and can pose a serious threat to allergic consumers due to cross-contamination that may occur during processing. This might lead to the presence of hidden hazelnut in foods. Therefore, reliable tests are needed to detect hazelnut, especially in processed foods. A hazelnut-specific indirect competitive ELISA based on polyclonal chicken antibodies was developed. The polyclonal antibodies were raised against modified hazelnut proteins in order to improve the detectability of hazelnut proteins in processed foods. The assay showed a detection limit of 1.36 microg hazelnut protein/mL of 5 mM urea in phosphate-buffered saline buffer (pH 7.4). Limited cross-reactivity with walnut and pecan nut was observed; no cross-reactivity was observed with other food ingredients. Blank cookies spiked before analysis showed recoveries of 73-107%. However, cookies spiked before baking showed that the detectability was severely decreased. Addition of lactose to the cookies, which led to more severe modification through the Maillard reaction, led to an increase in the detectability. These results indicate that using antibodies developed toward allergens modified through food processing-simulating reactions is a better approach for detection.     

Selective and rapid immunomagnetic bead-based sample treatment for the liquid chromatography-electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry detection of Ara h3/4 peanut protein in foods

Complex matrices commonly affect the sensitivity and selectivity of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Thus, selective sample enrichment strategies are useful particularly to analyze organic biomarkers present in low abundance in samples. A selective immunomagnetic extraction procedure to isolate trace peanut allergen protein Ara h3/4 from breakfast cereals combined with microwave-assisted tryptic digestion and liquid chromatography-electrospray ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS) measurement was developed. Using protein A-coated magnetic bead (MB) support, anti-Ara h3/4 monoclonal antibodies (Abs) were used as selective capture molecules. The results obtained by LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS in terms of limit of detection (3mg peanuts/kg matrix) and a significantly reduced matrix effect demonstrated that the Ab-coated magnetic bead was very effective to selectively trap Ara h3/4 protein in breakfast cereals. The magnetic bead-based sample treatment followed by LC-IT-MS/MS method here developed can be proposed as very rapid and powerful confirmatory analytical method to verify the reliability of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening methods, since the magnetic bead-LC-IT-MS/MS method combines good sensitivity to the identification capabilities of mass spectrometry.     

Improvement of gel‐separated protein identification by DMF‐assisted digestion and peptide recovery after electroblotting

In‐gel digestion of gel‐separated proteins is a major route to assist in proteomics‐based biological discovery, which, however, is often embarrassed by its inherent limitations such as the low digestion efficiency and the low recovery of proteolytic peptides. For overcoming these limitations, many efforts have been directed at developing alternative methods to avoid the in‐digestion. Here, we present a new method for efficient protein digestion and tryptic peptide recovery, which involved electroblotting gel‐separated proteins onto a PVDF membrane, excising the PVDF bands containing protein of interest, and dissolving the bands with pure DMF (≥99.8%). Before tryptic digestion, NH₄HCO₃ buffer was added to moderately adjust the DMF concentration (to 40%) in order for trypsin to exert its activity. Experimental results using protein standards showed that, due to actions of DMF in dissolving PVDF membrane and the membrane‐bound substances, the proteins were virtually in‐solution digested in DMF‐containing buffer. This protocol allowed more efficient digestion and peptide recovery, thereby increasing the sequence coverage and the confidence of protein identification. The comparative study using rat hippocampal membrane‐enriched sample showed that the method was superior to the reported on‐membrane tryptic digestion for further protein identification, including low abundant and/or highly hydrophobic membrane proteins.     

Commercial lateral flow devices for rapid detection of peanut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis hypogaea)</Emphasis> and hazelnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Corylus avellana)</Emphasis> cross-contamination in the industrial production of cookies

Lateral flow devices (LFDs) are qualitative immunochromatographic tests for the rapid and specific detection of target analytes. We investigated commercially available LFDs for their ability to detect potentially allergenic peanut and hazelnut in raw cookie dough and chocolate, two important food matrices in the industrial production of cookies. Each three commercial LFDs for the detection of hazelnut and peanut were performed according to the manufacturers’ instructions. All LFDs had comparably satisfactory specificity that was investigated with a variety of characteristic foods and food ingredients used in the production of cookies. In concordance with hazelnut-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), walnut was the most cross-reactive food for hazelnut-specific LFD. The sensitivity was verified in raw cookie doughs and chocolates that were either spiked with peanut or hazelnut between 1 and 25 mg/kg, respectively. Two hazelnut-specific LFDs detected hazelnut at a level of 3.5 mg/kg in both matrices, whereas the third LFD detected hazelnut at a level of 3.9 mg/kg in dough and 12.5 mg/kg in chocolate. Two peanut-specific LFDs detected peanut at a level of 1 mg/kg in both matrices. The third LFD detected peanut at a level of 14.2 mg/kg in chocolate and 4 mg/kg in dough. In conclusion, specific and sensitive LFD were identified for each hazelnut and peanut, having a level of sensitivity that is comparable to commercial ELISA for the investigated matrices. Such sensitive, specific, and rapid tests are useful analytical tools for allergen screening and sanitation in the industrial manufacture of foods.     

Determination of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Propolis with Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry

In this study, a method was developed for the determination of five neonicotinoid pesticides (acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) in propolis. Two sample preparation methods were tested: solid-phase extraction and the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. The identities of analytes were confirmed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Solid-phase extraction resulted in cleaner extracts; therefore, the SPE-LC-MS/MS method was validated according to the SANTE protocol in triplicate at two spiking levels (10 ng/g and 50 ng/g). The average recoveries of analytes ranged from 61% to 101%, except for clothianidin (10–20%). The LOD ranged from 0.2 ng/g to 4.4 ng/g, whereas the LOQ was in the range of 0.8 ng/g–14.7 ng/g. In order to compensate for the matrix effect, matrix-matched calibration was used. Good accuracy (relative error: 1.9–10.4%) and good linearity (R² > 0.991) were obtained for all compounds. The optimised method was applied to 30 samples: 18 raw propolis and 12 ethanol tinctures. Acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and thiacloprid were detectable in seven samples but were still below the LOQ. This study is the first to report the determination of several neonicotinoid residues in propolis.     

Characterization of the alcoholic fraction of vegetable oils by derivatization with diphenic anhydride followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric and mass spectrometric detection

Aliphatic and triterpene alcohols present in vegetable oils have been identified and determined by HPLC using UV–vis and MS detection after previous derivatization with diphenic anhydride. The alcoholic fraction was obtained by saponification, extraction and TLC (according to the European Union official procedure). Derivatization was performed in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of suspended grinded urea, which increases the reaction rate and yield. Derivatized extracts were chromatographed on a C8 column using gradient elution with acetonitrile/water mixtures containing 0.1% acetic acid, with UV–vis followed by negative-ion mode MS detection. Using linear discriminant analysis of the HPLC-MS data (extracted ion chromatograms), oil samples belonging to seven botanical origins (hazelnut, sunflower, corn, extra virgin olive, soybean, peanut and grapeseed) were correctly classified with excellent resolution among all the categories.     

Quantitation of triacylglycerols in plant oils using HPLC with APCI-MS, evaporative light-scattering, and UV detection

The main constituents of plant oils are complex mixtures of TGs differing in acyl chain lengths, number and positions of double bonds, and regioisomerism. A non-aqueous reversed-phase HPLC method with acetonitrile-2-propanol gradient and 30 + 15 cm NovaPak C18 columns makes possible an unambiguous identification of the highest number of TGs ever reported for these oils, based on positive-ion APCI mass spectra. A new approach to TG quantitation is based on the use of response factors with three typical detection techniques for that purpose (APCI-MS, evaporative light-scattering detection, and UV at 205 nm). Response factors of 23 single-acid TGs (saturated TGs from C7 to C22, 7 unsaturated TGs), 4 mixed-acid TGs, diolein and monoolein are calculated from their calibration curves and related to OOO. Due to differences between saturated and unsaturated acyl chains, the use of response factors significantly improves the quantitation of TGs. 133 TGs containing 22 fatty acids with 8-25 carbon atoms and 0-3 double bonds are identified and quantified in 9 plant oils (walnut, hazelnut, cashew nut, almond, poppy seed, yellow melon, mango, fig, date) using HPLC/APCI-MS with a response factor approach. Average parameters and relative fatty acid concentrations are calculated with both HPLC/APCI-MS and GC/ FID.     

Identification of peanut and hazelnut allergens by native two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

A procedure for the native two-dimensional electrophoresis of peanut and hazelnut proteins is described. Proteins were solubilised after acetone treatment using a combination of 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and tetramethylene sulphone. These extracts were analysed by a combination of isoelectric focusing in the presence of lactose in immobilized pH gradients followed by charge shift electrophoresis. Immunoblot analysis, using sera from nut allergic patients, allowed the identification of a peanut and hazelnut allergen with identical isoelectric point and apparent molecular mass. These proteins were recovered from duplicate gels using a mixture of formic acid, acetonitrile (ACN) and isopropanol. The molecular masses for both proteins, determined by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), were 4826 Da.