Alkaline phosphatase assay using a near-infrared fluorescent substrate merocyanine 700 phosphate

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a phosphomonoester hydrolase that is commonly used as a conjugating enzyme in biological research. A wide variety of substrates have been developed to assay its activity. In this study, we developed an ALP assay method utilizing merocyanine 700 (MC700) based substrate MC700 phosphate (MC700p). MC700 is a near-infrared fluorescent merocyanine dye, and has excitation/emission maxima at 686 nm/722 nm in ALP assay buffer. Upon hydrolysis by ALP, MC700p is converted to MC700. The fluorescence of MC700 is dependent on the pH and detergent concentration in the buffer. The fluorescence signal produced by MC700p hydrolysis is linearly related to the ALP amount and substrate concentration. A stop solution containing EDTA could be used to stop the ALP/MC700p reaction. It was also demonstrated that MC700p could substitute pNpp as the ALP substrate in a commercial 17β-Estradiol enzyme immunoassay kit.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of milk fat and cocoa butter equivalents in milk chocolate: interlaboratory study

A collaborative trial was conducted to validate an analytical approach comprising method procedures for determination of milk fat and the detection and quantification of cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) in milk chocolate. The whole approach is based on (1) comprehensive databases covering the triacylglycerol composition of a wide range of authentic milk fat, cocoa butter, and CBE samples and 947 gravimetrically prepared mixtures thereof; (2) the availability of a certified cocoa butter reference material for calibration; (3) an evaluation algorithm, which allows reliable quantitation of the milk fat content in chocolate; (4) a subsequent correction to take account of the triacylglycerols derived from milk fat; (5) mathematical expressions to detect the presence of CBEs in milk chocolate; and (6) a multivariate statistical formula to quantitate the amount of CBEs in milk chocolate. Twelve laboratories participated in the validation study. CBE admixtures were detected down to a level of 0.5 g CBE/100 g milk chocolate, without false-positive or -negative results. The applied quantitation model performed well at the statutory limit of 5% CBE addition to milk chocolate, with a prediction error of 0.7%, and HorRat values ranging from 0.8 to 1.5. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) values for quantitation of CBEs in analyses of chocolate fat solutions ranged from 2.2 to 3.8% and for analyses of real chocolate samples, from 4.1 to 4.7%, demonstrating that the whole approach, based solely on chocolate fat blends, is applicable to real milk chocolate samples.     

Selective extraction of phospholipids from dairy products by micro-solid phase extraction based on titanium dioxide microcolumns followed by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis

A new micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) procedure based on titanium dioxide microcolumns was developed for the selective extraction of phospholipids (PLs) from dairy products before matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis. All the extraction steps (loading, washing, and elution) have been optimized using a synthetic mixture of PLs standard and the procedure was subsequently applied to food samples such as milk, chocolate milk and butter. The whole method demonstrated to be simpler than traditional approaches and it appears very promising for a rapid PLs screening and characterization also in biological matrices.     

Evaluation of a chemiluminescence method for measuring alkaline phosphatase activity in whole milk of multiple species and bovine dairy drinks: interlaboratory study

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a ubiquitous enzyme in milk with time-temperature destruction similar to that of certain pathogens destroyed in pasteurization. Measurement of ALP to indicate proper pasteurization is a common practice. Recently the public health level for ALP was decreased to 350 mU/L, a level below the sensitivity of older colorimetric ALP methods. This study was conducted within the structure of the International Dairy Federation and the International Organization for Standardization to evaluate the reproducibility of the chemiluminescence method (Charm PasLite) for ALP at 50, 100, 350, and 500 mU/L in whole milk of multiple species to meet new regulations in the United States and proposed regulations in the European Union (EU). Fifteen laboratories from 8 countries evaluated bovine, goat, sheep, and buffalo milk, bovine skim milk, 20% fat cream, and 2% fat chocolate milk. At ALP levels of 350 and 500 mU/L, the average relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) was 7.5%, and the average relative standard deviation of reproducibility was (RSDR) 15%. For ALP at 100 and 50 mU/L, the average RSDr values were 10.5 and 12.6%, respectively, and the average RSDR values were 18 and 25%, respectively. The limit of detection was 20 mU/L. Results are comparable to those obtained with other enzymatic photo-activated system methods such as the fluorometric method. Results indicate that the method is suitable for measuring ALP in the milk of multiple species and in dairy drinks at U.S. and proposed EU levels.     

亲水作用色谱-电喷雾串联质谱法检测原料奶及奶制品中的三聚氰胺

建立了亲水作用色谱-电喷雾串联质谱测定原料奶及奶制品中三聚氰胺的方法。样品采用1%三氯乙酸水溶液-乙腈（体积比为1∶1）混合溶液提取,混合型阳离子交换反相固相萃取柱（MCX）富集净化,亲水作用色谱柱分离,电喷雾串联四极杆质谱仪进行检测。结果表明,三聚氰胺的质量浓度在0.05～10.0 mg/L范围内具有良好的线性关系。原料奶及奶制品中的三聚氰胺在0.5,2.5和10 mg/kg 3个添加水平下,平均回收率为76.3%～98.7%,相对标准偏差均小于6.8%;定量限（S/N＞10）为0.05 mg/kg。     

Chiral separation of ephedrine isomers by capillary electrophoresis using bovine serum albumin as a buffer additive

A method utilizing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as buffer additive for chiral separation by means of capillary electrophoresis is described. Parameters that affect chiral separation, such as buffer pH, buffer concentration, BSA concentration, and organic modifier, are investigated. Baseline resolution of ephedrine-pseudoephedrine and norephedrine-norpseudoephedrine isomers are achieved in an uncoated capillary with a 20 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 9.0 in the presence of 10 micromol/L BSA and 15% (v/v) 2-propanol at 25 degrees C. The developed method can be applied for the analysis of ephedra plant extracts that contain the four test drugs.     

亲水作用毛细管整体柱的制备及其用于奶制品中三聚氰胺的加压毛细管电色谱分析

以甲基丙烯酸丁酯(BMA)和3-［N,N-二甲基-［2-(2-甲基丙-2-烯酰氧基)乙基］铵］丙烷-1-磺酸内盐(SPE)为单体,制备了新型的亲水作用毛细管整体柱,并通过三聚氰胺在此柱上的保留行为证明其具有亲水性。以加压毛细管电色谱(pCEC)技术为平台,优化了整体柱基于亲水作用分离分析奶制品中三聚氰胺的色谱条件。当流动相中乙腈与10 mmol/L磷酸盐缓冲液的体积比为80:20, pH为3.0,电压为3 kV,检测波长为215 nm时,三聚氰胺能获得很好的分离。方法学考察结果表明,合成的亲水整体柱具有良好的重现性和渗透性,建立的pCEC分析方法的检出限为0.05 mg/L。该方法简单方便,回收率较高,而且流动相中无需添加离子对试剂,适合于奶制品中三聚氰胺的定量测定。     

Evaluation of the GeneQuence DNA hybridization method in conjunction with 24-hour enrichment protocols for detection of Salmonella spp. in select foods: collaborative study

A multilaboratory study was conducted to compare performance of the GeneQuence DNA hybridization (DNAH) method incorporating new 24 h enrichment protocols and reference culture procedures for detection of Salmonella spp. in select foods. Six food types (raw ground turkey, raw ground beef, dried whole egg, milk chocolate, walnuts, and dry pet food) were tested by the DNAH method and by the culture methods of either the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (FDA/BAM). Fifteen laboratories participated in the study. Four of the foods tested (raw ground turkey, dried whole egg, milk chocolate, and dry pet food), showed no statistically significant differences in performance between the DNAH method and the reference procedure as determined by Chi square analysis. Sensitivity rates for the DNAH method ranged from 92 to 100%. The DNAH method, with the specific enrichment protocol evaluated, was found to be ineffective for detection of Salmonella spp. in walnuts. For raw ground beef, results from one trial showed a statistically significant difference in performance, with more positives obtained by the reference method. However, evidence suggests that the difference in the number of positives was likely due to lack of homogeneity of the test samples rather than to DNAH method performance.     

On-line extraction and determination of carbofuran in raw milk by direct HPLC injection on an ISRP column

Summary A method has been developed for extraction and determination of carbofuran in milk. The method involved direct injection of raw milk on to a human serum albumin dimethyloctyl-silica gel (HSA-C₈) column and the use of 80:20 (v/v) 0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 5.5-acetonitrile as mobile phase. UV spectrophotometric detection was performed at 220 nm. Identification was based on retention time. Quantification was performed by automatic peak-area determination and was calibrated by use of an external standard.     

Cocoa Shell as a Step Forward to Functional Chocolates—Bioactive Components in Chocolates with Different Composition

Chocolate is considered as both caloric and functional food. Its nutritional properties may be improved by addition of fiber; however, this may reduce polyphenols content. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of cocoa shell addition (as a source of fiber) and its combination with different ingredients (cocoa butter equivalents (CBE), emulsifiers, dairy ingredients) on polyphenols of dark and milk chocolates. Total polyphenol (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents were determined spectrophotometrically, identification and quantification of individual compounds by high pressure liquid chromatography and antioxidant capacity by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Results showed that even though addition of cocoa shell to chocolate results in reduced contents of TPC, TFC, and individual compounds, it is not significant compared to ones reported by other authors for commercial chocolates. Other ingredients influence determined values for all investigated parameters; however, additional research is needed to reveal exact mechanisms and implications.     

The Use Of Hplc To Separate Triglycerides In Confectionery Fats Using Ultra Violet Detection

Abstract

The triglycerides of confectionery fats have been separated by reverse phase HPLC using mixtures of either acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile and methyl tertiary butyl ether using UV detection at 237 nanometres. The method has been applied to samples of cocoa butter, cocoa butter equivalents, milk fat and other vegetable fats. The fat from a milk chocolate has been separated by the above system.     

Development and validation of an HPLC method for determination of ziprasidone and its impurities in pharmaceutical dosage forms

Ziprasidone is known as a novel "atypical" or "second-generation" antipsychotic drug. A sensitive and reproducible method was developed and validated for determination of ziprasidone and its major impurities, which are significantly different in polarity. The separation is performed on a Waters Spherisorb octadecylsilyl 1 column (5.0 microm particle size, 250 x 4.6 mm id) using a gradient with mobile phase A [buffer-acetonitrile (80+20, v/v)] and mobile phase B [buffer-acetonitrile (10+90, v/v)] at a working temperature of 25 degrees C. The buffer was 0.05 M KH2PO4 solution with an addition of 10 mL triethylamine/L solution, adjusted to pH 2.5 with orthophosphoric acid. The flow rate was 1.5 mL/min, and the eluate was monitored at 250 nm using a diode array detector. Optimization of the experimental conditions was performed using partial least squares regression, for which four factors were selected for optimization: buffer concentration, buffer pH, triethylamine concentration, and temperature. The proposed validated method is convenient and reliable for the assay and purity control in both raw materials and dosage forms.     

Evaluation of VIDas immuno-concentration Salmonella/VIDAS salmonella immunoassay method for detection of Salmonella in selected foods: collaborative study

The VIDAS Immuno-concentration Salmonella ICS)/VIDAS Salmonella (SLM) immunoassay method for the detection of Salmonella was compared to the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM)/AOAC culture method in a collaborative study. Thirty-two laboratories participated in the evaluation. Each laboratory tested one or more of the 6 test products: milk chocolate, nonfat dry milk, dried whole egg, soy flour, ground black pepper, and ground raw turkey. The 2 methods were in agreement for 1,266 of the 1,440 samples. Of the 174 samples not in agreement, 69 were VIDAS CS/SLM-positive and BAM/AOAC-negative and 105 were VIDAS ICS/SLM-negative and BAM/AOAC-positive.     

基于免疫磁分离的荧光微球免疫层析法检测猪霍乱沙门氏菌

建立了基于免疫磁分离的荧光微球免疫层析法,检测猪霍乱沙门氏菌.待检样品经免疫磁分离富集和热洗脱处理后,用荧光微球免疫层析试纸条进行检测.每毫克纳米磁珠标记30μg抗体制备的免疫磁珠,对浓度为102 ～ 106 CFU/mL的猪霍乱沙门氏菌的捕获率均大于90％,特异性好;在pH=6时,以300μ,g/mg猪霍乱沙门氏菌单抗11D8-D4标记荧光微球,制备免疫荧光微球;以2.0 mg/mL猪霍乱沙门氏菌单抗5F11-B11喷涂检测线(T线),以1.0 mg/mL驴抗鼠IgG喷涂质控线(C线),制备免疫层析试纸条.采用建立的基于免疫磁分离的荧光微球免疫层析方法检测猪霍乱沙门氏菌,在PBS缓冲液中检出限为1.5×105 CFU/mL,牛奶中检出限为7.6×105 CFU/mL,与直接采用荧光微球免疫层析方法检测相比,检出限分别降低了10倍和200倍.本方法可有效富集牛奶中的沙门氏菌,避免了基质干扰,灵敏度大大提高,具有较好的应用前景.     

Salmonella in selected foods by VIDAS immuno-concentration Salmonella plus selective plate method (Hektoen enteric,xylose lysine desoxycholate,bismuth sulfite): collaborative study

The VIDAS Immuno-concentration Salmonella (ICS) plus selective plate method (Hektoen enteric, xylose lysine desoxycholate, bismuth sulfite) method for the detection of Salmonella was compared to the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM)/AOAC culture method in a collaborative study. Thirty-two laboratories participated in the evaluation. Each laboratory tested one or more of the 6 test products: milk chocolate, nonfat dry milk, dried whole egg, soy flour, ground black pepper, and ground raw turkey. The 2 methods were in agreement for 1,297 of the 1,455 samples. Of the 158 samples not in agreement, 82 were VIDAS ICS plus selective plate-positive and BAM/AOAC-negative, and 76 were VIDAS ICS plus selective plate-negative and BAM/AOAC-positive.     

2-Carboxy-1-naphthyl phosphate as a substrate for the fluorimetric determination of alkaline phosphatase

A new substrate, 2-carboxy-1-naphthyl phosphate (CNP), was developed for the fluorimetric determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The product of the enzyme reaction is 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), which is a strong fluorescent product. The amount of HNA generated is proportional to ALP activity. Optimal conditions for the determination of ALP were investigated. The linear range and detection limit for the determination of ALP are 0.01-4.8 U/L and 7.44 mU/L, respectively. This method is simple, practical and can be successfully applied to assess ALP in human serum with good accuracy and precision. The results were evaluated by comparison with a standard colorimetric assay using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as ALP substrate.     

Assay of melamine in milk products with a pH‐mediated stacking technique in capillary electrophoresis

A pH‐mediated stacking method in capillary electrophoresis as an assay for low concentrations of melamine in milk products was established. Real samples were treated with acetone and sodium acetate and injected directly after centrifugation and filtration. Several experimental factors, such as buffer pH, buffer concentration, sample matrix, injection/sweeping ratio, sweeping time/voltages, separation voltages, as well as sample pretreatment, which affected stacking and separation, were investigated and optimized. Under the selected condition, a low LOD of 0.01 μmol/L (S/N = 5) and a wide range of linearity of 0.01～1.0 μmol/L could be easily achieved with a good reproducibility (RSDs < 5.8% for both migration time and peak area) and an acceptable recovery of 94.0～103.2% (for milk, infant formula, yogurt, and milk products). The proposed method was suitable for routine assay of melamine in real milk samples.     

Evaluation of VIDAs Immuno-concentration Salmonella assay Plus selective plate method (Hektoen enteric,bismuth sulfite,Salmonella identification) for detection of Salmonella in selected foods: collaborative study

The VIDAS Immuno-concentration Salmonella (ICS) plus selective plate method (Hektoen enteric, bismuth sulfite, Salmonella identification) method for the detection of Salmonella was compared to the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM)/AOAC culture method in a collaborative study. Thirty-two laboratories participated in the evaluation. Each laboratory tested one or more of the 6 test products: milk chocolate, nonfat dry milk, dried whole egg, soy flour, ground black pepper, and ground raw turkey. The 2 methods were in agreement for 1,283 of the 1,440 test samples. Of the 157 test samples not in agreement, 82 were VIDAS ICS plus selective plate-positive and BAM/AOAC-negative, and 75 were VIDAS ICS plus selective plate-negative and BAM/AOAC-positive.     

Simultaneous analysis of sulfur-containing excitatory amino acids using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with diode array and laser-induced fluorescence detection

The suitability of micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) coupled with diode array or laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection to analyze the four sulfur-containing excitatory amino acids (SEAA), homocysteine sulfinic acid (HCSA), homocysteic acid (HCA), cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA), and cysteic acid (CA) was investigated. 5-Carboxy-fluorescein succinimidyl ester was chosen as fluorescent reagent to derivatize HCSA, HCA, CSA, and CA. During method development, the yield of reaction dependent on pH and incubation time as well as the stability of the products were analyzed. The maximum yield was obtained after 30 min using a 0.1 M borate buffer (pH 8.9) as derivatization buffer. Each labeled amino acid exhibited high stability at room temperature over a period of 5 days. Baseline separation of labeled HCSA, HCA, CSA, and CA was obtained using a buffer consisting of 0.1 M borate, 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 5% v/v methanol (pH 9.0). By applying LIF detection, limits of detection ranged from 0.9 x 10(-10) M for HCSA to 6.0 x 10(-10) M for CA, respectively. Slightly modified separation conditions enabled the analysis of SEAA in cerebrospinal fluid in the presence of the neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate. In conclusion, MEKC coupled with LIF detection is a suitable technique for the simultaneous and sensitive analysis of SEAA. Further work will focus on the validation of the method with cerebrospinal fluid as sample matrix.     

Development and validation of RP-HPLC,HPTLC and UV-visible spectrophotometric methods for simultaneous estimation of alprazolam and propranolol hydrochloride in their combined dosage form

Three accurate, sensitive and reproducible methods are described for the quantitative determination of alprazolam (ALP) and propranolol hydrochloride (PNL) in their combined dosage form. The first method involves an RP-HPLC separation on the C₁₈ column using acetonitrile-25 mM ammonium acetate buffer and 0.2% triethylamine (pH of buffer adjusted to 4 with glacial acetic acid) in the ratio of 35: 65 (v/v) as mobile phase. Symmetrical peaks with good separation, ALP at 9.3 min and PNL at 3.5 min, were achieved. Quantification was done with photo diode array detection at 255 nm over the concentration ranges of 0.5–50 and 10–250 μg/mL for ALP and PNL, respectively. The second method is based on the separation of drugs by HPTLC using chloroform-methanol-ammonia 7: 0.8: 0.1 (v/v/v) as mobile phase. Quantification was achieved using UV detection at 248 nm over the concentration range of 100–600 ng/spot and 5–30 μg/spot for ALP and PNL, respectively. The third method involves dual wavelength UV-visible spectrophotometric method. It is based on the determination of PNL at 319.4 nm using its absorptivity value and ALP at 258.2 nm after deduction of absorbance due to PNL. Quantification was achieved over the concentration range of 1–40 and 80–200 μg/mL for ALP and PNL, respectively. All methods were validated according to ICH guidelines and successively applied to marketed pharmaceutical formulation, and the results of all three methods were compared statistically as well. No interference from the tablet excipients was found.