Classification and determination of total protein in milk powder using near infrared reflectance spectrometry and the successive projections algorithm for variable selection

This paper proposes a methodology for the classification and determination of total protein in milk powder using near infrared reflectance spectrometry (NIRS) and variable selection. Two brands of milk powder were acquired from three Brazilian cities (Natal-RN, Salvador-BA and Rio de Janeiro-RJ). The protein content of 38 samples was determined by the Kjeldahl method and NIRS analysis. Principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibrations were used to predict the total protein. Soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) was also used for full-spectrum classification, resulting in almost 100% classification accuracy, regardless of the significance level adopted for the F-test. Using this strategy, it was feasible to classify powder milk rapidly and nondestructively without the need for various analytical determinations. Concerning the multivariate calibration models, the results show that PCR, PLS and MLR-SPA models are good for predicting total protein in powder milk; the respective root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) were 0.28 (PCR), 0.25 (PLS), 0.11 wt% (MLR-SPA) with an average sample protein content of 8.1 wt%. The results obtained in this investigation suggest that the proposed methodology is a promising alternative for the determination of total protein in milk powder.     

Fast and selective determination of total protein in milk powder via titration of moving reaction boundary electrophoresis

In this paper, moving reaction boundary titration (MRBT) was developed for rapid and accurate quantification of total protein in infant milk powder, from the concept of moving reaction boundary (MRB) electrophoresis. In the method, the MRB was formed by the hydroxide ions and the acidic residues of milk proteins immobilized via cross‐linked polyacrylamide gel (PAG), an acid‐base indicator was used to denote the boundary motion. As a proof of concept, we chose five brands of infant milk powders to study the feasibility of MRBT method. The calibration curve of MRB velocity versus logarithmic total protein content of infant milk powder sample was established based on the visual signal of MRB motion as a function of logarithmic milk protein content. Weak influence of nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) reagents (e.g., melamine and urea) on MRBT method was observed, due to the fact that MRB was formed with hydroxide ions and the acidic residues of captured milk proteins, rather than the alkaline residues or the NPN reagents added. The total protein contents in infant milk powder samples detected via the MRBT method were in good agreement with those achieved by the classic Kjeldahl method. In addition, the developed method had much faster measuring speed compared with the Kjeldahl method.     

Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis as a reference method for protein determination in dairy products

Measurement of total nitrogen by Kjeldahl analysis is the historical reference method for determination of the protein content of dairy products and is used for both calibration and validation of alternative methods for protein determination. Accurate evaluation of alternative methods is not possible if there is large uncertainty regarding the reference values. When Kjeldahl analysis is used to establish reference values, the performance of the Kjeldahl testing must be verified and within established expectations. Advice is given for Kjeldahl system optimization, evaluation of test results, and trouble-shooting. Techniques for successful Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis of dairy products other than milk are discussed.     

Calibration standards for composition-depth profiles of non-stoichiometric titanium nitride coatings

Five different TiN_x coatings have been deposited on steel substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering. A quantitative analysis was carried out in two ways. The coatings were initially analysed by GDOS and after removing the coatings from the substrates and digesting the TiN_x powder, nitrogen was quantified by the Kjeldahl technique and titanium by AAS. A comparison of the results shows that AAS and Kjeldahl results correlate very well, whereas GDOS results deviate from these two methods systematically.     

A comparison of the Kjeldahl and Dumas methods for the determination of protein in foods,using data from a proficiency testing scheme

Both the Kjeldahl and the Dumas methods for the determination of protein in foodstuffs are currently in use, but the empirical nitrogen factors used to convert the determined nitrogen content to protein content are based on the Kjeldahl method alone. Non-equivalence between the two methods could therefore result in some laboratories reporting an incorrect protein content. We report here a study using data accumulated over several years in the results of a proficiency testing scheme. On average the Dumas method provided results that were relatively higher by about 1.4% than the Kjeldahl method, but the difference between the methods depended on the type of foodstuff. The methodology of looking for bias between analytical methods is critically discussed.     

Production of Coconut Protein Powder from Coconut Wet Processing Waste and its Characterization

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been gaining popularity in recent times. During its production, byproducts such as coconut skim milk and insoluble protein are obtained which are underutilized or thrown away to the environment at present. This study deals with utilization of these byproducts to obtain a value-added product, namely, coconut protein powder. When coconut milk was subjected to centrifugation, three phases, namely, fat phase (coconut cream), aqueous phase (coconut skim milk), and solid phase (insoluble protein) were obtained. The coconut skim milk and insoluble protein were mixed and homogenized before spray drying to obtain a dehydrated protein powder. The proximate analysis of the powder showed high protein content (33?% w/w) and low fat content (3?% w/w). Protein solubility was studied as a function of pH and ionic content of solvent. Functional properties such as water hydration capacity, fat absorption capacity, emulsifying properties, wettability, and dispersibility of coconut protein powder were evaluated along with morphological characterization, polyphenol content, and color analysis. Coconut protein powder has shown to have good emulsifying properties and hence has potential to find applications in emulsified foods. Sensory analysis showed high overall quality of the product, indicating that coconut protein powder could be a useful food ingredient.     

Thermal analysis of the powder and the bran of algaroba

The powder and the bran of algaroba pods, submitted to drying temperatures of 55, 65, 75, 85, 95 and 105°C, were studied by conventional and thermogravimetric methods. The dynamic thermogravimetric curves of the samples indicated the following thermal stability order: 105>55>65>95>85>75°C. The powder and the bran of algaroba pods, dried at 55°C, presented protein content higher and isothermal thermogravimetric profiles comparable. The calorimetric curves of samples, dried at 55°C, indicated the gelatinization of starch. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

快速皂化-气相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定乳粉中胆固醇和维生素E 4种异构体

胆固醇和生育酚都是人体所必需的重要营养元素,是乳粉中的重要质量指标。现行国家食品安全标准对胆固醇和维生素E 4种异构体（α -生育酚、β -生育酚、γ -生育酚和δ -生育酚）的检测前处理复杂繁琐、耗时长,且不能同时测定,因此,开发简单、快速且可同时测定胆固醇和4种生育酚的检测方法具有重要的现实意义。该研究采用气相色谱-串联质谱（GC-MS/MS）建立了乳粉中胆固醇和4种生育酚的定性定量测定方法。样品经脂肪酶酶解,采用快速的碳酸钾-乙醇皂化法,同时对酶解时间、皂化温度、萃取溶剂的种类、萃取溶剂的体积、萃取时间等前处理进行优化,从而确定出最优的前处理方法。结果表明,样品在37℃下酶解4 h,然后室温（25℃）下振荡10 min皂化,最后使用5 mL正己烷萃取10 min,4000 r/min离心6 min,取上层正己烷过膜,经TG-5MS Sil色谱柱分离,GC-MS/MS多反应监测离子模式扫描分析,同时获得定性和定量结果。实验结果表明,胆固醇在0.5~50.0 mg/L、4种生育酚在0.25~25.0 mg/L范围内具有较好的线性关系,相关系数（r ² ）大于0.99,加标回收率为76.6%~93.1%,相对标准偏差为0.9%~3.3%,胆固醇定量限为10.0 μg/100 g,4种生育酚的定量限均为5.0 μg/100 g。随机抽取市面上出售的20种婴幼儿配方奶粉及4种低脂乳粉,对其胆固醇和4种生育酚含量进行了分析测试,结果显示,婴幼儿配方乳粉中胆固醇、4种生育酚的含量高于低脂乳粉,其中婴幼儿乳粉的4种生育酚中α -生育酚和β -生育酚含量较高。该方法简便、快速、灵敏、准确,可满足乳粉中胆固醇和4种生育酚生育酚的检测要求,为乳粉品质的快速检测奠定了理论基础。     

可视化移动反应界面滴定法测定豆浆中蛋白质的含量

利用移动反应界面滴定(moving reaction boundary titration, MRBT)技术可视化快速准确测定豆浆中的总蛋白质含量。在MRBT中,移动反应界面(moving reaction boundary, MRB)是由阴极液中的氢氧根离子和固定在聚丙烯酰胺凝胶(polyacrylamide gel, PAG)中的豆浆蛋白质分子形成,通过酸碱指示剂来指示MRB的移动。利用MRB移动速度(V_MRB)与蛋白质浓度存在的函数关系建立标准曲线。配对t检验MRBT测定结果与凯氏定氮相比在95%的置信区间内无显著性差异。MRBT测定所需时间为10 min左右,线性范围为2.0~14.0 g/L,检出限为0.05 g/L,日内相对标准偏差小于1.90%,日间相对标准偏差小于4.39%,回收率为97.41%~99.91%。此外,三聚氰胺等非蛋白质氮(non-protein nitrogen, NPN)的添加,对豆浆中蛋白质的测定结果影响较小。     

Total iodine in nutritional and biological reference materials using neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In a recent collaborative study intended to extend the variety of reference materials certified for iodine, three mineralization methods were developed to quantify the total iodine content of biological and nutritional materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mixture of water-soluble tertiary amines was used as the matrix solution for two oxygen combustion methods and for a simple extraction at room temperature. Calibrations with matrix-matched standards, internal calibration, and isotope dilution with ¹²⁹I were used. Good agreement between neutron activation analysis (NAA) and the two combustion methods was observed except for < 0.1 mg kg^–1 iodine concentrations. The amine extraction method gave the most reliable results for the mixed diet, milk powder, and infant formula samples but low recoveries for other biological materials owing to an incomplete extraction and solubilization of iodine. The NAA method, with its freedom from reagent blank, is a useful technique for the independent determination of iodine in biological, environmental and food matrices, especially for verification of iodine results obtained by ICP-MS.     

Total iodine in nutritional and biological reference materials using neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In a recent collaborative study intended to extend the variety of reference materials certified for iodine, three mineralization methods were developed to quantify the total iodine content of biological and nutritional materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mixture of water-soluble tertiary amines was used as the matrix solution for two oxygen combustion methods and for a simple extraction at room temperature. Calibrations with matrix-matched standards, internal calibration, and isotope dilution with ¹²⁹I were used. Good agreement between neutron activation analysis (NAA) and the two combustion methods was observed except for < 0.1 mg kg^–1 iodine concentrations. The amine extraction method gave the most reliable results for the mixed diet, milk powder, and infant formula samples but low recoveries for other biological materials owing to an incomplete extraction and solubilization of iodine. The NAA method, with its freedom from reagent blank, is a useful technique for the independent determination of iodine in biological, environmental and food matrices, especially for verification of iodine results obtained by ICP-MS. Received: 11 February 1998 / Revised: 21 April 1998 / Accepted: 16 June 1998     

Protein quality of irradiated Brazilian beans

Beans are a major source of dietary protein in Brazil. However, high losses due to insect infestation occur after each harvest. To combat these losses, radiation processing of beans offers promise as an alternative to chemical treatment, provided the nutritional quality of beans is not impaired by the radiation treatment. Conflicting results have been published about the effect of radiation on the biological value of legume proteins. Therefore, two varieties of Brazilian beans were studied: 1) Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. carioca and 2) Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp, var. macaçar. The beans were irradiated with doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 kGy. Since irradiated beans will be consumed after appropriate storage, the beans under study were stored for 6 months at ambient temperature. Protein quality was measured by a biological assay employing the nitrogen balance approach in weanling rats. The animals were fed with optimally cooked beans, which were the only source of protein (10%). Nitrogen contents of legumes, diets, animal urine and faeces were determined by Kjeldahl analysis. The indices for apparent protein quality: net protein utilisation, digestibility and biological value were not influenced by irradiation. Thus, radiation treatment of Brazilian beans offers considerable promise as an effective insect disinfection process, without impairing the biological quality of the valuable bean protein.     

Determination of copper in milk powder by electrothermal atomic absorption and atomic emission spectrometry

Summary Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS) and atomic emission spectrometry (ETA-AES) have been applied to the determination of copper in powdered milk. A homogeneous dispersion procedure for the preparation of the milk powder is described which was found to be simple, rapid and less susceptible to contamination than dry ashing or wet digestion methods. Both ETA-AAS and ETA-AES techniques were found to provide satisfactory results using conventional tube wall atomisation only when the method of standard additions was employed. The application of graphite probe atomisation in ETA-AES and ETA-AAS allowed the development of direct methods for the determination of copper in milk powder using aqueous standard calibration curves. The accuracy of the probe ETA-AAS method was confirmed using new reference materials prepared by the EEC Community Bureau of Reference. Acceptable agreement was obtained for the other procedures using a commercial milk powder sample with a copper content of 6.0g g^–1.     

Analysis of tetracyclines from milk powder by molecularly imprinted solid‐phase dispersion based on a metal–organic framework followed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer that could selectively recognize tetracyclines in milk powder was synthesized using a metal–organic framework as a support material, tetracycline as template molecule, and 3‐aminophenylboronic acid as a functional monomer and a cross‐linking agent. The novel molecularly imprinted polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and N₂ adsorption/desorption measurements. The adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, adsorption thermodynamics, and selective adsorption experiments of the novel molecularly imprinted polymer to tetracycline were also studied. The novel molecularly imprinted polymer was used as dispersant of matrix solid‐phase dispersion to extraction tetracyclines. After that, the tetracyclines extracted from milk powder were determined by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits of tetracyclines were 0.217–0.318 ng/g. The relative standard deviations of intra‐ and interday precision ranged from 3.8 to 6.9% and from 2.8 to 7.4%, respectively. In all three concentration levels (1.0, 10, 50 ng/g), the recoveries of tetracyclines ranged from 84.7 to 93.9%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of tetracyclines in milk powder.     

羟基化对Si3N4粉体水相分散性的影响

过施加硝酸有效地使氮化硅（Si₃N₄）粉末的表面羟基化,以改善在水性介质中的分散性。与天然粉末相比,羟基化粉末在水性介质中产生更稳定的胶体分散。傅里叶变换红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱结果表明,随着羟基改性,Si₃N₄粉末的羟基含量显著增加。这有助于防止Si₃N₄粉末在水性介质中聚集。此外,热重分析表明羟基化Si₃N₄粉末的羟基含量比天然粉末高68.8%。Si₃N₄粉末的表面亲水性通过羟基改性而增强,并且粉末分散性随着羟基含量的增加而提高。     

羟基化对Si3N4粉体水相分散性的影响

通过施加硝酸有效地使氮化硅（Si₃N₄）粉末的表面羟基化,以改善在水性介质中的分散性。与天然粉末相比,羟基化粉末在水性介质中产生更稳定的胶体分散。傅里叶变换红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱结果表明,随着羟基改性,Si₃N₄粉末的羟基含量显著增加。这有助于防止Si₃N₄粉末在水性介质中聚集。此外,热重分析表明羟基化Si₃N₄粉末的羟基含量比天然粉末高68.8%。Si₃N₄粉末的表面亲水性通过羟基改性而增强,并且粉末分散性随着羟基含量的增加而提高。     

Determination of fat, protein, and total solids in ovine milk by near-infrared spectroscopy.

Analysis by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was investigated as a means of predicting quality parameters of ovine milk. Calibration equations were developed with samples of ovine milk obtained from a flock of Manchega and Lacaune dairy ewes at different stages of lactation for a wide variation in milk composition. Prediction equations for milk protein, fat, and total solids content were developed by use of reflection or transflection methods to measure absorbance values. Accuracies of measurements were compared. R2 (squared multiple correlation coefficient) values were satisfactory in most cases. The highest R2 value for milk protein content (0.92) was obtained in transflectance mode with unhomogenized milk. The highest R2 values for fat (0.99) and total solids (0.98-0.96) content were obtained in both a transflectance mode without sample conditioning and in a transflectance mode with milk homogenized at 40 degrees C. To validate the calibration, an independent set of 40 milk samples was used. The best r2 (simple correlation coefficient) values for protein, fat, and total solids were 0.92, 0.97, and 0.92, respectively. The study showed that NIRS is a potentially useful technique for evaluating the composition of unhomogenized ovine milk.     

Comparison of the Kjeldahl method and a combustion method for total nitrogen determination in animal feed

The features of the Dumas combustion method (CM) and those of the Kjeldahl method (KM) were compared as they apply to total nitrogen determination in animal feed. Both methods achieved similar repeatability (S.D., 0.11-0.38 from Kjeldahl and 0.15-0.36 from combustion) and similar intra-laboratory reproducibility (S.D., 0.11-0.39 from Kjeldahl and 0.15-0.37 from combustion). R.S.D. is always below 2%. These results show that the CM is suitable for the analysis of protein content in animal feed (5-75% protein content). The CM is recommended owing to its shorter analysis time, its cost and its environmental suitability.     

Chemical synthesis of tungsten-copper nanocomposite powder

In this study homogeneous powders of CuWO₄ and WO₃ was produced from ammonium para-tungstate (APT) and copper nitrate. Then, the product was used to prepare nano-sized W-Cu powder. Hence, a mixture of ammonium paratungstate and copper nitrate with predetermined weight proportion was made in distilled water, while the content of the beaker was being stirred at a certain speed to reach the desired composition of W-20 wt % Cu. Mixture was heated to 80–100°C for 6 h. Also, pH range was adjusted at about 3–4. The mixture was then evaporated and dried in the air. To reach W-Cu composite powder, the precursor powders burned out at 520°C for 2 h in the air to form W-Cu oxide powder and then were ball milled and reduced in H₂ atmosphere to convert it into W-Cu composite powder. The resulting powders were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis techniques. The results showed that homogeneous powders of W-Cu with particle size of around 100 nm and a nearly spherical shape could be obtained by this process. Each particle include smaller parts with size of around 20–30 nm.     

Analytical quality control program used by the trace elements in foods and diets sub-network of the FAO European cooperative network on trace elements

Summary The analytical quality control program employed by the ongoing FAO study on 14 trace elements in nationally representative staple foods of European countries is presented. The analytical quality control used is based on: 1) precautions taken to avoid trace element contaminations or losses during sampling and sample handling; and, 2) on methods used to guarantee that the actual determinations yield correct results. The precautions are presented. A number of certified biological reference materials (RMs) were used to validate the analytical methods employed. The following staple food RMs were also prepared: wheat flour, potato powder, animal muscle (pork) and milk powder. They were tested for homogeneity and subjected to an interlaboratory comparison study on the basis of which recommended values for trace element concentrations were defined. Further, the mean relative standard deviation for the 95% confidence limits of the medians in all RMs was below 5% for Ca, Mg and Zn; below 10% for Mn; below 15% for Fe, Cu and Se; and below 25% for Mo and Ni. These RMs were used to control the analytical quality of the trace element determinations in the actual samples. It is concluded that important contaminations were avoided in sampling and sample handling and that use of the RMs described was necessary to guarantee the analytical quality of the results.