Comparison on the antioxidant capacity of selected fruits and vegetables and their separations

Several kinds of fruits, including apple, pear, and grape, and vegetables, including onion and tomato, were studied in this paper. FRAP and DPPH assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts and their separations. After being extracted, different phenolic compounds were separated on Sephadex LH-20 column. EC1 and EC50 were used to show the ferric reducing ability and DPPH scavenging activity. The results indicated that the Fe-reducing ability order of different extracts was different with that of DPPH scavenging ability. The mutual effect of the substances in the mixture influenced the antioxidant activity of the separations. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 333–335, July–August, 2006.     

Organic oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in a porcine controlled dietary study

Controlled feeding studies have been useful in assessing the relationship between isotope values from dietary sources and consumer tissues. We report the organic oxygen and hydrogen values of animal tissue from a porcine controlled dietary study. A complex mixture of fractionation and incorporation is revealed. In both deltaD and delta(18)O, differences in the absolute values and the amount of variation between and within consumer tissue are documented. Significant differences in deltaD and delta(18)O are observed between protein sources such as keratin and collagen.     

Comparison of QuEChERS sample preparation methods for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables

This article describes the comparison of different versions of an easy, rapid and low-cost sample preparation approach for the determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by concurrent use of gas and liquid chromatography (GC and LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) for detection. The sample preparation approach is known as QuEChERS, which stands for “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe”. The three compared versions were based on the original unbuffered method, which was first published in 2003, and two interlaboratory validated versions: AOAC Official Method 2007.01, which uses acetate buffering, and European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Standard Method EN 15662, which calls for citrate buffering. LC–MS/MS and GC–MS analyses using each method were tested from 50 to 1000 ng/g in apple–blueberry sauce, peas and limes spiked with 32 representative pesticides. As expected, the results were excellent (overall average of 98% recoveries with 10% RSD) using all 3 versions, except the unbuffered method gave somewhat lower recoveries for the few pH-dependent pesticides. The different methods worked equally well for all matrices tested with equivalent amounts of matrix co-extractives measured, matrix effects on quantification and chemical noise from matrix in the chromatographic backgrounds. The acetate-buffered version gave higher and more consistent recoveries for pymetrozine than the other versions in all 3 matrices and for thiabendazole in limes. None of the versions consistently worked well for chlorothalonil, folpet or tolylfluanid in peas, but the acetate-buffered method gave better results for screening of those pesticides. Also, due to the recent shortage in acetonitrile (MeCN), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) was evaluated as a substitute solvent in the acetate-buffered QuEChERS version, but it generally led to less clean extracts and lower recoveries of pymetrozine, thiabendazole, acephate, methamidophos, omethoate and dimethoate. In summary, the acetate-buffered version of QuEChERS using MeCN exhibited advantages compared to the other tested methods in the study.     

Properties and determination of pesticides in fruits and vegetables

The intensive development of agriculture means that more and more toxic organic and inorganic compounds are entering the environment. Because of their widespread use, stability, selective toxicity and bioaccumulation, pesticides are among the most toxic substances contaminating the environment. They are particularly dangerous in fruit and vegetables, by which people are exposed to them. It is therefore crucial to monitor pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables using all available analytical methods.We set out the problems in the determination of organonitrogen and organophosphorus pesticides in samples of fruit and vegetables, including the complexity and the diversity of matrices in biological materials, and the very low level of pesticides present, as a result of which target analytes have to be isolated and then enriched prior to final determination.We discuss the various stages in the determination of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables. We present results from the literature in the context of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) of target pesticides in fruit and vegetable samples. We discuss the merits of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) technique and two-dimensional gas chromatography.     

Sequential injection fluorimetric determination of Sn in juices of canned fruits

The present work describes the development of a fast and robust sequential injection fluorimetric procedure for the determination of Sn in juices of canned fruits. The developed automatic methodology is based on the complexation of Sn with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQSA) to form a fluorimetric product (λ_exc = 354 nm; λ_em = 510 nm). The influence of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) on the sensitivity of the fluorimetric determination was evaluated.Linear calibration plots were obtained for Sn concentrations between 1 and 10 mg L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.38 mg L⁻¹. In each analytical cycle 0.006 mg of HQSA and 0.47 mg of CPB were consumed and 1.5 mL of effluent was generated.The developed methodology was applied to the determination of Sn in juices of canned fruits and the results complied with those furnished by an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry comparison procedure, with relative deviations lower than 5.2%.The automatic procedure exhibited good precision (R.S.D. < 1.4%) and the sampling rate was about 70 determinations per hour.     

蔬菜、水果中12种限量有机磷农药残留量测定方法

建立了蔬菜、水果中12种限量有机磷农药的提取、净化及毛细管柱气相色谱测定法。目标农药经乙腈萃取,弗罗里硅土柱净化,浓缩后用带火焰光度检测器(FPD)的双塔双柱气相色谱测定,前柱(DB-17)定量,后柱(DB-1)定性。12种农药线性良好,线性相关系数大于0.9990,对蔬菜、水果添加0.01～0.1mg/kg的水平,12种有机磷的平均回收率在70.9%～119.9%之间,相对标准偏差0.12%～12%,本方法的最低检测限0.005～0.05mg/kg。     

Analysis of herbicide residues in cereals, fruits and vegetables

The determination of herbicide residues in cereals, fruits and vegetables by chromatographic methods is reviewed. The principal chemical groups of herbicides, like phenoxyacids, benzonitriles, ureas, triazines, dinitroanilines, chloroacetamides, carbamates, uracils, glyphosate and bipyridylium compounds, are considered. This review briefly provides some basic information on food sample extraction, clean-up, derivatization and determination of herbicide residues.     

荧光检测-高效液相色谱法测定水果、蔬菜中抗蚜威残留量

建立了水果、蔬菜中抗蚜威残留的荧光检测-高效液相色谱法。样品以乙腈提取,固相萃取氨基小柱(LC-NH2)净化,Waterscarbamateanalysis(3.9mm×150mm,4μm),V(甲醇)∶V(水)∶V(乙腈)=16∶68∶16为流动相,柱温30℃,流速为1.5mL/min进行分离,用荧光检测器进行检测,激发波长和发射波长分别为317nm,392nm。回收率在98.5%~105.4%,相对标准偏差为3.0%~4.6%,检出限为0.01mg/kg。     

Monitoring of pesticide residues in Egyptian fruits and vegetables during 1996

Samples of the most common fruits and vegetables were collected from 8 local markets in 6 governorates. These 1,579 samples were analyzed for residues of 53 pesticides, which included organophosphorus and organonitrogen compounds and some synthetic pyrethroids. Samples were also analyzed for residues of organochlorine pesticides, although they had been prohibited from use several years ago. Only 510 of the 1,579 samples were analyzed for dithiocarbamate pesticide residues, which were determined as CS2. Overall, 76.1 % of the total analyzed samples had no detectable residues, 23.9% contained detectable residues, and 2.59% contained residues that exceeded maximum residue limits. For individual crops, contaminated samples ranged from 0 to 96% of the number of samples analyzed. However, the highest violative percentage for samples of individual crops was 12.5. Chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, dimethoate, bromopropylate, and profenofos were the violative pesticides determined in fruit and vegetable samples. The results of the current study demonstrated that no restricted or banned pesticides such as DDT, HCH, and their isomers were found in any of the samples analyzed. Dithiocarbamate residues were detected in 9.4% of the 510 samples analyzed, with a violative percentage of 0.39, representing one grape sample and one peach sample.     

Determination of alpha-emitting isotopes of uranium and thorium in vegetables and excreta

A radiochemical procedure for the determination of alpha-emitting isotopes of uranium and thorium in vegetables and excreta has been optimized, involving sample dissolution, separation by ionic exchange resin, electrodeposition and alpha-spectroscopy. Uranium and thorium isotopes were determined separately to prevent interference of ²²⁸Th from ²³²U tracer with ²²⁸Th from natural series of 232Th. This procedure was applied to faeces from people living in the Poços de Caldas plateau, a high natural radioactivity region of Brazil, and vegetables from the Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring (EML/DOE). Results show a chemical recovery of 80–95% for uranium and 46–72% for thorium.     

Carotenoids and their isomers: color pigments in fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are colorful pigment-containing food sources. Owing to their nutritional benefits and phytochemicals, they are considered as 'functional food ingredients'. Carotenoids are some of the most vital colored phytochemicals, occurring as all-trans and cis-isomers, and accounting for the brilliant colors of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids extensively studied in this regard include β-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Coloration of fruits and vegetables depends on their growth maturity, concentration of carotenoid isomers, and food processing methods. This article focuses more on several carotenoids and their isomers present in different fruits and vegetables along with their concentrations. Carotenoids and their geometric isomers also play an important role in protecting cells from oxidation and cellular damages.     

Monitoring pesticide residues in Egyptian fruits and vegetables in 1995.

Organophosphorus, dithiocarbamates, and some synthetic pyrethroids pesticides, which are commonly used in Egypt for pest control, were monitored, as well as persistent organochlorines, which had been prohibited from use several years ago. Fruit and vegetable samples (397) were collected from 8 local markets and examined for 52 pesticides. Of all analyzed samples, 42.8% contained detectable residues, of which 1.76% exceeded their maximum residue limits (MRLs). The rates of contamination with the different pesticides were 0-86%. However, violation rates among contaminated products were very low, ranging from 0 to 4.6%. In general, organochlorine pesticide residues were not detected in most samples. Dithiocarbamate residues were found in 70.4% of 98 samples analyzed for dithiocarbamates, but only one grape sample had residues exceeding the MRL established by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues.     

The use of stable isotopes ratios for authentication of fruit juices

The determination of the content of stable isotopes, ¹⁸O and ²H, respectively, in juice water facilitates the distinction between authentic juices and juices made from concentrates by redilution with tap water. At the same time, the detection of C₄ cane or corn-derived sugar syrups in fruit juices which are produced from C₃ fruit types is thus facilitated by the characteristic differences in ¹³C/¹²C, expressed as δ ¹³C (‰) values due to photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation via the C₃₋, C₄₋, and crassulacean acid metabolism pathways. In this study, the quantitative determination of water added to an authentic juice, on the basis of δ ¹⁸O, and δ ²H values, respectively, was successfully performed. Also, the δ ¹⁸O, and δ ²H of juice water and δ ¹³C of the whole juice in 18 samples were also determined. The results obtained provided us with the possibility of distinguishing between authentic fruit juices and those obtained by redilution of concentrated fruit juices and the detection of C⁴ type added sugar.     

Determination of abamectin residues in fruits and vegetables by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid and sensitive HPLC method has been developed and validated for the determination of abamectin residues (avermectin B1a and B1b, as well as the metabolite 8,9-Z-avermectin B1) in apples, pears and tomatoes. Residues are extracted with acetonitrile. The diluted extract is cleaned up on a C18 solid-phase extraction cartridge. Abamectin residues are derivatised with trifluoroacetic acid and 1-methylimidazole and determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (excitation: 365 nm and emission: 470 nm). High and consistent recoveries, ranging from 88 to 106%, were obtained, at spiking levels of 10, 20 and 50 micrograms/kg, when analysing apples, pears and tomatoes.     

Third order derivative spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in fruits and vegetables

Ascorbic acid (AA) has been determined in kiwi, parsley and grapefruit by third order derivative spectrophotometry without using any separation or background correction techniques and reagents. The method is based on the measurement of the distances between two extremum values (peak-to-peak amplitudes) in the third order derivative spectra of the extracts. A metaphosphoric acid (3% w/v)-acetic acid (8% v/v) mixture was found to be the most suitable extraction solution. In the third order derivative spectrum, the extrema of 259.4 nm and 276.2 nm were used for the quantitative determination of AA in kiwi, and the extrema of 227 nm and 237 nm were used for the quantitative determination of AA in parsley and grapefruit. Calibration curves were constructed for the 2.0-10.0 mug ml(-1) concentration range. Relative standard deviations were calculated from the assay results of 14 samples. They were found to be in the ranges of 0.53-2.45% and 0.50-1.41% for the proposed method and the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method, respectively. The obtained results were statistically compared with those of the official method of AOAC using the F test. There was no significant difference between the precisions at a 95% confidence level.     

离子色谱法同时分析果蔬中5种阴离子

建立了离子色谱法同时测定果蔬中Cl^-,NO2^-,SO42^-,NO3^-,PO43^-5种阴离子含量的方法。通过对前处理条件以及离子色谱条件的优化,确定最优超声提取时间为40 min,温度为30℃,超声提取剂为0.5 mL 1.0 mol/L KOH溶液,最佳流动相为30 mmol/L KOH。结果表明:Cl^-,NO2^-,SO42^-,NO3^-,PO43^-的线性相关系数在0.9995~0.9999之间,回收率范围为89.5%~105.6%,相对标准偏差小于8.2%。该方法对多种样品适应性好。     

Recent developments and applications of liquid phase microextraction in fruits and vegetables analysis

The sample preparation step has been identified as the bottleneck of analytical methodology in chemical analysis. Therefore, there is need for the development of cost‐effective, easy to operate, and environmentally friendly miniaturized sample preparation technique. The microextraction techniques combine extraction, isolation, concentration, and introduction of analytes into analytical instrument, to a single and uninterrupted step, and improve sample throughput. The use of liquid‐phase microextraction techniques for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables are discussed with the focus on the methodologies employed by different researchers and their analytical performances. Analytes are extracted using water‐immiscible solvents and are desorbed into gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, or capillary electrophoresis for identification and quantitation.