Differentiation of organically and conventionally produced milk by stable isotope and fatty acid analysis

Increasing sales of organic milk mean intensified tests for authenticity are required. In addition to comprehensive documentation, analytical methods to identify organic milk, and thus to differentiate it from conventional milk, are needed for consumer protection. Because the composition of milk is fundamentally dependent on the feeding of the cows, thirty-five samples from both production systems in Germany, including farm and retail milk, were collected within 12 months, to reflect seasonal variation, and appropriate properties were analysed. Fatty acid analysis enabled organic and conventional milk to be completely distinguished, because of the higher α-linolenic acid (C18:3ω3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5ω3) content of the former. Organic milk fat contained at least 0.56% C18:3ω3 whereas the maximum in conventional milk was 0.53%. Because of the parallel seasonal course of the C18:3ω3 content of organic and conventional retail samples, however, time-resolved comparison at the five sampling dates resulted in a clearer difference of 0.34 ± 0.06% on average. Analysis of stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) also enabled complete distinction of both types of milk; this can be explained by the different amounts of maize in the feed. For conventional milk fat δ¹³C values were −26.6‰ or higher whereas for organic milk fat values were always lower, with a maximum of −28.0‰. The time-resolved average difference was 4.5 ± 1.0‰. A strong negative correlation (r = −0.92) was found between C18:3ω3 and δ¹³C. Analysis of a larger number of samples is required to check the preliminary variation ranges obtained in this pilot study and, probably, to adjust the limits. Stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) or sulfur (δ³⁴S) did not enable assignment of the origin of the milk; in cases of ambiguity, however, some trends observed might be useful in combination with other properties. Figure Correlation (r = −0.92) between δ¹³C value and C18:3ω3 content of milk fat from different production systems     

A simple rapid method to precisely determine 13C/12C ratios of plant methoxyl groups

Stable isotope ratios of individual plant components have become a valuable tool for the determination of the geographical origin and authenticity of foodstuff. A recently published method with considerable potential in this context is the measurement of the deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) isotope ratios of plant matter methoxyl groups. The method entailed cleavage of methyl ethers or esters with hydriodic acid (HI) to form gaseous methyl iodide (CH₃I) and then measurement of the δ²H value of this gas. Here, as a follow up to a previous study, we describe a method for the rapid and precise δ¹³C analysis of plant matter methoxyl groups using gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). Conditions for sample preparation were investigated for isotope discrimination effects, the GC conditions optimized, the reproducibility of the measurement of standards undertaken, and the precision of the method defined. The reproducibility of the δ¹³C value determined for a CH₃I standard on 20 consecutive measurements was found to be 0.17‰. The method was also tested on four methoxyl‐rich plant components: vanillin, lignin, wood and pectin. The analytical precision obtained, expressed as the average standard deviation, for these compounds was found to be better than 0.13‰. The described procedure which is simple and rapid, allowing preparation and analysis of a sample within 1 h, produces accurate and reproducible isotopic measurements. We suggest that this validated δ¹³C method when employed together with the recently published δ²H method for two‐dimensional stable isotope studies of organic matter containing methoxyl groups will be of considerable value, e.g. for proving the authenticity of foodstuff. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Authenticity assessment of beef origin by principal component analysis of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric data

It has become necessary to assess the authenticity of beef origin because of concerns regarding human health hazards. In this study, we used a metabolomic approach involving matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry to assess the authenticity of beef origin. Highly accurate data were obtained for samples of extracted lipids from beef of different origin; the samples were grouped according to their origin. The analysis of extracted lipids in this study ended within 10 min, suggesting this approach can be used as a simple authenticity assessment before a definitive identification by isotope analysis.     

Geographic characterization of Greek wine by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry macroelemental analysis

Abstract

Studying wine mineral profile has been proven as a valuable tool in geographical origin discrimination and authenticity for both producers and consumers. Adulteration of wines, in terms of geographical origin or variety, is considered a major topic of extensive research. Traceability and authenticity of wines have been previously studied on the basis of typical mineral element patterns by means of chemometric methods. In this context, analytical methods were developed for the determination of mineral elements in wines by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. This study aimed at classifying selected varietal Greek wines from various regions by employing instrumental analysis. Preliminary data of wine mineral content enabled for the classification of samples according to geographical origin and variety. However, further work is required in order to draw more valid conclusions and to obtain a detailed map of the mineral element content of Greek wines according to their geographical origin and/or variety.     

Effects of chromium ion on sulfur removal during pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis of coal

The effects of impregnated Cr³⁺ on sulfur removal during pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis of coal were investigated by loading CrCl₃ into raw, demineralized and pyrite removed coal, respectively. The results indicate that Cr has no effect on the removal of pyrite. Cr affects the removal of total sulfur by forming Cr₇S₈ and affecting the removal of organic sulfur. Cr acts as the sulfur removing agent by promoting the decomposition of the unstable organic sulfur at low temperature. However, it behaves to be sulfur fixing agent between 400 and 700 °C so as to inhibit the evolution of H₂S, even in hydropyrolysis. With the increase of temperature from 700 to 1050 °C, a certain ratio of Cr₇S₈ is converted into organic sulfur during pyrolysis; however, almost all the Cr₇S₈ is reduced into Cr at 1050 °C during hydropyrolysis. And Cr significantly promotes the removal of organic sulfur at high temperature within reducing atmosphere. The XPS results indicate that the sulfur is enriched on coke surface by Cr, which is attributable to the formation of Cr₇S₈ as well as the transfer of organic sulfur from bulk to surface during pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis.     

Multi-tissue analysis of oxygen isotopes in wild rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Oxygen isotopes in animal tissues are directly related to body water composition and thus the environment. Accurate measurement of animal tissue δ¹⁸O provides information about local climate, an animal's geographical origin and subsequent movements, with wide applications in palaeobiology and forensic science. The genesis and evolution of tissue‐based oxygen isotopes within species and within individuals are complex. We present the first data, for non‐human primates, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), on the relationship between oxygen isotope sources in bio‐apatite (PO₄ and PCO₃) and hair taken from six sample sites in Asia, ranging from western India to northern Vietnam. The range of values is similar within each tissue type, with good correlation between tissues (r = 0.791 to 0.908), allowing cross‐tissue extrapolations. This is important when the availability of suitable tissues is limited. Biological interpretation of the small data set is difficult: macaque diets are eclectic, and the samples are from various locations. However, factors such as overall climate, precipitation quantity and source, and altitude are clearly influencing the results for each discrete geographical grouping. Future work could be aimed at assessing δ¹⁸O tissue associations for other species as the relationships appear to be species‐specific. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Curium isotopes in Chernobyl fallout

In nuclear reactors plutonium and transplutonium isotopes are produced by multiple neutron capture of uranium and plutonium and are important for the energy production and their composition reflects the core burnout. Under normal operation these elements are not released to the environment in significant amounts. There are accordingly very few areas or source terms where exotic transplutonium elements, such as curium isotopes, can be studied in the environment. The Chernobyl accident provided a complex spectrum of fission and activation products in fallout while the relative amounts, compared to the core inventory, of refractory elements such as transuranium and transplutonium elements were small. The major alpha-activity consisted of ²⁴²Cm (T _1/2 = 163 d) that would have decayed after a few years. In this study we have demonstrated the presence of so called supported ²⁴²Cm from the long-lived ²⁴²Am^m (T _1/2 = 141 a) in environmental samples, following fallout from the Chernobyl accident. It has also been possible to assess the core burn up by using the data obtained for the Cm isotopes. The curium isotopes ²⁴³Cm (T _1/2 = 29.1 a) and ²⁴⁴Cm (T _1/2 = 18.1 a) cannot be resolved by conventional alpha-spectrometry. The assessment of these isotopes in environmental samples contaminated from the Chernobyl accident has been made by studying the effective half-life of the mixture of the isotopes. The data are compared with those previously obtained by high-resolution alpha-spectrometry and spectral deconvolution.     

Traceability and Authentication of Manila Clams from North-Western Adriatic Lagoons Using C and N Stable Isotope Analysis

In the Adriatic lagoons of northern Italy, manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) farming provides important socio-economic returns and local clams should be registered with the Protected Designations of Origin scheme. Therefore, there is a need for the development of rapid, cost-effective tests to guarantee the origin of the product and to prevent potential fraud. In this work, an elemental analysis (EA) coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was employed to identify the isotopic fingerprints of clams directly collected onsite in three Adriatic lagoons and bought at a local supermarket, where they exhibited certification. In particular, a multivariate analysis of C/N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in manila clam tissues as well as δ¹³C in shells and Δ¹³C (calculated as δ¹³C_shell–δ¹³C_tissues) seems a promising approach for tracking the geographical origin of manila clams at the regional scale.     

Double design of host and guest synergistically reinforces the Na-ion storage of sulfur cathodes

Development of room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries is significantly hampered by the shuttle effect of soluble intermediates and intrinsically sluggish conversion kinetics. In this work, a double design host and guest strategy (i.e., implantation of a polar V₂O₃ adsorbent into a carbon substrate and selenium doping of a sulfur guest) is proposed to synergistically reinforce the electrochemical properties of sulfur electrodes in sodium ion storage. The V₂O₃ adsorbent efficiently immobilizes sulfur species via strong polar–polar interactions, while the selenium dopant improves the electronic conductivity of sulfur cathodes and accelerates the redox conversion of sulfur cathodes. The synergistic effect between the V₂O₃ adsorbent and selenium dopant is shown to inhibit the shuttle effect and improve the redox kinetics, thus realizing greatly enhanced Na-ion storage properties of sulfur cathodes. The as-designed sulfur cathode delivers a superior rate capability of 663 mA h g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹ and demonstrates excellent cyclability of 405 mA h g⁻¹ over 700 cycles at 1.0 A g⁻¹.

Development of room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries is significantly hampered by the shuttle effect of soluble intermediates and intrinsically sluggish conversion kinetics.     

Excitation functions for (α,xn) reactions on107Ag and109Ag

Excitation functions have been measured for yields of In isotopes in the reactions¹⁰⁷Ag(, xn)^111–xIn and¹⁰⁹Ag(, xn)^113–xIn for x=1–5. The alpha particle bombardment of natural silver, the stacked foil technique for irradiation and semiconductor gamma-spectrometry for measurements were used.This work has been sponsored by the Subsecretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología, Argentina.     

Sulfur(iv) reagents for the SuFEx-based synthesis of substituted sulfamate esters

Sulfur(vi) fluoride exchange chemistry has been reported to be effective at synthesizing valuable sulfur(vi) functionalities through sequential nucleophilic additions, yet oxygen-based nucleophiles are limited in this approach to phenolic derivatives. Herein, we report a new sulfur(iv) fluoride exchange strategy to access synthetically challenging substituted sulfamate esters from alkyl alcohols and amines. We also report the development of a non-gaseous, sulfur(iv) fluoride exchange reagent, N-methylimidazolium sulfinyl fluoride hexafluorophosphate (MISF). By leveraging the reactivity of the sulfur(iv) center of this novel reagent, the sequential addition of alcohols and amines to MISF followed by oxidation afforded the desired substituted sulfamates in 40–83% yields after two steps. This new strategy expands the scope of SuFEx chemistry by increasing the accessibility of underdeveloped –S(O)F intermediates for future explorations.

N-Methylimidazolium sulfinyl fluoride hexafluorophosphate (MISF) was developed as a solution-stable sulfur(iv) reagent to access substituted sulfamate esters using a sulfur(iv) fluoride exchange strategy.

Sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reagents have powerful applications in pharmaceuticals, chemical biology, and materials science.¹ The most commonly utilized reagents are sulfur(vi) compounds, such as sulfuryl fluoride (SO₂F₂) and its derivatives, that can be used to efficiently synthesize a wide range of functionalities through sequential nucleophilic additions (Fig. 1a).² Sulfamate esters are targets of particular interest as they display potential as anticancer agents and as a new class of antibiotics,³ as well as versatility as synthetic intermediates.⁴ Oxygen-based nucleophiles are limited to phenolic derivatives with sulfur(vi) SuFEx reagents, restricting their use in sulfamate ester syntheses. The reaction of aliphatic alcohols with SO₂F₂ leads to aliphatic fluorosulfate intermediates that are very unstable, and results in rapid substitution at the fluorosulfate alpha-position (Fig. 1b).^5,6O-Alkyl sulfamate esters (ROSO₂NH₂) are readily synthesized with alternatives to SuFEx-based methods,⁷ but the substituted analogues require harsh conditions, multiple steps, and long reaction times.⁸ For example, sulfur(vi) chloride reagents have been utilized in the syntheses of sulfur(vi) moieties, yet are limited due to their inherent instability and prevalent side reactions.^9,10 A fast, mild, and SuFEx-based approach to the syntheses of substituted alkyl sulfur(vi) motifs is, therefore, desired.Open in a separate windowFig. 1SuFEx chemistry for the syntheses of S(vi) functionalities. (a) Reported sulfur(vi) SuFEx approach to linking nucleophiles. (b) Limitations of sulfur(vi) reagents in accessing fluorosulfate intermediates. (c) This work. Use of novel sulfur(iv) SuFEx reagent followed by oxidation to access synthetically challenging sulfur(vi) motifs that are inaccessible with sulfur(vi) reagents.The aforementioned limitations of sulfur(vi) SuFEx reactions may be overcome by utilizing a novel approach involving sulfur(iv) fluoride reagents (Fig. 1d). The addition of an alkyl alcohol to a sulfur(iv) fluoride exchange reagent should readily form the corresponding fluorosulfite intermediate. In contrast to fluorosulfates, fluorosulfites 2 may be more reactive at the sulfur center than the alpha-position.¹¹ Therefore, the addition of a heteroatom nucleophile to the sulfur(iv) center of a fluorosulfite should be faster and more selective than the sulfur(vi) analogue. A subsequent oxidation of the sulfur(iv) center would then afford the desired sulfur(vi) motif. While the oxidation step limits the substrate scope, this strategy provides a route to substrates that were previously inaccessible.Thionyl fluoride (SOF₂), the sulfur(iv) analogue of SO₂F₂, has displayed versatile reactivity despite the relatively few studies on its use.^11,12 The initial addition of a heteroatomic nucleophile to thionyl fluoride has been reported to be an efficient protocol for achieving amino sulfinyl fluorides and fluorosulfites,¹³ yet further reactivity of these intermediates has not been reported. There are also several major drawbacks to its use, including safety hazards associated with handling the gaseous reagent.¹⁴ There is no literature precedence for non-gaseous sulfur(iv) derivatives of thionyl fluoride. Therefore, a non-gaseous derivative that maintains the fundamental reactivity of SOF₂ is essential for the broad adoption of this class of sulfur(iv) reagents.     

A tr esr study of the reactions of excited organic triplet molecules with inorganic sulfur oxoanions

The reactions of excited triplet ketones including benzophenone, 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone, and acetone with inorganic sulfur oxoanions: sulfite (SO₃ ⁼), metabisulfite (S₂O₅ ⁼), and dithionite (S₂O₄ ⁼) in solution were studied by TRESR. Observation of radical anion intermediates polarized by the Triplet Mechanism demonstrated the reactions of electron transfer from the sulfur dianions to the organic triplet states. Thus, electron transfer from SO₃ ⁼ to the triplet organic carbonyl compounds gave rise to the SO₃ ^? radical; reactions with metabisulfite and dithionite were more complex and may be interpreted as occurring via electron transfer to the carbonyl system followed by dissociation of the S-S bond in the resulting sulfur oxoanion radical. The initial radical ion pairs thus formed consist of pairs of anion radicals, one organic and one inorganic.     

Elucidation of hydrodesulfurization mechanism on molybdenum‐based catalysts using 35S radioisotope pulse tracer methods

Elucidation of the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) mechanism on molybdenumbased catalysts using radioisotope tracer methods and reaction kinetics is reviewed. Firstly, to investigate the sulfidation state in Mo/Al₂O₃ and Co–Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts, presulfiding of these catalysts has been performed using a ³⁵S pulse tracer method. Secondly, HDS of radioactive ³⁵Slabeled dibenzothiophene was carried out over a series of sulfided molybdena–alumina catalysts and cobaltpromoted molybdena–alumina catalysts in a pressurized flow reactor to estimate the behavior of sulfur on the working catalysts. Finally, sulfur exchange of a ³⁵Slabeled catalyst with hydrogen sulfide was performed to estimate the relationship between the amount of labile sulfur and catalytically active sites.     

Freezing Point of Mixtures of C6H6 with C6D6 or 13C6H6 and of CH3COOH with CH3COOD or CD3COOD

The freezing points of mixtures of benzene, C₆H₆, with one of its isotopes, C₆D₆ and ¹³C₆H₆, and those of acetic acid CH₃COOH with its isotopes, CH₃COOD and CD₃COOD, were measured as functions of the molal concentrations of C₆D₆ and ¹³C₆H₆, CH₃COOD and CD₃COOD, respectively. They changed linearly or non-linearly with increasing molal concentration of C₆D₆ and ¹³C₆H₆, CH₃COOD, and CD₃COOD, respectively. These findings confirm Kiyosawas previous conclusion drawn from experiments on the freezing points of mixtures of H₂¹⁶O with H₂¹⁸O or H₂¹⁷O. This hypothesis states that even a difference in the number of neutrons in the hydrogen or oxygen atoms of water molecules makes water molecules behave as different entities with respect to the colligative properties of solutions. This concept can be extended to mixtures of ordinary benzene with either of its isotopes, C₆D₆ or ¹³C₆H₆, and those of ordinary acetic acid CH₃COOH with either of its isotopes, CH₃COOD or CD₃COOD.     

Determination of radium isotopes by BaSO4 coprecipitation for the preparation of alpha-spectrometric sources

A coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of -spectrometric sources for radium, using BaSO₄ as carrier, has been applied to the determination of alpha radium isotopes in water samples. The use of¹³³Ba as a suitable tracer for radium determination and possible losses of radon isotopes from the sources are studied and discussed.     

Functionalization op saturated hydrocarbons in the presence of aprotic organic superacids. 2. Single-stage synthesis of thioesters R1CO-SR from n-alkanes or cycloalkanes (RH), elemental sulfur,and complexes R1COBr·-2AlBr3

It has been found for the first time that n-alkanes and cycloalkanes (RH) can interact with elemental sulfur at 20°C. These reactions go forward in the presence of aprotic organic superacids with the composition R¹COBr·2AlBr₃, leading to the formation of thioesters R¹-CO-SR in satisfactory yields.For previous communication, see [1].Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 105–108, January, 1991.     

Precise isotope-ratio determination by CGC hyphenated to ICP– MCMS for speciation of trace amounts of gaseous sulfur,with SF<Subscript>6</Subscript> as example compound

Capillary gas chromatography coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with multiple-collector detection (GC–ICP–MCMS) has been used to assess the precision and instrumental mass bias in sulfur isotope-ratio determination for the gaseous sulfur species SF₆. The isotopic composition of the compound was certified by the institute for reference materials and measurements (IRMM, Belgium) and is available as PIGS 2010. Integration of the peaks (peak half-width 1.4 s) was performed using a special peak-integration method based on definition of the integration area by assessment of a uniform isotope-ratio area within the chromatographic peak. Instrumental mass bias was determined to be approximately 12% per mass unit and proved to be stable in the concentration range measured. Replicate injections of 2, 10, 20, and 30 ng (as S) SF₆ diluted in argon gave precision for the ³²S/³⁴S ratio from 0.6% RSD for 2-ng injections to 0.03% RSD for 30-ng injections. The ³²S/³³S and ³³S/³⁴S isotope-ratio precision was better than 0.4% RSD for injections of 10 ng (as S) and higher. Detection limits were in the absolute pg range for all measured sulfur isotopes.     

A rapid method for the separation of 210 Po from 210 Pb by TIOA extraction

A rapid method for the separation of ²¹⁰ Po from ²¹⁰ Pb was developed utilizing extraction of triisooctylamine (TIOA)/xylenein HCl+H₂O₂ medium. Polonium in the form of PoCl ₆ ²– was extracted into TIOA phase and ²¹⁰Pb remains in the aqueous phase. Lead-²¹⁰ was determined by -countingof its granddaughter, ²¹⁰ Po ingrown from ²¹⁰ Pb forsome period of time. Distribution of ²¹⁰ Po and ²¹⁰Pb in TIOA and aqueous phases was investigated in various concentrations ofHCl media. Hydrogen peroxide was used to further decompose organic matterand to remove sulfur to prevent its deposition on the silver disc. The improvedprocedure resulted in a good chemical yield (80–95%) and a good á-resolution.     

Geographical traceability of wheat and its products using multielement light stable isotopes coupled with chemometrics

The present study was aimed to investigate the variation of stable isotopic ratios of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen in wheat kernel along with different processed fractions from three geographical origins across 5 years using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Multiway ANOVA revealed significant differences among region, harvest year, processing, and their interactions for all isotopes. The region contributed the major variability in the δ¹³C ‰, δ²H ‰, δ¹⁵N ‰, and δ¹⁸O‰ values of wheat. Variation of δ¹³C ‰, δ¹⁵N ‰, and δ¹⁸O ‰ between wheat whole kernel and its products (break, reduction, noodles, and cooked noodles) were ?0.7‰, and no significant difference was observed, suggesting the reliability of these isotope fingerprints in geographical traceability of wheat‐processed fractions and foods. A significant influence of wheat processing was observed for δ²H values. By applying linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to the whole dataset, the generated model correctly classified over 91% of the samples according to the geographical origin. The application of these parameters will assist in the development of an analytical control procedure that can be utilized to control the mislabeling regarding geographical origin of wheat kernel and its products.