Characterization and Authentication of “Ricotta” Whey Cheeses through GC-FID Analysis of Fatty Acid Profile and Chemometrics

The fatty acid (FA) profiles of 240 samples of ricotta whey cheese made from sheep, goat, cow, or water buffalo milk were analyzed by gas-chromatography (GC). Then, sequential preprocessing through orthogonalization (SPORT) was used in order to classify samples according to the nature of the milk they were made from. This strategy achieved excellent results, correctly classifying 77 (out of 80) validation samples. Eventually, since 36 (over 114) sheep ricotta whey cheeses were PDO products, a second classification problem, finalizing the discrimination of PDO and Non-PDO dairies, was faced. In this case, two classifiers were used, SPORT and soft independent modelling by class analogy (SIMCA). Both approaches provided more than satisfying results; in fact, SPORT properly assigned 63 (of 65) test samples, whereas the SIMCA model accepted 14 PDO individuals over 15 (93.3% sensitivity) and correctly rejected all the other samples (100.0% specificity). In conclusion, all the tested approaches resulted as suitable for the two fixed purposes. Eventually, variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis was used to understand which FAs characterize the different categories of ricotta. Among the 22 analyzed compounds, about 10 are considered the most relevant for the solution of the investigated problems.     

Evaluating the impact of GC operating settings on GC-FID performance for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) determination

Interlaboratory comparisons for the analysis of mineral oil have indicated that many laboratories have problems in producing data of acceptable quality, mainly because of variations in the gas chromatographic settings used in the determination. A D-optimal design was therefore utilized to study the effects of six different GC operating settings on the GC performance criterion proposed by ISO and CEN draft standards ISO/FDIS 16703:2004 and CEN prEN 14039:2004:E for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) determination. Both qualitative and quantitative factors were investigated. The results indicate that the performance criterion can only be achieved if the splitless injection settings are carefully optimized. Otherwise mass discrimination readily affects the validity of the results. The most critical factors affecting GC performance were the inlet liner design, inlet temperature and injection volume. The methods, however, were robust with respect to small changes in split vent time, GC column flow and FID temperature. The results show that non-discriminating splitless injection can only be obtained by optimizing the injector settings with respect to the significant factors. The main conclusion that can be drawn is that, if no further standardization is to be given for TPH determination by GC-FID, then a proper estimate of the expanded uncertainty should be appended to the TPH results. Only then can the reliability of the TPH results be guaranteed and further justification thus gained to support the end-use of the data.     

On the Squalene Content of CV Chondrolia Chalkidikis and Chalkidiki (Greece) Virgin Olive Oil

This work is a continuation of efforts to establish the nutritional profile of virgin olive oil (VOO) from cv. Chondrolia Chalkidikis and Chalkidiki and to strengthen its positioning in the global VOO landscape. VOOs produced at an industrial scale in different olive mills of the Chalkidiki (Greece) regional unit as well as VOOs obtained at the laboratory scale from drupes of different maturity stages for four consecutive harvesting years were examined for their squalene (SQ) content using both HPLC and GC procedures. The mean values of SQ were found to be 4228 (HPLC) and 4865 (GC) mg/kg oil (n = 15) and were of the same magnitude as that in VOOs from cv Koroneiki (4134 mg/kg, n = 23). Storage of VOOs in the dark at room temperature for 18 months indicated an insignificant mean SQ content loss (~2%) in comparison to a mean loss of 26% for alpha-tocopherol content. This finding strengthens our view that SQ does not act as a radical scavenger that donates hydrogen atoms to the latter. The four consecutive harvest years studied indicated a clear declining trend in VOO SQ concentration upon olive ripening. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic work concerning the SQ content of Chondrolia Chalkidikis and Chalkidiki VOOs.     

甘油催化加氢制备1,2-丙二醇液相产物的气相色谱分析

采用气相色谱-电子轰击离子源质谱(GC-MS)与比较标准品色谱保留值技术,确定了甘油催化加氢制备1,2-丙二醇液相产物的组成。优化了气相色谱-氢火焰离子法(GC-FID)的色谱条件,使主产物与副产物同时达到最佳分离。以正戊醇为内标物,建立了同时检测甘油催化加氢产物中7种醇类化合物的气相色谱分析方法。在分析方法的线性范围内,各化合物加标回收率均在94.4%～112.6%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)在1.5%～7.2%之间。反应产物中乙醇、异丙醇、丙醇和丙酮醇的方法最小检出限(LOD)小于0.05μg/g,乙二醇、1,2-丙二醇和甘油的LOD分别为0.21μg/g,0.23μg/g和0.25μg/g,线性相关系数均大于等于0.9957。     

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) in ambient air over Hong Kong: analytical methodology and field measurement

In this paper, an analytical method using a simple semi-manual cryo-trap technique coupled to gas chromatograph with flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) was developed for the determination of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) in ambient air. Five common BVOC species have been tested, including isoprene and 4 monoterpenes, i.e. α-pinene, β-pinene, 3-carene (Δ) and limonene. The detection limits were estimated to be about 20 ppt for isoprene and 10 ppt for monoterpenes, with sample injection volume of 50 mL. Based on vegetation types, field measurement work was conducted over urban and rural sites of Hong Kong during summer and winter of 2007. Canister sampling technique was applied in the field measurement. Isoprene contents in rural ambient air were found to be in the range of 60～1560 ppt in winter and 260～3270 ppt in summer, respectively. However, in the measurement of monoterpenes, due to their extremely low concentration in the air samples, only β-pinene and limonene were detected by the developed analytical method.     

烷醇醚有效碳数规律及其在气相色谱无标样检测中的应用

为了实现气相色谱无标样定量分析,通过测定66种化合物的GC-FID相对响应因子,研究反推得到的有效碳数与物质结构间的规律,得到了烷、醇、醚类有效碳数的计算方案。使用该方案计算所得理论预测值与实验测定值的相关系数达到0.999 8(N=66),所有化合物预测值与实验值相对偏差都在±3%以内,其中57%的化合物预测值与实验值的相对偏差在±1%以内。将其应用于汽油样品中含氧化合物的测定,各组分的测定结果与使用传统内标法测得的结果相当。运用有效碳数法预测相对响应因子,可实现气相色谱无标样检测,其准确度不逊于传统内标法,而时间成本与经济成本大幅下降。     

Determination of Pesticides in Carrots by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A sensitive and selective method was developed to determine pesticides in carrots by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry following the development of an optimized extraction procedure. The method was validated for 30 organochlorine pesticides for gas chromatography with electron capture detection obtaining limit of detection from 0.18 to 0.92?µg/kg except for cis- and trans-permenthrin. Twenty-six carrot samples were analyzed and six pesticides were detected. The results compared with the accepted maximum residue levels in correlation to crop origin.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pyrolysis oil by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Pyrolysis oils have attracted a lot of interest, as they are liquid energy carriers and general sources of chemicals. In this work, gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) techniques were used to provide both qualitative and quantitative results of the analysis of three different pyrolysis oils. The chromatographic methods and parameters were optimized and solvent choice and separation restrictions are discussed. Pyrolysis oil samples were diluted in suitable organic solvent and were analyzed by GC×GC-TOFMS. An average of 300 compounds were detected and identified in all three samples using the ChromaToF (Leco) software. The deconvoluted spectra were compared with the NIST software library for correct matching. Group type classification was performed by use of the ChromaToF software. The quantification of 11 selected compounds was performed by means of a multiple-point external calibration curve. Afterwards, the pyrolysis oils were extracted with water, and the aqueous phase was analyzed both by GC-FID and, after proper change of solvent, by GC×GC-TOFMS. As previously, the selected compounds were quantified by both techniques, by means of multiple point external calibration curves. The parameters of the calibration curves were calculated by weighted linear regression analysis. The limit of detection, limit of quantitation and linearity range for each standard compound with each method are presented. The potency of GC×GC-TOFMS for an efficient mapping of the pyrolysis oil is undisputable, and the possibility of using it for quantification as well has been demonstrated. On the other hand, the GC-FID analysis provides reliable results that allow for a rapid screening of the pyrolysis oil. To the best of our knowledge, very few papers have been reported with quantification attempts on pyrolysis oil samples using GC×GC-TOFMS most of which make use of the internal standard method. This work provides the ground for further analysis of pyrolysis oils of diverse sources for a rational design of both their production and utilization process.     

Simple method for the simultaneous quantification of medium-chain fatty acids and ethyl hexanoate in alcoholic beverages by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector: development of a direct injection method

Free medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) can negatively influence the fermentation process and taste quality in alcoholic beverages. Ethyl hexanoate is important in providing a fruit-like flavour to drinks, particularly in Japanese sake. In this study, we developed a direct injection method for a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector following the semi-purification of chemical components, such as esters, alcohols and MCFAs in alcoholic beverages. Evaluation of MCFAs by this method gave a limit of detection on the order of sub-ppm and relative standard deviations less than 10% in standard solution. Good repeatability and recovery rates against MCFAs and ethyl hexanoate were also obtained in non-distilled real alcoholic beverages. Because this method enabled us to simultaneously quantify the concentrations of MCFAs and ethyl hexanoate, the proportion of ester against MCFAs was proposed as a quality control index. This method could be suitable for routine analysis in the alcohol beverage industry.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from flowers and leaves of Grindelia integrifolia DC

Essential oils from flowers and leaves of Grindelia integrifolia DC. were investigated for the first time in terms of chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. The GC-FID/MS analysis allowed for the identification of 58 and 72 volatiles, comprising 92.4 and 90.1% of the oils, respectively. The major components of the flower oil were α-pinene (34.9%) and limonene (13.1%), while myrcene (16.9%), spathulenol (12.3%), β-eudesmol (11.9%) and limonene (10.1%) dominated among the leaf volatiles. The antimicrobial activity, evaluated against 12 selected bacteria and fungus, was found moderate, with the strongest effect of both oils observed against C. albicans (MIC = MBC: 0.63 and 0.31 mg/mL for flower and leaf oil, respectively).