Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.5
2.7
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food
share announcement

Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2020) | Viewed by 20170

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Claudio Medana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125 Torino, Italy
Interests: mass spectrometry; chromatography; food chemistry; metabolomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Federica Dal Bello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
Interests: high-resolution mass spectrometry; chromatography; bioactive molecules; food chemistry; analytical biochemistry; proteomics; peptides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of multidisciplinary approaches has become more and more important in the study of food-derived diseases and in the chemical evaluation of this basic aspect of nutrition.

The presence of contaminants in foods is a topic of concern both in science and popular culture. There is a growing interest in the main and side effects of foodstuffs from a nutritional and dietary point of view. Moreover, toxicology and epidemiology research need a quantitative evaluation of chemical biomarkers to correlate the effect of food chemical components with development/downturn of pathologies. The undesirable contaminant compounds may have a different origin: They may be degradation products of food components (natural or anthropogenic), environmental pollutants, or substances deriving from technological processes. Many of the components of food that seem indifferent at first glance can be revealed to be harmful by deeper investigation. On the contrary, some naturally present or added food components may contribute to making food healthier.

The availability of analytical techniques of increasing selectivity and sensitivity has boosted the ability to detect traces of food contaminants and biomarkers in a more and more accurate and reproducible way. Through the development of molecular screening techniques, such as omics, the list of molecules with toxicological/beneficial properties continues to grow.

The broad extension of this Special Issue should be focused on the development and application of analytical technologies for targeted and non-targeted detection of food contaminants and bioactive components. Particular attention should be paid to the correlation of their levels in food with toxicological risk and with the onset of diseases. Food chemical safety control methods have to involve both small molecules and macromolecules analytical determination; matrix effects should be studied in detail.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in JoX.

Prof. Dr. Claudio Medana
Dr. Federica Dal Bello
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Trace analysis in food 
  • Chemical biomarkers 
  • Food metabolites
  • Food supplements
  • Food undesirables 
  • Analytical methods
  • Food pollutants
  • Contaminant quantitation
  • Endogenous toxins analysis 
  • Toxic residues
  • Food-borne toxins
  • Matrix effect 
  • Food contaminant risk assessment
  • Food biomarkers of toxicity

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research

2 pages, 179 KiB  
Editorial
Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food
by Federica Dal Bello and Claudio Medana
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(8), 3480; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11083480 - 13 Apr 2021
Viewed by 903
Abstract
The quality of food has become of great importance and relevance in recent years, not only for scientific communities but also for ordinary people [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 2087 KiB  
Article
Combined Untargeted and Targeted Fingerprinting by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography to Track Compositional Changes on Hazelnut Primary Metabolome during Roasting
by Marta Cialiè Rosso, Federico Stilo, Carlo Bicchi, Melanie Charron, Ginevra Rosso, Roberto Menta, Stephen E. Reichenbach, Christoph H. Weinert, Carina I. Mack, Sabine E. Kulling and Chiara Cordero
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 525; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11020525 - 07 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1953
Abstract
This study focuses on the detectable metabolome of high-quality raw hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) and on its changes after dry-roasting. Informative fingerprinting was obtained by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with fast-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC×GC-qMS) combined with dedicated data processing. In particular, [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the detectable metabolome of high-quality raw hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) and on its changes after dry-roasting. Informative fingerprinting was obtained by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with fast-scanning quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC×GC-qMS) combined with dedicated data processing. In particular, combined untargeted and targeted (UT) fingerprinting, based on pattern recognition by template matching, is applied to chromatograms from raw and roasted samples of Tonda Gentile Trilobata and Anakliuri hazelnuts harvested in Italy and Georgia. Lab-scale roasting was designed to develop a desirable organoleptic profile matching industrial standards. Results, based on 430 peak features, reveal that phenotype expression is markedly correlated to cultivar and pedoclimatic conditions. Discriminant components between cultivars are amino acids (valine, alanine, glycine, and proline); organic acids (citric, aspartic, malic, gluconic, threonic, and 4-aminobutanoic acids); and sugars and polyols (maltose, xylulose, xylitol, turanose, mannitol, scyllo-inositol, and pinitol). Of these, alanine, glycine, and proline have a high informational role as precursors of 2-acetyl- and 2-propionylpyrroline, two key-aroma compounds of roasted hazelnuts. Roasting has a decisive impact on metabolite patterns—it caused a marked decrease (−90%) of alanine, proline, leucine and valine, and aspartic and pyroglutamic acid and a −50% reduction of saccharose and galactose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 12538 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS Validated Method for the Quantification of 16 Phytoestrogens in Food, Serum and Urine
by Susana Alejandra Palma-Duran, Graciela Caire-Juvera, Melissa María Campa-Siqueiros, Karina María Chávez-Suárez, María del Refugio Robles-Burgueño, María Lourdes Gutiérrez-Coronado, María del Carmen Bermúdez-Almada, María del Socorro Saucedo-Tamayo, Patricia Grajeda-Cota and Ana Isabel Valenzuela-Quintanar
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8147; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10228147 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2530
Abstract
There has been increased interest in phytoestrogens due to their potential effect in reducing the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. To evaluate phytoestrogens’ exposure, sensitive and accurate methods should be developed for their quantification in food and human matrices. The present [...] Read more.
There has been increased interest in phytoestrogens due to their potential effect in reducing the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. To evaluate phytoestrogens’ exposure, sensitive and accurate methods should be developed for their quantification in food and human matrices. The present study aimed to validate a comprehensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the quantification of 16 phytoestrogens: Biochanin A, secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, enterodiol, enterolactone, equol, quercetin, genistein, glycitein, luteolin, naringenin, kaempferol, formononetin, daidzein, resveratrol and coumestrol, in food, serum and urine. Phytoestrogen extraction was performed by solid-phase extraction (food and serum) and liquid-liquid extraction (urine), and analyzed by LC diode-array detector (DAD) coupled with a single quadrupole MS with electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode. Validation included selectivity, sensibility, recovery, accuracy and precision. The method was proved to be specific, with a linear response (r2 ≥ 0.97). Limits of quantification were 0.008–3.541 ng/mL for food, 0.01–1.77 ng/mL for serum and 0.003–0.251 ng/mL for urine. Recoveries were 66–113% for food, 63–104% for serum and 76–111% for urine. Accuracy and precision were below 15% (except for enterodiol in food with 18% and resveratrol in urine with 15.71%). The method is suitable for the quantification of a wide number of phytoestrogens in food, serum and urine. The method was successfully applied in highly consumed food items (n = 6) from North Mexico and biofluids from healthy women (n = 10). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 1241 KiB  
Article
Immunochromatographic Detection of Myoglobin as a Specific Biomarker of Porcine Muscle Tissues in Meat Products
by Elena A. Zvereva, Nadezhda A. Byzova, Olga D. Hendrickson, Demid S. Popravko, Ksenia A. Belichenko, Boris B. Dzantiev and Anatoly V. Zherdev
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7437; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10217437 - 23 Oct 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2525
Abstract
An immunochromatographic detection of myoglobin (MG) as a specific marker of porcine muscle tissue has been developed. The method is based on the sandwich lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a label. The developed test system determines MG with a [...] Read more.
An immunochromatographic detection of myoglobin (MG) as a specific marker of porcine muscle tissue has been developed. The method is based on the sandwich lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a label. The developed test system determines MG with a detection limit of 5 ng mL−1 within 15 min. A specific determination of porcine MG and no cross-reactivity with MG from other tested mammals and bird species was demonstrated. The test system is able to detect pork additives, as low as 0.01% (w/w), in minced beef. A technique of MG extraction from muscle tissue has been proposed which allows for rapid and efficient MG extraction from meat samples (within 20 min). The developed test system can serve as an effective means of controlling the authenticity and quality of meat products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 990 KiB  
Article
Nano-HPLC-HRMS Analysis to Evaluate Leptin Level in Milk Samples: A Pilot Study
by Federica Dal Bello, Enrica Mecarelli, Daniela Gastaldi, Francesco Savino and Claudio Medana
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(17), 6135; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10176135 - 03 Sep 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2492
Abstract
Leptin is a 16 kDa lipophilic protein hormone secreted by adipocytes and its most significant function is to inform the brain with negative feedback that regulates food intake. Recently the protein found in human breast milk was related to breast feeding and onset [...] Read more.
Leptin is a 16 kDa lipophilic protein hormone secreted by adipocytes and its most significant function is to inform the brain with negative feedback that regulates food intake. Recently the protein found in human breast milk was related to breast feeding and onset of obesity, and the evidence of a low probability to develop pediatric obesity in children fed with breast milk was also confirmed. Since leptin could have a critical role, its quantitation both in human breast, bovine milk and in infant formula products is interesting. For this reason, we developed an analytical method based on immunoaffinity purification followed by an analysis with nano-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography coupled with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry analyzer (nano-HPLC-HRMS) to identify and quantify leptin in milk samples and performed a pilot study using samples of human breast milk, bovine milk and infant formulas. With an obtained lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 100 ng mL−1 we quantified leptin in human breast milk finding an average of 6.70 ng mL−1. Our results show that leptin was under LLOQ both in bovine milk and in infant formula products. In conclusion, the developed analytical method here described was suitable to quantify leptin in milk samples with a good sensitivity and selectivity, and without the use of radioactive reagents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1318 KiB  
Article
Acetaldehyde in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottled Water: Assessment and Mitigation of Health Risk for Consumers
by Andrea Re Depaolini, Elena Fattore, Giancarlo Bianchi, Roberto Fanelli and Enrico Davoli
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 4321; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10124321 - 24 Jun 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7058
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the levels of acetaldehyde residues in polyethylene terephthalate bottled water and its significance in terms of consumer health. We analyzed 104 samples collected throughout Italy, so as to be representative of the national market. Parameters such as [...] Read more.
This study was designed to investigate the levels of acetaldehyde residues in polyethylene terephthalate bottled water and its significance in terms of consumer health. We analyzed 104 samples collected throughout Italy, so as to be representative of the national market. Parameters such as CO2 level, shelf life, weight of the empty bottle and distance from the production sites to the point of sale were also collected. Although the levels of acetaldehyde complied with the limits established by Italian legislation, they varied widely, with concentrations ranging from 0.41 to 76.2 µg/L. An assessment of safety for human health, using the margin of exposure approach, showed that the amount of acetaldehyde in bottled water is unlikely to be of any safety concern for human health. The acetaldehyde residues were mainly due to CO2 levels which influence solubility of acetaldehyde in water. They are also related to the size of the bottle and the distance from the store, but not to the shelf life, at least for 40 days. The findings suggest some good practices for a better product from the point of view of public health, like polymer quality and limitation of transport distances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 247 KiB  
Article
Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Traditional Dry Cured Smoked Ham Slavonska Šunka
by Krešimir Mastanjević, Brankica Kartalović, Jasmina Lukinac, Marko Jukić, Dragan Kovačević, Jelena Petrović and Kristina Habschied
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 92; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10010092 - 20 Dec 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2125
Abstract
Slavonska šunka is a traditional dry-cured smoked ham. Smoking with open fire commonly results in the accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) molecules in tissues. The objective of this research was to assess the types and concentrations of 16 PAHs in 30 samples [...] Read more.
Slavonska šunka is a traditional dry-cured smoked ham. Smoking with open fire commonly results in the accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) molecules in tissues. The objective of this research was to assess the types and concentrations of 16 PAHs in 30 samples of traditional dry-cured smoked ham Slavonska šunka. In general, all samples had high values of anthracene while higher levels of acenaphthylene were present in some samples. In sample SS1, the maximal value for anthracene reached 228.03 µg/kg, while sample SS28 had the lowest value of this PAH—33.38 µg/kg. SS1 had increased values for several other PAHs: benzo[a]anthracene (54.03 µg/kg), acenaphtene (19.90 µg/kg) and phenanthrene (27.11 µg/kg). Cancerogenic benzo[a]pyrene content was below the limit of quantification for all samples. PAH4 (benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene) concentrations were above legislative recommendation (>30 µg/kg) in seven samples. All the samples of Slavonska šunka had significant PAH16 concentrations, with the lowest value of 61.30 µg/kg (SS28) and the highest 462.83 µg/kg (SS1). The highest concentrations of PAHs were determined in the Vukovar–Srijem county samples. Another conclusion from this research is that samples smoked with elm tree showed high PAH concentrations in comparison to the ones smoked with beech and hornbeam. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Chemical Biomarkers and Contaminants in Food)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop