Analysing Pestiside Residues in Apple
Determining pesticide residues by GC-MS
Pesticides are commonly used within the agricultural industry as a means of killing or repelling pests to protect crops and livestock. The risk of pesticide toxicity in the foods we consume remains an area of concern. A number of studies indicate a link between the exposure to pesticides and acute health problems including cancer; respiratory, neurological and dermatological issues; and the risk of miscarriages and birth defects. The risks that pesticides pose to human health have prompted many international and national organizations to establish maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides, which need to be monitored and enforced. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method for pesticide analysis was first introduced by United States Department of Agriculture scientists in 2003, to address this need. This technique is used for the determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. It is fast, simple and inexpensive. However, the method has since been modified to address some problematic pesticides by including a buffered extraction system.
Analytical Challenges in Measuring Migration from Food Contact Materials
November 2nd 2015Food contact materials contain low molecular weight additives and processing aids which can migrate into foods leading to trace levels of contamination. Food safety is ensured through regulations, comprising compositional controls and migration limits, which present a significant analytical challenge to the food industry to ensure compliance and demonstrate due diligence. Of the various analytical approaches, LC-MS/MS has proved to be an essential tool in monitoring migration of target compounds into foods, and more sophisticated approaches such as LC-high resolution MS (Orbitrap) are being increasingly used for untargeted analysis to monitor non-intentionally added substances. This podcast will provide an overview to this area, illustrated with various applications showing current approaches being employed.
RAFA 2024 Highlights: Cutting-Edge Chromatography Techniques for Food Safety and Food Analysis
November 18th 2024An illuminating session focusing on progress in analytical techniques used in food analysis took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at RAFA 2024 in Prague, The Czech Republic, including a talk on the analysis of 1000 toxins in 10 minutes.
RAFA 2024 Highlights: Contemporary Food Contamination Analysis Using Chromatography
November 18th 2024A series of lectures focusing on emerging analytical techniques used to analyse food contamination took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at RAFA 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. The session included new approaches for analysing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated alkanes (PCAS), Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH), and short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs).
Pharmaceutical excipients, such as polyethylene glycol-based polymers, must be tested for the presence of ethylene oxide (EtO) and 1,4-dioxane as part of a safety assessment, according to USP Chapter <228>.
