Best of the Week: Food Analysis, Chemical Migration in Plastic Bottles, STEM Researcher of the Year

This week, LCGC International published various articles that covered many topics in analytical chemistry and chromatography. This week’s articles touch upon several important application areas such as food and beverage analysis and environmental analysis. Several key techniques are highlighted, including liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS), ion chromatography (IC), and multidimensional gas chromatography (GC). Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most popular articles, according to our readers and subscribers. Happy reading!

From Lab to Table: Expert Interviews on Food and Beverage Analysis

Recently, LCGC International launched an online content series titled, “From Lab to Table: How Chromatography is Shaping Food Analysis.” This series shows the important role that chromatography is playing in food and beverage analysis. Techniques like gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) are widely used to analyze volatile and non-volatile components, such as pesticides, mycotoxins, flavor compounds, and nutritional markers in food (1). This landing page houses a compilation of several Q&A interviews conducted with subject matter experts and leading researchers in the field (1).

Tracking Chemical Migration in Reusable Plastic Bottles with LC–HRMS: An Interview with Selina Tisler

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a screening strategy to assess chemical hazards in drinking water stored in reusable plastic bottles. Using evaporation enrichment and liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS), they evaluated the migration of non-volatile chemicals from various bottles. Their findings highlight the presence of numerous intentionally and unintentionally added chemicals in plastics, underscoring the need for comprehensive material assessments to enhance consumer safety (2). Selina Tisler, corresponding author of the study, emphasized the importance of this approach in ensuring safer plastic usage (2). This research sets the stage for improved evaluation methods in safeguarding drinking water quality (2).

Brett Paull Awarded Tasmanian STEM Researcher of the Year Award

Brett Paull of the University of Tasmania has been named the Premier’s Tasmanian STEM Researcher of the Year for his pioneering work in analytical chemistry, focusing on separation science and miniaturized analytical technologies. His research improves industrial processes across environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, and food quality (3). Notably, Paull's team developed a portable ion chromatography (IC) platform for in-field water analysis, addressing limitations of traditional laboratory-based methods (3). As Director of HyTECH, Paull helps to advance separation science through collaboration. Paull credited his research team for the achievement and highlighted the growing recognition of separation science's impact on STEM, fostering innovation and collaboration across disciplines (3).

LC–MS/MS Analysis Offers Insights into Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolites in Camels

A recent study by Gansu Agricultural University and the University of Adelaide investigated microbial and metabolic differences in the small intestines of Bactrian camels to understand regional immune variation (4). Using 16S rRNA sequencing and LC–MS/MS, 36 mucosal samples from six camels were analyzed, revealing distinct microbiota and metabolite profiles in duodenal Peyer’s patches (D-PPs) compared to jejunal (J-PPs) and ileal patches (I-PPs) (4). J-PPs and I-PPs showed similarities in environment and immunoglobulin expression (4). The findings highlighted regional intestinal immunity, offering insights into camel disease prevention, breed management, and the unique immune and digestive features of their gut mucosa.

Foods and Contaminants Analysis Using Multidimensional Gas Chromatography: An Interview with Philip J. Marriott and Michelle S. S. Amaral

As part of “From Lab to Table: How Chromatography is Shaping Food Analysis” content series, we sat down with Philip J. Marriott and Michelle S. S. Amaral from the Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Chemistry, Monash University, in Clayton, Victoria, Australia, to talk about their latest research. In the interview, they talk about analysis of food contaminants using multidimensional gas chromatography (5).

References

1. Wetzel, W. From Lab to Table: Expert Interviews on Food and Beverage Analysis. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/from-lab-to-table-expert-interviews-on-food-and-beverage-analysis (accessed 2024-12-19).
2. Chasse, J. Tracking Chemical Migration in Reusable Plastic Bottles with LC–HRMS: An Interview with Selina Tisler. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/tracking-chemical-migration-in-reusable-plastic-bottles-with-lc-hrms-an-interview-with-selina-tisler (accessed 2024-12-19).
3. Jones, K. Brett Paull Awarded Tasmanian STEM Researcher of the Year Award. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/brett-paull-awarded-tasmanian-stem-researcher-of-the-year-award (accessed 2024-12-19).
4. Chasse, J. LC-MS/MS Analysis Offers Insights into Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolites in Camels. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/lc-ms-ms-analysis-offers-insights-into-intestinal-microbiota-and-metabolites-in-camels (accessed 2024-12-19).
5. Workman, Jr., J. Foods and Contaminants Analysis Using Multidimensional Gas Chromatography: An Interview with Philip J. Marriott and Michelle S. S. Amaral. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/foods-and-contaminants-analysis-using-multidimensional-gas-chromatography-an-interview-with-philip-j-marriott-and-michelle-s-s-amaral (accessed 2024-12-19).