Highlights from RAFA: Hot Topics in Food Analysis

The 11^th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA) took place this year from November 5–8^th in Prague, Czech Republic. LCGC International developed a RAFA show guide on “Hot Topics in Food Analysis” in collaboration with the conference organizers. The supplement, which you can read in full here, includes interviews with speakers and technical articles from experts.

As part of our “From Lab to Table: How Chromatography is Shaping Food Analysis” content series, we present a compilation of highlights from our RAFA conference coverage and the supplement.

An Efficient Procedure for Determining Simple Sugars in Fruit Juices

In this article from our March 2024 issue, a simplified and rapid method for determining simple sugars in fruit juices was presented. This method was able to achieve separation of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and maltose in under three minutes (1). The procedure used in this study is an evaporative light scattering detector and a specialized separation column, providing a significant improvement over traditional methods (1). It accommodated varying sample matrices through generalized preparation steps, which can be further automated using advanced autosampler programming features (1).

Comparing the Chemical Profiles of Plant-Based and Traditional Meats Using GC–MS-Based Metabolomics

This study used an untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)-based metabolomics approach to compare the chemical profiles of a plant-based meat alternative and grass-fed ground beef. After derivatization to enhance analysis, GC–MS revealed that 90% of annotated compounds differed between the two, with each containing unique compounds absent or minimal in the other (2). Despite similar nutritional labels, the organic composition varied significantly (2). Heat maps, principal component analysis (PCA), and metabolite clustering highlighted these differences, while pathway analysis provided biological context (2). The findings underscore the distinct chemical and nutritional characteristics of plant-based and traditional meat products, aiding consumer and industry understanding.

RAFA 2024: Rudolf Krska Discusses Quantifying Mycotoxins and Secondary Metabolites in Plants and Foods

Rudolf Krska, a renowned expert in food and feed safety, discussed his research at RAFA 2024, focusing on ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) methods for analyzing over 1,000 analytes in 10 min (3). He addressed trade-offs between speed and data quality, challenges in optimizing the method to reduce eluent consumption, and obstacles laboratories might face in adopting this technique. Krska emphasized the importance of simultaneously detecting multiple toxins efficiently and navigating regulatory challenges to ensure toxin-free food (3). He also highlighted the FoodSafeR project, which aims to tackle current issues in food safety analysis (3).

RAFA 2024: Michel Suman Discusses Food Safety And Authenticity Research

Michel Suman, a Food Safety & Authenticity Research Manager at Barilla Spa and Adjunct Professor, shared insights at RAFA 2024 on tackling food authenticity and traceability challenges. With more than 20 years of expertise, he highlighted workflows scientists use to address food fraud and emphasized chromatography's critical role in detecting contaminants and authenticity markers (4). Suman also explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with chromatography in food analysis, showcasing its potential for enhancing precision and efficiency (4).

RAFA 2024: Giorgia Purcaro on Multidimensional GC for Mineral Oil Hydrocarbon Analysis

Giorgia Purcaro, an analytical chemistry professor at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech and expert in advanced chromatographic techniques, discussed her work on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) analysis at RAFA 2024. She highlighted challenges in distinguishing mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) (5). Purcaro explored how GC×GC aligns with EFSA guidelines to improve regulatory compliance and detailed her innovative microwave-assisted saponification method, which reduces variability in MOAH determination in edible oils (5).

RAFA 2024: Michael Sulyok of the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences on Novel Mycotoxin Methods

Michael Sulyok, a senior researcher at BOKU University in Vienna, discussed his work in quantifying 700 mycotoxins and secondary metabolites in grain products at RAFA 2024. Using LC–MS/MS and a "dilute and shoot" sample preparation approach, his study addressed challenges like matrix effects in 7–14% of analytes and regulatory compliance for limits of quantification (6). He explored biases mitigation, insights into compounds with suboptimal recoveries, and potential methodological adjustments (6). Sulyok's work advances food safety by improving detection precision for contaminants in complex matrices, contributing to global efforts to ensure agricultural product quality and regulatory adherence (6).

References

1. Bicking, M. K. L. An Efficient Procedure for Determining Simple Sugars in Fruit Juices. LCGC Int. 2024, 1 (3), 28–34. DOI: 10.56530/lcgc.int.kp3581t1
2. Van Vliet, S.; Bain, J.; Hill, D.; et al. Comparing the Chemical Profiles of Plant-Based and Traditional Meats Using GC–MS-Based Metabolomics. LCGC N. Am. 2022, 40 (12), 573–578. DOI: 10.56530/lcgc.na.qf2278a1
3. Matheson, A. RAFA 2024: Rudolf Krska Discusses Quantifying Mycotoxins and Secondary Metabolites in Plants and Foods. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/rafa-2024-rudolf-krska-discusses-quantifying-mycotoxins-and-secondary-metabolites-in-plants-and-foods (accessed 2024-12-13).
4. Matheson, A. RAFA 2024: Michel Suman Discusses Food Safety And Authenticity Research. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/rafa-2024-michel-suman-discusses-food-safety-and-authenticity-research (accessed 2024-12-13).
5. Matheson, A. RAFA 2024: Giorgia Purcaro on Multidimensional GC for Mineral Oil Hydrocarbon Analysis. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/rafa-2024-gc-giorgia-purcaro-of-the-university-of-liege (accessed 2024-12-13).
6. Matheson, A. RAFA 2024: Michael Sulyok of the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences on Novel Mycotoxin Methods. LCGC International. Available at: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/rafa-interview-michael-sulyok-university-of-natural-resources-and-applied-life-sciences-boku- (accessed 2024-12-13).