X-ray diffraction and its emerging applications in the food industry.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is an analytical technique that has found several applications focusing on the identification of crystal structure, space groups, plane, and orientation, in addition to qualitative and quantitative phase identification, and polymorphism behavior. An XRD diffractogram pattern/Bragg's peak can also provide valuable information that can be used for various food applications. While this review details the fundamental principles of XRD, the types of XRD systems, instrumentation, and the components thereof, the focus is to serve as a structured resource on explored applications of XRD in food, majorly revolving around food quality and safety. While recent studies relevant to the field are highlighted, leads for futuristic prospects are presented. With its unique approach, the XRD analysis can prove to be a rapid, robust, and sensitive nondestructive approach to food quality evaluation. Recent reports indicate its scope for nonconventional applications such as the assessment of 3D printability of foods, ice crystal formation, and screening food adulterants. Studies also highlight its scope to complement or replace conventional food quality testing approaches that involve the usage of chemicals, extensive sample preparation procedures, derivatization steps and demand long testing times.

Novel powder-XRD method for detection of acrylamide in processed foods.

Acrylamide (AA) is a toxin in food systems associated with neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and cardiotoxicity. While several approaches exist, this work details the first-of-its-kind application of Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) for the detection of AA in food systems. A new methodology was validated as per ICH guidelines. Various x-ray tube combinations such as current (25-45 mA), voltage (25-45 kV), and scanning parameters such as step size (0.006-0.10°) and time-per-step (50-150 s) were experimented on 10-80° angle 2theta (2θ). In this investigation, more diffracted peaks were detected on time per step 151.210 [s], 0.0135[°] step size @ 35 mA/45 kV through phase quantification. The developed method was successfully applied to real processed food samples for qualitative analysis of AA. In addition, the influence of oil frying temperature-time conditions on AA content was studied. Overall, this work highlights the prospects of PXRD-based food quality and safety evaluation.

Relationship of endothelial function and atherosclerosis to treatment response in late-life depression.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment response in late-life depression has been linked to cerebrovascular disease notably via the vascular depression hypothesis. This study investigated the relationship between endothelial function and atherosclerosis and treatment response to antidepressant monotherapy. METHODS: Twenty five patients with late-life depression were compared with 21 non-depressed control subjects in a case control study. Nine of the depressed subjects were responders to antidepressant monotherapy and 16 were not. Vascular measures included assessment of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) representing atherosclerosis and biopsied small artery dilatation to acetylcholine to assess endothelial function in a subset of subjects. RESULTS: There were no group differences in vascular risks or sociodemographic variables. There was a significant group difference (responders versus non-responders versus controls) on both IMT and endothelial function (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) with a significant difference between controls and non-responders (p < 0.001) on IMT and between controls and responders (p < 0.05) and control versus non-responders (p < 0.05) on endothelial function but no significant difference between responders and non-responders. On both IMT and endothelial function, there was a gradient across groups, with control subjects having best vascular structure or function, non-responders worse and responders in-between. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with a hypothesis that poorer antidepressant response in later life depressive disorder may be linked to an underlying vascular dysfunction and pathology. The study is small, and the results require replication but if confirmed, trials with vasoprotective medication aimed at improving vascular function in order to alter the prognosis of late-life depression would be a rational development.