Comprehensive analysis of contaminants in Brazilian infant formulas: Application of QuEChERS coupled with UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS and suspect screening-unknown analysis by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS.

Infant formulas (IF) can contain harmful chemical substances, such as pesticides and mycotoxins, resulting from the contamination of raw materials and inputs used in the production chain, which can cause adverse effects to infants. Therefore, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) methodology prior ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPL-QqQ-MS/MS) analysis was applied for the determination of 23 contaminants, in 30 samples of Brazilian IF. The method was validated in terms of limit of detection (0.2 to 0.4 µg/kg), limits of quantification (1 and 10 µg/kg), and recovery (64 % to 122 %); precision values, in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), were ≤ 20 %. Fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, and bifenthrin were the pesticides detected in the samples, but the values did not exceed the limit set by the European Union (EU), and ANVISA, and they were detected under their limits of quantification. Additionally, suspect screening and unknown analysis were conducted to tentatively identify 32 substances, including some compounds not covered in this study, such as pesticides, hormones, and veterinary drugs. Carbofuran was identified, confirmed and quantified in 10 % of the samples.

Multivariate optimization for extraction of 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole from açaí-based food products using polymeric ionic liquid-based sorbent coatings in solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

In this study, polymeric ionic liquids featuring different functional moieties were applied as sorbent coatings in direct-immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) for the extraction of 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) from açaí-based food products followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The analytical method was optimized using a sequential experimental design. Variables used in GC-MS such as desorption time, as well as for SPME-DI, including extraction time, extraction temperature, incubation time of extraction, amount of NaCl in the extract, and stirring rate, were optimized. The fitness-for-purpose of the method was verified by the linearity of matrix-matched calibration curves (R2 ≥ 0.9921), adequate recoveries (81.7-89.7 %), and precision (relative standard deviations ≤11.2 %). The method was applied to twenty-five samples of açaí-based food products. 4-MI was found in four samples whereas 2-MI was not detected above the limit of detection. The method was found to be suitable for quality control analysis.

Multivariate optimization of low-temperature cleanup followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction for detection of Bisphenol A and benzophenones in infant formula.

A simple and effective analytical method to determine six contaminants, including five benzophenones (BP, BP-1, BP-3, BP-8, and BP-12) and bisphenol A (BPA) in infant formulas was developed in this study. For this, a sequential experimental design was used to optimize the extraction and cleanup method using low temperature partition (LTP) combined with dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE). The effect of primary secondary amine (PSA), sodium chloride (NaCl), graphitized carbon black (GCB), octadecyl (C18), strong anion exchanger (SAX), water, acetonitrile (ACN) and, ultrasound (US) time were evaluated using a sequential design of experiments including a Plackett-Burman, a central composite rotatable design, and the Derringer and Suich's tool. The method was validated, and it showed a limit of quantification varying from 0.06 to 2 mg.kg-1, good precision (< 20% RSD), and recovery (52-106%). The method proposed was applied to twenty-five samples of commercial infant formulas.

Characterization of odorants from baby bottles by headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry.

A SPME protocol was optimised for the characterization of odorous migrants coming from baby bottles. Considering this, a Plackett-Burman design to select variables and a central composite rotatable design to define the optimal conditions were used. The method proposed by Derringer and Suich was used to simultaneously optimise the responses. After validation, the analytical method was used to characterise volatile migrants from baby bottles made of polypropylene, Tritan and silicone using 50% ethanol as a simulant. 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was identified in all samples. Forty-five compounds were identified, of which thirty-eight were odorants in silicone baby bottles. Aldehydes were mainly responsible for the unpleasant odour of silicone. Moreover, silicone showed slightly higher volatile organic compounds (%) than recommended. Odours from ketones, benzophenone derivatives and alcohols were also detected by GC-O-MS, however below the LOQ obtained in the MS detector. All migration data were below the specific migration limits.

Centro-dia para Idosos: afeto positivo como potência de ação e de fortalecimento de vínculos / Day Center for the Elderly: positive affect as a power of action and strengthening of bonds / Centro de día para ancianos: afecto positivo como poder de acción y fortalecimiento de lazos

Este estudo, descritivo e observacional, objetivou apresentar o Centro-dia para Idosos, o perfil dos usuários e a aplicabilidade da Teoria dos Afetos como potência de ação e fortalecimento de vínculos. Trata-se de um equipamento público de curta permanência para idosos em situação de vulnerabilidade social e com dependência, que têm familiares. Nota-se nas visitas domiciliares de inserção dos idosos que suas situações se traduzem em isolamento, confinamento, abandono, maus-tratos, negligência, preconceito, discriminação, sujeição, pobreza afetiva, dependência, fragilidade de vínculos familiares e comunitários. Após acesso ao serviço e intervenções, se observa, nos idosos, melhora na autoestima, afetividade, autonomia, independência, convivência e fortalecimento de vínculos.

This descriptive and observational study aimed to present the Day Center for the Elderly, the profile of users, and the applicability of the theory of positive affects as a power of action and strengthening of bonds. The Day Center for the Elderly is a short-term public resource for the elderly who have family members during situations of social vulnerability and dependency. It is noted in home visits of the elderly that their situations can translate into isolation, confinement, abandonment, abuse, neglect, prejudice, discrimination, subjection, affective poverty, dependence, and fragility of family and community bonds. After access to the services and interventions, we observed an improvement in self-esteem, affectivity, autonomy, independence, coexistence and strengthening of bonds.

Este estudio descriptivo y observacional tuvo como objetivo presentar el Centro-Día para Ancianos, el perfil de los usuarios y la aplicabilidad de la teoría de los afectos positivos como potencia de acción y de fortalecimiento de lazos. Es una instalación pública a corto plazo para ancianos en situaciones de vulnerabilidad social y dependencia, que tienen familiares. Se observa en las visitas domiciliarias de inserción de ancianos que sus situaciones se traducen en aislamiento, encierro, abandono, maltrato, negligencia, prejuicio, discriminación, sujeción, pobreza afectiva, dependencia, fragilidad de los lazos familiares y comunitarios. Después del acceso al servicio y las intervenciones, se observa en los ancianos una mejora en la autoestima, afectividad, autonomía, independencia, convivencia y fortalecimiento de lazos.