Ion-pair assisted extraction followed by (1)H NMR determination of biogenic amines in food and biological matrices.

A selective method for the extraction and determination of six biogenic amines (BAs) by NMR is presented. Briefly, BAs are extracted into an organic solvent via the use of an ion pairing agent, followed by a back extraction in D2O in order to acquire the (1)H NMR spectra. The method is studied with respect to the critical experimental parameters and is successfully applied to selected food substrates (dark chocolate, banana, gouda cheese) and biological samples (urine and blood plasma) signifying its potential as an alternative tool for BAs determination. Accurate and precise results are consistently achieved with all matrixes studied. The calculated limits of detection and limits of quantitation were found to be in the ranges 0.05-0.13µg/mL and 0.14-0.38µg/mL, respectively, for biological samples while for food samples they were in the ranges 2.25-6.25µg/g and 6.75-18.7µg/g, respectively.

Determination of total cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury and inorganic arsenic in mushrooms: outcome of IMEP-116 and IMEP-39.

The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), a Directorate General of the European Commission, operates the International Measurement Evaluation Program (IMEP). IMEP organises inter-laboratory comparisons in support of European Union policies. This paper presents the results of two proficiency tests (PTs): IMEP-116 and IMEP-39, organised for the determination of total Cd, Pb, As, Hg and inorganic As (iAs) in mushrooms. Participation in IMEP-116 was restricted to National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) officially appointed by national authorities in European Union member states. IMEP-39 was open to all other laboratories wishing to participate. Thirty-seven participants from 25 countries reported results in IMEP-116, and 62 laboratories from 36 countries reported for the IMEP-39 study. Both PTs were organised in support to Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, which sets the maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. The test item used in both PTs was a blend of mushrooms of the variety shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Five laboratories, with demonstrated measurement capability in the field, provided results to establish the assigned values (Xref). The standard uncertainties associated to the assigned values (uref) were calculated by combining the uncertainty of the characterisation (uchar) with a contribution for homogeneity (ubb) and for stability (ust), whilst uchar was calculated following ISO 13528. Laboratory results were rated with z- and zeta (ζ)-scores in accordance with ISO 13528. The standard deviation for proficiency assessment, σp, ranged from 10% to 20% depending on the analyte. The percentage of satisfactory z-scores ranged from 81% (iAs) to 97% (total Cd) in IMEP-116 and from 64% (iAs) to 84% (total Hg) in IMEP-39.