Development of an HPLC-PDA Method for the Determination of Capsanthin, Zeaxanthin, Lutein, ß-Cryptoxanthin and ß-Carotene Simultaneously in Chili Peppers and Products.

For the better standardization and widespread application of the determination method of carotenoids in both chili peppers and their products, this work reports for the first time the simultaneous determination of five main carotenoids, including capsanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene in chili peppers and their products, with optimized extraction and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. All parameters in the methodological evaluation were found to be in good stability, recovery and accuracy compliance with the reference values; the R coefficients for the calibration curves were more than 0.998; and the LODs and LOQs varied from 0.020 to 0.063 and from 0.067 to 0.209 mg/L, respectively. The characterization of five carotenoids in chili peppers and their products passed all the required validation criteria. The method was applied in the determination of carotenoids in nine fresh chili peppers and seven chili pepper products.

Occurrence and photodegradation of methylmercury in surface water of Wen-Rui-Tang River network, Wenzhou, China.

The spatial distribution and seasonal variations of methylmercury (MeHg) in Wen-Rui-Tang (WRT) River network were investigated by monitoring the MeHg concentrations in surface water samples collected from 30 sites across the river network over four seasons. Detection frequencies and concentrations of MeHg were generally higher in January, indicating that low sunlight irradiation, wind speed, and temperature conditions might enhance the persistence of MeHg in surface water. The MeHg levels varied with sampling locations, with the highest concentrations being observed in the industrial area especially around wastewater outfall, revealing that the mercury contamination in WRT River mainly comes from the industrial wastewater. Photodegradation of MeHg in WRT River surface water and the effects of natural constituents such as fulvic acid (FA), ferric ions (Fe3+), nitrate (NO3-), and dissolved oxygen on the MeHg photodegradation in aqueous solutions were studied under the simulated sunlight. The experimental data indicated that the indirect photodecomposition of MeHg occurred in WRT River surface water. Photodegradation of MeHg in FA solution was initiated by triplet 3FA* or MeHg-FA* via electron transfer interaction under light irradiations. The Fe3+ and NO3- can absorb light energy to produce ·OH and enhance the photochemical degradation of MeHg. The MeHg photodecompositions in FA, nitrate, and Fe3+ solutions were markedly accelerated after removing the dissolved oxygen.

Determination of free and total phthalates in commercial whole milk products in different packaging materials by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

We developed a method for extraction and determination of free and total phthalate esters in commercial whole milk products. The free phthalates in milk samples were extracted with ethyl acetate after general pretreatment procedures including protein precipitation, centrifugation, and filtration. The bound phthalates in samples were first desorbed with the aid of ultrasound irradiation before extraction of total phthalates. The separation and determination of phthalates in extracts was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection. The detection limits were in the range of 0.09 to 0.36ng/g and the average recovery between 79.1 and 110.3%. The developed methods were applied to extract and determine phthalates in commercial whole milk products with different packaging materials, including plastic, glass, and metal. All samples contained several phthalates, including diethyl, diisobutyl, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalates at concentrations between 2.60 and 156.4ng/g. The identified phthalates occurred in both free and bound forms. The amounts of phthalates in milk samples packaged in glass and metal containers were much lower than those in plastic containers. Plastic packaging materials are a possible source of phthalate contamination in commercial whole milk products, and a considerable portion of bleached phthalates from packaging can be adsorbed on proteins and other solid components of milk.