RESUMO
The 2-alkylcyclobutanone method was adopted as a European Standard (EN1785) and MAFF Validated Method (MAFF V37) in 1996 for the detection of irradiated food containing fat. As the method requires a relatively long period (ca 2 days) of time for extraction of the 2-alkylcyclobutanones from a foodstuff, a means was sought to increase the speed at which these irradiation markers could be isolated while at the same time decreasing the amount of organic solvents required. Thus, the technique of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was investigated. Results showed that SFE can be used for the rapid extraction (60 min) of lipid from irradiated foods such as chicken, pork, liquid whole egg, ground beef, and from the seeds of irradiated mango and papaya with only 10 mL n-hexane being necessary for collection of the extracted sample. A method was also developed whereby the 2-alkylcyclobutanones can be selectively extracted from irradiated foods without prior extraction of the lipid. The sample extract, in 10 mL n-hexane, is purified through a Florisil SPE cartridge which is washed with 10 mL n-hexane and the 2-alkylcyclobutanones eluted with 10 mL 2% diethyl ether in n-hexane before analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 2-Dodecylcyclobutanone and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone were selectively extracted from irradiated chicken meat, liquid whole egg, ground beef, and mango as well as from beef burgers and baked products containing irradiated ground beef and liquid whole egg, respectively. Using this method, samples can be analyzed for irradiation treatment within 6 h as opposed to the 2-day period required for the EN1785/MAFF V37 validated method.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Química Analítica/métodos , Ciclobutanos/isolamento & purificação , Análise de Alimentos/métodos , Irradiação de Alimentos , Lipídeos/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Ovos/análise , Frutas/química , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Carne/análise , Produtos Avícolas/análise , EspectrofotometriaRESUMO
Rapid, repeatable assessment of ecological condition is critical for quantitative ecosystem monitoring. Soils provide a sensitive, integrative indicator for which sampling and analysis techniques are well defined. We evaluated soil properties as indicators of ecological condition (subjectively classified into minimally/moderately/severely degraded based on vegetative, hydrologic and edaphic cues) at 526 sites within Ft. Benning military installation (Georgia, USA). For each sample, we measured 17 biogeochemical parameters, and collected high-resolution diffuse reflectance spectra using visible/near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (VNIRS). VNIR spectra have been related to numerous soil attributes - we examine them here for diagnosing integrated response (i.e., ecological condition). We used ordinal logistic regression (OLR) and classification trees (CT) to discriminate between condition categories using both sets of predictors (biogeochemistry and spectra). Sixteen biogeochemical parameters were significantly different across condition categories; however, multivariate models greatly improved discrimination ([calibration, validation] accuracy of [69%, 66%] and [96%, 73%] for OLT and CT models, respectively). Important predictors included total C, total P, and Mehlich K/Ca/Mg. VNIR spectra further improved discrimination ([calibration, validation] accuracy of [74%, 70%] and [96%, 75%] for OLR and CT models, respectively). While spectra were comparably effective at discriminating minimally degraded sites, they were significantly more effective at discriminating severely degraded sites. Error rates across confounding factors suggest that watershed of origin and landscape position were the only important confounders, likely due to imbalanced sampling. We conclude that multivariate diagnosis improves accuracy, and that VNIR spectroscopy, which yields substantial cost and logistical improvements over conventional analyses, provides an effective tool for rapid condition diagnosis.
Assuntos
Ecossistema , Solo/análise , Georgia , Modelos Logísticos , Análise Multivariada , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Espectrofotometria InfravermelhoRESUMO
Atlantic salmon have a variable life cycle. In good growing conditions, underyearling fish may metamorphose into the migratory smolt phase during their second spring, or delay at least a further year. The strategy adopted by particular fish appears to become fixed during their first summer. This paper examines whether either feeding efficiency or dominance in mid-summer correlates with the life-history strategy adopted. Eighty fish were individually marked and their feeding efficiency (= mean handling time for food items) and dominance rank measured under laboratory conditions in mid-July. Growth rates of the fish were then monitored over the next three months, until developmental strategies became apparent. Discriminant and logistic regression analyses revealed that both dominance rank and size attained by July were independent, significant predictors of future developmental pattern (the age at metamorphosis being correctly predicted on the basis of rank and size in 84% of cases) whereas feeding efficiency had no effect. Thus fish that were dominant or larger two months after first feeding or both had a greater probability of migrating after only one year in freshwater than those more subordinate or smaller or both.