Article
Food Science & Technology
Raquel B. Gomez-Coca, Maria Del Carmen Perez-Camino, Wenceslao Moreda
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the content of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in olive pomace oil and contribute to the monitoring required by EFSA. The study provided information on the concentrations and molecular mass profiles of MOH, as well as identified the structures that prove the harmless nature of the mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) fraction. The results showed that the C25-C35 fraction is the main fraction to which humans are exposed through olive pomace oil, with concentrations dependent on the extraction process.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Luca Menegoz Ursol, Chiara Conchione, Daniela Peroni, Andrea Carretta, Sabrina Moret
Summary: During the 2020-21 olive oil campaign, the contribution of harvesting operations to MOSH and MOAH contamination was studied. Hand-picked olives generally had low levels of MOSH and no quantifiable MOAH. However, contamination increased significantly after harvesting operations in 40% of the cases, with accidental leaks and contact with lubricated mechanical parts identified as important sources. Source identification was done through chromatographic traces obtained by HPLC-GC-FID, and confirmation and characterization were attempted using GC x GC with parallel FID/MS detection. Good harvesting practices are recommended to minimize contamination risks.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gregory Bauwens, Sebastiano Panto, Giorgia Purcaro
Summary: The determination of mineral oil contamination levels in foods is a complex issue that requires methods like GC x GC for data interpretation and reliable integration of analytical results. The application of a new algorithm on an automated platform provides a novel solution for quantification and highlights the advantages of using an integrated platform.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ana Srbinovska, Lara Gasparotto, Chiara Conchione, Luca Menegoz Ursol, Francesca Lambertini, Michele Suman, Sabrina Moret
Summary: This study investigated emerging food contaminants in basil pesto from the Italian market and identified the contributing ingredients. The results showed that vegetable oils and cashews were the major contributors to contamination, while the contribution of cheese and basil was negligible.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Gregory Bauwens, Aleksandra Gorska, Giorgia Purcaro
Summary: Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are analyzed using the online coupled liquid chromatography-gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (LC-GC-FID) method, which lacks sufficient separation performance and may result in coelution of interfering compounds. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) has proven to be relevant in overcoming the weaknesses of the LC-GC method and meeting the analytical requirements. This paper highlights the contributions of GC x GC in understanding MOH, meeting the determination requirements, and overcoming analytical and toxicological challenges.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Gregory Bauwens, Alexandre Cavaco Soares, Florence Lacoste, Daniel Ribera, Coen Blomsma, Iekje Berg, Fernando Campos, Alwin Coenradie, Adina Creanga, Ralph Zwagerman, Giorgia Purcaro
Summary: The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of refining on the most toxicologically relevant fraction of MOAH contamination in coconut oil. A fully integrated platform consisting of LC, LC-GC x GC, and FID was used to obtain a more detailed characterization of the MOAH sub-classes distribution. The results showed that refining effectively removed naphthalenes and significantly reduced benzo(a)pyrenes.
FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS PART A-CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS CONTROL EXPOSURE & RISK ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Luca Menegoz Ursol, Chiara Conchione, Ana Srbinovska, Sabrina Moret
Summary: A rapid and solvent-saving method based on microwave-assisted saponification (MAS) followed by epoxidation and on-line LC-GC-FID has been optimized and validated for high-sensitivity determination of MOAH in extra virgin olive oils. The method was also applied for MOSH determination and showed that olive oils from the Italian market or oil mills were contaminated with variable amounts of MOSH and MOAH, while laboratory-extracted oils had low and rather constant levels of MOSH and no detectable MOAH.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Hochegger, Reinhard Wagenhofer, Sanja Savic, Elisa Mayrhofer, Michael Washuettl, Erich Leitner
Summary: This study presents a comprehensive method to accurately assess the toxicological hazard of harmful aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs) in mineral oil. The method combines high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry to determine the content and DNA reactivity of MOAHs, providing evidence for the risk assessment of MOAHs.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alessia Arena, Mariosimone Zoccali, Ivana Bonaccorsi, Monica Mondello, Peter Q. Tranchida, Luigi Mondello
Summary: This study analyzed and discussed the contamination of mineral oil hydrocarbons in Citrus essential oils using an online liquid-gas chromatography system. Various degrees of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbon (MOSH) contamination were found in the cold-pressed (CP) essential oils, ranging from 10.7 to 338.4 mg kg(-1). However, no MOSH contamination was detected in the distilled essential oils. The level of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons in all samples was below the limit of quantification.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Marco Nestola
Summary: A new epoxidation approach was developed in this study to successfully epoxidize persistent olefins in refined oils. An optimized and miniaturized workflow for sample preparation and analysis led to a robust method that was tested and validated for edible oils and fats.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marjeta Erzen, Iztok J. Kosir, Miha Ocvirk, Samo Kreft, Andreja Cerenak
Summary: This study analyzed the cannabinoid and terpenoid profiles of 11 hemp phenotypes from different varieties, and found differences between the varieties. The results are useful for the development of new supplementary ingredients, different pharmacy treatments, and further breeding purposes.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gregory Bauwens, Chiara Conchione, Nicola Sdrigotti, Sabrina Moret, Giorgia Purcaro
Summary: This study analyzed seven commercial feeds and found consistent results between two laboratories. The combination of liquid-gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography, along with parallel detection using flame ionization detector and time-of-flight mass spectrometer, allowed for a more comprehensive characterization of the contaminants.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Alessia Arena, Mariosimone Zoccali, Alessandra Trozzi, Peter Q. Tranchida, Luigi Mondello
Summary: This study investigated the presence of mineral oil hydrocarbons in 17 commercial samples of Omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements. Levels of contamination ranged from 2.4 ppm to 375.7 ppm, with an average value of 49.9 ppm, mainly consisting of saturated hydrocarbons. Most samples were free of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons contamination.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Lingling Liu, Bingning Li, Daoyuan Yang, Jie Ouyang, Haixia Sui, Yanwen Wu
Summary: The study analyzed mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in commercial infant and young children foods, finding the presence of MOSH and polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) in most of the samples, but no MOAH detected. These contaminants were closely correlated to the ingredients and manufacturers of the foods.
FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS PART A-CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS CONTROL EXPOSURE & RISK ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Srbinovska Ana, Conchione Chiara, Celaj Fabiola, Menegoz Ursol Luca, Moret Sabrina
Summary: Mineral oil saturated (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) are contaminants of health concerns in packaging and processing. This study validated a rapid and high-sensitivity method for determining these contaminants in cocoa powder and found additional contaminants in the packaging. Most samples exceeded the benchmark levels set by Germany.
