Evaluation of solid-phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the headspace analysis of volatile compounds in cocoa products.

The aroma profile of cocoa products was investigated by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). SPME fibers coated with 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane coating (PDMS), 65 microm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene coating (PDMS-DVB), 75 microm carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane coating (CAR-PDMS) and 50/30 microm divinylbenzene/carboxen on polydimethylsiloxane on a StableFlex fiber (DVB/CAR-PDMS) were evaluated. Several extraction times and temperature conditions were also tested to achieve optimum recovery.

The comparative gastrointestinal response of young children to the ingestion of 25 g sweets containing sucrose or isomalt.

Sugar-free confectionery products containing the low-energy, non-cariogenic sweetener isomalt are widely available in the market place and increasingly aimed at children. However, over-consumption of such products may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and/or osmotic diarrhoea. Little is known about the gastrointestinal tolerance of children following consumption of isomalt.