Analysis of the volatile components in vanilla extracts and flavorings by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography.

The development and application of a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method in the analysis of vanilla extracts and vanilla flavorings was studied. The SPME method was developed to be used in conjunction with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The optimized SPME sampling parameters for the determination of the volatile components included a poly(acrylate) fiber, a 40-min sampling time at room temperature, and a 2-min desorption time.

Separation of food grade antioxidants (synthetic and natural) using mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

A capillary electrophoretic method, for the determination of antioxidants present in food, has been developed using mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. The buffer consists of sodium cholate (40 mM), sodium dodecyl sulfate (15 mM), 10% methanol, and 10 mM borate at pH 9.3.

Differences in response to nutrition and fitness education programmes in relation to baseline levels of cardiovascular risk in 10 to 12-year-old children.

Objective: To examine associations between children's responses to nutrition and fitness programmes and their baseline levels of cardiovascular risk factors.

Design: A randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Primary schools in Perth, Western Australia.

A controlled evaluation of a fitness and nutrition intervention program on cardiovascular health in 10- to 12-year-old children.

Background: Programs to improve cardiovascular health in schoolchildren need careful scientific evaluation.

Method: In a randomized controlled trial of nutrition and fitness programs over a period of about 9 months, 1,147 10- to 12-year-olds from 30 schools were allocated to one of five health programs: fitness, fitness + school nutrition, school-based nutrition, school + home nutrition, home-based nutrition, or a control group. Nutrient intake, fitness, anthropometry, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol were measured before and after intervention.