Bioavailability study of OTA, ZEN, and AFB1 along with bioactive compounds from tiger nut beverage and its by-products.

Mycotoxins pose significant health risks due to their prevalence in food products and severe health implications, including carcinogenicity. This study investigates the bioavailability of mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEN) individually and combined, in the presence of identified polyphenols from tiger nut beverage (TNB) and tiger nut by-product (TNBP) using the in vitro model Caco-2 cells, which simulates the human intestinal barrier. The objective is to understand how bioactive compounds from TNBP can mitigate the effects of AFB1, OTA and ZEN (and their combination) by bioavailability interference, contributing to safer food products and innovative food safety strategies.

Acrylamide content in popcorn from Spanish market: Risk assessment.

Snacks, including popcorn, are increasingly consumed in Spain and are susceptible to acrylamide (AA) formation. AA, classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is produced via the Maillard reaction between reducing sugars and amino acids, particularly glucose, and asparagine, when foods are heated above 120 °C. This study aims to analyze the AA content in 91 popcorn samples, categorized by flavor (salted, butter, caramel, flavored, colored, unflavored) and cooking method (ready-to-eat, popcorn maker, microwave), and assess dietary AA exposure in the Spanish population.

Development of a greener and sustainable method to determine acrylamide in corn products by LC-MS/MS: Evaluation of levels in corn-based products.

Acrylamide (AA) is produced through the reaction between sugars and amino acids present in starchy foods cooked at high temperature. It is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. In 2019, the European Commission reported a list of foods for monitoring the presence of AA, which includes cereal snacks.

Rapid immunochemical methods for the analysis of proquinazid in strawberry QuEChERS extracts.

Proquinazid is a new-generation fungicide authorized in the EU for combating powdery mildew infections in high-value crops. Due to the perishable nature of fruits, alternative analytical methods are necessary to protect consumer's health from pesticide residues. Currently, immunoassays are a well-established approach for rapidly monitoring chemical contaminants.

Development and validation of an analytical method for determination of citrinin in red rice and red yeast rice-based food supplements by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Citrinin is a hepato-nephrotoxic mycotoxin produced by fungal species. The Monascus purpureus fungus plays a crucial role in the fermentation of red rice to produce red yeast rice-based food supplements, which represent the primary source of human exposure to citrinin. In this study, a simple and sensitive analytical method was successfully developed and validated for the citrinin determination in these products.

Monolith-coated microcentrifuge tubes for the easy extraction of psychoactive substances from urine samples and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination.

Background: Sample extraction is one of the most critical steps in most of the analytical processes. Nowadays, there is a demand for simple approaches that can effectively extract and concentrate target analytes from complex matrices, like biofluids, with accurate and reliable results.

Results: A porous monolith of poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) has been immobilized on the inner wall of a 2 mL commercial polypropylene microcentrifuge tube through radical photopolymerization, using bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide as radical initiator and 405 nm laser pointer activation.

Determination of synthetic hallucinogens in oral fluids by microextraction by packed sorbent and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A fast and simple procedure based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of 28 synthetic hallucinogens in oral fluids, including lysergic acid diethylamide and substances from NBOMe, NBOH, NBF, 2C, and substituted amphetamine categories. Extraction conditions such as type of sorbent, sample pH, number of charge/discharge cycles, and elution volume were studied. Hallucinogenic compounds were extracted from oral fluid samples using C18 MEPS, loading with 100 μL sample (adjusted to pH 7) in 3 cycles, washing with 100 μL deionized water, and eluting with 50 μL methanol in 1 cycle, giving quantitative recoveries and no significant matrix effects.

Development of paper-immobilized molecularly imprinted polymers by laser pointer activation for methamphetamine extraction with analysis by ion mobility spectrometry.

A fast, simple, cheap, and versatile strategy has been proposed for the synthesis of paper-immobilized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) by photoactivated bulk polymerization over a piece of nitrocellulose using a 405 nm laser pointer. Polymerization was carried out using a mixture of methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, using methamphetamine as template molecule and bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide as radical initiator. After investigation of different polymerization parameters, the following experimental conditions were found to give best results: size of nitrocellulose strip (13.

Two constructed wetlands within a Mediterranean natural park immersed in an agrolandscape reduce most heavy metal water concentrations and dampen the majority of pesticide presence.

The water concentrations of 12 heavy and other metals/metalloids were analyzed seasonally along two horizontal-flow constructed wetlands (CWs) (Tancat Mília-TM and Tancat l'Illa-TLI) located within the Mediterranean Albufera de València Natural Park during 2020-2021. A wide-scope screening of pesticides present in waters was also performed. The two CWs were created to improve water quality and increase biodiversity.

Paper-based monolith extraction of psychoactive substances from biological fluids.

A monolith of poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) has been immobilised to a nitrocellulose strip by radical photopolymerisation to be used in the extraction of psychoactive substances in biological fluids. Codeine, methylone, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, butylone, norketamine, ketamine, heroin, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide and fentanyl were employed as model drugs and final extracts were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Polymerisation parameters were adjusted in order to obtain a stable and homogeneous layer of monolith onto the nitrocellulose strip.

Skin Permeation of Hazardous Compounds of Tobacco Smoke in Presence of Antipollution Cosmetics.

Negative health effects of active and passive smokers have been widely described, but the effect of tobacco smoke on the skin has been less explored. In this study, an analytical methodology has been developed to evaluate the dermal permeation of hazardous compounds present in tobacco smoke, using an exposition chamber to simulate finite and infinite smoking conditions, vertical Franz diffusion cells, and Strat-M membranes as human skin simulants. Moreover, the antipollution effect of three cosmetics has been evaluated, showing a significant efficacy to reduce dermal permeation of hazardous tobacco-smoke compounds such as of nicotine and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Review of the state of the art of acrylamide human biomonitoring.

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a very useful tool for assessing human exposure to acrylamide (AA). In the framework of the Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) AA was included in its second list of priority substances due to the potential threat to human health. HBM data on AA are scarce, but the use of specific and sensitive biomarkers represents a reliable indicator of exposure.

Analysis of drugs including illicit and new psychoactive substances in oral fluids by gas chromatography-drift tube ion mobility spectrometry.

In this study, a gas chromatograph (GC) has been coupled to a drift tube ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) in order to develop an analytical procedure for the determination of psychoactive substances in oral fluids. Working parameters, including the GC-IMS interface ones, were adjusted in order to obtain sensitive and robust signals. A volume of 500 μL of oral fluid was extracted with 250 μL chloroform and, after centrifugation, were injected into the GC-IMS system.

Metabolism of third generation synthetic cannabinoids using zebrafish larvae.

Synthetic cannabinoids are the second largest group of new psychoactive substances reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the last decade and case reports bring attention to its high potency effects and its severe toxicity, including fatalities. Moreover, synthetic cannabinoids are usually entirely metabolized and metabolic pathways for many new generation synthetic cannabinoids are still unknown. In this study, the metabolism of five third generation synthetic cannabinoids was evaluated using zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae as 24-h in vivo model studied within 5 days after fertilization.

Dual mixed-mode poly (vinylpyridine-co-methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)-based sorbent for acidic and basic drug extraction from oral fluid samples.

In this study, a dual mixed-mode polymer sorbent was prepared via one-step thermally initiated polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (VP), methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of basic and acidic drugs. The use of VP and MAA as ionizable functional monomers allowed the tailoring of ion-exchange and hydrophobic features of the polymer. The obtained polymer was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Skin Penetration of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Presence of Antipollution Cosmetics.

Different a n tipollution products have recently irrupted the market to answer current health concerns related to air contamination. Thus, the development of methodologies for the appropriate evaluation of the efficacy of these products is needed. In this study, an appropriate analytical methodology has been developed and validated for the evaluation of the effectiveness of antipollution cosmetic products against the dermal absorption of different hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

Molecularly imprinted polymer-based device for field collection of oral fluid samples for cocaine identification.

In this paper, a low-cost, rapid, easy, and potentially portable tool for the identification of cocaine and its semi-quantitative determination in oral fluid has been proposed. A field collection device has been designed, based on a cotton pad with an indicator and a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sorbent, to selective retain cocaine from oral fluid components. After sample collection, cocaine is transferred by using phosphate buffer to the MIP and then eluted with 2-propanol.

Sample preparation strategies for the determination of psychoactive substances in biological fluids.

This review focuses on the existing analytical procedures for the determination of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in biological fluids by chromatographic methods. Direct analysis of samples is scarcely employed and most proposed methodologies include a sample pre-treatment in order to remove matrix interferents and, in some cases, pre-concentrate extracts. Current extraction methods for NPS determination in plasma/serum, urine, and oral fluids have been widely discussed, such as liquid-liquid, solid-phase, and micro extraction approaches, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of the proposed extraction methodologies.

Determination of Third-Generation Synthetic Cannabinoids in Oral Fluids.

A procedure has been developed for the determination of third-generation synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid samples by using a semi-automated microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) procedure and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) determination. Five synthetic cannabinoids were employed as model compounds 5F-ADB, MMB-CHMICA, THJ-2201, CUMYL-4CN-BINACA and MDMB-CHMCZCA. The most adequate operative conditions for MEPS were evaluated giving quantitative recoveries, from 89 to 124%, in synthetic and field saliva samples spiked with 125 and 250 μg/L of the studied cannabinoids, with the exception of MDMB-CHMCZCA in field saliva samples that provided slightly lower recoveries from 62 to 66%.

Tuning the selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymer extraction of arylcyclohexylamines: From class-selective to specific.

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been prepared in presence of 3-hydroxy phencyclidine (3-OH PCP) as template by bulk polymerization using N,N-dimethylformamide, as porogenic solvent, for the selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) of arylcyclohexylamines from oral fluids. Experimental variables of the extraction procedure have been studied in order to increase both, extraction recovery of 3-OH PCP, used as model analyte, and imprinting factor. By modifying the composition of the washing solvent, the selectivity of the MIP extraction procedure can be tuned, moving from an arylcyclohexylamine selective method to a 3-OH PCP specific method.

Unexpected identification and characterization of a cathinone precursor in the new psychoactive substance market: 3',4'-methylenedioxy-2,2-dibromobutyrophenone.

3',4'-methylenedioxy-2,2-dibromobutyrophenone has been identified and fully characterized in a sample obtained from an anonymous consumer acquired as ketamine through the Internet market. The substance has been deeply characterized by using standard and high performance analytical techniques such as: attenuated total reflectance-infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-resolution mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance, including H, C, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer, two dimensional homonuclear H-H correlation spectroscopy, and H-C heteronuclear single-quantum correlation spectra. 3',4'-methylenedioxy-2,2-dibromobutyrophenone is a precursor or intermediate in the synthesis of several synthetic cathinone derivatives, such as pentylone and methylenedioxy pyrovalerone.

Direct and fast determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in contaminated soils and sediments by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A direct procedure based on thermal desorption-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS-MS) was developed for the fast extraction of seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from sediments and soils. PCBs were directly extracted, from 20 to 75 mg of sample, without any chemical pre-treatment or use of organic solvents, after the addition of 10 µL internal standard (PCB 195) in acetone. Sample treatment was totally automated.

Development of pipette tip-based poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) monolith for the extraction of drugs of abuse from oral fluid samples.

In this work, a monolithic polymer based on poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (MAA-co-EDMA) was prepared inside 200 μL pipette tips for the extraction of drug of abuse from oral fluid samples. After an appropriate surface tip modification, several polymerization mixtures with different monomer/cross-linker ratios, and percentage of porogen were studied. The most appropriate monolith to easily flow organic solvents and oral fluid samples was prepared with a MAA/EDMA ratio of 8:92 wt/wt and dodecanol containing 10 wt% toluene, as porogenic solvent.

Determination of the new psychoactive substance dichloropane in saliva by microextraction by packed sorbent - Ion mobility spectrometry.

A simple procedure based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) has been proposed for the extraction of dichloropane in oral fluids and its determination by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Extraction conditions such as type of sorbent (octyl and octadecyl silica), sample pH, number of sample loadings, and elution volume were evaluated to obtain the most appropriate values. Dichloropane was extracted from saliva samples using C8 MEPS, loading with 100 μL sample (adjusted to pH 7) in 4 cycles, washing with 100 μL deionized water, and eluting with 50 μL 2-propanol in 10 cycles.

Development of a molecularly imprinted monolithic polymer disk for agitation-extraction of ecgonine methyl ester from environmental water.

In this study, a new extraction approach based on rotating molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) disks was developed. The preparation procedure of MIP-disk is simple. Firstly, in order to immobilize MIP onto the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) disk, previous modification and vinylization steps of this fluoropolymer were conducted.