Saffron authentication based on liquid chromatography high resolution tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis.

Saffron is one of the oldest and most expensive spices, which is often target of fraudulent activities. In this research, a new strategy of saffron authentication based on metabolic fingerprinting was developed. In the first phase, a solid liquid extraction procedure was optimized, the main aim was to isolate as maximal representation of small molecules contained in saffron as possible.

Advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry based on metabolomics studies for food--a review.

Food authenticity becomes a necessity for global food policies, since food placed in the market without fail has to be authentic. It has always been a challenge, since in the past minor components, called also markers, have been mainly monitored by chromatographic methods in order to authenticate the food. Nevertheless, nowadays, advanced analytical methods have allowed food fingerprints to be achieved.

Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Dietary Supplements: Hidden Health Risk for Consumers.

Mycotoxin contamination of dietary supplements represents a possible risk for human health, especially in the case of products intended for people suffering from certain health conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of this problem based on analyses of a wide set of herbal-based dietary supplements intended for various purposes: (i) treatment of liver diseases (milk thistle); (ii) reduction of menopause effects (red clover, flax seed, and soy); and (iii) preparations for general health support (green barley, nettle, goji berries, yucca, etc.) The analytical method including 57 mycotoxins was based on a QuEChERS-like (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe) approach and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Multi-analyte high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry method for control of pesticide residues, mycotoxins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

A new reliable and highly sensitive method based on high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation and high resolution tandem mass spectrometric detection (HRMS/MS) has been developed and validated for determination of 323 pesticide residues, 55 mycotoxins, and 11 plant toxins represented by pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The method was validated for three matrices, leek, wheat, and tea differing in nature/amount of co-extracts that may cause various matrix effects. For target analytes isolation, optimized QuEChERS-based (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extraction procedure was employed.