Microwave-Assisted Extraction/UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS-Based Lipidomic Workflow for Comprehensive Study of Lipids in Soft Cheese.

In this work, Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) was proposed as an alternative and environmentally friendly technique in lipidomics to study the lipid fingerprint of soft cheeses, such as mozzarella. For method development, a first step concerning an evaluation of extraction solvents was carried out via testing three different mixtures, including methanol/ethyl acetate, isopropanol/ethyl acetate, and ethanol/ethyl acetate, at a 1:2 / ratio. The latter was chosen as a solvent mixture for subsequent method optimization.

Characterization and Quantification of Arsenic Species in Foodstuffs of Plant Origin by HPLC/ICP-MS.

Arsenic is a well-known carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic element and occurs in the environment both as inorganic arsenic (iAs) and organoarsenical compounds (oAsCs). Since the toxicity of arsenic compounds depends on their chemical form, the identification and determination of arsenic species are essential. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority, following the European Commission request, published a report on chronic dietary exposure to iAs and recommended the development and validation of analytical methods with adequate sensitivity and refined extraction procedures for this determination.

Identification of mechanically separated meat using multivariate analysis of 43 trace elements detected by inductively coupled mass spectrometry: A validated approach.

The European Food Safety Authority asked for novel approaches for identifying mechanically separated meat (MSM) in meat products, due to food safety concern. In this study, a novel approach based on multivariate analysis of 43 trace elements in meat products is described. Overall, 27 trace elements and 16 rare earth elements were determined by using ICP-MS after sample mineralization of 100 meat samples, composed of different percentages of MSM, obtained at low and high pressure, and without MSM.

Poaching of endangered species in Mediterranean Sea: Alopias vulpinus.

A thresher shark poached by fishermen in the stretch of sea between the island of Ponza and the coast of Terracina (Lazio, Central Italy, Mediterranean Sea) and confiscated by the Italian health authorities was evaluated for the presence of chemical contaminants. Hg mean concentration of 2.1 mg kg was found in muscle; speciation analysis confirmed it was almost in the toxic organic form of MeHg (2.

Evaluation and Dietary Exposure Assessment of Selected Toxic Trace Elements in Durum Wheat () Imported into the Italian Market: Six Years of Official Controls.

Durum wheat grains, which are mostly used for the production of pasta and several baked goods, represent a main source of vegetable proteins and calories. Concurrently, many contaminants, including toxic trace elements, may accumulate in them, posing a potential severe hazard to human health. In this context, for official control and food safety purposes, 346 samples of whole durum wheat imported into the Italian market from six countries (Australia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, and the United States) during the period 2015-2020 were analysed for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Innovative approaches for identifying a mechanically separated meat: evaluation of radiostrontium levels and development of a new tool of investigation.

Due to food safety concerns, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) asked to identify useful parameters for identifying the mechanically separated meat (MSM). In this work, the Sr levels of MSM products were assessed for evaluating the suitability of this parameter for MSM identification. Indeed, this contaminant may accumulate in animal bones and bone fragments may be present in MSM.

Trace elements in raw milk of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Campania, Italy.

The profile of 18 trace elements was traced in 68 milk samples collected from buffalo farms in the territory known as the "Land of Fires" in the Campania region (Italy). This area has been polluted by the illegal dumping in fields of industrial or domestic waste, wich is sometimes then burned spreading toxic contaminants. Milk from buffaloes raised on rural farms might be a good indicator of environmental contamination risk in the human food chain.

[Levels of trace elements in the fruits and vegetables from the so-called Land of fires in Campania Region (Southern Italy)].

INTRODUZIONE: una vasta area compresa tra le province di Napoli e Caserta nella regione Campania ha negli ultimi anni attirato l'attenzione dei mass media a causa degli interramenti illeciti di rifiuti di varia origine nei campi o del loro abbandono lungo le strade. A tali pratiche illecite si aggiunge il fenomeno dei roghi incontrollati di questo materiale, motivo per il quale la zona è stata soprannominata "Terra dei fuochi". OBIETTIVI: ricerca di elementi in tracce presenti nei prodotti alimentari di origine vegetale prodotti nella Terra dei fuochi.

Characterization, chemometric evaluation, and human health-related aspects of essential and toxic elements in Italian honey samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Concentration values of 24 elements (Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ge, Hg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, and Zn) were determined in 72 honey samples produced in Italy by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Considering the recommended established heavy metal daily intakes for humans, in this perspective, an equilibrated and ordinary honey consumption should not be considered matter of concerns for human health, even if particular attention should be addressed if honey is consumed by children, due to different maximum daily heavy metal intakes. Chemometric analysis of the results obtained highlights heavy metal content differences in honey samples obtained from notoriously polluted zones, confirming then that honey can be considered a bio-indicator of environmental pollution.

Environmental monitoring of the area surrounding oil wells in Val d'Agri (Italy): element accumulation in bovine and ovine organs.

In this work, environmental heavy metal contamination in the Val d'Agri area of Southern Italy was monitored, measuring the accumulation of 18 heavy metals (U, Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Sr, Sn, V, Ni, Cr, Mo, Co, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Al) in the organs of animals raised in the surrounding area (kidney, lung, and liver of bovine and ovine species). Val d'Agri features various oil processing centers which are potentially a significant source of environmental pollution, making it essential to perform studies that will outline the state of the art on which any recovery plans and interventions may be developed. The analysis was carried out using official and accredited analytical methods based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the measurements were statistically processed in order to give a contribution to risk assessment.

Trace elements in free-range hen eggs in the Campania region (Italy) analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Eggs from hens raised on rural or domestic farms are a good indicator of environmental contamination, as the hens are in close contact with the ground and the air and can therefore accumulate heavy metals and other toxic contaminants from the environment as well as from the diet. In this paper, we report the results of the determination of 19 trace elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Tl, U, V, Zn) in 39 hen egg samples collected from domestic poultry farms in the territory dubbed the "Land of fires" in the Campania region (Italy). This area is characterized by environmental problems caused by the illegal dumping of industrial or domestic waste in fields or by roadsides.

Distinctive Pattern of Serum Elements During the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

Element profiling is an interesting approach for understanding neurodegenerative processes, considering that compelling evidences show that element toxicity might play a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aim of this study was to profile 22 serum elements in subjects with or at risk of AD. Thirtyfour patients with probable AD, 20 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 24 with subjective memory complaint (SMC) and 40 healthy subjects (HS) were included in the study.

Assessment of lead, cadmium and mercury in seafood marketed in Puglia and Basilicata (Italy) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Lead, cadmium and mercury are non-essential heavy metals that may interfere with biological systems, exhibiting high toxicity to human and marine biota. Due to bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the food chain, seafood may concentrate high levels of these contaminants since they are often at the top of aquatic food chain. In this study, 342 seafood samples, subdivided into four categories (bivalve molluscs, cephalopod molluscs, blue-fish and other sea fish), were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in order to assess the levels of lead, cadmium and mercury.