Precise determination of strontium isotope ratios by TIMS to authenticate tomato geographical origin.

Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) was applied to discriminate a total of 118 tomato samples (berries, "passata", tinned tomatoes, sauce, double and triple concentrate) coming from two different countries. The TIMS technique gave significantly different results for the (87)Sr/(86)Sr ratios and δ‰ values between Chinese and Italian tomato samples, irrespective of the treatment type. This technique proved to be a "robust" method, suitable for a precise discrimination of the two geographical origins.

Determination of rare earth elements in tomato plants by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques.

In recent years identification of the geographical origin of food has grown more important as consumers have become interested in knowing the provenance of the food that they purchase and eat. Certification schemes and labels have thus been developed to protect consumers and genuine producers from the improper use of popular brand names or renowned geographical origins. As the tomato is one of the major components of what is considered to be the healthy Mediterranean diet, it is important to be able to determine the geographical origin of tomatoes and tomato-based products such as tomato sauce.

Characterization of mercury species in soils by HPLC-ICP-MS and measurement of fraction removed by diffusive gradient in thin films.

The properties and behaviour of Hg depend on both the oxidation state and the chemical form: the bioavailability, toxicity, persistence and accumulation of mercury in the food web are strongly influenced by chemical speciation. The present work aims to determine the chemical forms of mercury present in soil and to evaluate the fraction of mercury in soil solution available to plants. In order to do this, we analyzed eight samples of contaminated soils with Hg concentrations ranging from 1.

Radionuclides in fruit systems: a review of experimental studies.

Existing information on processes and parameters analysed in experimental studies on fruits was reviewed at the inception of the activities of the IAEA BIOMASS Fruits Working Group. Additional information on experimental studies, collected during the activities of the Group and not included in the Review, is presented and discussed in this paper. Studies on deposition of (14)CO2, CO(35)S and (3)H2O in the gas phase to apple, raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant have filled gaps in knowledge of uptake of gaseous pollutants in fruit plants, quantifying processes of deposition, translocation and carry-over between seasons.