Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in traditionally smoked meat products and charcoal grilled meat in Cyprus.

The study highlights the investigation of the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in traditionally smoked meat products and charcoal grilled meat. Specifically, the levels of benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were determined for 262 samples of smoked sausage, bacon, pork (lountza) and ham (chiromeri), grilled pork and poultry produced in Cyprus. The method is based on a saponification and liquid extraction step, followed by solid phase extraction (SPE) cleanup of the extract and finally, the determination of PAHs using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector.

Use of Chemometrics for Correlating Carobs Nutritional Compositional Values with Geographic Origin.

Carobs unique compositional and biological synthesis enables their characterization as functional foods. In the present study, 76 samples derived from fruit and seeds of carobs, with origin from the countries of the Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Jordan and Palestine) were analyzed for their nutritional composition, in order to identify potential markers for their provenance and address the carobs' authenticity issue. Moisture, ash, fat, proteins, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), dietary fibers and minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) were estimated following official methods.

GC-MS analysis of D-pinitol in carob: Syrup and fruit (flesh and seed).

D-pinitol (3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol) is a well-known bioactive compound with anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant biological functions. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed for its quantitation in carob syrup, flesh and seed samples originated from Cyprus. The analysis was performed after derivatization of carbohydrates and polyols into trimethylsilyl ether derivatives.

Determination of acrylamide in food using a UPLC-MS/MS method: results of the official control and dietary exposure assessment in Cyprus.

The determination of acrylamide in potato products, bakery products and coffee, and the human dietary exposure is reported. The method reported is based on a single extraction step with water, followed by the clean-up of the extract using solid phase extraction columns and finally, the determination of acrylamide using UPLC-MS/MS. The MS/MS detection was carried out using an ESI interface in positive ion mode.