Essential terminology and considerations for validation of non-targeted methods.

Through their suggestive name, non-targeted methods (NTMs) do not aim at a predefined "needle in the haystack." Instead, they exploit all the constituents of the haystack. This new type of analytical method is increasingly finding applications in food and feed testing.

Development of Non-Targeted Mass Spectrometry Method for Distinguishing Spelt and Wheat.

Food fraud, even when not in the news, is ubiquitous and demands the development of innovative strategies to combat it. A new non-targeted method (NTM) for distinguishing spelt and wheat is described, which aids in food fraud detection and authenticity testing. A highly resolved fingerprint in the form of spectra is obtained for several cultivars of spelt and wheat using liquid chromatography coupled high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS).

German Government Official Methods Board Points the Way Forward: Launch of a New Working Group for Mass Spectrometry for Protein Analysis to Detect Food Fraud and Food Allergens.

The detection of food fraud and undeclared food allergens is one of the major challenges for competent authorities. Because adulterations are continuously adapted to the methods used to uncover them, the accomplishment of this task has become increasingly difficult over time. In recent years, various new promising methods for the detection of multiple food adulterants and multiple food allergens have been developed.

No significant difference in the prognostic value of the 5th and 7th editions of AJCC staging for differentiated thyroid cancer.

Objective: The seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has more detailed staging categories for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) than the fifth edition. The aim was to compare potential alterations in the disease-specific (DSS), event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS), after reclassification from the fifth to the seventh edition.

Methods: Data of 2460 patients with DTC referred to our centre were reclassified from the fifth to the seventh edition of AJCC.

[Simultaneous determination of the toxicologically relevant elements: lead, cadmium, and nickel with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry].

A new generation of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer enables the simultaneous determination of several trace elements. Using an optimized temperature-time-program for ashing and atomization, the Smith-Hieftje background correction and a matrix modifier, the determination of Pb, Cd and Ni in one run is possible. The detection limits of the new method of 0,039 mg Pb, 0,006 mg Cd and 0,022 mg Ni per kg sample, permit the determination of these elements in soils, foodstuffs and human food.

[The contamination of feed, fruits and vegetables with benzo(a)pyrene in Land Brandenburg].

Benzo(a)pyren (BaP) was analysed in 218 samples of grass, hay, straw, grains, lettuce, curly kale and apples by means of thin-layer chromatography und analysing other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by capillary gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry. Despite the fact that normally BaP concentrations were relatively low, up to 13.5 micrograms BaP per kg hay (dry matter) and 19.

[The occurrence and metabolism of physiologically normal-appearing hydrocarbons in agricultural animals].

Carbohydrates are determined in food from animals as result of contamination. Therefore they are a risk for the consumer and may impair the quality of the products. There are differences in the pattern of residues between the groups of carbohydrates.

[The effect of energy-rich and energy-reduced rations with n-alkane yeast portions on the fatty acid composition of selected organ lipids in swine].

In 3 test groups (11 pigs in each group) rations with identical fatty acid patterns (except C 17 acids) at high, medium and low-energy levels of the rations were fed. The fatty acid composition of the lipids of liver, heart and brain was analyzed at the end of the experiments. A correlation was found to exist between energy and fatty acid intake and the fatty acid spectrum of the organ lipids.

[The effect of energy-rich and energy-reduced rations with n-alkane yeast portions on the fatty acid composition of fat stores of swine].

In 3 test groups (11 pigs in each group), rations with an identical fatty acid pattern of the fat in the fodder (except C 17 acids) with a high energy level (energy concentrations = 131%), medium energy level (energy concentrations = 100%) and low energy level (energy concentrations 90 or 82%, resp.) were used. In the course of the investigation the fatty acid spectrum was studied by analyzing spinal fat biopsy specimen.

[The effect of microbial protein from a hydrocarbon base (fermosin) with a defined fatty acid composition on fat metabolism and fat composition in slaughter animals. 2. The effect of "fermosin" on the composition of back fat in hogs].

Two tests have been undertaken to investigate the influence of feeding microbial biomasses to pigs. No alterations of the fat parameters characterizing the fat stability were observed. All the values obtained are in a normal range.

[The effect of microbial protein, obtained on a hydrocarbon base (fermosin), with a defined fatty acid composition on fat metabolism and fat composition in slaughter animals. 1. The effect of fermosin on the composition of broiler depot fat].

A study has been undertaken to investigate the influence of fermosin on the depot-fat composition of broilers and the oxidative stability of these fats in parallel with test animals fed yeast conventional produced on carbohydrate base. The data obtained are discussed with reference to literature.

[Nitrogen metabolism in the large intestine of ruminants. 1. Metabolism of i.v. infused 15N-urea without additional carbohydrate supply to the large intestine].

The experiments were carried out on 3 bulls (body weight: 172, 229 and 193 kg), equipped with ileo-caecal cannulas and with catheters in the jugular veins on both sides. The offered pelleted ration consisted of straw 73%, molasses 12%, cereals 10%, ammonium hydrogen carbonate 3% and urea 2%. Feed intake amounted to about 3 kg per animal and day.

[Identification and determination of XAX-M in fats and fatty tissues].

XAX-M preparations with their main component ETDQ (1,1-Bis-(2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinol-6-yl)-ethane) are used as antioxidizing agents for stabilization of mixed feeds. Identification and determination of XAX-M in fats and fatty tissues of slaughter animals succeed after an improved selective concentration of ETDQ already with much lower contents then by the procedures known up to now. Preliminary investigations of the occurrence of XAX-M-residues in human fatty tissues yielded negative results with an inferior detection limit of 0.