Food Safety News

Is it Orange Juice?
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Is it Orange Juice?

Orange juice is among the top10 ten most adulterated beverages sold to consumers. Renowned analytical chemists Drs. Jian Wang and Willis Chow from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have developed a method utilizing QuEChERS extraction and UHPLC/ESI Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry to determine what is orange juice from concentrate (FC) and not from concentrate (NFC)….

Nature Finds A Way: Greening of Potato Tubers Retards Bacteria Growth, or Why Our Parents Peeled the Potatoes
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Nature Finds A Way: Greening of Potato Tubers Retards Bacteria Growth, or Why Our Parents Peeled the Potatoes

For many of us, we can remember our parents and grandparents peeling potatoes before cooking them. For those of us who like the taste of potato skins, we often wondered why they bothered. Before mass production and grocery stores, people grew their potatoes in a garden or bought them from people who raised them in…

Researchers study the targeted and non-targeted analysis of pesticides in wheat and investigate pesticides’ influence on wheat cultivated under field conditions.
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Researchers study the targeted and non-targeted analysis of pesticides in wheat and investigate pesticides’ influence on wheat cultivated under field conditions.

QuEChERS extraction ECQUEU750CT-MP (4.0 g MgSO4, 1.0 g NaCl, 1.0 g sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate, 0.5 g sodium citrate dibasic sesquihydrate) QuEChERS cleanup ECQUEU315-MP (900 mg MgSO4, 150 mg PSA, 150 mg C18) ECMPS15CT (900 mg MgSO4, 150 mg PSA) ECQUCHL215CT (900 mg MgSO4, 300 mg C18, 300 mg ChloroFiltr®)   Researchers at the Institute…

QuEChERS Mylar Multi-Packs (No Tubes)
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Researchers Investigate Six Common Pesticides in Wines and the Associated Risk Assessments

Romanian scientists¹ have developed a quick and easy analytical method to determine if wines contain pesticide residues less than the European Union’s maximum residue limits. They focused on the detection of six pesticide residues in red, rosé, and white wines. The pesticides chosen were Acetamiprid, Chlorantraniliprole, and Iprovalicarb, Myclobutanil, Tebuconazole, and Oxiathiapiprolin. The researchers used…

SELECTRA-SIL® Bottles-0
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A New Single-Laboratory Validated Method for the Detection of Pyrethroid Metabolites in Milk by GC/MS

With concerns over the household use of pyrethroid pesticides for mosquito control, researchers in Thailand have developed a validated method for analyzing cis/trans-permethrinic acid in powdered milk. Pyrethroids are naturally occurring pesticides that are synthesized to manufacture mosquito coils and sprays for home use.  These pesticides can bioaccumulate in women’s bodies and be excreted in…

Biochemical Chemical Compounds and Stress Markers in Lettuce upon Exposure to Pathogenic Botrytis cinerea and Fungicides Inhibiting Oxidative Phosphorylation
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Biochemical Chemical Compounds and Stress Markers in Lettuce upon Exposure to Pathogenic Botrytis cinerea and Fungicides Inhibiting Oxidative Phosphorylation

Chemical protection of plants is necessary to maximize crop yields.  Consequently, using pesticides can disrupt the concentrations of biochemical compounds in plants and reduce the availability of essential plant nutrients available to the human diet. Researchers at the Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute in Poland have recently published a paper showing how…

UCT QuEChERS Sorbents Cited in Mycotoxin Analysis Article

UCT QuEChERS Sorbents Cited in Mycotoxin Analysis Article

UCT QuEChERS Sorbents Cited in Mycotoxin Analysis Article Oats (Avena sativa) are a type of cereal belonging to the Poaceae grass family of plants. Although traditionally used for animal feed, the beneficial nutritional and physiological effects of oat products have generated an increased demand for oats in human nutrition. However, oats can be contaminated by…

UCT QuEChERS Featured in Mycotoxins in Oats Analysis!

UCT QuEChERS Featured in Mycotoxins in Oats Analysis!

A recently published article in the Journal of Chromatography B (L. De Colli, C. Elliott, J. Finnan, J. Grant, E.K. Arendt, S.P. McCormick, M. Danaher, Determination of 42 mycotoxins in oats using a mechanically assisted quechers sample preparation and UHPLCMS/MS detection, Journal of Chromatography B (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122187) featured a developed and validated method for…

QuEChERS Centrifuge Tubes

UCT QuEChERS Salts & Sorbents Put to Work in Newly Published High-Throughput Mega-Method for the Analysis of Pesticides, Veterinary Drugs, and Environmental Contaminants!

In a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the Department of Toxicology and Residue Monitoring in Albania partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Eastern Regional Research Center and the Pesticide Residue Laboratory in Sao Paulo, Brazil to develop and validate a new method for simultaneous determination of 106 veterinary…

FDA Publishes New PFAS in Food Method Utilizing UCT QuEChERS!
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FDA Publishes New PFAS in Food Method Utilizing UCT QuEChERS!

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a diverse group of synthetic organofluorine compounds that have been widely used in industrial applications and consumer products such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, fire-fighting foams, carpeting, apparels and metal plating. PFASs are persistent in the environment and are extremely resistant to degradation due to heat, acids or bases….

UCT Enviro-Clean® HL-DVB SPE Sorbent Cited in Anticoccidial Study

UCT Enviro-Clean® HL-DVB SPE Sorbent Cited in Anticoccidial Study

Anticoccidials, interchangeably referred to as coccidiostats, are used to control coccidiosis and other protozoan infections in food producing animals. Coccidiosis is a parasitic intestinal disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria. Anticoccidials can be classified into two main groups: the ionophores which are naturally occurring polyether antibiotic type compounds, and the synthetic/chemical anticoccidials. Chemical…

UCT Silane Cited in Plasmon Research Study

UCT Silane Cited in Plasmon Research Study

Ultrasensitive and selective detection and quantification of dopamine (DA) plays a key role in monitoring neurodegenerative diseases and the detection limit reported is typically in the lower nanomolar range. Pushing the detection limit to picomolar (pM) or lower for this particular target to cover the physiological levels (< 130 pM) is significant. In the following article, DA DNA aptamer (DAAPT) gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugate is utilized to enhance the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signal, which enables to detect and quantify DA in the femtomolar (200 fM) to pM range.

UCT Derivatizing Reagent cited in Forensic Anthropology Study

UCT Derivatizing Reagent cited in Forensic Anthropology Study

In a recent study, authored by Susan Luong et al., (Forensic Science International ((2018), 285 93-104)) UCT’s derivatizing reagent O-Bis(trimethylsilytrifluoroacetamide) containing 1% trimethylchlorosilane (BSTFA (1% TMCS)) was employed to assist with the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of a cadaveric break down product. In this research, a human cadaver was placed on the surface of a designated plot at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), the only human decomposition facility in Australia. The natural process of decomposition was allowed to progress over fourteen days during the summer.

UCT’s Clean Screen® Xcel /FASt Sorbents Cited in Phenothiazine Study

UCT’s Clean Screen® Xcel /FASt Sorbents Cited in Phenothiazine Study

For many forensic toxicologists working with active drugs, the parent substrates may not be present in biological matrices, only the metabolites. From these metabolites, the parent drug may be assessed. This is typically performed by characterization of both the parent and metabolites. In a recent paper authored by Courtney Campbell et al., in Journal of Analytical Toxicology (doi: 10.1093/jat/bkx067), a validated method for the characterization of degradation products formed from selected phenothiazine drugs was employed utilizing solid-phase extraction (SPE) and UCT’s XCEL1 (130 mg in 48 well plate format). 

UCT Flagship Sorbent Clean Screen® DAU cited in Carfentanil Study

UCT Flagship Sorbent Clean Screen® DAU cited in Carfentanil Study

In a new paper authored by Szabolcs Sofalvi et al., published in Journal of Analytical Toxicology ((2017) 41 473–483), a validated method for the extraction of fentanyl, norfentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, carfentanil, 2-furanyl fentanyl and 3-methylfentanyl was reviewed using Clean Screen®  DAU and LC-MS/MS to identify these novel compounds along with their corresponding concentrations.

 

 

UCT QuEChERS Kits Cited in Neonicotinoid Identification in Honey

UCT QuEChERS Kits Cited in Neonicotinoid Identification in Honey

UCT, the first company to commercialize the QuEChERS technique, still maintains its support for facilities around the world analyzing food samples for the detection of herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides. The most widely used class of the insecticides in last twenty years are neonicotinoids, which act as receptor agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine. In a paper published in Journal on Processing and Energy in Agriculture by P. Jovanov et al., (2017) 21, 53-55)), UCT’s famous QuEChERS  buffered sample extraction kit , ECQUEU750CT,  and general dispersive cleanup kit,  ECMPS15CT, were used in the extraction of honey samples taken from the Province of Vojvodina, Poland, for the presence of neonicotinoids. 

UCT Silane Cited in Novel Separations Article

UCT Silane Cited in Novel Separations Article

UCT is world renowned as the premier manufacturer of the finest specialty chemicals including silanes and siloxanes. Researchers in the field of separation science looking to advance the boundaries require the finest of materials for their studies. In a recent paper authored by Patrizia Simone et al., (Journal of Chromatography A ((2017) 1498, 46-55) a UCT silane (N-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-polyethylenimine was utilized as an important reagent in the production of a monolith for separations of small molecules and intact proteins.

Recognizing UCT’s Latest Intern – Stephanie Oddi

Recognizing UCT’s Latest Intern – Stephanie Oddi

Recently Arcadia University’s Forensic Science Program did an Internship Spotlight on Stephanie Oddi, UCT’s 2016-2017 intern. We would like to share her feedback from her experience here below and also thank her for all the valuable time and contributions she has provided to our internal R&D efforts. Best of luck Stephanie as you move forward in the forensic community! We wish you nothing but the best – From Your UCT Mentors!

Clean Screen ® DAU cited in U.S. Medical Examiner Heroin Article

Clean Screen ® DAU cited in U.S. Medical Examiner Heroin Article

Over the past two decades, prescription and illicit opioid use has led to changes in public health policy to address the increasing number of opiate/ opioid-related deaths. UCT’s flagship sorbent, Clean Screen® DAU, is recognized as the finest solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent for opiate/opioid extraction and analysis from biological samples. In a new paper published in Journal of Forensic Sciences (House Publication of American Academy of Forensic Sciences) JFS doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13511 by Love et al., cases submitted for analysis to Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office between 2004 through 2015 were extracted utilizing UCT’s DAU column, where heroin was identified as a significant contributor or as the primary cause of death.

UCT Specialty Chemical (TSPS) cited in Clinical Chemistry Article

UCT Specialty Chemical (TSPS) cited in Clinical Chemistry Article

UCT is known around the world as the premier manufacturer of the finest specialty chemicals used in the field of clinical research. In a recent paper published in Plos One (12(2): e0171915. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0171915) by R.Jension et al., “A novel approach to eliminate detection of contaminating Staphylococcal species introduced during clinical testing”, UCT’s T-structure polydimethylsiloxane (TSPS) was used to coat crystalline wafers used in the procedure. This chip utilizes TSPS as a specialty chemical integral to the process. 

Visit UCT at the 3rd Annual 2017 Emerald Conference February 2nd-3rd

Visit UCT at the 3rd Annual 2017 Emerald Conference February 2nd-3rd

UCT is proud to support Emerald Scientific’s 2017 annual conference which is devoted to the deep exploration and discussion of the science of cannabis, including analytical testing, extraction and infusion sciences, cultivation sciences, clinical applications, inter-lab comparison and proficiency testing, state regulations, industry standardization, and more.  Please join us all week at BOOTH 132 to learn more about our latest product offerings including QuEChERS products and well-plates geared towards the analysis of cannabis and edible products, Selectra® HPLC columns, GC liners, Selectra-Sil® Dervatizing Reagents, and Ultra Flash® Flash Chromatography Purification offerings. 

Join UCT at CANNCON 2016!

Join UCT at CANNCON 2016!

UCT is proud to support Canncon’s 2016 annual conference which unites cannabis industry experts, instrument manufacturers, testing labs, research scientists, medical practitioners, policy makers and interested novices. Please join us all week at  BOOTH 100 and several other educational platforms to learn more about our latest product offerings

UCT Launching Ultra-Flash Purification Line at 2016 ACS Meeting!

UCT is excited to participate in the 252nd American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition from Aug 21-23rd at the Philadelphia Convention Center. Stop by BOOTH 306 to learn about our 2016 newly launched Ultra Flash® Purification columns! UCT will be featuring 3 distinct lines: standard silica/bonded phase columns, ILOK® format columns conducive for manual assembly and column stacking, and, most notable, our spherical high pressure columns rated up to 400 psi. Our Ultra Flash® Purification line is 100% leak-free, 100% compatible with all flash instrumentation currently in the marketplace, and provided in an extensive range of sizes. Stop by to learn more!

Clean Screen THC SPE Column cited in a 2-Year Study of THC Concentrations in the Blood of Drivers in Orange County California

The Clean Screen® THC solid phase extraction (SPE) column is UCT’s flagship THC sorbent. In a paper authored by Declues et al., (Journal of Forensic Sciences (doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13168)) the Clean Screen THC columns were employed to analyze 1204 whole-blood samples confirmed to contain THC alone or in combination with other drugs out of nearly 5000 Orange County, California drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs in a extended time period. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for both THC and carboxy-THC was determined  to be 2 ng/ mL in whole blood. This study using genuine drugs and driving cases demonstrates why forensic toxicologist turn time and time again to UCT’s finest sorbents for their analyses.

World’s Most Popular Pesticide Cuts Bee Sperm 39 Percent, Study Says

For years, people have wondered what’s killing the bees as populations of the fuzzy pollinators critical to the global food chain have fallen off. They’ve racked up declines of 27.4 to 42.1 percent since 2013, well above the 18.7 percent loss the USDA says is the maximum for being economically sustainable. Now a new study says it’s not that they’re being killed, it’s that they’re not being born. The world’s most popular class of insecticides, “neonicotinoid” pesticides actually cuts bee sperm by 39 percent, according to researchers at the University of Bern, Switzerland. 

UCT Clean Screen GHB Column Cited in Analytical Letters

UCT Clean Screen GHB Column Cited in Analytical Letters

In this study into GHB analysis, which was published in Analytical Letters ((2016) 49:2 217–225) by Pyo et from College of Pharmacy, Kyungsung University, South Korea, solid-phase extraction (SPE)  was conducted using UCT’s Clean Screen GHB SPE columns (CSGHB). The recovery for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid by CSGHB was 64.5– 70.9% compared to 32.6–47.5% by liquid–liquid extraction. SPE using CSGHB also offered shorter analysis time, smaller sample quantities and solvent volumes, and better separation.

UHPLC/ESI-MS/MS Determination of 187 Pesticides in Wine using UCT QuEChERS Products

UHPLC/ESI-MS/MS Determination of 187 Pesticides in Wine using UCT QuEChERS Products

In this recently published journal by Wang and Cheung in the world respected journal J.AOAC International (Volume 99, Number 2, March-April 2016, pp. 539-557(19) ) a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERs) method for extraction of  187 pesticides in both red and white wine samples is presented using ultra-HPLC for the analysis of a wide range of pesticides.  The pesticide residues were extracted from wine samples by a QuEChERS approach  employing  UCT’s  ENVIRO CLEAN salts/sorbents.