Simultaneous determination of 49 amino acids, B vitamins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in commonly consumed vegetables by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Quick separation and enrichment of chlorogenic acid and its analogues by a high-efficient molecularly imprinted nanoparticles and evaluation of antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities

Multiple interaction strategy to target was tried to use in the design of surface imprinting polymer. To validate this, active chlorogenic acid, a representative phenolic acid compound existing in many natural products, was selected as the template molecule and a magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (CGA-MMIPs) was synthesized. The characterizations indicated CGA-MMIPs was 20-50 nm, stable below 229.56 °C and had a saturation magnetic intensity of 17.90 emu/g. The prepared CGA-MMIPs exhibited high adsorption capacity (441.81 mg/g) and fast adsorption equilibrium for chlorogenic acid. It also was easy separation, high selectivity and good reusability, which was successfully used in quick separation of chlorogenic acid from Orthosiphon aristatus and Taraxacum mongolicum and Salvia miltiorrhiza. Moreover, the isolated substances possessed great antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. These verified the strategy was useful and had huge prospects in the quick separation of chlorogenic acid or other phenolic acid compounds from natural products.

High-throughput and sustainable B vitamins analysis in nutritional supplements, vegetables, and fruits via 2D carbon microfiber fractionation system coupled with mass spectrometry

B vitamins are essential for energy metabolism, nervous health, blood production, and the immune system. Their quantification in nutritional supplements and food is mandatory to manage a correct daily intake and dosage. In this study, a fast and sustainable method for the analysis of 8 B vitamins (VB1, VB2, VB3, nicotinamide, VB5, VB6, VB9, VB12) in real samples using a 2D-carbon microfiber fractionation system combined with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (2DμCFs-QqQ-MS/MS) is presented. The method shortens the analysis time to 5 min, showing high sensitivities (LODs: 1.7-13.7 ng mL-1, LOQs: 5.5-45.7 ng mL-1, obtained with standard solutions), good reproducibility (RSDs <15 %), and strong linear correlations (R2 > 0.997). When applied for B vitamin determination in nutritional supplements, results matched product label values at a 95 % confidence level, with batch reproducibility never exceeding 5 %. Furthermore, coupling a 2D-carbon microfiber fraction system with a quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (2DμCFs-QTOF-HRMS) it is possible to carry out quick monitoring of B vitamin contents together with impurity evaluation in real samples.

Advances in Chromatographic Analysis of Phenolic Phytochemicals in Foods: Bridging Gaps and Exploring New Horizons

Chromatographic analysis of phenolic phytochemicals in foods has significantly advanced over the past decade (2014-2024), meeting increasing demands for precision and efficiency. This review covers both conventional and advanced chromatographic techniques used for detecting phenolic phytochemicals in foods. Conventional methods like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Thin-Layer Chromatography, and Gas Chromatography are discussed, along with their benefits and limitations. Advanced techniques, including Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography, Nano-LC, Multidimensional Liquid Chromatography, and Capillary Electrophoresis, are highlighted for their innovations and improved capabilities. The review addresses challenges in current chromatographic methods, emphasizing the need for standardized and validated procedures according to the Food and Drug Administration, European Cooperation for Accreditation of Laboratories, and The International Organization for Standardization guidelines to ensure reliable and reproducible results. It also considers novel strategies for reducing the environmental impact of chromatographic methods, advocating for sustainable practices in analytical chemistry.

Unraveling the In Vitro Anti-Advanced Glycation End-Product (Anti-AGE) Potential of Fermented Red Cabbage and Beetroot: Insights into Composition and Activities

This study verified the in vitro activity of red cabbage and beetroot against the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their relationship with the biomolecules' content. Fermentation of cabbage increased the total phenolic (~10%) and flavonoid contents (~14%), whereas decreased total phenolics/flavonoids in beetroot. Fermented cabbage exhibited higher ability against AGEs, i.e., 17% in the bovine serum albumin-methylglyoxal (BSA-MGO) model and 25% in the BSA-glucose model, while beetroot exhibited 23% and 18%, respectively. The major compounds of cabbage products were cyanidin 3-(sinapoyl)(sinapoyl)-diglucoside-5-glucoside, sinapic acid, and epicatechin. Syringic acid and epicatechin were predominantly present in fermented beetroot. 2,17-bidecarboxy- and 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-betanin were the major betalains. Fermented vegetables can be effective inhibitors of the AGE formation/accumulation and could be recommended in the prevention of diet-related diseases.

Investigation of Health Effects of Major Phenolic Compounds in Foods: Extraction Processes, Analytical Approaches and Applications

The escalating costs of healthcare services and a growing awareness of personal health responsibilities have led individuals to explore natural methods alongside conventional medicines for health improvement and disease prevention. The aging global population is experiencing increased health needs, notably related to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Lifestyle-related diseases, poor dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles underscore the importance of foods containing nutrients that can aid in preventing and managing these diseases. Phenolic compounds, a fundamental group of phytochemicals, are prominent in the chemical diversity of the natural world and are abundant in functional foods. Widely distributed in various plant parts, these compounds exhibit important functional and sensory properties, including color, taste, and aroma. Their diverse functionalities, particularly antioxidant activity, play a crucial role in mitigating cellular oxidative stress, potentially reducing damage associated with serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disea23ses, and cancer. Phenolic compounds exist in different forms, some combined with glycosides, impacting their biological effects and absorption. Approximately 8000 polyphenols isolated from plants offer significant potential for natural medicines and nutritional supplements. Therefore, their extraction process and selective and sensitive food determination are very important. This review focuses on the extraction processes, analytical methods, and health effects of major phenolic compounds in foods. The examination encompasses a comprehensive analysis of analytical approaches and their applications in elucidating the presence and impact of these compounds on human health.

Bioactivity and influence on colonic microbiota of polyphenols from noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit under simulated gastrointestinal digestion

Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) is a tropical fruit rich in bioactive compounds. Little is known about its polyphenol composition at different ripeness levels and digestive characteristics. Here, we studied changes in polyphenols and antioxidant activity as noni ripened. Rutin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were found in high amounts in noni, with antioxidant capacity increasing as it ripened. Under simulated digestion, polyphenols were gradually released from the oral to gastrointestinal phases, partially decomposing in the small intestine due to their instability. Conversely, fiber-bound phenols were released during colonic fermentation, leading to high bioaccessible antioxidant activity. Additionally, noni consumption affected the intestinal microbiome by reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increasing bacteria with prebiotic properties like Prevotella and Ruminococcus. These findings demonstrate that polyphenols significantly contribute to the health benefits of noni fruit by providing absorbable antioxidants and improving the structure of the intestinal microbiome.

Inactivation mechanism of cold plasma combined with 222 nm ultraviolet for spike protein and its application in disinfecting of SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible virus that has precipitated a worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease since 2019. Developing an effective disinfection strategy is crucial to prevent the risk of surface cross-contamination by SARS-CoV-2. This study employed pseudovirus and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS-CoV-2 as models to investigate the spike protein inactivation process and its underlying mechanisms using a novel nonthermal technology. Cold plasma combined with 222 nm ultraviolet (CP+UV) treatment was applied to accelerate the generation of reactive species and enhance sterilization efficiency. The results indicated that the binding activity of RBD protein was completely inhibited at specific concentrations (0.01-0.05 mg/cm2) with corresponding treatment times of 15-30 s. The mechanism potentially involves the reactive species generated by CP+UV, which react with the spike protein RBD of SARS-CoV-2, leading to the loss of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by causing damage to the β-sheet structure and chemical bonds in the RBD protein. Validated by a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory, the CP+UV treatment for 30 s could completely inactivate SARS-CoV-2 with a concentration of 19054 ± 1112 TCID50/cm2. Therefore, this study potentially provides a novel disinfection strategy for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on surface cross-contamination.

Comparative Analysis of the Nutritional Quality of Zizania latifolia Cultivars Harvested in Different Growing Seasons

Zizania latifolia (Z. latifolia) is a popular aquatic vegetable with various nutrients in south China, but little is known about its cultivars and growing seasons in terms of the nutritional components. This work aims to characterize the nutrients of five Z. latifolia cultivars in different growing seasons. The results showed that Z. latifolia samples differed in terms of chemical parameters, which were significantly affected by variety, growing season, and their interaction. Zhejiao No. 8, harvested in the autumn, stood out with the highest levels of vitamin C. Tangxiajiao and Zhejiao No. 1 contained the highest values of total soluble solids, reducing sugar, soluble proteins, and amino acids. Significant differences were observed between the autumn Z. latifolia and spring samples; the former were of higher quality than the latter based on hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis. Moreover, total amino acids (TAA) and glutamic acid (GLU) were selected as the key indicators for Z. latifolia comprehensive quality by multiple linear regression analysis. This study provides essential information on Z. latifolia quality characteristics corresponding to cultivars and growing seasons, which lays the foundation for promoting the quality improvement of Z. latifolia scientifically.

Determination of Phenolic Acids Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole (UHPLC-QqQ) in Fruiting Bodies of Sanghuangporus baumii (Pilát) L.W. Zhou and Y.C. Dai

Sanghuangporus, a medicinal mushroom, has gained significant attention due to its beneficial properties. Phenolic acids are among the major bioactive compounds in Sanghuangporus, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. To precisely quantify the phenolic acid content, we developed a method utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole (UHPLC-QqQ). This study optimized the UHPLC-QqQ conditions to simultaneously separate and detect eight phenolic acids in Sanghuangporus baumii (Pilát) L.W. Zhou and Y.C. Dai, including chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, and syringic acid. The separation process utilized a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 column using 0.01% formic acid and 2 mmol/L ammonium formate in water as the aqueous phase and methanol containing 0.01% formic acid and 2 mmol/L ammonium formate as the organic phase. Calibration curves were constructed using standard solutions to quantitatively determine the phenolic acid content. The results showed significant variation in phenolic acid content among S. baumii fruiting bodies, with Protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid being the most abundant. This method is valuable for quantifying phenolic acid compounds under different cultivation conditions. It provides excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility for the quantification of phenolic acids in Sanghuangporus, contributing to a better understanding of its chemical composition and potential health benefits. This approach represents a novel technical means for the simultaneous analysis of compound phenolic acids in Sanghuangporus fruiting bodies.

Quantitative Analysis of Flavonoids in Fruiting Bodies of Sanghuangporus Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

A rapid, precise, and dependable method for quantifying flavonoids in the fruiting bodies of Sanghuangporus was established using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). Separation was achieved using a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 column (1.8 μm, 3.0 mm × 100 mm) with a 15 min gradient of a mobile phase consisting of 0.01% aqueous formic acid and 2 mm/L ammonium formate (mobile phase A), and 0.01% formic acid and 2 mm/L ammonium formate in methanol (mobile phase B). A mass spectrometry analysis was performed using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with an electrospray ion source. This method enabled the simultaneous detection of 10 flavonoids (sakuranetin, quercitrin, myricitrin, kaempferol, luteolin, rutin, hyperoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, catechin, and catechin gallate) in the fruiting bodies of Sanghuangporus. Additionally, we applied this method to analyze the flavonoid content in fruiting bodies of various Sanghuangporus species. The results revealed substantial variations in flavonoid content, up to a 100-fold difference, among different species, with myricitrin, hyperoside, and rutin identified as the most abundant flavonoids. This protocol serves as a valuable tool for quantifying flavonoid compounds in different Sanghuangporus species or under diverse cultivation conditions, particularly for identifying species with high levels of specific flavonoid compounds.

Peptide derived C. striata albumin as a natural angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

As one of the most popular sources for fish albumin, Channa striata has been considered as a promising substitute for human albumin. However, scientific information regarding its genomic and proteomic is very limited, making its identification rather complicated. In this study, we aimed to isolate, characterize, and examine the bioactivity of protein and peptide derivatives of C. striata albumin. Fractionation of albumin from C. striata extract was conducted using Cohn Process and the yield was evaluated. The peptides were further produced by enzymatic hydrolysis. All these proteins were studied using tricine-SDS PAGE and tested for in vitro ACE inhibition. Dry weights of the Fraction-5, where the albumin was more abundant and purer, was 3.8 ± 2.1%. Based on tricine-SDS PAGE analysis, two bands of protein, e.g., approximately 10 and 13 kDa, were detected with highest intensity found in Fraction-5, which might be albumin of C. striata. An increasing trend of ACE inhibition by the fractions was observed, ranging from 7.09 to 22.99%. The highest ACEI activity was found in peptides from alcalase hydrolysis with molecular size <3 kDa (56.65 ± 2.32%, IC₅₀ 36.93 μg/mL). This value was also statistically significant compared with the non-hydrolyzed Fraction-5 and Parental Fraction, which were 23.48 ± 3.11% (P < 0.05) and 13.02 ± 0.68% (P < 0.01), respectively. Taken together, these findings suggest a promising potential of peptide-derived C. striata albumin for natural antihypertensive agents.

Heavy Metals in Widely Consumed Vegetables Grown in Industrial Areas of Bangladesh: a Potential Human Health Hazard

The prevalence of heavy metals in frequently consumed vegetables constitutes a considerable public health hazard. This study aims to determine the quantity of heavy metals in widely consumed watercress (WC), alligator weed (AW), red amaranth (RA), spinach (SP), cauliflower (CF), and eggplant (EP) cultivated in industrial areas (e.g., Narsingdi district) of Bangladesh to assess the potential health hazards. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) served to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) in vegetable samples (n = 72). The contents of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni were found in most of the analyzed vegetables, whereas 79.17%, 44.44%, and 1.39% samples exceeded the FAO/WHO maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for Pb, Cd, and Ni, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of single heavy metal was below the corresponding maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values of Cd in all samples exceeded the threshold limit (ILCR > 10^-4) for both adults and children, indicating lifetime cancer risk due to the consumption of contaminated vegetables. The target hazard quotient (THQ) of each heavy metal was THQ < 1.0 (except Ni in few samples), indicating that consumers have no non-cancer risk when exposed to a single heavy metal. However, hazard index (HI) values of heavy metals were greater than unity in contaminated WC and AW for adults and children. Meanwhile, WC, AW, and SP samples for children emerged as potential health risks of inhabitants in the studied areas. The outcomes of the present investigation might assist the regulatory bodies concerned in setting new strategies through monitoring the quality of marketed vegetables to minimize the risks to humans.

Comparative phytochemical analysis of Ferula assa-foetida with Ferula jaeschkeana and commercial oleo-gum resins using GC-MS and UHPLC-PDA-QTOF-IMS

Ferula assa-foetida is an important species of the genus Ferula, best known for its oleo-gum resin, mainly used as a flavoring agent. Ferula jaeschkeana is another Himalayan medicinal plant of this genus, known for its contraceptive effect but not used in food applications. This study aimed to do a detailed phytochemical analysis of F. assa-foetida growing under controlled conditions in India using GC-MS/headspace and UHPLC-PDA-QTOF-IMS. Further, a comparative analysis of F. assa-foetida was performed with F. jaeschkeana (collected from its natural habitat) and commercial samples of F. assa-foetida oleo-gum resin (collected from the local market). UHPLC-QTOF-IMS profiling of F. assa-foetida led to the identification of foetisulfide C, assafoetidnol A, gumosin, flabellilobin (A/B), and foetisulfide A. In total, 141 metabolites were identified, including vitamins, nucleosides, sulfur compounds, flavonoids, sugars derivatives, and others, using METLIN database. Serine, arginine, asparagine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine were major amino acids quantified among the samples for the nutritional aspect. Characteristic sulfurous compounds (n-propyl-sec-butyl disulfide, trans-propenyl-sec-butyl disulfide, cis-propenyl-sec-butyl disulfide, and bis[1-(methylthio)propyl] disulfide) were identified in all samples except F. jaeschkeana. PCA and cluster analysis showed a significant difference in the volatile constituents of rhizomes of both species. Metabolomics studies also revealed the association of sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid, flavon, and flavanol biosynthesis. The current study demonstrates, "why only F. assa-foetida is used in culinary applications instead of F. jaeschkeana"?

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Food by Coulometric Array Detector: A Review

Phenolic compounds are an important group of organic molecules with high radical scavenging, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The emerging interest in phenolic compounds in food products has led to the development of various analytical techniques for their detection and characterization. Among them, the coulometric array detector is a sensitive, selective, and precise method for the analysis of polyphenols. This review discusses the principle of this method and recent advances in its development, as well as trends in its application for the analysis of phenolic compounds in food products, such as fruits, cereals, beverages, herbs, and spices.

The regular pattern of metabolite changes in mushroom Inonotus hispidus in different growth periods and exploration of their indicator compounds

Inonotus hispidus is a valuable and rare edible and medicinal mushroom with extremely high nutritional and medicinal value. However, there is no holistic insight to elucidate the molecular basis of the differentiated usage and accurate annotation of physiological maturity to fluctuating yields and quality. This study aimed to figure out the fruiting bodies' metabolites change regulation and potential maturating indicators to distinguish different quality I. hispidus. We applied non-targeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry combined and with multivariate analysis and analyzed cultivated and wild mushroom I. hispidus in different growth periods (budding, mature and aging). With the fruiting bodies maturating, 1358 metabolites were annotated, 822 and 833 metabolites abundances changed greater than or equal to 1 time from the budding period to the aging period in abundance in cultivated and wild, the total polysaccharides, crude fat, total flavonoids, and total terpenes increased at first and then decreased. Total amino acids, crude protein, and total polyphenols decreased, while the total steroids increased linearly. The change of metabolites showed certain regularity. Metabolic pathways enrichment analysis showed that these metabolites are involved in glycolysis, biosynthesis of amino acids, organic acid metabolism, glycine-serine-and-threonine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, purine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. In addition, ergosterol peroxide and (22E)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one can be used as indicator compounds, and their contents increase linearly with the fruiting bodies of I. hispidus' physiological maturation. This comprehensive analysis will help to evaluate the edible values and facilitate exploitation in mushroom I. hispidus.

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for determination of B vitamins and some its derivatives in whole blood

Obligate symbiotic bacteria associated with the insects feeding exclusively on vertebrate blood are supposed to complement B vitamins presumably lacking in their diet. Recent genomic analyses revealed considerable differences in biosynthetic capacities across different symbionts, suggesting that levels of B vitamins may vary across different vertebrate hosts. However, a rigorous determination of B vitamins content in blood of various vertebrates has not yet been approached. A reliable analytical method focused on B vitamin complex in blood can provide valuable informative background and understanding of general principles of insect symbiosis. In this work, a chromatographic separation of eight B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, and cyanocobalamine), four B vitamin derivatives (niacinamide, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, 4-pyridoxic acid, and tetrahydrofolic acid), and 3 stable isotope labelled internal standards was developed. Detection was carried out using dual-pressure linear ion trap mass spectrometer in FullScan MS/MS and SIM mode. Except for vitamin B9 (tetrahydrofolic acid), the instrument quantitation limits of all analytes were ranging from 0.42 to 5.0 μg/L, correlation coefficients from 0.9997 to 1.0000, and QC coefficients from 0.53 to 3.2%. Optimization of whole blood sample preparation step was focused especially on evaluation of two types of protein-precipitation agents: trichloroacetic acid and zinc sulphate in methanol. The best results were obtained for zinc sulphate in methanol, but only nine analytes were successfully validated. Accuracy of the procedure using this protein-precipitating agent was ranging from 89 to 120%, precision from 0.5 to 13%, and process efficiency from 65 to 108%. The content of B vitamins in whole blood samples from human and various vertebrates is presented as an application example of this newly developed method.

Stereoselective metabolomic and lipidomic responses of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) exposing to chiral triazole fungicide tebuconazole

In this study, non-targeted and targeted metabolomics/lipidomics studies based on UPLC-QTOF-MS and UPLC-MS/MS were carried out to clarify the effects of tebuconazole and its different enantiomers on lettuce metabolites and lipids. Slight enantioselective degradation of tebuconazole was observed and six degradation metabolites were tentatively identified. The endogenous metabolites involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism, vitamins, and lipid metabolism were significantly affected with enantioselectivity by tebuconazole exposure. Nucleotide metabolism and nicotinic acid metabolic network were significantly activated by the stimulation of tebuconazole. Rac- and (-)-R-tebuconazole caused the down-regulation of soluble sugars and subsequent amino acids and organic acids. Overall, lettuce exposed to tebuconazole was shown to have a significant impact on plant metabolism and lipid metabolism, with notable stereoselectivity. The results showed stereoselective toxicity of tebuconazole and provided a better understanding of its metabolomic and lipidomic effects on lettuce.

Development of a Simple, Underivatized Method for Rapid Determination of Free Amino Acids in Honey Using Dilute-and-Shoot Strategy and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A simple, fast and reliable analytical method was developed for 20 free amino acids (FAAs) determination in honey samples through a dilute-and-shoot strategy and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Compared with previous reports, direct dilution by water has significantly reduced the matrix effect and facilitated full extraction of FAAs. Further, a 5 min determination method was established with an acetonitrile–water mobile phase system with 0.1% formic acid addition. The established method was validated and demonstrated several advantages including short detection time, wide linear range over 3–4 orders of magnitude, high sensitivity down to 0.1 ng/mL and negligible matrix effect. Twenty FAAs were determined in 10 honey samples from different botanical origins by this method, and 19 FAAs were found. This general applicable method was also promising for fast determination of FAAs in other practical samples.

Simultaneous identification and quantification of amino acids in biofluids by reactive 19F-tags

A robust method to identify and quantify amino acids close to physiological conditions by 1D ¹⁹F NMR was established. Each ¹⁹F-derivatized amino acid has its characteristic chemical-shift profile that is readily identified in the mixture of amino acids or in biofluids including fetal bovine serum and cell lysates. The method shows great potential in metabolomics and biochemical analysis.

Green determination of eight water-soluble B vitamins in cosmetic products by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

B vitamins are a group of compounds with beneficious properties for dermatologic care, and therefore they are included in the cosmetic formulations as high added-value ingredients. In this paper, an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of eight water-soluble B vitamins in cosmetic products is reported for the first time. This method is based on liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) analysis after simple water leaching of the analytes from the cosmetic matrix. No organic solvents are required, beyond the ethanol used in the chromatographic mobile phase. The proposed method has been successfully validated showing good linearity, limits of detection in the low μg mL^-1 range (from 0.14 to 0.43 μg mL^-1) and good repeatability (relative standard deviation below 11 %). The accuracy of the method has been proven by the analysis of laboratory-made samples (i.e., a cream and a gel) with known concentrations of the analytes, providing low relative errors (below 12 %). Finally, the method has been successfully applied to four commercial cosmetic samples of different formulations without significant matrix effects. The results obtained and the environmentally friendly features of the method showed its usefulness for carrying out both pre- and in-market quality control of final cosmetic products.

Combination of ozone and ultrasonic-assisted aerosolization sanitizer as a sanitizing process to disinfect fresh-cut lettuce

Reduction of sanitizer dosage and development of non-immersion disinfection methods have become major focuses of research. Here, we examined the disinfection efficacy of combining gaseous ozone (4 and 8 ppm) with aerosolized oxidizing sanitizer [sodium hypochlorite (SH, 100 and 200 ppm)] and aerosolized organic acid [acetic acid (AA, 1% and 2%) and lactic acid (LA, 1% and 2%)]. Notably, 1% AA and 4 ppm gaseous ozone were ineffective for disinfecting Salmonella Typhimurium, and treatment with 1% AA + 8 ppm ozone caused browning of lettuce leaves and stimulated increases in aerobic mesophilic count (AMC), aerobic psychrotrophic count (APC), S. Typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Treatment with 2% LA + 8 ppm ozone resulted in the lowest S. Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, AMC, APC, and molds and yeasts during storage (0-7 days at 4 °C). Quality analysis indicates that LA + 8 ppm ozone and SH + 8 ppm ozone did not negatively affect L*, a*, b*, polyphenolic content, weight loss, and sensory properties; however, the levels of two individual phenolic compounds (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin), responsible for phenylpropanoid synthesis, were significantly increased after treatment with 2% LA + 8 ppm ozone. These findings provided insights into the use of LA combined with gaseous ozone for application in disinfecting fresh produce.