title: Detection of melamine and cyanuric acid in vegetable protein products used in food production.
abstract: The multitude of food recalls in 2007 clearly demonstrated that total nitrogen-content (ΣN) determination by means of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and Kjeldahl-based measurements can be deceived, and should no longer be regarded as a complete quality assurance program for nutritive-protein evaluations. Furthermore, contemporary Canadian-employed analytical tools are precariously limited in their ability to effectively assure a product where there is no a priori knowledge of the environmental toxin(s) involved. In light of these challenges, this study explored a number of analytical techniques used to assess and furthermore assure the quality of vegetable protein products (VPPs). Using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) technologies, a combination of VPP-based samples was analyzed for the presence of nitrogen-bearing environmental toxicants. Of the 52 samples tested, involving an assortment of matrices, melamine and cyanuric acid were positively identified (>1 ng/mL) in 22 and 17 samples, respectively. Subsequent high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet/visible (HPLC-UV) amino acid profiling further confirmed the adulteration of those materials contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds. Based on the evidence presented herein, LC/MS/MS in combination with HPLC-UV provides for a reliable food safety detection system as applied to VPPs. Moreover, HPLC-UV is indispensable as a stand-alone 1st level of screening to assess the integrity of a VPP or any nutritive protein-based sample.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Applied Science and Management Program, Ryerson Univ., 250 Victoria St., Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada.
authors.forename: Lawrence R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Levinson
authors.forename: Kimberley A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Gilbride
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D014227:Triazines / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary; D014227:Triazines; C004632:cyanuric acid; C011907:melamine