Analysis of 2-alkylcyclobutanones in cashew nut, nutmeg, apricot kernel, and pine nut samples: re-evaluating the uniqueness of 2-alkylcyclobutanones for irradiated food identification.
2-Alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) have long been considered as unique radiolytic products that can be used as indicators for irradiated food identification. A recent report on the natural existence of 2-ACB in non-irradiated nutmeg and cashew nut samples aroused worldwide concern because it contradicts the general belief that 2-ACBs are specific to irradiated food. The goal of this study is to test the natural existence of 2-ACBs in nut samples using our newly developed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method with enhanced analytical sensitivity and selectivity ( Ye , Y. ; Liu , H. ; Horvatovich , P. ; Chan , W. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric analysis of 2-alkylcyclobutanones in irradiated chicken by precolumn derivatization with hydroxylamine . J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013 , 61 , 5758 - 5763 ). The validated method was applied to identify 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-TCB) in nutmeg, cashew nut, pine nut, and apricot kernel samples (n = 22) of different origins. Our study reveals that 2-DCB and 2-TCB either do not exist naturally or exist at concentrations below the detection limit of the existing method. Thus, 2-DCB and 2-TCB are still valid to be used as biomarkers for identifying irradiated food.
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Elvis M K
EM
Leung
Phyllis N Y
PN
Tang
Yuran
Y
Ye
Wan
W
Chan
D031021:Anacardium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000032:analysis*; D005514:Food Irradiation; D026323:Myristica / Q000737:chemistry*; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry*; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
D003503:Cyclobutanes; C485436:2-tetradecylcyclobutanone; C063381:2-dodecylcyclobutanone