title: Easy Extraction Method To Evaluate δ13C Vanillin by Liquid Chromatography-Isotopic Ratio Mass Spectrometry in Chocolate Bars and Chocolate Snack Foods.
abstract: An easy extraction method that permits the use of a liquid chromatography-isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (LC-IRMS) system to evaluate δ(13)C of vanillin in chocolate products and industrial flavorings is presented. The method applies the determination of stable isotopes of carbon to discriminate between natural vanillin from vanilla beans and vanillin from other sources (mixtures from beans, synthesis, or biotechnology). A series of 13 chocolate bars and chocolate snack foods available on the Italian market and 8 vanilla flavorings derived from industrial quality control processes were analyzed. Only 30% of products considered in this work that declared "vanilla" on the label showed data that permitted the declaration "vanilla" according to European Union (EU) Regulation 1334/2008. All samples not citing "vanilla" or "natural flavoring" on the label gave the correct declaration. The extraction method is presented with data useful for statistical evaluation.
authors.affiliation: †Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bononi
authors.affiliation: ‡Floramo Corporation Laboratories, Via Lime 4, 12047 Rocca de' Baldi, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quaglia
authors.affiliation: †Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tateo
mesh_terms: D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000737:chemistry; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D062410:Snacks; D031669:Vanilla / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001547:Benzaldehydes; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C100058:vanillin
keywords: LC−IRMS; chocolate; snack foods; vanillin; δ13C