Determination of 2-alkylcyclobutanones in ultraviolet light-irradiated fatty acids, triglycerides, corn oil, and pork samples: Identifying a new source of 2-alkylcyclobutanones.
Previous studies have established that 2-alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) are unique radiolytic products in lipid-containing foods that could only be formed through exposure to ionizing radiation, but not by any other means of physical/heat treatment methods. Therefore, 2-ACBs are currently the marker molecules required by the European Committee for Standardization to be used to identify foods irradiated with ionizing irradiation. Using a spectrum of state-of-the-art analytical instruments, we present in this study for the first time that the generation of 2-ACBs was also possible when fatty acids and triglycerides are exposed to a non-ionizing, short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light source. An irradiation dosage-dependent formation of 2-ACBs was also observed in UV-C irradiated fatty acids, triglycerides, corn oil, and pork samples. With UV-C irradiation becoming an increasingly common food treatment procedure, it is anticipated that the results from this study will alert food scientists and regulatory officials to a potential new source for 2-ACBs.
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Xiangpeng
X
Meng
Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: chanwan@ust.hk.
Wan
W
Chan
D000818:Animals; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000032:analysis*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D005514:Food Irradiation; D000069466:Red Meat / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013552:Swine; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D003503:Cyclobutanes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; D003314:Corn Oil
2-Alkylcyclobutanones; Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; Irradiated food; Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry; Ultraviolet light irradiation