Suchergebnisse

Regulation (EC) n.1223/2009 of the European Parliament includes furocoumarins (FC) in the list of substances prohibited in cosmetic products except for normal content in natural essences used, the limit in sun protection and bronzing products is 1 mg/Kg [1]. Despite the official regulations the Scientific Committee on Consumers Products (ISCC) and the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) are still proposing the maximum content of psoralens in rinse-off and leave-on products, according to the latest evidences of phototoxicity [2,3]. To date, LC coupled to PDA detector is the main technique employed for FC determination. However, the high Limits of Quantification (LOQs) suggested by IFRA, limit the HPLC-PDA application to the analysis of essential oils, making necessary the development of a more sensitive HPLC-MS method for the analysis of FC at trace level in the finished cosmetic products [4]. This work provides a detailed analysis of PDA LOQs calculated for several oxygen heterocyclic compounds, among FC, coumarins, and polymethoxyflavones. The linear retention index approach was used, for the first time, together with the UV library, as an extra criterion for the reliable characterization of the target compounds in the essential oils. The LRI of specific volatile compounds were calculated in order to identify the interfering compounds of the matrix which affect the LOQs. Calibration curves were created in pure solvent and by adding the standard compounds to different blank samples, with the aim to overcome the matrix effect. Moreover, LRI was applied to a new more sensitive HPLC-QqQ MS method, with MS and MS/MS (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) libraries and external calibration. The MS method was validated and used to determine the content of FC in cosmetics, such as perfumes and body wash.

Official regulations concerning the maximum number of substances in food are introduced as a consequence of possible adverse effects, after oral administration. In this regard, analytical methods are necessary in order to determine specific targets. Among oxygen heterocyclic compounds (OHCs, that are furocoumarins, coumarins and polymethoxyflavones), only coumarin is subject to restriction by the Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament. Furocoumarins are known for their phototoxicity and other side effects due to their dietary intake; however, an official limit about the maximum content of these compounds in food is still missing. The lack of information about the real amount of these compounds in food is responsible for the conflicting opinions about the introduction of an official limit. The HPLC-MS/MS method here proposed, in combination with the linear retention index system, represents an innovative analytical strategy for the characterization of OHCs in citrus beverages. Several types of drinks were analysed in order to quantify 35 OHCs in total. This method is suitable for the quality control of OHCs in food and the obtained results may be considered as informative data useful for the regulatory authorities in the emission of new opinions and for a potential new regulation in this field.

High quality extra virgin olive oils represent an optimal source of nutraceuticals. The European Union (EU) is the world's leading olive oil producer, with the Mediterranean region as the main contributor. This makes the EU the greatest exporter and consumer of olive oil in the world. However, small olive oil producers also contribute to olive oil production. Beneficial effects on human health of extra virgin olive oil are well known, and these can be correlated to the presence of vitamin E and phenols. Together with the origin of the olives, extraction technology can influence the chemical composition of extra virgin olive oil. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of potentially bioactive compounds in Italian extra virgin olive oils from various sources. For this purpose, vitamin E and phenolic fractions were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with fluorescence, photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection in fifty samples of oil pressed at industrial plants and sixty-six samples of oil produced in low-scale mills. Multivariate statistical data analysis was used to determine the applicability of selected phenolic compounds as potential quality indicators of extra virgin olive oils.