• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2019

This study was aimed at investigating the levels of the natural preservatives of benzoic, sorbic and propionic acids in cereal grains, nuts and seeds. Benzoic and sorbic acid were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and further confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), whereas propionic acid was analyzed using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and further confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Benzoic, sorbic and propionic acids were found in 44, 22, and 550 samples out of 702 samples, respectively. From the total of 702 samples. The concentrations of benzoic, sorbic and propionic acid were ranged from not detected (ND) to 23.74 mg/L, from ND to 7.90 mg/L, and from ND to 37.39 mg/L in cereal grains, nuts and seeds, respectively. The concentration ranges determined in this study could be used as standard criteria in the process of inspecting cereal grains, nuts and seeds for preservatives as well as to address consumer complaints or trade disputes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2019

It is difficult to analyze pymetrozine in citrus fruits using the hydromatrix method because of its low efficiency of purification and overlap of matrix and pymetrozine peaks. Liquid-liquid extraction can analyze pymetrozine in citrus fruits using dichloromethane. Since low pH interferes with the extraction of pymetrozine, the extracts of citrus fruits were maintained over pH 7.0 by adding borax buffer and 1 N NaOH in the improved method. According to the improved method, citrus fruits (such as lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, and grapefruit) were extracted and purified for HPLC-photo diode array analysis. The results of validation were as follows: $4.360{\mu}g/kg$ of limit of detection, $14.533{\mu}g/kg$ of limit of quantitation, and 0.007 mg/kg of method quantitative limit. Citrus fruits spiked with pymetrozine showed a recovery range from 71.8 to 83.7% and a coefficient of variation below 6%. Thus, the improved method can efficiently analyze pymetrozine in citrus fruits.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of an antibiotic fungicide, kasugamycin, in agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper) using liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with methanol adjusted to pH 13 using 1 N sodium hydroxide, and purified with a HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) cartridge. Linearity of a matrix-matched calibration curve using seven concentration levels, from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg, was excellent with a correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of more than 0.9998. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of instrument were 0.0005 and $0.001{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, and the LOQ of analytical method calculated as 0.01 mg/kg. The average recoveries at three spiking levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n=5) were in the range of 71.2~95.4% with relative standard deviation of less than 12.1%. The developed method was simple and all optimized results was satisfied with the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. The present study could be served as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits (MRL) of kasugamycin and be used as basic data for safety management relative to kasugamycin residues in imported and domestic agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.242-250
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of fenquinotrione, a triketone herbicide, in agricultural products. Fenquinotrione was metabolized to KIH-3653-M-2 in plants. Analyte extraction was conducted using 2% formic acid in acetonitrile and cleaned up using a hydrophillic-lipophillic balance (HLB) cartridge. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.004 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges ($0.001{\sim}0.1{\mu}g/mL$) into a blank extract with $r^2>0.99$. The recovery results for fenquinotrione and KIH-3653-M-2 ranged between 81.1 to 116.2% and 78.0 to 110.0% at different concentration levels (LOQ, $10{\times}LOQ$, $50{\times}LOQ$) with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 4.6%. All values were corresponded with the criteria ranges requested in both the Codex (CAC/GL 40-1993, 2003) and MFDS guidelines (2016). Therefore, the proposed method can be used as an official analytical method for determination of fenquinotrione in the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2019

An analytical method was developed for the determination of fenpropimorph, a morpholine fungicide, in hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) sample preparation and LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The QuEChERS extraction was performed with acetonitrile followed by addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride. After centrifugation, d-SPE (dispersive solid phase extraction) cleanup was conducted using anhydrous magnesium sulfate, primary secondary amine sorbents and graphitized carbon black. The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using seven concentration levels, from 0.0025 to 0.25 mg/kg, and their correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of five agricultural products were higher than 0.9899. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.001 and 0.0025 mg/kg, respectively, and the limits of quantification for the analytical method were 0.01 mg/kg. Average recoveries spiked at three levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n=5) and were in the range of 90.9~110.5% with associated relative standard deviation values less than 5.7%. As a result of the inter-laboratory validation, the average recoveries between the two laboratories were 88.6~101.4% and the coefficient of variation was also below 15%. All optimized results were satisfied the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. This study could serve as a reference for safety management relative to fenpropimorph residues in imported and domestic agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.298-309
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• 2021

In this study we sought to develop a simultaneous analysis method for cis-bixin and cis-norbixin, the main components, to detect annatto pigment in food. To establish the optimal test method, the HPLC analysis methods of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), and National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) were compared and reviewed. In addition, a new pretreatment method applicable to various foods was developed after selecting conditions for simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis in consideration of linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and analysis time. The HPLC analysis method of NIFDS showed the best linearity (R² ≥ 0.999), exhibiting low detection and quantification limits for cis-norbixin and cis-bixin as 0.03, 0.05 ㎍/mL, and 0.097, 0.16 ㎍/mL, respectively. All previously reported pretreatment methods had limitations in various food applications. However, the new pretreatment method showed a high recovery rate for all three main food groups of fish meat and meat products, processed cheese and beverages. This method showed an excellent simultaneous recovery rate of 98% or more for cis-bixin and cis-norbixin. The HPLC analysis method with a new pretreatment method showed high linearity with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 1 for both substances, and the accuracy (recovery rate) and precision (%RSD) were 98% and between 0.4-7.9, respectively. From this result, the optimized analytical method was considered to be very suitable for the simultaneous analysis of cis-bixin and cis-norbixin, two main components of annatto pigment in food.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2021

For this study, we surveyed concentrations of 8 mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, B2 and zearalenone) in agricultural products used for food and medicine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and conducted a risk assessment. Samples were collected at the Yangnyeong Market in Seoul, Korea, between January and November 2019. Mycotoxins were extracted from these samples by adding 0.1% formic acid in 50% acetonitrile and cleaned up by using an ISOLUTE Myco cartridge. The method was validated by assessing its matrix effects, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), recovery and precision using four representative matrices. Matrix-matched standard calibration was used for quantification and the calibration curves of all analytes showed good linearity (r2>0.9999). LODs and LOQs were in the range of 0.02-0.11 ㎍/kg and 0.06-0.26 ㎍/kg, respectively. Sample recoveries were from 81.2 to 118.7% and relative standard deviations lower than 8.90%. The method developed in this study was applied to analyze a total of 187 samples, and aflatoxin B1 was detected at the range of 1.18-7.29 ㎍/kg (below the maximum allowable limit set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, MFDS), whereas aflatoxin B2, G1 and G2 were not detected. Mycotoxins that are not regulated presently in Korea were also detected: fumonisin (0.84-14.25 ㎍/kg), ochratoxin A (0.76-17.42 ㎍/kg), and zearalenone (1.73-15.96 ㎍/kg). Risk assessment was evaluated by using estimated daily intake (EDI) and specific guideline values. These results indicate that the overall exposure level of Koreans to mycotoxins due to the intake of agricultural products used for food and medicine is unlikely to be a major risk factor for their health.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.544-551
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simultaneous analytical method for berberine and palmatine, which are representative substances of Phellodendron amurense, and to evaluate the antioxidant activity. We evaluated the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) of analytical methods for berberine and palmatine using high-performance liquid chromatography. Our result showed that the correlation coefficients of the calibration curve for berberine and palmatine exhibited 0.9999. The LODs for berberine and palmatine were 0.32 to 0.35 µg/mL and the LOQs were 0.97 to 1.06 µg/mL, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day precision values for berberine and palmatine were from 0.12 to 1.93 and 0.19 to 2.89%, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day accuracies were 98.43-101.45% and 92.39-100.60%, respectively. In addition, the simultaneous analytical method was validated for the detection of berberine and palmatine. Moreover, we conducted FRAP and NaNO2 scavenging activity assays to measure the antioxidant activities of berberine and palmatine, and both showed antioxidant activity. These results suggest that P.amurense could be a potential natural resource for antioxidant activity and that the efficacy can be confirmed by investigating the content of the berberine and palmatine.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.259-266
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• 2021

Cannabis (Marijuana) is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, and its distribution has been controlled in South Korea since 1976. Identification of 11-nor-Δ⁹-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) in urine can provide important proof of cannabis use, and it is considered scientific evidence in the forensic field. In this study, we describe a simultaneous quantitative method for identifying THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide in urine, using simple liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). THCCOOH-D₃ and THCCOOH-glucuronide-D₃ were used as internal standards. Validation results of the matrix effect, as well as recovery, linearity, precision, accuracy, process efficiency, and stability were all satisfactory. No carryover, endogenous or exogenous interferences were observed. The limit of detection (LOD) of THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide were 0.3 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively. The developed method was applied to 28 authentic human urine samples that tested positive in immunoassay screening and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) tests. The ranges of concentrations of THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide in the samples were less than LOQ~266.90 ng/mL and 6.43~2133.03 ng/mL, respectively. The concentrations of THCCOOH-glucuronide were higher than those of THCCOOH in all samples. This method can be effectively and successfully applied for the confirmation of cannabinoid use in human urine samples in the forensic field.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 2023

The surge in food delivery systems during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic necessitated this study of heavy metal migration from food contact materials (FCMs). A total of 104 samples of FCMs, comprising 51 polypropylene (PP), 21 polyethylene (PE), and 32 polystyrene (PS) samples of six different types of FCMs (containers, covers, table utensils, cups, pouches, and wrappers) used for food delivery distributed in Korea, were collected and investigated for migration of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine whether they complied with Korea's Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. Acetic acid (4%, v/v) was used as the food simulant, and tests were performed at 100℃ (in harsh conditions) for 30 min. Linearity of Pb, Cd, and As showed acceptable results with a coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.9999. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb, Cd, and As were 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 ㎍/L and 0.002, 0.003, and 0.003 ㎍/L, respectively. Accuracy and precision results complied with the criteria presented in the European Commission Joint Research Centre guidelines. The average concentration of Pb, Cd, and As migration detected in a total of 104 samples was 0.009-0.260 ㎍/L, which was very low compared with the migration specification set in the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. The maximum level of Pb corresponded to 0.23% of the migration limit. There were no samples exceeding the limit. Thus, this study confirmed that the heavy metal contents of FCMs used for delivery food distributed in Korea were safely managed. The data from this study represent an invaluable source for science-based safety management of hazardous heavy metals migrating from FCMs used in the food delivery industry.