Purge and trap method for determination of fumigants in whole grains, milled grain products, and intermediate grain-based foods

A method developed for the determination of 1,2-dibromoethane in whole grains and grain-based products has been modified and expanded to include 8 other fumigants. Samples are stirred with water and purged with nitrogen for 0.5 h in a water bath at 100 degrees C. The fumigants are collected on a trap composed of Tenax TA and XAD-4 resin, eluted with hexane, and determined by gas chromatography (GC) using electron capture detection or Hall electrolytic conductivity detection. Flame photometric detection in the sulfur mode is used to determine carbon disulfide. Thick-film, wide-bore capillary columns were used exclusively in both the determination and confirmation of the halogenated fumigants. The higher levels of fumigants are also confirmed by full scan GC/mass spectrometry. Samples are analyzed for carbon disulfide, methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, 1,2-dibromoethane, and tetrachloroethylene. A total of 25 whole grains, milled grain products, and intermediate grain-based foods analyzed by this method contained fumigant levels up to 51 ppm (carbon tetrachloride in wheat). Recoveries from fortified samples ranged from 82 to 104%. Chromatograms from this purge and trap method are clean, so that low parts per billion and sub-parts per billion levels can be quantitated for the halogenated analytes. The quantitation level for carbon disulfide is 12 ppb.     

Purge and trap method for determination of ethylene dibromide in table-ready foods

An improved method has been developed for the determination of ethylene dibromide (EDB, 1,2-dibromoethane) in a variety of table-ready foods. Samples are mixed with water and sparged with nitrogen for 1 h with stirring in a water bath at 100 degrees C. The EDB collected on the adsorbent Tenax TA is eluted with hexane and determined by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture (EC) and confirmed with Hall electrolytic conductivity (HECD) detection using a second GC column. The highest levels of EDB were also confirmed by full scan GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-five table-ready foods from the Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study that were analyzed by this method exhibited levels up to 70 ppb (pecans). Recoveries from fortified samples ranged from 91 to 104%. Values from this procedure were compared to those obtained by a modified Rains and Holder codistillation method. In all 25 samples this purge and trap procedure showed equivalent or superior recoveries and detected levels of EDB.     

Comparison of methodology for determination of ethylene dibromide in grains and grain-based foods

Three commonly used methods for determination of ethylene dibromide (EDB) in grains and grain products have been compared. EDB residues were extracted by soaking in hexane, triple co-distillation with hexane from an aqueous sample solution, and soaking in acetone-water (5 + 1). Each method was used for triplicate analyses of 12 samples containing incurred residues of EDB ranging from about 10 to 1000 ppb and representing whole grains (wheat and oats) and intermediate grain-based products such as corn meal and flour. The 4-day hexane soaking method extracted the least EDB. In some cases, this was half of the amount determined by the other methods. Levels from soaking in acetone-water were equal to, or up to 25% greater than, those from distillation. Although soaking for 2 days is required for whole grains in the method, a period of only 16 h was found acceptable for ground products. Results were obtained faster with the distillation method, but more analyst time per sample was required. A single distillation recovered about 80% (40-60% from wheat) of total EDB extracted by triple distillation. Foaming was reduced by the addition of concentrated H2SO4 to the aqueous hexane-sample mixture, plus stirring during distillation, thereby allowing complete recovery of the hexane.     

Improved codistillation method for determination of carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dichloride, and ethylene dibromide in grain and grain-based products

A method is described for the determination of the common fumigants carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), ethylene dichloride (EDC), and ethylene dibromide (EDB) in grain and grain-based products. A properly prepared sample is mixed with water and hexane, an internal standard mixture of 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP) and 1,2-dibromopropane (DBP) is added, and the fumigants are codistilled with the hexane into an appropriate receiver. After the hexane solution is dried over sodium sulfate, the quantities of fumigants present are quantitated on a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with an electron capture detector (ECD). For the matrices investigated, the relative standard deviation of the method was 6.0, 9.7, and 23.1% for CCl4, EDC, and EDB, respectively. Recoveries of added fumigants were 107, 95, and 101%, respectively. Comparison with an acetone-water soak extraction method gave a correlation of 0.967 between methods for EDB with odds of a difference between methods of 35%.     

Gas chromatographic method for ethylene dibromide in grains and grain-based products: collaborative study

Nine laboratories analyzed samples of whole grain, intermediate, and ready-to-eat products for ethylene dibromide (EDB) residues. Supplied samples of wheat, rice, and flour contained both fortified and incurred EDB; corn bread mix, baby cereal, and bread contained only fortified EDB. The whole grains and intermediates were analyzed by the same basic procedural steps as in the official method for multifumigants: They were extracted by soaking in acetone-water (5 + 1). The baby cereal and bread were analyzed by a modification of the Rains and Holder hexane co-distillation procedure. EDB was determined by electron capture gas chromatography operated with an SP-1000 column. All products contained 3 different levels of EDB and were analyzed as blind duplicates. Overall mean recoveries ranged from 85.2% for 69.6 ppb to 105.0% for 4.35 ppb, both in baby cereal. Interlaboratory relative standard deviations ranged from 5.7% for 869 ppb in wheat to 20.2% for 69.6 ppb in baby cereal, both fortified. Mean levels of incurred EDB in wheat, rice, and flour were 926.7, 982.0, and 49.9 ppb, respectively; corresponding relative standard deviations were 9.9, 7.7, and 13.1%. The method was adopted official first action.     

Simultaneous analysis of grain and grain-based products for ethylene dibromide, carbon tetrachloride, and ethylene dichloride

A method is described for the simultaneous measurement of parts per billion levels of the fumigants ethylene dibromide, carbon tetrachloride, and ethylene dichloride in grain and grain-based products. The fumigants are isolated by hexane co-distillation, separated by capillary gas chromatography, and detected with a mass spectrometer in the selected ion monitoring mode. Recoveries are greater than 90% and standard deviations are approximately 10% of the quantity measured. The method is free of interferences and its precision and accuracy are enhanced by the use of tetradeuterated ethylene dibromide and ethylene dichloride as internal standards.     

Purge and trap method for determination of volatile halocarbons and carbon disulfide in table-ready foods

A method developed for the determination of ethylene dibromide in table-ready foods has been modified and expanded to include 7 other volatile halocarbons and carbon disulfide. Samples are stirred with water and purged with nitrogen for 0.5 h in a water bath at 100 degrees C. The analytes collected on a duplex trap composed of Tenax TA and XAD-4 resin are eluted with hexane and determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection or Hall electrolytic conductivity detection. Flame photometric detection in the sulfur mode is used to determine carbon disulfide. Thick-film, wide-bore capillary columns are used exclusively in both the determination and confirmation of the halogenated analytes. The higher levels of analytes are also confirmed by full scan gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Samples are analyzed for carbon disulfide, methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, 1,2-dibromoethane, and tetrachloroethylene. Initially, 19 table-ready foods from the Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study were analyzed by this method. A limited survey of those food items exhibiting high levels of analytes was conducted. Samples exhibited levels up to 3300 ppb (methyl chloroform in Parmesan cheese). Recoveries of all 9 analytes from fortified samples ranged from 83 to 104%. Chromatograms from this purge and trap method are clean, enabling quantitation levels of low parts per billion and sub-parts per billion to be achieved for the halogenated analytes. The quantitation limit for carbon disulfide is 12 ppb. Two compounds found in drinking water were identified by GC/MS as bromodichloromethane and chlorodibromomethane. Drinking water from several cities was analyzed for these trihalomethanes as well as for bromoform. Levels of up to 17 ppb bromodichloromethane were found. Recoveries ranged from 96 to 103%.     

Determining multifumigants in whole grains and legumes, milled and low-fat grain products, spices, citrus fruit, and beverages

Whole grain and legumes, milled and low-fat products, spices, citrus fruit, and dry beverage ingredients are leached with purified, acidified acetone-water solutions. Portions of these leachates are then back-extracted with purified isooctane. Liquid beverages are directly extracted with the isooctane. Six to 10 microL of each isooctane extract is then screened for 11 fumigant residues by gas chromatography (GC) using electron-capture and Hall electroconductivity detectors, and dual 20% OV-101 columns. Further confirmation of residue identity is done on 20% OV-225/20% OV-17 (2.5 + 1 mixed-bed) and 10% SP-1000 columns. The analytes determined include methyl bromide, methylene chloride, carbon disulfide, chloroform, ethylene dichloride, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, chloropicrin, ethylene dibromide, and tetrachloroethylene, using mixed-component reference solutions. Average recoveries from fortified grain range from 25 to 85%; methyl bromide and chloropicrin were recovered the least. Recoveries from the other kinds of food samples range from 43 to 111%. Advantages of this procedure are (1) clean sample extracts, (2) ppb detection limits, (3) residue stability, (4) relative speed, quality control, and safety of the analysis, and (5) results which gave an accurate picture of residual fumigants in grain and food products.     

Gas chromatographic determination of ethylene dibromide in flour products

A method based on gas chromatography with electron capture detection was developed for the determination of ethylene dibromide (EDB) extracted from flour products. The procedure relies on the organic extraction of flour/water mixtures and uses an internal standard, 1-bromo-3-chloropropane. Recoveries of EDB at 10 and 100 ppb were 80.1 +/- 2.8% (SD) and 84.4 +/- 4.3%, respectively; recovery of the internal standard at the working concentration 500 ppb was 98.3 +/- 6.7%. Calibration curves were linear over the range 5-400 ppb, with a mean overall coefficient of variation of less than 5%. The reliability of the procedure was assessed by using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Results are shown for determination of EDB in locally milled flour products.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of zearalenone and zearalenol in animal feeds and grains, using fluorescence detection

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the determination of zearalenone and zearalenol in grains and mixed animal feeds. Samples are extracted with chloroform and purified by a base-acid liquid-liquid partition. Zearalenone and zearalenol are separated by reverse phase LC and determined by fluorescence detection, excitation wavelength 236 nm with a 418 nm cutoff filter. The method was applied to the determination of zearalenone and zearalenol in 395 survey samples of corn, oats, barley, sorghum, silage, and finished feeds. The limit of detection is 10 ng/g for both toxins. The range of naturally occurring toxins found was 10-4,000 ng/g. Average recoveries were 84% for zearlenone and 69% for zearalenol. Coefficients of variation were 24.6% for zearalenone and 30.8% for zearalenol for crop year 1980, and 28.3% for zearalenone and 22.0% for zearalenol for crop year 1981.     

Determination of ethylene dibromide in foods and grains by high resolution capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection

Ethylene dibromide (EDB) levels in food samples were determined by gas chromatography with a high-resolution capillary column and electron capture detector. The capillary column used was 3 mm id X 25 m cross-linked 5% phenylmethyl silicone. Column temperature was set at 40 degrees C by a coolant containing carbon dioxide gas. Optimum temperatures of the injection port and detector were 200 and 350 degrees C, respectively. The detection limit was 0.5 ppb and linear from 1 to 20 pg on the dynamic range. EDB residues in food samples were extracted with n-hexane by steam distillation. A few impurity peaks appeared near EDB on the chromatogram; however, the EDB peak was resolved. Recoveries of EDB from wheat and brown rice ranged from 66.1 to 99.6%. EDB was detected in 3 samples of imported wheat at a range of 0.74-1.70 ppb, and was not detected at all in 37 samples. The EDB remaining in EDB-fortified cookies after baking was examined. The amounts of EDB were reduced to 30 to 50% of the original amounts by kneading the dough, and to below 1.5% by baking.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of biogenic amines in feedstuffs, complete feeds, and animal tissues

Numerous methods to analyze biogenic amines in biological materials have been described. A versatile and rapid methodology to analyze these compounds in feedstuffs, complete feeds, and animal tissues, however, has not been reported. The current method was developed to address this need. Biogenic amines in feedstuffs, complete animal feeds, and animal tissues were extracted with 10% trichloroacetic acid, reacted with O-phthaladehyde using high-performance liquid chromatographic employing a cation exchange column. Detection limits were 50 pmol/mL for tyramine, histamine, putrescine, and spermine; 40 pmol/mL for cadaverine; and 25 pmol/mL for spermidine. Extraction efficiency of biogenic amines in feedstuffs, duodenum, liver, ileum + jejunum, and whole shrimp and shrimp hepatopancreas ranged between 99-105, 93-135, 80-85, 65-102, 88-98, and 88-97%, respectively. It can be concluded that the current method can be applied to individual feedstuffs, complete feeds, and animal tissues for the rapid and accurate determination of concentration of biogenic amines.     

Collaborative study of a screening method for the detection of aflatoxins in mixed feeds, other agricultural products, and foods.

A screening method for aflatoxins was collaboratively tested on 11 different agricultural and food products: white and yellow corn, peanuts, peanut butter, pistachio nuts, peanut meal, cottonseed meal, chicken, pig, and turkey starter rations, and dairy cattle feed. The method involves a rapid extraction and cleanup procedure followed by the detection of total aflatoxins (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) as a fluorescent band on the Florisil layer of a Velasco-type minicolumn. The results of 32 collaborators from 10 different countries are presented. Samples containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mug aflatoxins/kg were analyzed. Eighty-four per cent of the negative samples and 89% of the samples containing 10-25 mug total aflatoxins/kg were correctly identified. This method has been adopted as official first action for the detection of aflatoxins in corn, peanuts, peanut butter, peanut meal, cottonseed meal, mixed feeds, and pistachio nuts.     

Microbiological determination of neomycin in feeds and formulated products

An AOAC modified method is described for the microbiological assay of neomycin, which has been adapted to include complete feeds, supplements, premixes, liquids, oil suspensions, boluses, and antibiotic-impregnated paper. The method features a more sensitive standard response line with a monolayer plating system. The use of a buffered plating medium in place of the water-prepared medium results in a curve with less degree of slope, which allows for more accurate interpretation of the standard response. The feed extract diluent used for standard response line dilution, which is prepared from exposure of the feed extract fluid to pH changes, heat, and sodium hypochlorite, has been eliminated. The constant salt concentration diluent used for the preparation of standards is the same as the salt concentration of the sample extract solution to be tested. Results for 50 commercial complete feeds and 50 commercial premixes received over the last 5 years produced an overall mean recovery of 101% with a mean percent recovery range of 80-112%. A statistical analysis of these 100 commercial, complete feeds and premixes, ranging in concentration from 47 g/ton to 70 g/lb, indicates the assay has little, if any, concentration-related bias. Precision and accuracy of the method was supported by laboratory studies of 20 assays that produced a mean recovery of 101% and standard deviation of 3.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone in grains, oilseeds, and animal feeds by post-column derivatization and on-line sample cleanup

A liquid chromatographic method using on-line sample cleanup, reverse flow analytical column loading, gradient elution, and postcolumn derivatization with iodine permits direct, rapid determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, as well as ochratoxin A and zearalenone. Limits of quantitation are 5 ppb for the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A and 30 ppb for zearalenone. This procedure performs well as a multimycotoxin screen for cereal grains and oilseeds, with more limited success in complete animal feeds.     

Collaborative study of an automated method for the determination of crude protein in animal feeds.

An automated macro Kjeldahl instrument determines per cent protein at the rate of 20 samples/hr. The methodology involved is similar to the present official final action Kjeldahl method, sec. 7.016. The 2 methods were compared in a collaborative study. Sixteen animal feeds, 4 meats, tryptophan, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate NBS standard, and ammonium sulfate primary standard were analyzed by the participating laboratories. The data were agreement between the 2 methods. The automated method has been adopted as official first action for the determination of crude protein in feeds, plants, and cereal foods.     

Collaborative study of a semiautomated method for the determination of crude protein in animal feeds.

A semiautomated method consisting of digestion of animal feeds in a block digestor and determination of ammonia by ammonia-salicylate reaction has been studied collaboratively, along with the official final action Kjeldahl method, sec. 7.016. Each collaborator analyzed 16 feed samples, tryptophan, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate NBS standard, and ammonium sulfate primary standard. Statistical analysis showed that the 2 methods agreed. The semiautomated method has been adopted as official first action.     

Determination of xanthomegnin in grains and animal feeds by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A sensitive, highly selective liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described which uses electrochemical (EC) reduction of the analyte in the determinative step. The method is capable of determining xanthomegnin in mixed animal feeds and grains at levels ranging from 15 to 1200 ng/g. The method can detect as little as 0.5 ng xanthomegnin injected on the LC column. Xanthomegnin is extracted with chloroform and 0.1M phosphoric acid. An aliquot of the crude extract is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a Sep-Pak silica gel cartridge. A novel feature of the method is that xanthomegnin is "backed off" the column by reversing the flow of the eluant through the column. LC is then used to separate xanthomegnin from other interfering substances. Xanthomegnin is detected by EC reduction at -0.16 V. Recoveries of xanthomegnin added to samples at levels ranging from 15 to 1200 ng/g averaged 79% with a coefficient of variation of 7.9%. Results also demonstrate that this LC system can separate the related metabolites viomellein and rubrosulphin from each other and from xanthomegnin and that the same EC detection system can be used to detect these metabolites.