Analytical Methods for Determination of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in Foodstuffs

A homogeneous binary matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry assay for determination of artificial sweeteners in beverages

Artificial sweeteners have been widely used as additives in various beverages. Due to the safety risks associated with artificial sweeteners, it is essential to develop a simple, rapid, and high-throughput method for the analysis of artificial sweeteners. Here, we report a homogeneous binary matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay for the simultaneous analysis of sweeteners including aspartame (ASP), neotame (NEO), and advantame (ADV) with a simple dilution step. The combination of nanodiamonds with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid effectively improved the signal response of sweeteners, decreased the background noise, and improved the "spot-to-spot" repeatability. After the optimization, the method exhibits low limits of detection (ASP: 20 nΜ; NEO: 10 nΜ; ADV: 5 nΜ), good linearity (r > 0.995), satisfactory accuracy (96.2-103.0%), and lower RSDs (1.5-5.8%). Finally, the target sweeteners in 17 soft beverages were successfully determined with this method, showing the potential for the routine analysis of artificial sweeteners.

Development of Thin Film Microextraction with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as 'Eutectosorbents' for Preconcentration of Popular Sweeteners and Preservatives from Functional Beverages and Flavoured Waters

An eco-friendly method for the determination of sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame-K) and preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid, methylparaben, ethylparaben) in functional beverages and flavoured waters using thin film microextraction (TFME) and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC-UV) was proposed. A series of fourteen green and renewable solidified natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were prepared and tested as 'eutectosorbents' in TFME for the first time. In the proposed method, the NADES containing acetylcholine chloride and 1-docosanol at a 1:3 molar ratio was finally chosen to coat a support. Four factors, i.e., the mass of the NADES, pH of the samples, extraction time, and desorption time, were tested in the central composite design to select the optimal TFME conditions. Limits of detection were equal to 0.022 µg mL-1 for aspartame, 0.020 µg mL-1 for acesulfame-K, 0.018 µg mL-1 for benzoic acid, 0.026 µg mL-1 for sorbic acid, 0.013 µg mL-1 for methylparaben, and 0.011 µg mL-1 for ethylparaben. Satisfactory extraction recoveries between 82% and 96% were achieved with RSDs lower than 6.1% (intra-day) and 7.4% (inter-day). The proposed 'eutectosorbent' presented good stability that enabled effective extractions for 16 cycles with recovery of at least 77%. The proposed NADES-TFME/HPLC-UV method is highly sensitive and selective. However, the use of a solid NADES as a sorbent, synthesized without by-products, without the need for purification, and with good stability on a support with the possibility of reusability increases the ecological benefit of this method. The greenness aspect of the method was evaluated using the Complex modified Green Analytical Procedure Index protocol and is equal to 84/100.

Unveiling the profound influence of sucralose on metabolism and its role in shaping obesity trends

Artificial sweeteners, prominently exemplified by sucralose, have become pervasive in contemporary diets, prompting intriguing questions about their impact on metabolism and their potential role in the unfolding trends of obesity. Covering topics from its discovery to analytical methods for detection and determination in food samples, the manuscript scrutinizes the metabolic effects of sucralose. Notably, the association between sucralose intake and obesity is examined, challenging the conventional belief of its role in weight management. The document comprehensively examines in vivo studies, revealing sucralose's implications on insulin resistance, gut microbiota, and metabolic syndrome, providing a nuanced comprehension of its impact on human health. Additionally, it explores sucralose's effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health, underscoring its possible involvement in malignancy development. The review concludes with a call for increased public awareness, education, and updated dietary guidelines to help individuals make informed choices about sweetener consumption. The future perspectives section highlights the need for longitudinal studies, exploring alternative sweeteners, and refining acceptable daily intake limits to ensure public health recommendations align with evolving regulatory guidelines. Overall, the manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of sucralose's multifaceted impact on health, urging further research and a balanced perspective on sweetener consumption.

Separation and Detection of Catechins and Epicatechins in Shanxi Aged Vinegar Using Solid-Phase Extraction and Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents Combined with HPLC

This research presents a new, eco-friendly, and swift method combining solid-phase extraction and hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DES) with high-performance liquid chromatography (SPE-DES-HPLC) for extracting and quantifying catechin and epicatechin in Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV). The parameters, such as the elution solvent type, the XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage, the DES ratio, the DES volume, the adsorption time, and the desorption time, were optimized via a one-way experiment. A central composite design using the Box-Behnken methodology was employed to investigate the effects of various factors, including 17 experimental runs and the construction of three-dimensional response surface plots to identify the optimal conditions. The results show that the optimal conditions were an HDES (tetraethylammonium chloride and octanoic acid) ratio of 1:3, an XAD-2 macroporous resin dosage of 188 mg, and an adsorption time of 11 min. Under these optimal conditions, the coefficients of determination of the method were greater than or equal to 0.9917, the precision was less than 5%, and the recoveries ranged from 98.8% to 118.8%. The environmentally friendly nature of the analytical process and sample preparation was assessed via the Analytical Eco-Scale and AGREE, demonstrating that this method is a practical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional determination techniques. In summary, this innovative approach offers a solid foundation for the assessment of flavanol compounds present in SAV samples.

Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners?

The current levels of added sugars in processed foods impact dental health and contribute to a range of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents sugars and sweeteners used in food processing, the current possibility to replace added sugars, and highlights the benefits of using dates as a new natural, nutritious and healthy alternative to synthetic and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the context of environmental sustainability, palm groves afford a propitious habitat for a diverse array of animal species and assume a pivotal social role by contributing to the provisioning of sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. The available literature shows the date as an alternative to added sugars due to its composition in macro and micronutrients, especially in bioactive components (fiber, polyphenols and minerals). Therefore, dates are presented as a health promoter and a preventative for certain diseases with the consequent added value. The use of damaged or unmarketable dates, due to its limited shelf life, can reduce losses and improve the sustainability of date palm cultivation. This review shows the potential use dates, date by-products and second quality dates as sugar substitutes in the production of sweet and healthier foods, in line with broader sustainability objectives and circular economy principles.

Validation of UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS Method for Determining Steviol Glycoside and Its Derivatives in Foods and Beverages

The aim of this study was to validate a method for determining nine types of steviol glycoside and its derivatives in food and beverage products, using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (UHPLC ESI MS/MS). The performance characteristics of the analysis method were determined along with their suitability for the intended use. Coefficient of determination (R2) calibration curves from 0.2 to 1.0 mg L-1 were in the ranges of 0.9911-0.9990, 0.9939-1.0000 and 0.9973-0.9999 for a beverage, yogurt and snack, respectively. Intra-day precisions in terms of percent relative standard deviation (% RSD) of concentration, at 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L-1, for the beverage, yogurt and snack were lower than 15% (1.1-9.3%). At all concentrations, percentage recoveries were in the accepted range of 70-120%. For the matrix effect study, matrix-matched calibration was used for all compounds, obtaining a linear concentration range from 0.2 mg L-1 to 1.0 mg L-1. Almost all matrix-matched results presented as percentage recoveries were within the accepted range of 80-120%. The limit of detection (LOD) for steviol glycosides ranged from 0.003 to 0.078 μg g-1, while the limit of quantitation (LOQ) ranged from 0.011 to 0.261 μg g-1. These results indicate that the modified test method can be applied to determine the presence of steviol glycoside and its derivatives in a wide range of sample matrices.

Extraction methods and compositions of polyphenols in Shanxi aged vinegar

The extraction, purification, qualification, and quantification of polyphenols (PPs) in vinegar are challenging owing to the complex matrix of vinegar and the specific physicochemical and structural properties of PPs. This study aimed to develop a simple, efficient, low-cost method for enriching and purifying vinegar PPs. The enrichment and purification effects of five solid phase extraction (SPE) columns and five macroporous adsorption resins (MARs) for PPs were compared. The results show that SPE columns were more effective in purifying vinegar PPs than MARs. Among them, the Strata-XA column showed a higher recovery (78.469 ± 0.949%), yield (80.808 ± 2.146%), and purity (86.629 ± 0.978%) than other columns. In total, 48 PPs were identified and quantified using SPE and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from the SPE column extracts; phenolic acids, such as 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and 3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid, occupy a major position in SAV. Furthermore, considering the potential applications of PPs, the concentrates were characterized based on their bioactive properties. They exhibited high total PP, flavonoid, and melanoidin contents and excellent anti-glycosylation and antioxidant activities. These results indicate that the established methodology is a high-efficiency, rapid-extraction, and environment-friendly method for separating and purifying PPs, with broad application prospects in the food, chemical, and cosmetic industries.

Rapid and sensitive quantification of cyclamate in beverages by miniature microplasma optical emission spectrometry

Most of the available methods for the quantification of cyclamate depend on laboratory instruments and their application in the field was limited. Herein, a simple and sensitive method was developed for the determination of cyclamate in beverage samples based on chemical vapor generation and miniature point discharge optical emission spectrometry (μPD-OES). The combination of headspace sampling and μPD-OES not only simplifies the separation process of cyclamate, improves sensitivity, and alleviates matrix interference but also eliminates the use of a bulky and expensive instrument. Under the optimal conditions, this method provided a limit of detection of 0.1 mg L^-1 comparable to or better than most reported methods. The method eventually was applied to 14 different beverages and cyclamate was found below the threshold set by Chinese Standards for Food Additives. The proposed method provides great potential for the field analysis of cyclamate in the supervision of food safety.

Bioelectronic Tongues Mimicking Insect Taste Systems for Real-Time Discrimination between Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

A bioelectronic tongue (B-ET) mimicking insect taste systems is developed for the real-time detection and discrimination of natural and artificial sweeteners. Here, a carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNT-FET) was hybridized with nanovesicles including the honeybee sugar taste receptor, gustatory receptor 1 of Apis mellifera (AmGr1). This strategy allowed us to detect glucose, a major component of nectar, down to 100 fM in real time and identify sweet tastants from other tastants. It could also be utilized for the detection of glucose in dextrose tablet solutions. Importantly, we demonstrated the discrimination between natural and artificial sweeteners down to 10 pM even in real beverages such as decaffeinated coffee using our hybrid platform. In this respect, our B-ET mimicking insect taste systems can be a powerful tool for various applications such as food screening and basic studies on insect taste systems.