Food Authentication Goes Green: Method Optimization for Origin Discrimination of Apples Using Apple Juice and ICP-MS
Marie-Sophie Müller1, Marie Oest1, Sandra Scheffler1
1Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Optimized inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of apple juice significantly reduces CO2 emissions by eliminating freeze-drying. This method accurately determines apple origin, distinguishing European, non-European, and German regional sources.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Apples are globally significant and highly consumed in Germany, but domestic apples are pricier, incentivizing adulteration with foreign produce.
- Imported apples carry a larger carbon footprint due to transport and analysis, posing challenges amid climate change concerns.
- Accurate origin determination is crucial for consumer trust and addressing environmental impacts associated with apple supply chains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize sample preparation for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of apple juice, reducing its carbon footprint.
- To develop and validate an ICP-MS method for accurate apple origin discrimination.
- To assess the environmental benefits of the optimized analytical method.
Main Methods:
- Sample preparation for ICP-MS was optimized by removing the freeze-drying step, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 97%.
- The optimized ICP-MS method was applied to analyze 272 apple juice samples from seven countries.
- Statistical models were created to determine the origin of the apple juice samples.
Main Results:
- The optimized ICP-MS method successfully differentiated apple origins with high accuracy.
- European versus non-European apples were distinguished with 90.9% ± 2.4% accuracy.
- German apples were differentiated from other countries with 83.2% ± 1.4% accuracy, and regional (north vs. south) differentiation achieved 92.3% ± 5.4% accuracy.
Conclusions:
- The optimized ICP-MS method, eliminating the need for freeze-drying, is highly effective for determining apple origin in apple juice.
- This streamlined analytical approach significantly lowers the carbon footprint associated with apple analysis.
- The method provides a reliable tool for verifying the origin of apples, supporting fair trade and environmental sustainability in the food industry.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
630
In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then...
630
01:20Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
382
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and...
382