Development and validation of analytical methods for the determination of processing contaminants and agrochemical residues in baby foods

• Grant number: 19/04727-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Helena Teixeira Godoy
• Grantee: Rafaela Prata
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/01974-2 - Determination of residues and contaminants in baby foods marketed in Brazil by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS: development and validation of methods, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

Currently, it has been observed a huge variety of food products for infants. Baby foods are mainly composed by fruits, cereals, meats, and milk, which are susceptible to the presence of agrochemical residues and contaminants formed during the thermal processing. Thus, the occurrence of these compounds in baby foods has drawn researchers and regulatory authorities' attention to the toxicity and vulnerability of this group of consumers. In this context, analytical methods will be developed to determine thirty agrochemicals residues from different chemical classes in baby food as well as processing contaminants such as acrylamide, 5- hydroxymethylfurfural, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Sample preparation techniques will be developed and optimized in order to reduce the consumption of reagents and organic solvents and the generation of chemical residues. Those sample preparation techniques will be coupled to gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. We expect that the results obtained could support the regulatory authorities regarding to the definition of maximum limits for contaminants in baby foods, which is non-existent in Brazil yet. In this way, these results may help to guarantee infant foods quality and safety. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PRATA, RAFAELA; VARGAS PEREZ, MARTA; PETRARCA, MATEUS HENRIQUE; GODOY, HELENA TEIXEIRA; FRENICH, ANTONIA GARRIDO; ROMERO-GONZALEZ, ROBERTO. Determination of Acrylamide in Commercial Baby Foods by LC-QqQ-MS/MS: a Simple Method for Routine Analyses. FOOD ANALYTICAL METHODS, v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2023-06-28. (19/04727-9, 20/01974-2)

PRATA, RAFAELA; PETRARCA, MATEUS HENRIQUE; TEIXEIRA FILHO, JOSE; GODOY, HELENA TEIXEIRA. Simultaneous determination of furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone in baby foods available in the Brazilian market. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, v. 99, JUN 2021. (17/11635-8, 19/04727-9)

PRATA, RAFAELA; LOPEZ-RUIZ, ROSALIA; PETRARCA, MATEUS HENRIQUE; GODOY, HELENA TEIXEIRA; FRENICH, ANTONIA GARRIDO; ROMERO-GONZALEZ, ROBERTO. Targeted and non-targeted analysis of pesticides and aflatoxins in baby foods by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry. FOOD CONTROL, v. 139, p. 10-pg., 2022-05-08. (17/11635-8, 19/04727-9, 20/01974-2)