Analysis of triallate residues in cereals and soil by gas chromatography with ion-trap detection.
Triallate residues in barley seedlings and soil samples were determined by gas chromatography with ion-trap detection. Soil was extracted with methanol on a mechanical shaker, and plants were extracted with acetonitrile in a Sorvall homogenizer. After evaporation of the organic solvents, the residue was dissolved in hexane, and plants extracts were cleaned-up on an alumina column. Gas chromatographic analysis was carried out using a BP-1 fused-silica capillary column with helium as carrier gas. To quantitate residues the total-ion chromatogram was obtained and then the selected-ion monitoring chromatograms were displayed at m/z 86 for triallate and at m/z 154 for the internal standard, methyl-(4-amino-2-chloro)-benzoate. The average recovery through the method from barley and soil samples was always higher than 80%. The limit of detection in the selected-ion mode was 0.01 mg/kg. Barley and soil samples treated with triallate were also analysed. A good agreement was observed between results obtained by this method and by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection.
Determination of cereal herbicide residues in environmental samples by gas chromatography.
Gas chromatographic analysis of cereal herbicide residues in water, soil, plant and air is reviewed. Herbicides widely used in spring and winter cereals, i.e., phenoxyacids, benzonitriles, ureas, triazines, dinitroanilines, chloroacetamides and thiocarbamates, are considered. The main procedures used in the residue analysis, extraction, clean-up, derivatization and gas chromatographic determination are summarized and discussed.
The status of FAO and codex alimentarius developments on vegetable proteins
The FAO is interested in increasing world protein supplies both by advising and assisting developing countries to increase their production of staple foods and by encouraging the development of technology to produce protein concentrates both from vegetable and animal sources to supplement diets which are low in protein content. Recent revisions of the amount of protein required in the diet in relation to total per capita energy requirements and the difficulties encountered in introducing novel foods into established dietary patterns has led FAO to concentrate on increased agricultural productions in developing countries as the primary means of combatting malnutrition. In the meantime, in North America and Europe, advances in the technology of processing vegetable proteins has given highly acceptable products simulating meats which are being used as meat extenders and meat analogues. The consequent increase in vegetable protein production has revealed a need for international, agreement on standardization, and it has been agreed that this will be undertaken by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards’ Programme. The program operates chiefly through the Codex Alimentarius, Commission, an international governmental body, the purpose of which is to protect consumers against health hazard in food and against fraud. The Commission, which has 116 member governments, controls an intensive program of work covering the composition, labeling, additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, hygiene, sampling and analysis aspects of foods and has established a procedure which allows member governments ample opportunity to reach agreement on food standards and to accept them for incorporation into national legislation. The Codex Commission, at its 12th session, decided to establish a Committee on Vegetable Proteins with the following terms of references: “to elaborate definitions and world-wide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from soybeams, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources as they come into use for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of such vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety on labeling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate.” The question of which country will host the Committee is still under discussion.