Determination of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Dietary Sources Using a Spectrophotometric Method

    Oana Cristina Șeremet, Octavian Tudorel Olaru, Mihaela Ilie, Claudia Maria Guțu, George Mihai Nițulescu, Camelia Diaconu, Cătălina Motofei, Denisa Margină, Simona Negreș, Cristina Elena Zbârcea, Emil Ștefănescu
    TLDR A new method effectively detects toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey and flour.
    The study developed a spectrophotometric method using the Ehrlich reagent to determine pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey and flour, achieving a quantification limit of 0.174 μg/mL. Initial single extractions had low recovery rates, but successive extractions improved recovery to 86.0% for honey and 76.0% for flour. The method was validated for selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision, making it effective for detecting toxic PA levels in food. Historical PA contamination cases underscored the method's importance for consumer safety.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results