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Samples (633) of final coffee products were drawn from the markets of different European countries relative to the market share of each product type and brand. These samples were analysed in a cooperative action with nine different laboratories. With low limits of detection (mean detection limit ~~ 0.5 ng/g) no OTA was found in over half of the samples (334 negatives). In the remaining samples occurrence of OTA at a rather low level was seen. Only four samples (all instants) exceeded a level of 10 ng/g, whereas for both instants, and roast and grounds (R & G), over three quarters of the samples were in the range from nondetectable to 1 ng/g. The overall mean for all R & Gs was 0.8ng/g and for all instant 1.3 ng/g (for samples in which no OTA was detected, half of the detection limit was included in this calculation). In the brewing methods frequently used in Europe the OTA is essentially fully extracted. Consumption of four cups of coffee per day (~~24 g R & G or ~~8 g instant coffee) contributes on average 19 or 10 ng/day respectively. Four cups/day is above the per caput consumption level in most European countries. Compared with the provisional tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) recently set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives at 100 ng/kg bodyweight/week, consumption of 28 cups/week contributes up to 2% to the PTWI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach to the determination of 17beta-estradiol in bovine plasma is presented. The observed enhanced sensitivity is gained by the application of tandem mass spectrometry (MS) fragmentation to a stable, well characterized negative ion produced by chemical ionization (methane as reagent gas). A specific derivatizing reactant is employed (pentafluorobenzyl bromide), combined with bis-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide, to favor the formation of a diagnostic precursor negative ion. Plasma samples are purified through a C18 solid phase extraction column and derivatized before gas chromatography-MS analysis. The accuracy and the precision of the method, tested over a set of spiked samples, were satisfactory. The limit of detection was found to be 5 pg ml(-1) and the limit of quantification was fixed at 20 pg ml(-1). The fragmentation pattern is fully explained and the method is applicable for the official analysis of bovine plasma for the detection of 17beta-estradiol according to the European criteria 256/93 and to the draft SANCO/1805/2000 rev. 3. The quantification of incurred positive samples was performed according to the proposed procedure and compared with the results obtained by standardized radio immuno assay; the estimated concentrations were significantly similar., (Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Samples (633) of final coffee products were drawn from the markets of different European countries relative to the market share of each product type and brand. These samples were analysed in a cooperative action with nine different laboratories. With low limits of detection (mean detection limit approximately 0.5 ng/g) no OTA was found in over half of the samples (334 negatives). In the remaining samples occurrence of OTA at a rather low level was seen. Only four samples (all instants) exceeded a level of 10 ng/g, whereas for both instants, and roast and grounds (R & G), over three-quarters of the samples were in the range from nondetectable to 1 ng/g. The overall mean for all R & Gs was 0.8 ng/g and for all instant 1.3 ng/g (for samples in which no OTA was detected, half of the detection limit was included in this calculation). In the brewing methods frequently used in Europe the OTA is essentially fully extracted. Consumption of four cups of coffee per day (approximately 24 g R & G or approximately 8 g instant coffee) contributes on average 19 or 10 ng/day respectively. Four cups/day is above the per caput consumption level in most European contries. Compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) recently set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives at 100 ng/kg bodyweight/week, consumption of 28 cups/week contributes up to 2% to the PTWI.