Formula_Volume_18_Iissue 1

APRIL, 2018
MID-CANADA AOAC
HTTP://MIDCANADAAOAC.ORG VOLUME 18 ISSUE 1

P4 JIM KAPRON P6 TOM NOWICKI P9 NEW AOAC CHAPTER
COVER IMAGE
The University of Winnipeg
Richardson College for the
Environmental and Science Complex,
the new site of Mid-Canada AOAC
Scientific Gathering for 2018
This state-of-the-art building located at
599 Portage Avenue is The University
of Winnipeg's new home science,
sustainability initiatives and
community learning programs,
attracting leading researchers from
around the world to Winnipeg.
Students and faculty alike engage in
cutting-edge research in biology,
chemistry, environmental studies,
Indigenous science and the social
sciences in one of the most energy
efficient educational buildings in
North America.
3. Editor’s Note
I’m pleased to have been able to work alongside the Mid-Canada AOAC chapter in this past year. There has
been growth and development of the organization on both the local and international level.
3. President Message
I am looking forward to furthering the support of Mid-Canada AOAC as past president. I encourage you to
join us as an executive member or by volunteering your time. We can do more together.
4. SmartFormula 3D – Algorithm to Determine Chemical Formula
While NMR spectroscopy provides an astonishing amount of chemical information, synthetic chemistry
journals also require mass spectroscopy (MS) data to characterize new molecules.
6. 2018 Manitoba Schools Science Symposium
Mid-Canada AOAC has supported MSSS since 1991. Over the past 27 years, countless numbers of
Mid-Canada AOAC members have judged at the MSSS.
7. News
8. Cook like a Scientist
9. Training Provided by Mid-Canada AOAC
10. Meet the new member of AOAC International
The AOAC Sub-Saharan Africa Section is a sub-organization of the AOAC INTERNATIONAL. It is a
not-for-profit organization based purely on the active volunteer work of scientists and like-minded
stakeholders.
COVER IMAGE
New sub section of AOAC
International area of coverage in
Africa
12. Our Corporate Members
13. Executive Members
We are looking forward to this year’s symposium and encourage you to join us as an executive member or
volunteering your time. We can do more together
2

Editor’s Note
CirculaCon
By adverCsing in the Mid-Canada AOAC’s
newsleUer Formula your message is
delivered to each of the organizaCons
members who study and work in areas of
research such as analyCcal chemistry and
microbiology.
If the goal of your adverCsement is to
extend your reach into the analyCcal
chemistry community, this bulleCn is an
ideal medium to deliver your message as it
is distributed free to the organizaCon’s
450+ members.
Editor: Marie-Josee Nadeau
Co-Editor: Ramin Vakili
Graphics & Layout: Ramin Vakili
AdverCsing in Formula:
Rates
Member
Full-page $315 $441
Half-page $189 $285
Quarter-page $144 $222
Short course lisCng
Non-member
$10/column inch
Deadline for submission of adverCsements
for April 15 publicaCon is Sunday, April
10th, 2018 for Dec 15 publicaCon.
Contact InformaCon
For more informaCon to request further
informaCon regarding adverCsing rates,
specificaCon, digital requirements, or
submission guidelines please contact:
Marie-Josée Nadeau
Email: formula@midcanadaaoac.org
Ramin Vakili
Email: r.vakili@uwinnipeg.ca
hUps://twiUer.com/aoacday
hUps://www.instagram.com/mcaoac/
hUps://www.linkedin.com/in/mid-canadaaoac-a3026b139/
I’m pleased to have been able to
work alongside the Mid-Canada
AOAC chapter in this past year.
There has been growth and
development of the
organizaCon on both the
local and internaConal level. On
the local level, as previously
menConed, the Mid-Canada
AOAC’s AOAC ScienCfic Symposium
will be held in the Richardson College
for the Environment buildings, allowing
new opportuniCes for workshops and demonstraCons to be
held by corporate members. On an internaConal level, AOAC
internaConal is looking to create a new Sub-Saharan chapter.
ImplemenCng this chapter could help raise the standards and
performances of analyCcal labs in this area across various
sectors. Currently, support from members is being sought to
begin the creaCon of this chapter.
E Mail: formula@midcanadaaoac.org
President Message . . .
This year, I have had the privilege of
serving the Mid-Canada AOAC
community. We are hard at
work to bring another year
of excellent workshops and
programs to the scienCfic
community in Mid-Canada. A
number of new changes are coming
to our scienCfic symposium. These
include a new venue and structure
to keep up with the expectaCons of
our community.
I am looking forward to furthering
the support of Mid-Canada AOAC as
past president. I encourage you to
join us as an execuCve member or
by volunteering your Cme. We can
do more together.
Ramin Vakili
Mid-Canada AOAC President, 2017-2018
3

SmartFormula 3D – Algorithm to Determine Chemical Formula
Bruker started business in 1960 with the development of the
nuclear magneCc resonance (NMR) spectrometer. I did some
of my thesis work using a Bruker NMR, which is now in a
museum at the University of Alberta. While NMR
spectroscopy provides an astonishing amount of chemical
informaCon, syntheCc chemistry journals also require mass
spectroscopy (MS) data to characterize new molecules.
When I started my career in chemistry, it was enough to have
a nominal mass descripCon to confirm the results of NMR.
Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of
funcConal groups, and combusCon analysis to confirm
elemental proporCons. With the advent of higher resoluCon
MS, journals such as the Journal of Organic Chemistry require
3 mDa at 1000 amu for adequate mass accuracy. They go on
to state, “Higher accuracy may be needed for compounds of
higher mass, and uncertain syntheCc or biosyntheCc origin.”
This is where Bruker shines.
By Jim Kapron, Ph.D. Technical Sales RepresentaCve, Bruker,
Ltd.
The higher accuracy required can only parCally be addressed
by using higher resoluCon. Using isotopic abundance as an
addiConal criterion for compound idenCficaCon provides
greater confidence in the determinaCon of molecular
formulas. Our sonware SmartFormula 3D automaCcally
calculates formulas based on the mass of ions and the natural
abundance of isotopes. It uses the instrument resoluCon,
mass accuracy and isotopic fidelity to achieve accurate
molecular formulas, not just accurate masses.
Furthermore, precursor molecules can be fragmented inside
the MS to obtain accurate formulas for the fragments. This is
the 3D component of SmartFormula 3D, as the fragment
formulas are used to build a more complete picture of the
precursor. Here’s a link to a technical note with more
informaCon. Of course, I’m open to discussion and welcome
any quesCons you might have.
hUps://www.bruker.com/fileadmin/user_upload/8-PDF-Docs/
SeparaCons_MassSpectrometry/Literature/literature/TechNot
es/TN-26_smarpormula3D_12-2014_eBook.pdf
Bio – Jim received his PhD in syntheCc organic chemistry from the University of Alberta. His thesis is
Ctled Synthesis of Cysteine Deriva1ves and Hydrazinoserine. Had Jim had access to SmartFormula, it
would have made his graduate studies a lot easier.
4

5

2018 MANITOBA SCHOOLS SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM
2018 Manitoba Schools Science Symposium
As a member of the Manitoba scientific
community, please give serious consideration to
sharing your expertise and experience with
Manitoba’s scientists of tomorrow by volunteering
to participate as a judge in the 2018 Manitoba
Schools Science Symposium (MSSS). The 2018
MSSS will take place from Thursday, April 26 to
Sunday, April 29 at the University of Manitoba
Max Bell Centre.
The Mid-Canada AOAC has supported the
MSSS since 1991. Over the past 27 years,
countless numbers of Mid-Canada AOAC
members have judged at the MSSS. Many return
year after year simply because it is a very
re w a rd i n g a n d e n j o y a b l e e x p e r i e n c e .
Mid-Canada AOAC members who have judged
at the MSSS have come from a wide range of
scientific disciplines and a wide range of
positions, from technician to research scientist,
in private industry, academia and government.
Judging at the MSSS is very simple. The first
step is to register and give your preferences with
regard to the scientific fields and age levels
which you would feel most comfortable judging.
Some of the judging will take place on Friday,
April 27, but if this is a problem you can limit your
involvement to the morning of Saturday, April
28th. On Friday night, there will be a dinner for
the judges. It isn’t critical that you attend this, but
for first-time judges it can be very helpful for
finding out the judging category to which you
have been assigned, getting to know your
section leader and the other judges on your
team and for learning about the MSSS. After
dinner, projects are assigned and previewed
without the students being present. Unless you
have a special interest in
looking at all 500 or more
projects, you should be
finished by about 8 p.m.
On Saturday, April 28th,
first-round judging will likely
start at 9:00 am, but it usually
a good idea to arrive before 8:30 a.m.
so that you can grab a coffee and locate your
judging team, read over the judging instructions
and forms and listen to the judges briefing.
First-round judging is when the bronze, silver
and gold medal winners are determined and is
usually completed by noon. This is followed by a
lunch for the judges. The top projects in each
category carry forward to a second-round, which
takes place after lunch. Section leaders usually
handle second-round judging. Judging for the
Mid-Canada AOAC awards will take place in the
morning and may extend into the afternoon if
necessar y and is usually handled by
Mid-Canada AOAC Executive Committee
members.
The medal awards ceremony and special
awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, April
29th. The Mid-Canada AOAC provides special
awards to students behind projects having an
exceptional analytical content. The awards
consist of a plaque and a small cash award.
Information about the MSSS can be found online
at www.msss.mb.ca. You may also register for
judging online. You may also follow MSSS on
other social media: Instagram: @ msss_mb |
Twitter: @ msss_mb | Hashtag: #MSSS2018
Tom Nowicki
6

NEWS
Developments in Mass Spectroscopy Allow for More
Comprehensive Protein Chemical Analysis
Thanks to technological advancements, our understanding of the
molecular basis of disease pathophysiology has become increasingly
nuanced. One fact that has become prominent is that post-translational
modifications (PTM), the addition of specific chemical groups to a
protein, are of vital consequence to a proteins function in the cell. In
many cases, proteins work collaboratively in complexes to carry out the
functions vital to the life of a cell, many of which are tightly regulated
by PTMs. Associate professor of chemistry at the University of
Michigan, Brandon Ruotolo with his team and collaborators have
developed a new method to study protein PTMs, which are notoriously
difficult to study. Currently used methods enzymatically breakdown
protein complexes into peptides which are then analyzed using mass
spectroscopy (MS). Unfortunately, it is during this process that PTMs
are lost. The method developed by Ruotolo allows for protein
complexes to stay intact during the electrospray ionization prior to
mass spectroscopy (MS) analysis and thus keep protein complexes
intact. The method is currently being further developed to be adapted
to the study of larger protein complexes. The development such
methods could mean advancements in the study of disease, which
largely rely on proteomic studies.
Source:https://m.phys.org/news/2018-03-chemists-method-proteins.
html
National University of Singapore Develops Novel
Downsized Method for the Detection of Toxic
Compounds
The research team led by Dr. Sam Li at the National
University of Singapore has developed a novel method
for the detection of toxic compounds using molecularlyimprinted
polymers. The newly developed method is
highly sensitive and selective and uses a polymer in
which the target molecule has been imprinted. The
imprint matches the target molecule extremely closely as
to act as a lock and key. The detector also contains a
quartz crystal microbalance, which detects the change in
mass resulting from the attachment of the target molecule
to the specialized polymer. As little as 20 micrograms of
the target molecule can be detected, and the method has
been adapted for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
compounds. The new method was designed to be able to
be downsized for use in the field to rapidly detect toxins
in samples. A compact detection system would
circumvent the need to use conventional laboratory
equipment that is typically more time consuming and
labour intensive.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-rapid-toxiccompounds.html
//
AOAC Launches Working Group to Develop Standards for Sugar Analysis
AOAC INTERNATIONAL has partnered with the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Thermo Fisher, and Megazyme to
develop Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) for the analysis of sugars in selected matrices. Standards development
activities for the new project will be introduced on September 24, 2017, at the Stakeholder Panel on Strategic Food Analytical Methods
(SPSFAM) meeting during the 131st AOAC Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The analysis of sugars in food products has gained significant visibility in the last several years following efforts to lower the caloric
values of a number of foods and beverages. In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires that all
food products must be labeled with not only total sugar, but added sugar as well. In addition to food and beverage products, several
other industries need modern test methods for the analysis of sugars.
Methods are needed that can measure select sugars in foods, beverages, infant formula, dietary supplements, and feeds. Methods are
needed for accurate quality control in industry and nutrition labeling, and compliance with regulations.
An AOAC advisory panel for the project proposes that a working group be formed to develop voluntary consensus standards for two
areas of interest:
(1) Sugars in animal feed
(2) Lactose in low or no-lactose dairy products
During the AOAC Annual Meeting, the Working Group on Sugars, co-chaired by John Szpylka (Mérieux NutriSciences) and Nancy
Thiex (Thiex Laboratory Solutions, LLP), will examine the background, technical issues and needs, analytical challenges, regulatory
requirements, and gaps in current methodology, etc. in developing a fitness-for-purpose statement based on the advisory panel’s
priorities. The fitness-for-purpose statement will be reviewed for possible endorsement by SPSFAM, chaired by Erik Konings of Nestlé
Research Center.
Based on an endorsed fitness-for-purpose, the working group will begin developing the first in a series of draft SMPRs for methods
capable of measuring a wide variety of sugars in selected matrices.
To participate on the AOAC SPSFAM Working Group on Sugars, click here to to sign up. For more information on AOAC’s sugars
analysis project or SPSFAM, contact Dawn Frazier, AOAC Executive for Scientific Business Development, at dfrazier@aoac.org.
7

COOK LIKE A SCIENTIST
Vietnamese Yogurt
Makes approximately 4 cups of yogurt..
Ingredients:
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups of water (near boiling temperature)
• 1 cup milk (whole milk is suggested)
• 2/3 plain yogurt (or Vietnamese yogurt if available)
Instructions:
• Combine sweetened condensed milk and water. Whisk until a homogenous mixture is formed.
• In a separate bowl, whisk milk and yogurt together until smooth.
• Combine sweetened condensed milk and yogurt mixtures and whisk until smooth.
• Pour the mixture into storage containers.
• Fill a pot to approximately 1” of water and heat to near boiling point. In a separate pot or kettle, heat
up more water.
• Once the water bath is hot, turn off the heat source and put the filled yogurt containers into the
water bath. Add the water from the additional pot or kettle into the water bath as to fill the pot up to
near the top of the yogurt containers.
• Cover the pot with a towel and allow the yogurt to set. Once the water bath has completely cooled,
re-warm the water for approximately 3 to 4 minutes. After the water has cooled down after this
second heating the yogurt should be set (bathing time will be approximately 4 to 5 hours in total).
The lids can then be placed onto the yogurt containers and then be stored in a refrigerator until
being served.
HAVE A RECIPE TO SHARE?
WE MAY INCLUDE IT IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE FORMULA.
fa
8

TRAINING PROVIDED BY MID-CANADA AOAC
Mid-Canada AOAC would like to offer training courses in 2018/2019. Let us know which training you like to see offered.
email: membership@midcanadaaoac.org Instructor: Jane Weitzel
Jane Weitzel provides training on laboratory management systems, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the evaluation and use of
measurement uncertainty, and the Lifecycle approach to analytical procedures. With experience in many Qields and all
aspects of laboratory work, the courses are concise, comprehensive vehicles for learning.
The topics can be covered as presentations or workshops, whichever is preferred.
The courses can be customized for a speciQic client’s laboratory and analytical procedures.
Most workshops are ½ day and can be combined to make 1, 2 or 3 day workshops.
Overview"
Presentation Descriptions"
½ day – Overview of laboratory accreditation and how to become accredited."
1 day – Accreditation and ISO:IEC Standard 17025"
½ to 1 day - Analytical Procedure Validation and Measurement Uncertainty"
½ day - Basic Statistics"
½ day - Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) at the Lab Bench"
Workshop on Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty"
Workshop on the Use of Measurement Uncertainty"
Work an Example from Beginning to End for an Analytical Procedure Using the Lifecycle Approach"
Explore the Power of Statistical Tools in Method Validation"
Successful Analytical Procedure Transfer using New Lifecycle Concepts"
Fit-for-Intended-Use and Analytical Target Profile"
Session 1."
Session 2."
Session 3."
Session 4."
Session 5."
Session 6."
Introduction"
Analytical procedure Design"
Analytical procedure Development and Qualification"
Analytical procedure Validation"
Routine Use of the Analytical procedure"
Continued Analytical Procedure Validation"
9

MEET THE NEW MEMER OF AOAC INTERNATIONAL
AOAC SUB-SAHARAN
The AOAC Sub-Saharan Africa Section is a sub-organisation of the
AOAC INTERNATIONAL. It is a not-for-profit organization based
purely on the active volunteer work of scientists and like-minded
stakeholders.
We represent 46 African countries positioned south of the Sahara
desert, creating an Africa-based platform where official control
laboratories, regulatory authorities, industry, contract research
organizations, technology providers and academia can work
together to improve the standard and performance of analytical
science within the region.
This platform provides a forum through which the collective knowledge, experience and
capabilities of all participants will be the principle resource as well as the key driver for the
improvement in laboratory standards and analytical sciences.
HTTP://AOAC-SSAFRICA.ORG
10

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Come visit us at tables 7 & 8 for your chance to win a prize!
11

2017/2018 CORPORATE MEMBERS EXECUTIVES
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12

2017/2018 Executives
We
are
looking forward to this
year’s symposium and
encourage you to join us as
an executive member or
volunteering your time.
We can do more together.
Contact Us:
membership@midcanadaaoac.org
Mid-Canada AOAC
PO Box 46091 Westdale PO
6670 Roblin Blvd
Winnipeg, MB R3R 3S3
+1.204.202.9480
Ramin Vakili President president@midcanadaaoac.org
Doug Goltz President Elect secretary@midcanadaaoac.org
David Grant Past President vendors@midcanadaaoac.org
David Grant Secretary secretary@midcanadaaoac.org
Tom Nowicki Treasurer treasurer@midcanadaaoac.org
Jamie Petrachek Member-at-Large membership@midcanadaaoac.org
Anja Richter Member-at-Large membership@midcanadaaoac.org
Ray Bacala Member-at-Large
Greg Sliva Member-at-Large
Ayana Alipio Member-at-Large
Michelle Holigroski Member-at-Large
Brian Asher Member-at-Large
Jules Carlson Member-at-Large
Edin Kurbegovic Corporate Member
Shantel Gushue, Corporate Member
MARIE-JOSEE NADEAU
ADMIN ASSISTANT/ EDITOR “THE FORMULA
FORMULA@MIDCANADAAOAC.ORG
JOIN THE PARTY
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD
TO HAVE YOU AS AN
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
SEE YOU AT AGM
APRIL 25, 2018 @ 4 P.M.
13

Join us for our seminars:
APRIL 25, 2018 @MID-CANADA AOAC, WINNIPEG. MANITOBA
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14