Formula_Volume_18_Iissue 1

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
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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.
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