No abstract

(1)H NMR fingerprints of virgin olive oils (VOOs) from the Mediterranean basin (three harvests) were analyzed by principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to determine their geographical origin at the national, regional, or PDO level. Further delta(13)C and delta(2)H measurements were performed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). LDA and PLS-DA achieved consistent results for the characterization of PDO Riviera Ligure VOOs. PLS-DA afforded the best model: for the Liguria class, 92% of the oils were correctly classified in the modeling step, and 88% of the oils were properly predicted in the external validation; for the non-Liguria class, 90 and 86% of hits were obtained, respectively. A stable and robust PLS-DA model was obtained to authenticate VOOs from Sicily: the recognition abilities were 98% for Sicilian oils and 89% for non-Sicilian ones, and the prediction abilities were 93 and 86%, respectively. More than 85% of the oils of both categories were properly predicted in the external validation. Greek and non-Greek VOOs were properly classified by PLS-DA: >90% of the samples were correctly predicted in the cross-validation and external validation. Stable isotopes provided complementary geographical information to the (1)H NMR fingerprints of the VOOs.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthesized compounds that are not usually covered by European and/or international laws. With a slight alteration in the chemical structure of existing illegal substances registered in the European Union (EU), these NPS circumvent existing controls and are thus referred to as "legal highs". They are becoming increasingly available and can easily be purchased through both the internet and other means (smart shops). Thus, it is essential that the identification of NPS keeps up with this rapidly evolving market. In this case study, the Belgian Customs authorities apprehended a parcel, originating from China, containing two samples, declared as being "white pigments". For routine identification, the Belgian Customs Laboratory first analysed both samples by gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The information obtained by these techniques is essential and can give an indication of the chemical structure of an unknown substance but not the complete identification of its structure. To bridge this gap, scientific and technical support is ensured by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to the European Commission Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Unions (DG TAXUD) and the Customs Laboratory European Network (CLEN) through an Administrative Arrangement for fast recognition of NPS and identification of unknown chemicals. The samples were sent to the JRC for a complete characterization using advanced techniques and chemoinformatic tools. The aim of this study was also to encourage the development of a science-based policy driven approach on NPS. These samples were fully characterized and identified as 5F-AMB and PX-3 using (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution tandem mass-spectrometry (HR-MS/MS) and Raman spectroscopy. A chemoinformatic platform was used to manage, unify analytical data from multiple techniques and instruments, and combine it with chemical and structural information.

No abstract

No abstract