A fast semi-quantitative screening for cocoa content in chocolates using MALDI-MSI. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Oliveira, Diogo N.; Camargo, Ana C.B.; Melo, Carlos F.O.R.; Catharino, Rodrigo R.
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 103(2018)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Chocolate -- Quality -- Phenolic compounds -- Mass spectrometry; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.10.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Abstract: Chocolate is a popular food bearing a number of different classifications that are differentiated by proportions of cocoa solids, milk and cocoa butter. Literature brings evidence that chocolates with a high percentage of cocoa solids contribute to good health maintenance due to the presence of phenolic compounds. On the other hand, it is known that the productive process, including pre-processing, may influence the level of these substances in the finished product. Thus, accurate strategies to measure the levels of this class of molecules that can be highly adaptable throughout the manufacturing process are important to ensure high-quality products. Mass spectrometry is an analytical tool of high sensitivity and specificity that is leading the research in food analysis towards new directions. By using mass spectrometry imaging in direct food analysis, this contribution developed an effective methodology for comparatively establishing the levels of catechin/epicatechin as phenolics content markers for cocoa content in a series of commercial chocolates from a single manufacturer, rendering a versatile tool that can be applied in fast screening of cocoa content in finished products and during manufacturing. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A fast qualitative and semi-quantitative method for screening cocoa content in chocolates MALDI-MSI provides accuracy in target analysis. Simple sample preparation requirements for little analytical interference