scholarly journals In-Country Method Validation of a Paper-based, Smartphone-assisted Iron Sensor for the Food Fortification Programs

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1158-1158
Author(s):  
Juan Andrade ◽  
Anna Waller ◽  
Marcela Gaytan Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Method Validation ◽  
Random Error ◽  
Iron Content ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Comparison Of Methods ◽  
Corn Flour ◽  
Final Error ◽  
User Friendly

Abstract Objectives Food fortification programs and food companies in low-income settings, such as in the case of Mexico, lack the ability to monitor the micronutrients added to staples entering local markets. The purpose of the present work is to validate a user-friendly sampling kit and quantify the final error parameters of a paper-based, smartphone-assisted sensor (Nu3px) for the determination of iron in corn flours within the context of Mexico's food fortification program. Methods Corn flour samples (n = 45) from local brands (n = 6) were collected from supermarkets, convenience stores, and directly from companies in the States of Querétaro, Cuautitlán, Saltillo, and Cuetzalan, Mexico. Iron content was analyzed using atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) and Nu3px. The final error parameters were quantified via method validation final experiments, i.e., replication and comparison of methods experiments. Qualitative categorization of samples (i.e., accept/reject batch) was applied to evaluate Nu3px's against Mexico's fortification policy (cutoff = 40 μg Fe/g flour). A user-centered design process was applied to develop and evaluate a sampling kit consisting of low-cost measuring utensils. Results Iron content in fortified Mexican corn flours varied widely (23–39%). Nu3px's random error was 12% (replication experiment, n = 5) and its bias was 1.79 ± 9.99 μg Fe/g flour (comparison of methods experiment, n = 45). The true mean difference between Nu3px and AES was zero (p > 0.05) and both methods had similar variance (F = 2.40; P > 0.05). AES and Nu3px classified the iron content above/below the cutoff in the same way (100% match, Χ2 = 16.41, P = 0.01). The affordable and user-friendly sampling kit added some random error, but the mean difference was equal to zero (P > 0.05). Both sampling procedures were correlated (r = 0.952, P = 0.01). Conclusions An affordable, user-friendly, and equipment-free sample preparation kit for corn flour samples showed similar precision to using analytical tools. The sample preparation kit along with the paper-based, smartphone-assisted assay measure iron within the performance parameters required for its application to monitor batch quality in the corn flour fortification program in Mexico. Funding Sources Fulbright Garcia-Robles Fellowship, 2019.

scholarly journals Fighting Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Innovations in Food Fortificants and Biofortification Strategies

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1871
Author(s):  
Ângela Liberal ◽  
José Pinela ◽  
Ana Maria Vívar-Quintana ◽  
Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira ◽  
Lillian Barros
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Iron Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Iron Content ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Food Fortification ◽  
Iron Form ◽  
Scientific Challenge

Iron deficiency remains one of the main nutritional disorders worldwide and low iron intake and/or bioavailability are currently the major causes of anemia. To fight this public health problem, the scientific challenge is to find an iron form with sufficient bioavailability to increase its levels in humans through food fortification. In turn, biofortification appears as a comparatively advantageous and bearable strategy for the delivery of vitamins and other micronutrients for people without access to a healthy and diverse diet. This approach relies on plant breeding, transgenic techniques, or agronomic practices to obtain a final food product with a higher iron content. It is also known that certain food constituents are able to favor or inhibit iron absorption. The management of these compounds can thus successfully improve the absorption of dietary iron and, ultimately, contribute to fight this disorder present all over the world. This review describes the main causes/manifestations of iron-deficiency anemia, forms of disease prevention and treatment, and the importance of a balanced and preventive diet. A special focus was given to innovative food fortification and biofortification procedures used to improve the iron content in staple food crops.

Variable Angle TEM Grid Holder for Advanced TEM Lamellae Preparation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Hrnčíř ◽  
Marek Šikula ◽  
Pavel Doleže ◽  
Claudio A. G. Savoia
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Sample Holder ◽  
End Point ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
End Point Detection ◽  
Point Detection ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Tem Grid

Abstract Multipurpose sample holder for advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) sample preparation which reduces cost of the tool and most importantly simplifies the workflow is introduced. Following the current demand for user-friendly interface, semi-automated approach is aimed to be build up. Abilities to prepare advanced TEM lamellae in various geometries without rotary nanomanipulator and using various end-point detection signals are perceived as biggest advantages of this design.

Sample preparation and determination of biomass content in solid recovered fuels: A comparison of methods

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1024-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Schnöller ◽  
Philipp Aschenbrenner ◽  
Manuel Hahn ◽  
Johann Fellner
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Comparison Of Methods

Sample Preparation Method Validation

2011 ◽  
pp. 233-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmund J. Bishop ◽  
Dawen Kou ◽  
Gerald Manius ◽  
Hitesh P. Chokshi
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Method Validation ◽  
Preparation Method ◽  
Sample Preparation Method

A Comparison of Methods of Blood Withdrawal and Sample Preparation for Potassium Measurements

1980 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne B. Hill ◽  
Michael L. Nahrwold ◽  
David Noonan ◽  
Paula Northrop
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Comparison Of Methods ◽  
Blood Withdrawal

An automation-assisted generic approach for biological sample preparation and LC–MS/MS method validation

Bioanalysis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (17) ◽  
pp. 1975-1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Shimin Wei ◽  
David W Ayres ◽  
Harold T Smith ◽  
Francis LS Tse
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Method Validation ◽  
Biological Sample

scholarly journals Radiocarbon Sample Preparation Procedures and the First Status Report from the Bristol Radiocarbon AMS (BRAMS) Facility

Radiocarbon ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1541-1550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D J Knowles ◽  
Paul S Monaghan ◽  
Richard P Evershed
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Method Validation ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Pretreatment Method ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
University Of Bristol ◽  
The University

ABSTRACTThe Bristol Radiocarbon Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (BRAMS) Facility was established at the University of Bristol after the commissioning of our dedicated sample preparation laboratories and the installation and acceptance of the BrisMICADAS AMS in 2016. Routine measurements commenced in mid-2016, once validation was completed for each sample type. Herein, we give an overview of the standard pretreatment methods currently employed in the Facility and the results of radiocarbon (14C) determinations on a wide range of standards, blank materials, and intercomparison samples which have been measured during our extensive pretreatment method validation program and during our routine 14C analyses.

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