Journal article
Standardization of the Biocrystallization Method for Carrot Samples
Publication Details
Authors: | Busscher, N.; Kahl, J.; Mergardt, G.; Ploeger, A. |
Publication year: | 2010 |
Journal: | Biological Agriculture and Horticulture |
Pages range : | 1-23 |
Volume number: | 27 |
Start page: | 1 |
End page: | 23 |
ISSN: | 0144-8765 |
Abstract
The growing organic market demands methods which can describe food quality within the organic system (authentication). Several studies indicate that methods, such as the biocrystallization method, are suitable for this question. More or less reproducible crystallization patterns emerge when an aqueous dihydrate cupric chloride solution with plant extract is crystallized on a glass dish. The emerging patterns are characteristic of sample material. To be applied in routine analysis for example for authentication of organic products, the biocrystallization method has to be standardized. After the laboratory process was documented and a computerized pattern evaluation tool was further developed and applied, the method was standardized for selected carrot samples, which is described here. For standardization, several factors of influence were tested and the reproducibility between three different laboratories in the EU was investigated. The method is able to differentiate patterns from samples from different farming treatments and processing steps as statistically significant. This represents a significant step forward beyond the state of the art.
The growing organic market demands methods which can describe food quality within the organic system (authentication). Several studies indicate that methods, such as the biocrystallization method, are suitable for this question. More or less reproducible crystallization patterns emerge when an aqueous dihydrate cupric chloride solution with plant extract is crystallized on a glass dish. The emerging patterns are characteristic of sample material. To be applied in routine analysis for example for authentication of organic products, the biocrystallization method has to be standardized. After the laboratory process was documented and a computerized pattern evaluation tool was further developed and applied, the method was standardized for selected carrot samples, which is described here. For standardization, several factors of influence were tested and the reproducibility between three different laboratories in the EU was investigated. The method is able to differentiate patterns from samples from different farming treatments and processing steps as statistically significant. This represents a significant step forward beyond the state of the art.
