This application brief demonstrates a method for detecting common organic acids using a Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ Integrion™ HPIC™ system with a Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ IonPac™ AS11-HC-4μm column set and coupled to a Thermo Scientific™ ISQ™ EC single quadrupole mass spectrometer.

To demonstrate how the use of alternate UHPLC stationary phase selectivities can facilitate method speed up and as a result this sample throughput was tripled compared to the legacy methods with an associated five-fold reduction in cost per sample for optimized method

The analysis of food dyes in carbonated beverages is important as many of these dyes are either controlled substances or are being phased out in certain countries due to their reported adverse health effects. Being able to identify and quantify food dyes in beverages quickly and with high sensitivity is therefore important. Reversed-phase chromatography is an excellent technique for the analysis of dyes. Many dyes are readily soluble in reversed-phase eluents and have strong visible and UV absorbance properties. This method demonstrates the separation of ten contentious dyes.

Over the last decade there has been a growing interest in low-calorie alternatives to carbohydrate-based sweeteners. Recent publications have shown a dramatic increase in attention toward natural extracts such as the Stevia rebaudiana plant, not only for its sweetening effect but also for additional health benefits attributed to the plant. The major sweetening components are stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside C, and dulcoside A, each of which is over 300 times sweeter than sucrose based sweeteners. Because of this they are widely used in beverages and foodstuffs.

The analysis of food additives in carbonated beverages is important as many additives are controlled as part of the formulations of these beverages. In addition, analysis may detect possible counterfeiting of branded products. Being able to identify and quantify food additives in beverages quickly and with high sensitivity is therefore important.