Melamine

A Reference Resource List

Compiled by Emerson Library Staff

2010

 

2010 Journal Citations:

 

Lampinen, Jorma. “Detect melamine with ELISA assays.” (April/May 2010) Food Quality. (17) 2:45-48.

In recent food contamination scandals, melamine has been illegally added to food products to boost its apparent protein content. Thus, methods for detecting melamine, rather than protein content are needed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measurements are an effective and economical way to quickly detect melamine. Includes the following charts: Limits of detection of both assay kits with different thermo scientific instrumentation; Results of the melamine ELISA assays with spiked milk samples obtained using Thermo Scientific Multiscan FC.

 

Lipp, Markus; Moore, Jeffrey; & Griggiths, James. “Protein-based food ingredients.” (January 2010) Nutra Solutions insert in Prepared Foods. (179) 1: NS3-NS8 (Insert begins on p. 50).

Proteins are essential in both nutritional and functional properties, containing amino acids vital to human health. This article provides a historic overview of methods of analysis for proteins, including the Kjedahl procedure, and infrared spectroscopy. Discusses the melamine contamination in China of milk, a series of food tamperings that sought to cheaply mimic protein content. "The development of alternative analytical approaches with greater specificity will contribute to increased food safety, by ensuring the authenticity of proteins in food."

 

2009 Journal Citations:

 

Fintschenko, Yoland & Lu, Guiping. “Choose your toolbox.” (June/July 2009) Food Quality. (16) 3:38-43.

Contaminations by dioxins in Irish pork and melamine in Chinese infant formula have increased the demand for instruments capable of accurately identifying contaminants. After an overview of the circumstances of the contaminations, the article provides analysis of melamine and dioxin. Provides tables: Comparison of methods for melamine analysis (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, HPLC-UV, ELISA); Comparison of methods for dioxin Analysis (HRG/HRMS, HRGC/LRMS, Cell-based Bioassay).

 

Ibens, Denise. “Great Melamine Scare.” (February/March 2009) Food Quality. (16)1:18-23.

The melamine-tainted milk crisis in China called into question the safety of the international food supply. The scale of the contamination crossed country borders as the following products were found to be contaminated: baby formula (U.S.), chocolates (Canada), biscuits (Netherlands), condensed milk (Thailand), eggs (Hong Kong). Since the scandal, Chinese dairy exports have dropped 90%. "The milk adulteration incident points out the need for a continued effort to generate a single, globally harmonized set of minimal risk levels, as well as testing methods for food residues and contaminants." Discusses various counties efforts at developing food traceability systems and laboratory methods for detecting contaminants.

 

Nachay, Karen. “Infrared spectroscopy detects melamine.” (July 2009) Food Technology. (63) 7:12.

Overview of a study by Lisa Mauer, Purdue University which utilized near- and mid- infrared spectroscopy to detect melamine in baby formula. The study was published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.

 

2008 Journal Citations:

 

“China boosts melamine testing.” (December 2008) Food Protection Report. (24) 12:4.

Announcement that the Chinese government, and several manufacturers will test for melamine utilizing Applied Biosystems' mass spectrometry equipment.

 

“Is there a safe level for melamine in infant formula?” (December 2008) Food Protection Report. (24) 12:3-4.

The FDA has declined to specify what level of melamine is "safe" in products, though they assured consumers after a risk assessment that "infant formulas are safe if they contain levels of melamine alone or cyanuric acid alone, at or below one part per million." Out of 74 infant products, the study found one containing low levels of melamine, and one with cyanuric acid.

 

McGee, Patrick. “The China conundrum.” (October/November 2008) Food Quality. (15) 5:8.

China's food safety record has been compromised with recent contaminations, including melamine-tainted milk and eggs. These food safety violations have called into question China's role as one of the largest exporters of food and food ingredients. Chinese exports to the U.S. totaled $27 billion in 2006.

 

“Measuring Melamine.” (December 2008) Food Protection Report. (24) 12:3.

With several high profile Chinese food recalls due to melamine contamination, testing methods have become a priority. Overviews the AcoAnalytix Melamine Analyzer created by Perking/Elmer Life & Analytical Sciences, a system that uses gas chromatograph mass spectrometry. Also discusses the FoodLogiQ traceability system.

 

“Melamine taints Chinese milk.” (October 2008) Food Processing. (69) 10:12.

Melamine contamination in the Chinese milk supply has already killed four children, with another 6,244 ill. The contamination has stretched beyond powdered milk, as "nearly 10 percent of milk samples from three top Chinese dairy companies" were found to be contaminated as well.

 

Nachay, Karen. “New tools for melamine detection.” (November 2008) Food Technology. (62) 11:10.

In light of recent food recalls due to contamination from melamine, the food industry is seeking improved methods of detecting the chemical. Discusses and compares high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS) and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) .