Case Study Teaching for Active Learning on Analytical Quality Assurance Concepts in Relation to Food Safety Exposure Assessment

Abstract

For food research, control, and production, valid and trustworthy analytical data are important. Our practical chemical food safety course for engineers therefore uses real-life studies for the ease of understanding the concept and the needed requirements for high analytical quality in relation to enabling correct evaluation of chemical food safety. Concepts of chromatography and mass spectrometry were applied and left open for inquiry-based learning and students' search for information for their actual case study during this 3 week practical course. Three case studies, with three different analytical chemistry challenges, were addressed, namely, iodine, ethyl carbamate, and N-nitrosamine determination by ICP-MS, GC−MS, and LC−MS/ MS, respectively. Each group of students successfully concluded one case study by integration of method validation and other appropriate analytical quality concepts with practical conduction of the analysis. The assignment included obtaining their own results, and evaluation of the results in the context of a food safety assessment. Successful vocabulary attainment and learning of quality assurance, analytical concepts, and data evaluation were communicated in report writing as well as oral presentations in front of the other students (in groups) and at the final examination (individually).

Assessing reliability and validity of food safety culture assessment tools

“…Further research will also explore ecological validity to gain insights from practitioners’ perspectives to enhance practical relevance. Additionally, future research should explore active approaches and digitally enabled teaching and learning approaches to educate future food safety professionals [ 87 , 88 ]. This is important as such strategies could be beneficial in producing well-rounded practitioners who would not only be proactive, but also be able to address challenges with food safety culture assessments, challenge assumptions, and establish the field as has been done in other culture domains.…”

Optimizing Methods for ICP-MS Analysis of Mercury in Fish: An Upper-Division Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Class

“…The prevalence of ICP-MS in real-world analytical chemistry applications has led to a number of proposed student lab exercises using ICP-MS over the past decade. − Such protocols are of great pedagogical value and introduce students to foundational concepts of ICP-MS and the practical application of the technique. However, important analytical chemistry concepts such as the impact of matrix effects on the accuracy of ICP-MS analysis and parameter optimization via the usage of a standard reference material (SRM), which should closely mimic the composition of the sample, have not been extensively explored in previously published student-led ICP-MS experiments. − Here we introduce a hands-on lab exercise for an upper-division undergraduate analytical chemistry course that mimics industry- and government-level ICP-MS protocols.…”

Tocopherols in Seeds and Nuts: QuEChERS Extraction, HPLC Separation, and Fluorescence Detection

“…A review of the Journal of Chemical Education literature indicated there are no publications reporting the analysis of tocopherols by HPLC or the use of PFP columns. There are just two publications that detail the application of HPLC with FL detection for quantitative analysis. , There are four publications that deal with QuEChERS: two focused on the analysis of pesticides/insecticide residues in food using gas chromatography; , the other two papers, while including QuEChERS in the experimental details, were reporting on the value of standard operating procedures and the importance of quality assurance measures …”

“…5,6 There are four publications that deal with QuEChERS: two focused on the analysis of pesticides/insecticide residues in food using gas chromatography; 7,8 the other two papers, while including QuEChERS in the experimental details, were reporting on the value of standard operating procedures 9 and the importance of quality assurance measures. 10 In summary, the pedagogical aims of this experiment are the following: (a) to support the theory presented in lectures and provide students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and understanding of separation mechanisms to a real exampleespecially as analysis of tocopherols has evolved over time from silica stationary phases (normal phase) to C18 phases and more recently PFP phases; (b) to introduce students to the sensitivity and selectivity of FL detection when compared to UV−vis; (c) to provide students with a relatively complex and authentic analysis that includes sample preparation and cleanup and quantitative HPLC analysis using the method of internal standards; (d) to provide students with an opportunity to consolidate their learning of key theoretical concepts and demonstrate their understanding through completing a written report.…”