Determination of food safety, quality and authenticity using X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy

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We request grant to purchase an X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer for food elemental analysis. The conventional elemental analytical techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, are not suitable for screening purposes as they are bulky and involve time-consuming sample combustion or digestion steps. In comparison, XRF spectroscopy is a non-destructive, rapid, cost-effective, and field deployable equipment to determine elements with great robustness, which is urgently needed for agri-food research applications. To be operated and maintained in the Spectroscopic Facility at McGill Macdonald campus, this XRF spectrometer aids in addressing the high and unmet demand for agri-food studies by researchers across McGill. Applicants are from the Departments of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bioresource Engineering, Natural Resource Sciences, and School of Human Nutrition, who conduct critical research in the areas of detection of trace food contaminants, food authentication, food preferences and consumer acceptance, flavor chemistry, advanced food processing, agricultural sensing, and environmental and agri-food toxicology. In addition to creating new and maintaining establshed research, collaboration and funding opportunities for food safety, food quality, food authentication, and agri-food toxicology, the equipment will also provide hands on training for over 90 highly qualified personnel (HQP). The proposed instrument will be a critical workhorse for the next several decades and will add great value to McGill and its employees via HQP training and by fostering research excellence in several fields of food science and beyond.