Services

About JSI: Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) is the leading Slovenian scientific research institute covering a wide range of basic and applied research. More than 1.000 employees specialise in natural sciences, life sciences and engineering.

The infrastructure comprises a mass spectrometry center offering several analytical possibilities using the following equipment:

• Mass spectrometry: UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS, ICP-MS, ICP-MS QQQ, LA-ICP-MS, LCICP-MS, GC-ICP-MS, SP-ICP-MS, GC(IT)MS, GC-MSD, LC-MS/MS

• Isotope ratio mass spectrometry: EA-IRMS, GC-C-IRMS, DI-IRMS, Py-IRMS, MC ICP-MS

• Nuclear methods: TRIGA MARK II nuclear reactor, alpha, beta and gamma counting

• Mercury analysis and speciation: Cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS, detector Milton Roy, Model 1255, two systems)

• Cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV AFS, detector Tekran, model 2500) with double amalgamation system and Hg vapour calibration system

• Cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV AFS, two systems with Brooks Rand detectors);

• Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA 80 – Milestone Microwave Laboratory Systems)

The infrastructure offers analysis of biomarkers for quality, safety, authenticity, and traceability (QSAT-Analysis) with applications to the authenticity and traceability of food based on stable isotope approach, elemental composition and other analysis (fatty acids, VOCs, amino acids).

The approach could be used to verify authenticity of food products (wild vs. aquaculture, organic vs. conventional), geographical and botanical origin determination; safety of food products in relation to elemental analysis specifically toxic elements such as Pb, Cd, Hg and Hg speciation (inorganic, organic – MeHg) and stable isotopes of Hg to determine the sources of Hg, Se speciation. Organic contaminants such as new emerging contaminants (CEC, PAH, pesticides, …) using target, suspect, nontarget analysis.

Currently, the RI is involved in four EU projects with fish and seafood quality, safety and traceability and algae as alternative food sources from which three of them we are coordinating (FishEUTrust, FoodTraNet, GMOS-Train) and MERFISH. It provides training of researchers, students and ESRs from different EU and international countries. Examples of studies include:

• Development and enable 10 newly developed food matrix reference materials USGS82 to USGS91 to the stable isotope community to adhere more closely to established guidelines and recommended practices when measuring stable isotope ratios of food and other materials.

• Verification of the geographical origin of selected fruits and vegetables and establishment of the database of authentic Slovenian honey in collaboration with the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection (2018-2022).

Support offered

Users have access to facilities, internet and technical and scientific support. Logistic support to find accommodation or other amenities is also provided.

Modality of access

Access can be both on-site and remote, based on actual costs. Users will be able to carry out the work by themselves but technical and scientific support is available. They can also ship samples for analysis.

The access includes experimental set-up, to be defined according to the specific information provided by the users, organization, sample pre-treatment and analytical measurements, data processing and elaboration results. Typically, the provision of a service requires 1-2 weeks per access, but it can vary according to the type and number of samples.