A selective and sensitive gas chromatography method with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS) was optimized and validated for the determination of fructose , glucose and sucrose in cocoa beans. Analytes were extracted by ultrasonication from defatted milled cocoa powder using purified water (18 Ω) at 70 ºC. Then, these were derivatized with N-methyl-trimethylsilyl trifluoacetamida (MSTFA) assisted by microwave irradiation at a power of 630 W for 60 s, in order to achieve its volatility. Under optimal conditions , the method provided quantitative recoveries of analytes (98-108 %, CV < 3,68 % n = 5) and a precision with a CV < 3,31 % (n = 5). Ninety samples of four varieties, with different genotypes, of cocoa beans grown in Venezuela , taken before, during and after the fermentation and roasting stages, were analyzed.

Se optimizó y validó un método sensible y selectivo por cromatografía de gases con detección por espectrometría de masas (CG-EM) para la determinación de fructosa, glucosa y sacarosa en muestras de cacao. Los analitos se extrajeron desde el polvo de cacao desgrasado y molido con agua (70 ºC) y sonicación durante 15 minutos. Seguidamente se derivatizaron con con N-metil-trimetilsilil-trifluoacetamida (MSTFA) utilizando irradiación con microondas a una potencia de 630 W durante 60 s para lograr su volatilidad. Bajo las condiciones óptimas , el método proporcionó recuperaciones cuantitativas de los analitos (98-108 %, CV < 3,68 % n = 5) y una precisión con un CV < 3,31 % (n = 5). Se analizaron 90 muestras de diferentes variedades de cacao criollo venezolano tomadas antes, durante y después de los procedimientos de fermentación y tostado.

A total of 40 bacteria have been successfully isolated from internal organs of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) raised in Malaysia, namely, eight isolates of Aeromonas spp., 21 of Edwardsiella spp., six of Flavobacterium spp. and five of Vibrio spp. In terms of antibiotic susceptibility testing, each isolate was tested against 21 antibiotics, resulting in 482 (57.3%) cases of sensitivity and 61 (7.3%) cases of partial sensitivity. Meanwhile, 297 (35.4%) bacterial isolates were registered as resistant. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of each bacterial species indicated that bacteria from raised bullfrogs have been exposed to tested antibiotics with results ranging from 0.27 to 0.39. Additionally, high percentages of heavy metal resistance among these isolates were observed, with values ranging from 85.0 to 100.0%. The current results provided us information on bacterial levels of locally farmed bullfrogs exposed to copper, cadmium, chromium as well as 21 types of antibiotics.