Improved liquid chromatographic photo diode array mass spectrometric determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and related furfurals in honey |
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Authors: | Konstantinos M. Kasiotis |
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Affiliation: | Department of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Laboratory of Pesticides’ Toxicology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, Athens, Greece |
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Abstract: | 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural is found in several food commodities, including honey. Its concentration is used as one of honey's quality indicators since elevated 5-hydroxymethylfurfural levels indicate overheating and aging of the product. In this context, the European Commission and Codex Alimentarius established the maximum tolerable level for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, for general type honeys intended for human consumption, at 40 mg kg?1. In this study, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 2-furfural, and the furfuralic derivative 5-methyl-2-furfural were investigated in Greek honey samples, through a high performance liquid chromatographic photo diode array mass spectrometric method developed and validated. Sample preparation was based on a modification of the ‘Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe’ procedure. The method was sensitive, exhibiting limit of detection for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural at 0.1 mg kg?1, far below the permissible level of 40 mg kg?1. Levels of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in 28 honey samples varied from 0.5 to 23.5 mg kg?1, thus, not worrying for consumers. Traces of 2-furfural were detected in limited samples. |
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Keywords: | Honey 5-hydroxymethylfurfural 2-furfural HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS QuEChERS |
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