Detection of Furan and five Alkylfurans, including 2-Pentylfuran, in various Food Matrices

Next to furan, other alkylfurans such as 2- and 3-methylfuran, 2-ethylfuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran, and 2-pentylfuran have been found concurrently in thermal processed food and fruit juices. To ensure an accurate quantification of these compounds, a method based on isotope dilution using all six respective internal standards and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was developed. Two injection techniques, static head space (HS) and solid phase micro extraction (SPME), were tested and compared for their performance. Validation was based on a single laboratory validation under repeatability condition. Good data for both techniques in baby food and cereals were obtained. Furthermore, validation was conducted successfully on fruit juices and infant formula using SPME injection and on coffee using HS injection. LOQ for all matrices was established at 5 µg/kg and 200 µg/kg in coffee samples, which corresponds to the lowest fortification level. Recovery was between 80 % and 110 % and repeatability obtained below 16 % at 50 µg/kg (7.4 % at 10 mg/kg for coffee samples), except few slight outliers.