Determination of Melamine in Infant Milk Formula, Milk Powder and Basaa Fish Samples by HPLC/DAD

Abstract

Thirty two samples were collected of milk powder for baby and human consumption and Basaa fish 8 infant milk formula, 8 growing up milk formula purchased from pharmacy in Saudi Arabia, 6 Sweetened Full Cream Milk Powder purchased from China and 10 fish samples (Basaa fish) Ui Tnam purchased from popular markets in Saudi Arabia. The samples were analyzed and determination for Melamine (MEL) by HPLC/DAD. The incidence of MEL in powder milk and in fish, was about 100 and 80 % respectively. High concentrations were found in growing up milk formula. Melamine was detected in 28 out of 32 samples with varying concentrations. Of the 28 melamine positive samples, samples had a melamine concentration higher than 258 mg/kg (the median). The lowest and the highest concentrations were found to be 7.5 and 258 mg/kg, respectively in all samples. This application note describes an efficient and simple method for preparing milk powder and fish samples coupled to an HPLC/DAD method for rapid analysis of melamine in these samples. The purpose of the survey was to determine levels of melamine and to monitor the effectiveness of the controls in place to limit consumer exposure to melamine.