Headspace Liquid-Phase Microextraction Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Determination of Furanic Compounds in Baby Foods and Method Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

In the present study, a sensitive, rapid, and simple method for determination of furanic compounds in baby foods has been developed. Headspace liquid-phase micro- extraction (HS-LPME) coupled with gas chromatography- mass spectrometry was used to extract and measure furan, 2- methylfuran, and 2,5-dimethylfuran in baby foods. Effective parameters such as salt amount (NaCl), stirring rate, tem- perature, and time of extraction were optimized using re- sponse surface methodology based on a central composite design to obtain the best conditions for extracting furanic compounds. The optimum parameter values were 1 g NaCl, 700 rpm stirring rate, 40 °C extraction temperature, and 15 min extraction time. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.2-200 ngmL �1 (R 2 >0.99) for all com- pounds, and the repeatability of the method, described as relative standard deviation, ranged between 3.84 and 7.06 % (n06). The recovery of spiked baby food sample after extraction ranged between 89.33 and 103.64 %, and the best enrichment factor was achieved about 972-fold for furan. The limits of detection and quantitation ranged between 0.021 and 0.038 ngg �1 and 0.069 and 0.126 ngg �1 , respec- tively. The merit figures of the HS-LPME/GC-MS method showed that it can be considered as a new, fast, and effective alternative method for investigating furanic compounds in baby foods.