Simultaneous determination of furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone in baby foods available in the Brazilian market

A liquid chromatography-diode array detection (LC-DAD) method is described for the simultaneous quantification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF) in different types of baby foods. Furan derivatives were extracted with acetonitrile, followed by partitioning with nhexane. The extract was then diluted with deionized water to a large volume to minimize the matrix interferences. The fitness-of-purpose of the developed method was verified by analytical selectivity, linearity in solvent and matrix-matched calibration curves and adequate recoveries (83-105 %) and precision (RSDs <= 6 %), under repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility conditions. The occurrence of furan derivatives was investigated in 60 commercial baby food samples composed of fruits, vegetables and/or meats, including both homemade and industrialized samples. A wide variation in the mean contents of furan derivatives was observed, with the highest contents of HMF detected in baby foods made of plum (343.10 mu g g-1).

Automated summary

A liquid chromatography-diode array detection method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of furan derivatives in baby foods. The study investigated the occurrence of furan derivatives in 60 commercial baby food samples and found a wide variation in the content of furan derivatives among different types of foods.