A rapid gas chromatographic method for direct determination of short-chain (C2-C12) volatile organic acids in foods

A simple, rapid and accurate GC analytical method for direct quantification of short-chain volatile organic acids in liquid foods was established. Hydrophilic 1,3-butanediol was selected as the internal standard. Thirteen volatile organic acids including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, valeric, caproic, heptanoic, caprylic, capric, lauric, lactic and levulinic acids were simultaneously determined with detection limits 0.025-1 ng. The recovery rates of tested acids from fruit juice and vinegar were 92-109% with coefficients of variation below 9.4%. The contents of volatile organic acids in 37 commercial liquid food samples were determined. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.