Validation of an analytical method using HS-SPME-GC/MS-SIM to assess the exposure risk to carbonyl compounds and furan derivatives through beer consumption

ABSTRACT

Compounds with toxic potential may occur in beer, such as carbonyl compounds (acetaldehyde, acrolein, ethyl carbamate [EC] and formaldehyde) and furan derivatives [furfural and furfuryl alcohol (FA)]. The objective of this study was, for the first time, to validate a method based on headspace-solid phase microextraction using a PDMS-overcoated fibre and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in selected ion monitoring mode (HS-SPME-GC/MS-SIM) to investigate target carbonyl compounds and furan derivatives in beers. Analytical curves showed proper linearity with r² ranging from 0.9731 to 0.9960 for acetaldehyde and EC, respectively. The lowest LOD was found for acetaldehyde (0.03 µg L⁻¹), while the lowest LOQ value (1.0 µg L⁻¹) was found for acetaldehyde and EC, formaldehyde and furfural. Recovery (90% to 105%), intermediate precision and repeatability (lower than 13%), limits of detection and quantification (values below 2.5 μg L⁻¹) showed that the method is suitable to simultaneously quantify these compounds. EC was detected in only two samples (1 lager and 1 ale). Furfural was found in 37% and 82% of ale and lager beers, respectively. Acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde and FA were detected in all samples. However, acrolein was the only compound found in the commercial samples at a concentration capable of causing health risk. Besides furfural and FA, four other furan-containing compounds (5-methyl-2-furan methanethiol, acetylfuran, 5-methylfurfural and γ-nonalactone) were also found in beers, however, at levels low enough not to impose potential health risk.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• GC/MS
• beer
• carbonyl
• overcoated fibre
• furanic compounds
• toxic compounds
• risk assessment

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the following agencies: National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq; Edital Universal 425755/2016-9 and Atração de Jovens Talentos 401581/2014-4), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES) and Research Support Foundation of Rio Grande do Sul (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, FAPERGS, Edital Pesquisador Gaúcho, 1995-2551/13-7).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [BJT 401581/2014-4,Universal 425755/2016-9];Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior;Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul [Edital Pesquisador Gaúcho, 1995-2551/13-7].