A New Headspace Gas Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Methanol Content in Paper Materials Used for Food and Drink Packaging

作者：Hu Hui Chao; Tian Ying Xin; Jin Hui Jun; Chai Xin Sheng^*; Barnes Donald G

来源：Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2013, 61(39): 9362-9365.

DOI：10.1021/jf402809w

• methanol
• food packaging paper
• phosphoric acid
• headspace gas chromatography

This study reports on a method for determination of methanol in paper products by headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) The method is based on the hydrolysis of the pulp or paper matrix, using a phosphoric acid solution (42.5%) as the medium at 120 degrees C in 5 h (excluding air contact) in order to release matrix entrapped methanol, which is then determined by HS-GC. Data show that, under the given conditions of hydrolysis, no methanol was formed from the methoxyl groups in the material. Reproducibility tests of the method generated a relative standard deviation of <3.5%, with recovery in the range of 93.4-102%. The present method is reliable, accurate, and suitable for use in batch testing of the methanol content in paper related materials. The method can play an important role in addressing food safety concerns that may be raised regarding the use of paper materials in food and beverage packaging.

• 出版日期2013-10-2
• 单位制浆造纸工程国家重点实验室; 华南理工大学