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

In the present study, a sensitive, rapid, and simple method for determination of furanic compounds in baby foods has been developed. Headspace liquid-phase microextraction (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, temperature, and time of extraction were optimized using response 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 A degrees C extraction temperature, and 15 min extraction time. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 0.2-200 ng mL(-1) (R (2) > 0.99) for all compounds, and the repeatability of the method, described as relative standard deviation, ranged between 3.84 and 7.06 % (n = 6). 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 ng g(-1) and 0.069 and 0.126 ng g(-1), respectively. 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.