Steam-based solid-phase extraction method for benzoic and sorbic acids in food by HPLC

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Science
• Separation Science

Background:

• Benzoic acid and sorbic acid are common food preservatives.
• Accurate quantification of these preservatives is crucial for food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Existing methods for analyzing these compounds can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a simplified steam-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for determining benzoic acid and sorbic acid in food.
• To combine steam-based extraction with SPE for efficient purification of analytes from complex food matrices.
• To assess the method's applicability and reliability in real-world food safety monitoring.

Main Methods:

• A novel steam-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique was employed.
• Food samples were heated to generate steam, which was passed through an SPE cartridge in two cycles.
• Analytes were eluted using 0.1% acetic acid in methanol.
• Quantification was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Main Results:

• The method demonstrated excellent linearity for benzoic acid (1-100 μg mL⁻¹) and sorbic acid (1-300 μg mL⁻¹), with R² ≥ 0.999.
• High recoveries (91.9-102.6%) and good precision (RSDs of 0.7-5.0%) were achieved during method validation.
• The method was successfully applied to 12 food products, showing recoveries between 85.2-103.1% with low RSDs (0.1-4.9%).

Conclusions:

• The developed steam-assisted SPE method offers a simplified and efficient approach for analyzing benzoic and sorbic acids in diverse food matrices.
• The method's high accuracy, precision, and applicability make it suitable for routine food safety monitoring.
• Combining steam generation with SPE provides an effective purification strategy for complex samples.