An enhanced liquid chromatographic method for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural determination in UHT milk

Abstract

An enhanced method of HPLC for the determination of 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfuraldehyde (HMF) in fluid milk was perfected. Its resolving capacity permitted the specific separation of this compound. The real concentration (μmol/l) of HMF was determined and not the HMF value, as in the colorimetric analysis, where an intermediary coloured compound (HMF-TBA) is utilised. The optimum pH condition (pH = 4.0-4.2) for the mobile phase to prevent overlapping between the HMF peak and the peaks of the other compound (α and β) that coeluted with the HMF and also the optimum organic solvent content (3% or 7% ) were established. This is a sensitive, quick and safe method for the determination of HMF in fluid milk.