Since 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received numerous complaints about a pet illness that may be related to the consumption of jerky pet treats.Glycerin, an ingredient in chicken jerky pet treats, is also widely used as a preservative, sweetner, thickening agent, and lubricating agent in other food products. Crude glycerin, which is an inexpensive product of biodiesel production, may have been used without further purification in the manufacture of jerky pet treats, leading to pet illnesses. Our objective is to develop a simple and rapid method of screening differing grades of glycerin for unknown toxins. We use high resolution mass spectrometry and differential analysis software to compare glycerin samples from various sources that might have contributed to pet illnesses.Our laboratory used simple, generic, solid-phase extraction method to clean-up the glycerin matrix. Sample extracts were analyzed on a UPLC column using a wide gradient. Data generated by Q-TOF and Q-Exactive instruments were processed by the differential analysis software Mass Profiler Pro (MPP) and SIEVE, from Agilent and Thermofisher, respectively. We have validated both MPP and SIEVE software by spiking food grade refined glycerin with known compounds at various concentration levels. The results of the software validation experiments, as well as results of a comparison between refined and crude technical grade glycerin, will be presented. This method provides a new avenue for the rapid detection of toxins of glycerin-based food products by consumers.

Rapid detection and identification of potential toxins in technical grade glycerin by differential analysis of high resolution mass spectrometric data

248th National Meeting (2014)

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