Trace analysis of toxic low molecular weight carbonyl compounds, such as formaldehyde, glyoxal and diacetyl, formed from lipid peroxidation, is extremely difficult because they are highly volatile and reactive as well as miscible in water and lipids. Monocarbonyl compounds, such as formaldehyde, were derivatized into thiazolidines, and, alpha-dicarbonyl compounds such as glyoxal, are derivatized into quinoxalines. The qunoxaline derivatives of alpha-dicarbonyl compounds were collected with a newly developed simultaneous purging and solvent extracting apparatus. This method yielded in ng/g levels of low molecular carbonyl compounds formed from heated cooking oils. Monocarbonyl compounds formed in the mainstream smoke of various brands of cigarettes were analyzed after derivatization into thiazolidines. Amounts of formaldehyde ranged from 73.8 to 283.8 mg/cigarette. These methods have also been successfully applied to analyze expired air from animals and human, indicating possible application in disease investigations. For example, tumor-bearing mice expired significantly more formaldehyde than did control mice.

Trace analysis of toxic carbonyl compounds in food and the environment

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.