Determination of Furfural Compounds in Enteral Formula

HPLC methods are described for the determination of furanic compounds (hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural) in enteral formulas prepared with dextrinomaltose and milk proteins, and in model systems enclosing these ingredients. These compounds were extracted in aqueous solution, purified with organic solvents, and separated in a reversed-phase C18 column with water-acetonitrile (95:5 v/v). Average recovery rates of HMF and furfural were 99.2% and 71.1%, respectively. The variation coefficients for HMF and furfural were 2.41% and 1.23%, respectively. The detection limit was 0.01 mg/L for both compounds. HMF and furfural levels in enteral formulas ranged from 0.05 to 19.1 mg/L and from 0.14 to 0.72 mg/L, respectively.