Development of a GC–MS/MS method coupled with HS-SPME-Arrow for studying formation of furan and 10 derivatives in model systems and commercial foods

Furan has been described as a carcinogen, being present in numerous food products available to the everyday consumer. The objectives of this study were to determine the formation of furan and its derivatives in 3 model systems during heating, with their contents being determined in selected commercial food products by HS-SPME Arrow coupled with GC/MS/MS. A high accuracy and precision was attained for the method developed in this study. The model system of 0.5 M glucose/alanine + 0.1 M ascorbic acid generated the highest furan level (5603.63 ng/g) when heated at 121 °C for 2 h. The addition of ascorbic acid favored formation of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, while linoleic acid favored formation of furfuryl alcohol. In addition, the total furan contents in various commercial foods ranged from 21.14 to 3183.39 ng/g. Most importantly, the outcome of model systems may be used to predict the presence of furan and its derivatives in commercial foods.