Abstract

RAPID MEASUREMENT OF FORMALDEHYDE IN SELECTED BABY FOODS BY FAST LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Dr. Sushama Raju Ambadekar and Deepak Baburao Nikam*

Abstract

A rapid, specific and highly sensitive short run High performance fast liquid chromatographic (Fast LC) method was developed for the quantification of formaldehyde in selected baby food products. The sample was dissolved in selected solvent and treated with 2,4- dinitrophenylhydrazine in order that formaldehyde is derivatized to form 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone with high UV absorbance. The separation was carried out using C18 column. The detection wavelength was 365 nm for the derivative of formaldehyde. The results showed that derivatization had no effect on the determination of formaldehyde. The limit of detection (LOD) for this method is as low as 0.005 ppm and limit of quantification (LOQ) for this method is as low as 0.008 ppm. This method is successfully validated and results obtained are positive for each parameter recommended by ICH Q2 B (R1) guidance. This method is applied for determination of formaldehyde in various foods including selected baby food products.

Keywords: Formaldehyde, Fast LC, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, Baby foods, Validation, ICH.