title: Identification of 4-bromo-2-chlorophenol as a contaminant responsible for organoleptic taint in melons.
abstract: An off-odour, described by the growers as similar to profenofos, occurred in melons in which this pesticide had been used in crop treatment. However, profenofos, O-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl) O-ethyl S-propyl phosphorothioate, could not be detected in the melons using GC/MS although a component with a shorter retention time was found. Concentration of melon volatiles by steam distillation yielded a product identical to that obtained by hydrolysis of profenofos, identified as 4-bromo-2-chlorophenol. A solution of this compound in water had similar organoleptic properties to that of the contaminated fruits. It was concluded that 4-bromo-2-chlorophenol was responsible for the taint detected in melons.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Food and Nutrition, National Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sanchez Saez
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Herce Garraleta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calvo Anton
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Folgueiras Alonso
mesh_terms: D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000032:analysis*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009812:Odorants; D063086:Organothiophosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002733:Chlorophenols; D007306:Insecticides; D063086:Organothiophosphates; D010573:Pesticide Residues; C024273:profenofos; C075205:4-bromo-2-chlorophenol