title: A new headspace gas chromatographic method for the determination of methanol content in paper materials used for food and drink packaging.
abstract: This study reports on a method for determination of methanol in paper products by headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC). The method is based on the hydrolysis of the pulp or paper matrix, using a phosphoric acid solution (42.5%) as the medium at 120 °C in 5 h (excluding air contact) in order to release matrix-entrapped methanol, which is then determined by HS-GC. Data show that, under the given conditions of hydrolysis, no methanol was formed from the methoxyl groups in the material. Reproducibility tests of the method generated a relative standard deviation of <3.5%, with recovery in the range of 93.4-102%. The present method is reliable, accurate, and suitable for use in batch testing of the methanol content in paper-related materials. The method can play an important role in addressing food safety concerns that may be raised regarding the use of paper materials in food and beverage packaging.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering and §School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Chao
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Ying-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Hui-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Xin-Sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Donald G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D002681:China; D005410:Flame Ionization; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D018857:Food Packaging; D005561:Formates / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry; D057230:Limit of Detection; D000432:Methanol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010209:Paper; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D011042:Poisons / Q000378:metabolism; D014835:Volatilization; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005561:Formates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D011042:Poisons; D008031:Lignin; C030242:phosphoric acid; D000432:Methanol