Screening foods and beverages for butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) using automated headspace–trap GC–MS
Application Note 251
Butylated hydroxytoluene is one of a number of antioxidants added to foodstuffs to slow down the rate of oxidation processes that are a major factor in spoilage. It is also widely used as an antioxidant in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and industrial oils. Although classified by the US Food and Drug Administration as ‘GRAS’ (generally recognised as safe), the use of BHT in food is the subject of some concern because of uncertainties over health risks, and this has led to a need for continued monitoring.
This study shows that headspace samples acquired on the Centri® sample extraction and enrichment platform for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) can be used to screen food and beverages for trace-level additives.
