Extraction of Vanillin From a Cola Soft Drink Using SOLA with Analysis by GC-MS

Significance of the Topic

Vanillin is one of the most common flavoring agents used in food and beverages. Reliable quantification in complex matrices such as cola is critical for quality control, regulatory compliance, and ensuring product consistency.

Objectives and Study Overview

• Demonstrate extraction of vanillin from cola soft drink using SOLA solid-phase extraction cartridges.
• Quantify vanillin by GC-MS on an acid-deactivated polyethylene glycol phase column.
• Evaluate method performance: linearity, recovery, precision, and solvent efficiency.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Sample pretreatment: sonicating cola for 30 minutes.
• SPE procedure on SOLA 10 mg/1 mL cartridges: conditioning with methanol and water, application of 200 µL cola, washing with water, elution with methanol, addition of 200 µL benzyl benzoate internal standard.
• GC conditions: Thermo Scientific Trace GC Ultra, TraceGOLD TG-WaxMS A column (30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 µm), helium carrier, splitless injection.
• MS detection: Thermo Scientific ISQ GC single quadrupole, EI mode, SIM at m/z 152 for vanillin and m/z 212 for internal standard.

Main Results and Discussion

Calibration over 10–1000 ng/mL showed excellent linearity (R2 = 0.9987). In water, vanillin recoveries ranged from 96% to 103% (average 99%, RSD 2.7%). In cola extracts, measured concentrations of a 20 ng/mL spike averaged 25.6 ng/mL (RSD 4.6%), highlighting high precision and accuracy. The method required only 200 µL of solvent per step versus >1 mL for conventional SPE, reducing solvent consumption and eliminating lengthy evaporation.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High reproducibility and accuracy in complex beverage matrices.
• Reduced solvent use and sample preparation time.
• Enhanced sensitivity and low detection limits.
• Streamlined workflow for routine QA/QC in food and beverage laboratories.

Future Trends and Applications

Adaptation of SOLA SPE for other flavor and aroma compounds in diverse matrices, integration with automated sample preparation platforms, coupling with high-resolution mass spectrometry for trace-level screening, and development of greener, solvent-minimized methods.

Conclusion

The combination of SOLA SPE cartridges and the TraceGOLD TG-WaxMS A GC-MS system provides a rapid, reliable, and solvent-efficient approach for extracting and quantifying vanillin in cola. The method delivers excellent linearity, recovery, and precision while simplifying sample processing.

References

• OECD SIDS Data on Guaicol and Vanillin. http://www.chem.unep.ch/irptc/sids/oecdsids/121335.pdf