Identification of Flavor and Fragrance Allergens in Some Common Snack Foods Using Transportable Agilent 5975T GC/MS

Significance of the Topic

The regulation of flavor and fragrance allergens in food and cosmetic products is critical for consumer safety. The EU lists 26 such allergens, five of which are related to cinnamon and can appear at high levels in confectionery. Rapid on-site detection reduces the risk of allergic reactions by enabling timely quality control and decision making outside conventional laboratories.

Objectives and Overview

This study aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of a transportable Agilent 5975T GC/MS system equipped with a Thermal Separation Probe (TSP) for the separation, identification, and semiquantitative analysis of 24 GC/MS-amenable EU-listed flavor and fragrance allergens in cinnamon-flavored gum and candy matrices.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 5975T LTM GC/MS with full-scan EI mode (m/z 40–500)
• DB-17ms low thermal mass (LTM) capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm)
• Thermal Separation Probe (TSP) for direct sample introduction

Methodology

Samples of cinnamon gum and candy were ground to a uniform powder. One-gram gum and ten-gram candy portions were extracted with 10 mL water followed by 10 mL MTBE using a reciprocating shaker. After phase separation, the MTBE extract was directly introduced via the TSP. Calibration used three standard groups of nine compounds each at 100 ng/µL, with 1,4-dibromobenzene as an internal standard. A combined working standard (8 ng/µL) facilitated sensitivity evaluation.

Main Results and Discussion

Chromatographic separation on the DB-17ms column resolved all 24 targeted allergens with baseline resolution at an injection of 8 ng/µL—20 % below EU leave-on limits for cosmetics. Key findings include:

• Cinnamaldehyde detected at over 500 ppm in cinnamon candy, exceeding standard levels by more than 50-fold.
• Common analytes such as limonene, benzyl alcohol, eugenol, and benzyl benzoate were clearly identified in sample extracts.
• Adjusting split ratio can further lower detection limits, though at the cost of increased matrix noise.

Benefits and Practical Applications

This transportable GC/MS approach provides:

• Rapid on-site screening of allergens without sample transport delays.
• Comprehensive detection of 24 GC/MS-amenable EU flavor and fragrance allergens.
• Improved consumer safety through timely identification of high-level contaminants.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements may include:

• Miniaturized mass spectrometers with lower power requirements for true field deployment.
• Enhanced sample preparation kits for broader food matrix compatibility.
• Integration with data-driven LIMS for real-time regulatory reporting.

Conclusion

The application of the Agilent 5975T GC/MS with TSP in a mobile laboratory setting effectively separates, identifies, and semiquantifies 24 EU-listed flavor and fragrance allergens in snack foods. This method meets sensitivity requirements well below regulatory limits and offers a practical solution for rapid on-site analysis.

References

• Zhao, S. Identification of Flavor and Fragrance Allergens in Some Common Snack Foods Using Transportable Agilent 5975T GC/MS. Agilent Technologies Application Note, 2012; 5991-1438EN.