Improved liquid chromatographic photo diode array mass spectrometric determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and related furfurals in honey

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural is found in several food commodities, including honey. Its concentration is used as one of honey's quality indicators since elevated 5-hydroxymethylfurfural levels indicate overheating and aging of the product. In this context, the European Commission and Codex Alimentarius established the maximum tolerable level for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, for general type honeys intended for human consumption, at 40mg kg(-1). In this study, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 2-furfural, and the furfuralic derivative 5-methyl-2-furfural were investigated in Greek honey samples, through a high performance liquid chromatographic photo diode array mass spectrometric method developed and validated. Sample preparation was based on a modification of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe' procedure. The method was sensitive, exhibiting limit of detection for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural at 0.1mg kg(-1), far below the permissible level of 40mg kg(-1). Levels of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in 28 honey samples varied from 0.5 to 23.5mg kg(-1), thus, not worrying for consumers. Traces of 2-furfural were detected in limited samples.