Model studies on the role of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural in acrylamide formation from asparagine

► 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) rapidly reacted with asparagine (ASN) leading to acrylamide. ► HMF was more efficient than glucose for the conversion of asparagine into acrylamide at elevated temperatures. ► Significantly high amount of 3-aminopropionamide was detected after heating the model system composed of HMF and asparagine. ► The results suggested that HMF is a potent carbonyl accelerating acrylamide formation during heating.