Absolute quantitative analysis for sorbic acid in processed foods using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

An analytical method using solvent extraction and quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance (qHNMR) spectroscopy was applied and validated for the absolute quantification of sorbic acid (SA) in processed foods. The proposed method showed good linearity. The recoveries for samples spiked at the maximum usage level specified for food in Japan and at 0.13 g kg−1 (beverage: 0.013 g kg−1) were larger than 80%, whereas those for samples spiked at 0.063 g kg−1 (beverage: 0.0063 g kg−1) were between 56.9 and 83.5%. The limit of quantification was 0.063 g kg−1 for foods (and 0.0063 g kg−1 for beverages containing Lactobacillus species). Analysis of the SA content of commercial processed foods revealed quantities equal to or greater than those measured using conventional steam-distillation extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography quantification. The proposed method was rapid, simple, accurate, and precise, and provided International System of Units traceability without the need for authentic analyte standards. It could therefore be used as an alternative to the quantification of SA in processed foods using conventional method.

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► A method using qHNMR was applied and validated to determine SA in processed foods.
► This method has good accuracy, precision, selectiveness, and linearity.
► The proposed method is more rapid and simple than the conventional method.
► We found that the proposed method is reliable for the accurate determination of SA.
► This method can be used for the monitoring of SA in processed foods.