Optimisation of wort volatile analysis by headspace solid-phase microextraction in combination with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

The aim of this study was to create a simple, solventless technique without derivatisation in order to analyze a broad range of volatiles in beer wort. A method was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The procedure was optimised by selection of the appropriate fibre and optimisation of extraction temperature, extraction time, and salting-out. The detection limits were well below the actual wort concentrations of the selected volatiles, ranging from 12 ng/l for linalool to 0.53 μg/l for furfural. Moreover, the procedure showed a good linearity and was applied to the analysis of wort samples taken from a wort boiling process in an industrial brewery.