Assessment of Lipid Peroxidation Products in Adult Formulas: GC-MS Determination of Carbonyl and Volatile Compounds Under Different Storage Conditions

The occurrence of carbonyl compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in adult formulas is a critical issue in product safety and quality. This research manuscript reports the determination of targeted and untargeted carbonyl compounds and VOCs in adult formulas stored at different temperatures (room temperature, 4 °C, and 60 °C) over one month. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was utilized for the sample analysis. Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction at 60 °C for 20 min facilitated the extraction of six carbonyl compounds, while headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was employed for the determination of untargeted VOCs using a DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber, involving 15 min of equilibration and 45 min of extraction at 40 °C with magnetic stirring. Analytical features of the methods were assessed according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines, and good limits of detection and quantitation, linearity, accuracy, and precision were achieved. Notably, the highest levels of carbonyl compounds were found in high-protein formulas, with quantifiable levels of malondialdehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde detected and quantified in 80% of samples. Additionally, significant levels of VOCs such as hexanal and 2-heptanone were found in samples stored at elevated temperatures. These findings suggest the importance of protein content and storage conditions in the levels of carbonyl compounds and VOCs found in adult formulas, with implications for consumer safety and quality control.