Benzene in soft drink

[ortelli]

Dear all,
how to analyse benzene in soft drink.
I didn't have in my lab a purge and trap system like it is indicated in epa method 5030.

Thanks in advance

[chromatographer1]

I would suggest Solid Phase Micro Extraction.

Ask Supelco technical service for assistance.

Alternately you could do headspace, preferrably automated.

You did not mention the levels you wish to measure but one can do much lower levels with SPME generally.

I have done 50 ppb with headspace and seen single digit ppb with SPME.

best wishes,

Rod

[ortelli]

Thank you for your answer.
I need to go down to the ppb level for the control. In this case I will try to do it with SPME.
Do you work in solution or in headspace mode?

[MikeD]

The problem with recommending "drinking" water methods, EPA methods etc. across the Atlantic is that USA and EU compliance levels are not the same. In EU countries, and presumably Switzerland, with a 1 ug/litre limit for benzene it would normally be necessary to quantify down to 0.1 ppb to prove compliance. Can SPME do this and still be regarded as a reference method by regulatory authorities?