Development of solid-phase microextraction methodology for analysis of headspace volatile compounds in simulated beef flavour

The conditions for headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) analysis of volatile compounds in simulated beef flavour were determined by fractional factorial experimental design based on Taguchiʹs orthogonal array. Adsorption temperature (30–60 °C), adsorption time (20–60 min), and the type of SPME phase (65 μm PDMS/DVB, 65 μm CW/DVB, 75 μm CAR/PDMS and 50/30 μm DVB/CAR/PDMS) were significant factors affecting total peak area and the number of peaks in the gas chromatogram, while added salt concentration (0–6%) as well as the 2-factor interactions of adsorption temperature with time, salt concentration or SPME phase, did not significantly affect the gas chromatogram. A sensitive and reproducible HS-SPME method was achieved using the following conditions: adsorption at 60 °C for 60 min on 50/30 μm DVB/CAR/PDMS, followed by desorption of extracted volatiles at 250 °C for 3 min and gas chromatographic separation on a DB-5 analytical column.