A headspace solid-phase microextraction gas-chromatographic mass-spectrometric method (HS-SPME–GC/MS) to quantify hexanal in butter during storage as marker of lipid oxidation

A method using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed and validated for the extraction and quantification of hexanal content in butter (at ng g−1 level) during storage at 4 °C. The variability of hexanal content among seasons of production and the influence of high extraction temperature on ex-novo formation of hexanal were also evaluated. The HS-SPME conditions were optimised and analytical parameters of the method (linearity, accuracy, and precision) demonstrate its usefulness. The reproducibility and accuracy of the quantitative analysis was assured by the use of D12-hexanal as internal standard. For the applications, the headspace was extracted using CAR/PDMS fiber for 180 min at 4 °C. Hexanal contents in samples during all storage period (shelf-life) and from butters produced in different seasons were analysed. Butter samples at the end of shelf-life and samples produced in August showed highest values of hexanal, confirming that the temperature both in storage and distribution phases represents a critical factor to maintain the quality of butter.