An automated extraction solution for the determination of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid in Milk Based Products
Abstract
The determination of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid go hand in hand with one another. Melamine is an industrial chemical used in the manufacturing of amino resins, plastics, and flame retardants. Cyanuric Acid is produced by the hydrolysis of raw or waste Melamine, followed by crystallization. Melamine is used as a profitable adulterant in milk based products to increase the protein content and thus increase the commercial value of the adulterated substance. In recent years Melamine and Cyanuric Acid has been found in infant formula and other milk based products. The presence of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid is highly regulated around the world.
In this study, the performance and versatility of the AutoMate-Q40, workstation platform, was evaluated for the extraction of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid in milk based products. A Liquid Chromatography (LC) coupled to a Triple-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) was employed for the detection of these adulterants. Quantification was based on matrix match calibration curves. By using the AutoMate-Q40 to streamline this extraction, it provides us with appropriate analytical results, falling in the established method guidelines (recovery range of 70-120% and a %RSD less than 20%) for the target compounds.