Comparative Studies on the Determination of Formaldehyde by the Acetylacetone and 4-Amino-3-hydrazino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole Methods

Abstract

Two methods for the determination of formaldehyde in migration solutions obtained from tableware made of thermosetting resins, that using acetylacetone (AA) and that using 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-mercapto-l,2,4-triazole (AHMT), were compared. The calibration curve obtained by the AA method was y = 0.132x -0.004, r= 1.0000, and that obtained by the AHMT method was v = 0.282x - 0.005, r=0.9998, wherey = optical density, x=concentration of formaldehyde (ppm) and r=correlation coefficient. These results indicated that the sensitivity of the AHMT method was 2.1 times higher than that of the AA method. The responses of acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, n-butyraldehyde and acrolein in the AHMT method was 10 to 100 times higher than those in the AA method. No effect of coexisting urea, phenol or melamine up to 100 ppm was observed in either method. The AHMT method was affected by temperature during standing for 20 min and by the solvent of the formaldehyde, but both effects, temperature and solvent, were correctable by performing the determination under the same conditions with a standard solution of formaldehyde. In the migration test of formaldehyde from melamine ware using 4% acetic acid at 80°C and 95°C, no difference was found between the results determined by the AHMT method and by the AA method. © 1988, Japanese Society for Food Hygiene and Safety. All rights reserved.