Organoleptic assessment revealed overall aroma intensity of the suspect corrugated was similar in character, but stronger than normal. Upon headspace volatile extraction with a proprietary device equipped with thermal desorption tubes, and analysis by GC-MS/O, and GC-MS, it was determined there were 3 furan species extracted from suspect corrugated sample headspace only. Furans are indicative of heat treatment. Following a review of processing parameters, it was discovered the suspect corrugated lot was subjected to elevated temperatures during production.
A sour milk odor associated with a suspect lot of corrugated was sent to the VAC lab for analysis. Upon headspace volatile extraction with a proprietary device equipped with thermal desorption tubes, and analysis by GC-MS/O, and GC-MS, the cause was determined to be small, highly volatile aldehydes including isobutyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, valeraldehyde, and a close relative, 2-methylbutyraldehyde. The odor of pure standards of these chemicals resembled the odor emitted from suspect corrugated and provided additional evidence that they were the offenders.
