RATIONALE: Aroma relevant γ- and δ-lactones are important flavor compounds in various foodstuffs. Their quantitative determination is essential for evaluating food sensory properties as well as food authenticity studies. METHODS: High-throughput head-space solid-phase microextraction as sample preparation, separation by capillary gas chromatography coupled with triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometry has been evaluated as the analytical method. RESULTS: Monitoring selected reaction mass fragments allowed sub-µg/L quantification of γ- and δ-lactones in complex wine matrices. CONCLUSIONS: Tandem mass spectrometry improves specific detection of γ- and δ-lactones, a prerequisite for reliable quantification at low-µg/L concentration levels in complex wine matrices.
RATIONALE: Aroma relevant γ- and δ-lactones are important flavor compounds in various foodstuffs. Their quantitative determination is essential for evaluating food sensory properties as well as food authenticity studies. METHODS: High-throughput head-space solid-phase microextraction as sample preparation, separation by capillary gas chromatography coupled with triple stage quadrupole mass spectrometry has been evaluated as the analytical method. RESULTS: Monitoring selected reaction mass fragments allowed sub-µg/L quantification of γ- and δ-lactones in complex wine matrices. CONCLUSIONS: Tandem mass spectrometry improves specific detection of γ- and δ-lactones, a prerequisite for reliable quantification at low-µg/L concentration levels in complex wine matrices.