Development and validation of a UHPLC-HR-Orbitrap-MS method for the simultaneous determination of androstenone, skatole and indole in porcine meat and meat products.

Boar taint is an off-odour that entails negative consumer reactions. In this study two extraction and UHPLC-HRMS analysis methods, valuable for evaluation of consumer acceptance towards boar meat, were developed for quantification of indole, skatole, and androstenone in different meat products. Sample pretreatment consisted of extraction with methanol and a homogenising step (cooked ham, minced meat, tenderloin, bacon, cutlets, blade loin, uncooked ham) or a melting step (salami sausage and liver paste). Both methods were validated according to CD 2002/657/EC and ISO 17025 guidelines. Good performance characteristics were obtained. Good linearity (R(2) ⩾ 0.99) and no lack of fit was observed (95% confidence interval; F-test, p > 0.05). Also good recovery (89-110%) and satisfactory precision: repeatability (RSD ⩽ 14.9%) and within-laboratory reproducibility (RSD ⩽ 17.2%) were obtained. Analysis of cooked ham and salami sausage samples proved the applicability of both methods for routine analysis.