This document, part of EN 13130, specifies an analytical procedure for the determination of maleic acid in the four conventional food simulants, water, 3 % w/v aqueous acetic acid, 15 % v/v aqueous ethanol and olive oil or approved substitute. The level of maleic acid determined is expressed as milligrams of maleic acid per kilogram of food or food simulant. The method is appropriate for the quantitative determination of maleic acid in approximate analyte concentration range of 5 mg/kg to 60 mg/kg in the above mentioned food simulants.
This method is also suitable for the determination of maleic anhydride in the four food simulants as the anhydride is hydrolyzed rapidly and completely to maleic acid during sample preparation. The level of maleic anhydride is then expressed as milligrams of maleic acid per kilogram of food simulant.
NOTE The method should also be applicable to other aqueous food simulants as well as to the other fatty food simulants, e.g. sunflower oil, corn oil or a mixture of synthetic triglycerides. The suitability of the fat simulant should be assessed prior to setting up migration tests - it may be found necessary to use sunflower oil or HB 307 if unacceptable interferences are found with olive oil.