Electron capture gas chromatographic determination of traces of formaldehyde in milk as the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone.

A quantitative method is described for the determination of formaldehyde in milk by packed-column gas chromatography and electron capture detection. Aldehyde derivatization was carried out in situ with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine followed by extraction and analysis using an external standard. Average recoveries of 96.3 +/- 1.6% were characteristic of the chromatographic method with an estimated detection limit of 0.026 mg/kg. The technique was applied to determination of formaldehyde in milk from cows consuming a formalin-treated feedstuff.