Chlorohydrins in protein hydrolysates.

Four samples of neutral fractions of protein hydrolysates were separated by gas chromatography and the individual components were identified from the mass spectra obtained. Some of the identified compounds were not previously reported as volatile components of foodstuffs. Three of these compounds namely 3-chloropropan-1-ol, 2,3-dichloropropan-1-ol, and 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol, were toxic chlorohydrins. 1,3-Dichloropropan-2-ol was present in samples in concentrations 0.17 to 0.94 mg/kg. To check the possibilities of the formation of these chlorohydrins and to find their precursor, glycerol, and hydrochloric acid mixtures were heated under conditions of producing protein hydrolysates. All three chlorohydrins, formerly found in protein hydrolysates have been identified.