Automatic flow-batch system for the sample treatment and determination of hydroxyproline in sausages

In this study an automatic method for sample treatment and spectrophotometric determination of hydroxyproline in commercial sausages was developed. A flow-batch system that includes the steps of sample hydrolysis and determination of the analyte was designed. The method presents a linear range between 0.60 and 3.60 μg mL−1 of hydroxyproline. A relative standard deviation of 1.68% was obtained from hydroxyproline standard solution (n = 6, 1.20 μg mL−1) and the detection limit was 0.12 μg mL−1. The sample throughput was 1 sample h−1 while the reference method (AOAC) was carried out in about 17 h. This method employs 16 h of hydrolysis while in the proposed method the hydrolysis time was 15 min. For this purpose a pressure hydrolysis chamber with a low cost halogen lamp was used. The flow-batch system is simple and allows the use of both chambers (hydrolysis and detection) simultaneously. The obtained results with the flow-batch method are in good agreement with that obtained with the reference method. Moreover, it is good alternative to the quality control of meat products.