Measurement of malonaldehyde in apple juice using GC–MS and a comparison to the thiobarbituric acid assay

Malonaldehyde (MA) in gamma-irradiated apple juice was measured using a GC–MS method and in comparison to the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. The profiles of MA content as a function of radiation dose were similar using both methods, however, MA content was higher when measured with the TBA assay compared to the GC–MS method. The overestimation of MA using the TBA assay increased as the amount of MA decreased. Use of the GC–MS method demonstrated MA content in irradiated juice declined rapidly during storage at 5 °C. MA content appeared to decrease much less when the TBA assay was used. The GC–MS method also allowed measurement of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in addition to MA.