Validation of analytical method for α‐dicarbonyl compounds using gas chromatography–nitrogen phosphorous detector and their levels in alcoholic beverages

Summary This study aimed to establish an analytical method for α‐dicarbonyl compounds (α‐ DC s) including glyoxal, methylglyoxal and diacetyl, to determine the content of α‐ DC s in 101 various alcoholic beverages using gas chromatography–nitrogen phosphorous detector ( GC ‐ NPD ) and to perform exposure assessment. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for α‐ DC s were 0.05–0.22 and 0.15–0.70 μg g −1 , respectively. The accuracy and precision were validated in five matrices. The raspberry fruit wine had the highest value at 139.74 μg g −1 total α‐ DC s. The lowest α‐ DC concentration among the beverages was detected in rice wine ( Makgeolli ) at 1.59 μg g −1 . The levels of α‐ DC s in various samples were detected as follows: 1.59–56.68 μg g −1 in rice wine ( Makgeolli ), 2.73–16.77 μg g −1 in beer, 8.22–139.74 μg g −1 in fruit wine and 8.17–91.56 μg g −1 in rice wine ( Cheongju ). The estimated daily intake of α‐ DC s in the intake‐only group and population group was calculated as 4.22–97.94 μg kg −1 bw day −1 and 0.28–7.13 μg kg −1 bw day −1 , respectively.