Fully Automated Determination of Chlorophenols in Wood, Cardboard, Plastic, Fruit, and Fruit Juice

Chlorophenols are a group of chemicals produced by adding one or more chlorine atoms to phenol. These compounds have been used in different applications such as pesticides, herbicides, antiseptics, disinfectants, algaecides, dye manufacture, and textile and leather preservation. They have also been used for wood preservation. As such, they can migrate into food through direct application or contact with items treated with them, especially wooden pallets. Once in food, they can affect both odor and taste. Since these compounds are known to be toxic and carcinogenic, regular monitoring is critical to help safeguard public health.

This work shows the automation of a method for extracting, derivatizing, and injecting these chlorophenols from a variety of sample matrices.