Furan (stabilized) – Reference Materials for Accurate Residue and Process Contaminant Analysis
Furan (stabilized) – Certified Reference Materials for confident trace quantification
Accelerate reliable residue and process contaminant analysis with stabilized furan CRMs from HPC Standards. Our high‑purity, inhibitor‑stabilized materials deliver batch‑to‑batch consistency, defined uncertainty, and complete CoA documentation to support ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 17034 workflows. Available as neat materials and gravimetrically prepared solutions (methanol or acetonitrile), with isotope‑labelled options (furan‑d4) for robust isotope dilution in HS‑GC/MS and GC‑MS/MS. Count on proven stability, rigorous characterization (GC‑FID/GC‑MS, NMR, KF), and custom concentrations to streamline calibration, validation, and ongoing QC in food, environmental, and industrial monitoring.
Product | Catalog No./ CAS No. | Quantity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ISO 17034 Certified Reference Material D4-Furan (stabilized) solution |  | 690159 | 1X1ML | Please log in. |
ISO 17034 Reference Material |  | 690247 | 1X100MG | Please log in. |
High-purity furan reference materials (stabilized) for robust, reproducible quantification in food, environmental, and industrial monitoring. Certified documentation, defined uncertainty, and batch-to-batch consistency to support regulatory compliance and method validation.
Overview
Furan (C4H4O) is a volatile, highly flammable heteroaromatic compound formed as a process contaminant in heat-treated foods and present in certain industrial streams. Stabilized formulations include trace inhibitors to maintain chemical integrity and minimize degradation during storage and handling.
HPC Standards supplies furan reference materials designed for trace-level quantification and routine QA/QC in accredited laboratories.
Chemical Identity and Properties
Chemical name: Furan; CAS: 110-00-9; Molecular formula: C4H4O; Structure: five-membered oxygen-containing aromatic ring.
Key properties: very high volatility, low water solubility, high vapor pressure, and strong tendency to evaporate and disperse; readily oxidized; stabilized grades contain an inhibitor to slow autoxidation and material loss.
Uses and Occurrence
Industrial relevance: intermediate and solvent in specialty synthesis; research chemical; calibration target for air/stack monitoring.
Food relevance: formed during thermal processing via Maillard and lipid oxidation pathways; detected in coffee, canned/jarred foods, and baby foods; may form from ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, and polyunsaturated fatty acid precursors.
Regulatory Status
Food: Authorities (e.g., EFSA, FDA) monitor furan in heat-treated foods; jurisdictions may issue guidance or recommendations. Maximum limits are not universally established; risk management focuses on surveillance and mitigation.
Chemical safety: Classified as highly flammable; toxic by inhalation/ingestion; suspect carcinogen (IARC Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans). National workplace exposure limits may apply; consult local regulations and SDS.
Monitoring and Analytical Methods
Preferred techniques: headspace GC–MS or GC–MS/MS; SPME-HS can enhance sensitivity. For air monitoring, sorbent tube sampling with thermal desorption GC–MS is common.
Calibration: use matrix-matched calibration and isotope dilution (e.g., furan-d4) for compensation of volatility and matrix effects. Implement bracketing standards and ongoing calibration verification.
Sample Preparation and Handling
Minimize volatilization: work at low temperature, seal samples promptly, reduce headspace, and avoid vigorous agitation. Use gas-tight vials and PTFE/silicone septa.
For food matrices: rapid homogenization, immediate sealing, and short equilibration times before HS-GC. For air: validated sorbents, controlled flow rates, and cold transport.
Human Toxicity
Primary target organ: liver toxicity observed in animal studies; bioactivation yields reactive dialdehyde intermediates causing cellular damage.
Acute effects: irritation, CNS symptoms, and respiratory distress possible at high vapor concentrations. Chronic concerns include carcinogenic potential based on animal data and mechanistic evidence.
Occupational Exposure and Safety Measures
Controls: conduct all operations in a certified fume hood; use explosion-proof equipment and grounded containers. Implement continuous gas monitoring where feasible.
PPE: chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, splash goggles; consider respirator per risk assessment. Prevent ignition sources; use antistatic procedures.
Environmental Impact and Fate
Air: rapid photo-oxidation via hydroxyl radicals; short atmospheric half-life.
Water/soil: high volatility promotes rapid transfer to air; limited persistence; moderate acute aquatic toxicity reported. Bioaccumulation potential is low.
Effects on Wildlife
Due to volatility and rapid atmospheric degradation, exposure of terrestrial wildlife is typically limited to point sources; aquatic organisms may be impacted near discharges before volatilization and dilution occur.
Reference Materials from HPC Standards
Formats: neat stabilized furan and gravimetrically prepared solutions (e.g., in methanol or acetonitrile) across application-relevant concentrations.
Options: isotope-labelled internal standards (e.g., furan-d4) for isotope dilution; custom concentrations and ampoule sizes on request.
Quality and Documentation
Certification: each lot supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) detailing assigned value, expanded uncertainty, metrological traceability, homogeneity, and stability data.
Characterization: multi-technique assessment (e.g., GC-FID/GC–MS assay, NMR identity, Karl Fischer water, density) and inhibitor content where applicable. Manufactured under stringent quality systems aligned with international requirements.
Storage and Stability
Store sealed in the original amber ampoule at 2–8 °C, protected from light and ignition sources. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw and minimize headspace upon opening.
Stabilized product contains a trace inhibitor to slow degradation; review CoA for inhibitor identity and mass fraction when considering purity corrections.
Calibration and Quantification
Best practice: isotope dilution with furan-d4, matrix-matched standards, and internal standard addition immediately prior to analysis to control for volatility losses.
QC: include method blanks, continuing calibration checks, and replicate spikes; verify recovery across target matrices (coffee, baby food, canned products, air samples).
Matrices and Product Formats
Available as neat stabilized reference materials and ready-to-use solutions in common solvent systems compatible with HS-GC workflows.
Custom matrix calibrators or spiking solutions can be prepared on request to support method validation and proficiency testing.
Compliance and Accreditation
Designed to support ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 17034 workflows, method validation (trueness/linearity/LOQ), and regulatory submissions. Full documentation provided to streamline audits and data defensibility.
Applications and Mitigation Strategies
Applications: surveillance of thermally processed foods, root-cause analyses in manufacturing, and industrial hygiene assessments.
Mitigation: optimize processing (temperature/time), reduce precursors, control oxygen exposure, and adjust packaging to limit furan formation and retention.