Single-drop microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of volatile aldehydes in fresh cucumbers

Headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) was used as a rapid and reliable method for the isolation and preconcentration of volatile aldehydes from fresh cucumbers. The utility of this methodology is demonstrated in the determination of (E)-2-nonenal and (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal. The limit of detection, linearity and repeatability have been determined for 2,6-nonadienal and (E)-2-nonenal. Limits of detection for nonenal and nonadienal were 0.05 and 0.04 mg kg −1, respectively. The repeatability of extraction was obtained with the RSD values lower than 13%. Concentrations of target aldehydes in fresh cucumbers obtained by means of the HS-SDME method were in the range 9.4–12.5 (nonadienal) and 2.6–3.8 mg kg −1 (nonenal). The results of the single-drop extraction in combination with gas chromatography show promising potential for the analysis of volatile aldehydes in vegetables.