A method for quantitative analysis of flavor-tainting alkylphenols and aromatic thiols in fish

Abstract
Simultaneous steam distillation‐extraction (SDE) of fortified rainbow trout tissue resulted in greater than 95% recovery of 2‐isopropylphenol, 3‐isopropylphenol, 4‐isopropylphenol, 2, 4‐diisopropylphenol, 2, 5‐diisopropylphenol, 3, 5‐diisopropylphenol, carvacrol and thymol. Lower recoveries were obtained for 2, 6‐diisopropylphenol (81%), thiophenol (55%), and thiocresol (85%). Analysis of concentrated extracts by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry operated in the selected ion monitoring mode allowed quantitative detection of these compounds down to 0.5 ppb based on 20 g of initial sample.