Determination of dimethylpolysiloxane in foods by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The determination of dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS) in foods by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was studied. The separation of DMPS from the edible oil was carried out as follows: The sample mixed with DEAE cellulose powder placed on a DEAE cellulose column kept at -70°C, then n-hexane was poured into the column. The solvent of the eluate was removed, and the residual was dissolved in ethyl ether. Other samples were extracted with ethyl ether. The ethyl ether solution was cleaned up with activated charcoal column. Ether in the eluates were removed, and the residual was redissolved in methyl isobutyl ketone. The operating conditions were as follows: Analytical line; 2516Å for Si Lamp current; 40mA Nitrous oxide flow rate; 13.0L/min Acetylene flow rate; 8.5L/min The recoveries of DMPS added in food were more than 95%. The presence of silicon dioxide and silicate in foods at natural level did not interfere. As the results of the survey of commercial foods by the use of above mentioned procedures, DMPS was detected in some samples.