Abstract: The formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) was investigated in thermal reaction model systems consisting of one of six monosaccharides, sodium chloride and deionized water. Temperature had the most significant influence on 3-MCPD formation from the “glucose + sodium chloride” model system, followed by sodium chloride concentration, reaction time and glucose concentration. In addition, 3-MCPD could be formed from all six monosaccharides. The highest amount (30.604 μg/kg) of 3-MCPD was formed from the “ribose + sodium chloride” model system and the lowest amount (2.498 6 μg/kg) from the “fructose + sodium chloride” model system under the same reaction conditions. 5-Hydroxymethyl furfural was the most abundant volatile compound detected from the “glucose + sodium chloride” model system, followed by furfural and 2,5-dimethyl acetyl furan. According to these results and the literature, the formation mechanism of 3-MCPD was discussed herein, and 3-epoxy-1-propanol (glycidol) was suggested to be as the key intermediate.

Key words: monosaccharides, 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol, thermal reaction model, formation mechanism, glycidol