February 2013 : A method published to determine furfural derivatives [including 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMFD), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (4-HDMF), 2-furoic acid (2-FA), 2-furaldehyde (2-F), 3-furaldehyde (3-F), 2-acetylfuran (2-AF), 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde (5-MFD), methyl 2-furoate (MFT), 2-propionylfuran (2-PF) and ethyl 2-furoate (EFT)], brought back memories.

In 1999, our mentor, Dr. Karl Zeitsch pointed out, with reference to Chem. Abstr. 130 [1999], that " Furfural is a significant component of wines and fruit juices, as it is a natural degradation product of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The older the wine, the more furfural. " Furfural is also a significant component