A method of using an amine compound including at least one amine functional group, wherein the amine functional group(s) comprise primary and/or secondary amine functional groups, to reduce the level of furfural and/or hydroxymethylfurfural in a carbohydrate-based binder or binder composition and/or escaping in the course of preparation, cross-linking and/or curing of carbohydrate-based binders, is provided. The carbohydrate-based binder is obtained from a carbohydrate-based binder composition comprising a carbohydrate component, a cross-linker and optionally one or more reaction products of the carbohydrate component and the cross-linker, wherein the cross-linker is selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts of inorganic acid, carboxylic acids, salts, ester and anhydride derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.