Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sugarcane juice

Sugarcane juice is a common beverage in many Brazilian cities. At harvesting season most sugarcane plantation is burnt and this procedure has been shown as an important source of PAHs emission. In the present study 80 samples of sugarcane juice collected from two Brazilian cities, in two different periods, were analysed for the presence of four PAHs: benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene. PAHs were detected in 50% of the samples. The samples collected between harvests presented mean sums of PAHs of 0.013 μg/kg and 0.012 μg/kg, while the samples collected during harvest presented mean sums of 0.053 μg/kg and 0.055 μg/kg. A higher concentration and incidence of PAHs in the juices collected in the harvest period was verified, corroborating the burning of the crops as a source of sugarcane juice contamination.     

PAHs content in sunflower,soybean and virgin olive oils: Evaluation in commercial samples and during refining process

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental carcinogenic compounds that may contaminate vegetable oils and their levels can be reduced by refining. In order to understand the influence of the refining steps, the content of 15 PAHs was assessed throughout alkaline refining in soybean, sunflower and olive oil samples. Eight commercial brands of these oils were also analysed. The analytical method involved a liquid–liquid extraction, a solid-phase clean up (C₁₈ and Florisil) followed by RP-HPLC with fluorimetric detection. The total PAHs content in the studied samples can be considered generally low. The light PAHs (2–4 rings) were predominant. Virgin olive oils showed the highest values (max. 26 μg/kg). An evident decrease of PAHs contents during alkaline refining was observed (71%, 88% and 85% in sunflower, soybean and olive oils, respectively) being more pronounced in light PAHs. Neutralization and, particularly, deodorization were the more effective steps contributing to the PAHs decrease. Bleaching was responsible for a slight increase in the PAHs content in soybean and olive oils.     

Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content in different stages of soybean oils processing

A study was conducted in order to determine the levels of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in crude soybean oils produced in Brazil and to evaluate the influence of the refining process in their reduction. Analysis of intermediary products (neutralized, bleached and deodorized oils) showed that all compounds were reduced through refining (up to 88%). Neutralization and deodorization steps contributed effectively to the PAHs decrease. The mean total PAHs content in crude and deodorized oil samples ranged, respectively, from 10 to 316 and 3 to 69μg/kg. Since vegetable oils have been shown to be the major sources of PAHs in the diet, a monitoring program should be developed by the refining industries and the use of activated carbon during oil processing is highly recommended.     

Effects of meat preheating and wrapping on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in charcoal-grilled meat

The contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs by thermally treated high-protein foods, such as charcoal-grilled meat products, is due to the generation by direct pyrolysis of food nutrients and the direct deposition of PAHs from smoke produced through incomplete combustion of the thermal agents. This study investigated the effects on the PAH (BaP, BbFln and Fln) contents by using two different types of treatments, preheating (steam and microwave) and wrapping (aluminium and banana leaf) of the meat samples prior to charcoal grilling. PAHs were extracted through tandem solid-phase extraction. The results showed that the applied preheating and wrapping treatments on the samples strongly affect the PAHs levels in the charcoal-grilled meat. No carcinogenic PAHs (BaP and BbFln) were detected in the samples after steam and microwave preheating or aluminium wrapping treatments. Significant reductions of Fln content, of up to 46% and 81% in beef and chicken samples, respectively, were observed in the study.     

HPLC determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in olive oils

 In this paper, HPLC with spectrofluorimetric detection was applied to the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in olive oils. These compounds may sometimes contaminate vegetable oils because of their specific lipophilic characteristics, which are a significant problem for their extraction and purification from lipid matrices. Some improvements to previously published methods are introduced and satisfactory results for repeatability and recovery were obtained. Data on 51 authentic olive oil samples are reported and it was found that there is usually a limited presence of PAHs in extra virgin olive oils; furthermore, the analysis of some blends of refined and virgin oils shows that the distributions of light and heavy PAHs are different with the content of the former being lower in refined samples. As an example of this fact, two samples of lampante oil were followed throughout the refining step. Received: 23 September 1996 / Revised version: 17 December 1996     

蔬菜对多环芳烃的吸收富集特性及清洗剂筛选

研究蔬菜在浸毒暴露下对多环芳烃（PAHs）的吸收特性及优选降解蔬菜中PAHs的最佳清洗剂。选取番茄、辣椒、茄子、黄瓜、白萝卜、豆角、油麦菜作为实验样本,分别在500 μg/kg的PAHs溶液浸毒2、4 h,检测蔬菜果皮等暴露部分和果瓤中PAHs含量,分析不同蔬菜对PAHs的富集特性;比较不同蔬菜中PAHs平均含量的变异系数,筛选均一试验材料,通过进一步实验确定蔬菜适宜的浸毒处理条件。应用8种清洗剂处理浸毒蔬菜,以5种PAHs降解效果为评价标准,优选最佳清洗剂。浸毒处理后,多数蔬菜表现出果皮等暴露部分对PAHs富集能力比果瓤强,并且随PAHs环数增加,向内迁移能力下降;通过比较PAHs含量变异系数得出,除油麦菜外,其它蔬菜均变现内外含量变化不一致,果瓤平均含量数据波动大;以油麦菜为试材,通过进一步试验确定浸毒条件为PAHs溶液浓度500 μg/kg,浸毒时间60 min。不同清洗剂处理对油麦菜中5种PAHs降解效果整体表现为轻质PAHs>重质PAHs,其中果蔬清洗剂和臭氧水降解效果最差,超声波清洗仅对轻质PAHs具有良好降解效果,降解率可达72.72%;优选清洗剂处理共7组且均为氧化剂处理,其中800 mg/L的Fenton （nH₂O₂：nFeSO₄=8∶1）试剂降解效果最好,对油麦菜中轻质PAHs平均降解率为79.29%,重质PAHs为59.07%。通过探究蔬菜对PAHs的富集特性及对比不同清洗处理对PAHs的降解效果,为有效控制污染及消费者挑选合理、高效清洗剂提供理论指导。     

Sources of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Spanish virgin olive oils

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in virgin olive oils results from contamination on olive skins and the oil itself during processing. Determination of nine PAHs was carried out by isolation of the hydrocarbon fraction and subsequent clean-up by solid phase extraction, followed by RP-HPLC analysis using a programmable fluorescence detector. Contamination of olive skins depends directly on environmental pollution levels and inversely on fruit size. In the oil mill, PAHs levels were increased by contamination from combustion fumes during the extraction process. Other procedures, such as washing or talc addition during extraction, did not affect PAHs levels. High concentrations of PAHs were only found as a consequence of accidental exposure to contamination, such as direct contact of olives with diesel exhaust and oil extraction in a polluted environment.     

Sources of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Spanish virgin olive oils

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in virgin olive oils results from contamination on olive skins and the oil itself during processing. Determination of nine PAHs was carried out by isolation of the hydrocarbon fraction and subsequent clean-up by solid phase extraction, followed by RP-HPLC analysis using a programmable fluorescence detector. Contamination of olive skins depends directly on environmental pollution levels and inversely on fruit size. In the oil mill, PAHs levels were increased by contamination from combustion fumes during the extraction process. Other procedures, such as washing or talc addition during extraction, did not affect PAHs levels. High concentrations of PAHs were only found as a consequence of accidental exposure to contamination, such as direct contact of olives with diesel exhaust and oil extraction in a polluted environment.     

食品用活性炭去除茶油中PAHs的研究

高温及浸出工艺制备的茶油中不同程度地存在着以苯并[a]芘(B[a]P)为代表的多环芳烃(PAHs)。为筛选出能较好吸附去除茶油中PAHs的吸附剂,选择几种不同结构特性的食品用活性炭进行吸附去除研究。结果表明,总孔容积较大、平均孔径较低、微孔比例较高的ACN活性炭具有较高的吸附PAHs能力,吸附容量达18.64μg/g,去除率可达92.0%,但作为PAHs吸附剂的活性炭吸附后无再生利用价值。     

Optimisation and validation of an HPLC method for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mussels

A method for determination of 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), using HPLC coupled to a fluorescence detector, has been optimised and validated, according to European Community rules. Sample preparation involves alkaline digestion of mussel tissue, liquid–liquid extraction of organic compounds and solid phase clean-up. Accuracy and precision of the method were determined by a validation study, carried out to demonstrate that the method is useful for both screening purposes and confirmation. Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2007/333/EC stated the performance criteria for the analysis of the only benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in food products of animal origin, since BaP is the most studied PAH. We extended the BaP analysis performance criteria to other 10 toxic PAHs (listed in Commission Recommendation (EC) No. 2005/108/EC) and the validation study was performed also in agreement with Commission Decision (EC) No. 2002/657/EC. The method was applied to investigate 27 mussel samples from actively producing shellfish plants located in Campania (Italy) and variable levels of PAHs were detected ranging from <0.2 to 16 μg/kg wet weight.     

A Critical Review about the Health Risk Assessment of PAHs and Their Metabolites in Foods

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a family of toxicants that are ubiquitous in the environment. These contaminants generate considerable interest, because some of them are highly carcinogenic in laboratory animals and have been implicated in breast, lung, and colon cancers in humans. Dietary intake of PAHs constitutes a major source of exposure in humans. Factors affecting the accumulation of PAHs in the diet, their absorption following ingestion, and strategies to assess risk from exposure to these hydrocarbons following ingestion have received very little attention. This review, therefore, focuses on concentrations of PAHs in widely consumed dietary ingredients along with gastrointestinal absorption rates in humans. Metabolism and bioavailability of PAHs in animal models and the processes, which influence the disposition of these chemicals, are discussed. Finally, based on intake, disposition, and tumorigenesis data, the exposure risk to PAHs from diet is presented. This information is expected to provide a framework for refinements in risk assessment of PAHs.     

油籽炒籽条件对油脂中多环芳烃含量影响的研究

以花生仁和芝麻籽为原料,研究了炒籽温度和炒籽时间对其油脂中16种多环芳烃含量的影响。结果表明,随着炒籽温度的提高及炒籽时间的延长,花生油和芝麻油中Bap、PAH4、PAH16的含量都呈明显上升趋势。对照GB2716及欧盟No 835/2011中对Bap、PAH4的限量规定,花生仁的合理炒籽温度为不超过160℃、炒籽时间不超过20 min,芝麻的合理炒籽温度为不超过180℃、炒籽时间不超过20 min。在优化的炒籽条件下,花生油中Bap、PAH4、PAH16含量(μg/kg)分别从原料中的0.31、4.60、16.69增加至1.07、11.98、48.86,芝麻油中Bap、PAH4、PAH16含量分别从原料中的0.63、5.23和21.84增加至0.93、8.28和47.95。     

Simultaneous formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) in gas-grilled beef satay at different temperatures

This study investigated the simultaneous formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) in gas-grilled beef satay at different temperatures (150, 200, 250, 300, and 350°C). Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was used for sample clean-up. Fifteen PAHs were determined using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and nine HCAs were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a gradient programme. The lowest significantly concentrations of PAHs and HCAs were generated at 150°C; the formation of PAHs and HCAs simultaneously increased with temperatures. Benzo[a]pyrene was detected in all samples and increased markedly at 300 and 350°C. The sums of 4 PAHs (PAH4) in marinated beef satay at 300 and 350°C exceeded the maximum level in Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1125. Significant reductions of polar and non-polar HCAs (except PhIP) were found in marinated beef satay across all temperatures. Overall, PAHs and HCAs showed opposite trends of formation in beef satay with marination.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测食用油脂中多环芳烃

建立了有机溶剂萃取、硅胶固相萃取柱净化、液相色谱-串联质谱法(LC-MS/MS法)测定食用油脂中EPA 16种多环芳烃的检测方法。EPA 16种多环芳烃的定量限分别为0.02~0.43μg/kg,回收率为86.5%~104.6%,日内精密度小于6%,日间精密度小于5%。在40个受测油脂样品中,EPA 16种多环芳烃的含量范围为11.68~146.06μg/kg。对照我国GB 2716规定,所有受测样品中苯并(a)芘含量均不超过≤10μg/kg的限量标准。然而,8个油样的苯并(a)芘含量超过了欧盟≤2μg/kg的限量标准,10个油样的PAH4含量超过了欧盟≤10μg/kg的限量标准。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two Spanish traditional smoked sausage varieties: “Androlla” and “Botillo”

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content in two traditional smoked sausages from Spain was determined. Determination and quantification of PAHs in smoked sausages were performed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results showed, that total mean levels of PAHs found were higher in “Androlla” (36.45 µg/kg) than in “Botillo” (29.39 µg/kg) although no significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed. In all examined samples content of phenanthrene was the highest in the two traditional sausage varieties. The maximum level for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) of 5 µg/kg in smoked meat products was not exceeded in any samples. BaP represented 1.3% and 1.2% in “Androlla” and “Botillo” samples, respectively of the total sum of the 15 PAHs investigated in both sausages. Correlation statistic analysis (P < 0.01) showed that BaP was a good marker for 6 IARC possible and probable carcinogenic PAHs in “Androlla” samples (R_BaP/6IARC = 0.63) and in “Botillo” samples (R_BaP/6IARC = 0.96).     

Review of the quantification techniques for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food products

There is a growing need for accurate detection of trace-level PAHs in food products due to the numerous detrimental effects caused by their contamination (e.g., toxicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity). This review aims to discuss the up-to-date knowledge on the measurement techniques available for PAHs contained in food or its related products. This article aims to provide a comprehensive outline on the measurement techniques of PAHs in food to help reduce their deleterious impacts on human health based on the accurate quantification. The main part of this review is dedicated to the opportunities and practical options for the treatment of various food samples and for accurate quantification of PAHs contained in those samples. Basic information regarding all available analytical measurement techniques for PAHs in food samples is also evaluated with respect to their performance in terms of quality assurance.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in traditional and industrial smoked beef and pork ham from Serbia

Smoked beef and pork ham samples were analysed during process of smoking (after packing and storing) for the presence of the 16 EU priority PAHs via Fast GC/HRMS method. This study showed that there are differences in PAH contents between final smoked beef ham samples from traditional smokehouse (TS) (3.9 μg kg⁻¹) and industrial smokehouse (IS), (1.9 μg kg⁻¹). Also there is a difference in PAH contents in final smoked pork ham samples (4.9 μg kg⁻¹, TS; 4.2 μg kg⁻¹, IS). In beef and pork ham samples from the same smokehouse different PAH contents were observed during smoking. The highest content of examined PAHs in all beef and pork ham samples during smoking showed benzo[c]fluorene (BcL) (beef ham: from 0.3 μg kg⁻¹ to 1.5 μg kg⁻¹; pork ham: from 0.2 μg kg⁻¹ to 2.1 μg kg⁻¹).The maximum level for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) of 5 μg kg⁻¹ in smoked meat products was not exceeded in any samples. Correlation statistic analysis (P < 0.05) of obtained contents from samples both from TS and IS showed that BaP is a good marker both for 16 EU priority PAHs and 12 IARC probably and possibly carcinogenic PAHs (IS: R _BaP/Σ16PAHs = 0.95, R _BaP/Σ12PAHs = 0.96; TS: R _BaP/Σ16PAHs = 0.71, R _BaP/Σ12PAHs = 0.88).     

Results of an European inter-laboratory comparison study on the determination of the 15 + 1 EU priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in liquid smoke condensates

A collaborative study on the determination of the 15 + 1 EU priority PAHs in Primary Smoke Condensate (PSC) investigating the performance profile of EU Member States’ laboratories and supporting the work carried out by the European Food Safety Authority on smoke flavourings was organised. Two spiked liquid smoke condensate materials were employed in this study. The results of 25 laboratories from across the European Union, using either high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection or gas chromatography with mass selective detection, were evaluated by application of robust statistics. The assessment of the data indicated broadened Gaussian distributions for all analytes. For benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene and 5-methylchrysene more than 80% of the respective reported values gave rise to a satisfactory score of |z| ? 2. For benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene 70–80%, for the remaining analytes less than 70%, and for dibenzo[a,i]pyrene 52% of the scores were satisfactory. No systematic differences could be detected between values reported by laboratories using methods based on HPLC and the values related to methods based on GC for most of the analytes, except for benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[c]fluorene. In both cases laboratories using GC based methods reported about 50% higher values than laboratories using HPLC based methods. The overview on all z-scores sorted by laboratory revealed broad distributions and/or laboratory biases for several laboratories. An assessment of the reported method performance parameters revealed that for the two regulated compounds, BaP and BaA, only two thirds of the reported data were in compliance with Regulation (EC) 627/2006. Overall the methods used in the participating laboratories were – with ample room for improvement – well on the way to comply with European legislation.     

Optimisation of microwave assisted extraction (MAE) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) determination in smoked meat

A rapid extraction method involving microwave assisted extraction (MAE), followed by sample clean-up on a silica cartridge, reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and spectrofluorimetric detection, was optimised for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) determination in smoked meat. Compared to solvent extraction assisted by sonication, MAE, carried out with n-hexane on 2g of lyophilised sample at 115°C for 15min, allowed to obtain better extraction efficiencies. Limits of quantification (LOQ, s/n=10) lower than 0.2μg/kg wet weight were found for all PAHs, except for Fl (0.3μg/kg), P (0.6μg/kg) and IP (0.4μg/kg). The optimised procedure, that presented good analytical performances (with recoveries ranging from 77% to 103%, and precision within 10% for most of the PAHs), was applied to determine PAH content in different smoked meat products from the Italian market.     

Benzo[a]pyrene and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in vegetable oils and fats do not reflect the occurrence of the eight genotoxic PAHs

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 115 samples of olive oil (extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, olive oil, pomace olive oil and blended olive oil), cooking oil (corn oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, palm olein oil, soya oil, canola oil, mustard oil, peanut oil and mixed vegetable oil) and fat (butter and table margarine) collected from retail stores in Kuwait. Carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was detected in 43% of the samples analyzed. Benz[a]anthracene and chrysene were detected in 37 and 45% of the samples, respectively, that did not contain BaP. Of the individual non-carcinogenic PAHs, naphthalene showed the highest mean concentration (14 µg kg^?1), while for the carcinogenic PAHs, BaP (0.92 µg kg^?1) and chrysene (0.87 µg kg^?1) showed the highest mean values. Approximately 20% of the samples within the olive oil and cooking oil sub-categories exceeded the EU maximum tolerable limit for BaP, with the highest level of 6.77 and 11.1 µg kg^?1, respectively. For the fat sub-category, 9% of the samples exceeded the tolerance limit, with the highest level of 3.67 µg kg^?1. The Kuwaiti general population's dietary exposure to the genotoxic PAHs (PAH8: benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene) was estimated to be 196 ng day^?1 (3.3 ng kg^?1 bw day^?1, assuming an average adult body weight of 60 kg). Results indicated that PAH8 and BaP_eq (total sum benzo[a]pyrene equivalents) are more reliable measures of the concentrations of other carcinogenic PAHs in oil and fat samples, while BaP and PAHs alone are not good indicators of the occurrence or degree of contamination by carcinogenic PAHs in these food products.