Occurrence of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in edible oils in the United States

Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and glycidol are processing contaminants found in a wide range of edible oils. While both 3 MCPD and glycidol have toxicological properties that at present has concerns for food safety, the published occurrence data are limited. Occurrence information is presented for the concentrations of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in 116 retail and/or industrial edible oils and fats using LC-MS/MS analysis of intact esters. The concentrations for bound 3-MCPD ranged from below the limit of quantitation (<LOQ) to 0.09 mg kg^?1 (ppm) in 22 unrefined oils and from 0.005 to 7.2 mg kg^?1 (ppm) in 94 refined oils. The concentrations for bound glycidol ranged from <LOQ to 0.03 mg kg^?1 (ppm) in unrefined oil samples and from <LOQ to 10.5 mg kg^?1 (ppm) in processed oil samples. The highest concentrations for both 3-MCPD and glycidol were seen in refined palm oil and palm olein samples. Palm olein samples also contained a higher percentage of 3-MCPD in mono-ester form than any other type of oil.     

Dietary exposure of Hong Kong adults to fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol

A total of 290 individual food samples were collected in Hong Kong, China, for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) fatty acid esters analysis. Most samples were processed food and in ready-to-eat form. The results show that the levels of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters were high in biscuits, fats and oils, snacks and Chinese pastry with mean bound 3-MCPD levels of 440, 390, 270 and 270 μg kg^?1, respectively. The dietary exposures to bound 3-MCPD of average and high adult consumers were estimated to be 0.20 and 0.53 μg kg bw^?1 day^?1, respectively. The primary toxicological concern of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters is its potential to release 3-MCPD in vivo during digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. 3-MCPD would affect the kidney, the central nervous system and the male reproductive system of rats. Assuming that 100% of the 3-MCPD was released from 3-MCPD fatty acid esters by hydrolysis in the digestive system, the dietary exposures to 3-MCPD for average and high adult consumers were only 10% and 26% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 3-MCPD established by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) (2 μg kg bw^?1 day^?1), respectively. The results suggest that both average and high adult consumers are unlikely to experience major toxicological effects of 3-MCPD.     

Estimated US infant exposures to 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters from consumption of infant formula

A dietary exposure assessment was conducted for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) in infant formulas available for consumption in the United States. 3-MCPDE and GE are food contaminants generated during the deodorisation of refined edible oils, which are used in infant formulas and other foods. 3-MCPDE and GE are of potential toxicological concern because these compounds are metabolised to free 3-MCPD and free glycidol in rodents and may have the same metabolic fate in humans. Free 3-MCPD and free glycidol have been found to cause adverse effects in rodents. Dietary exposures to 3-MCPDE and GE from consumption of infant formulas are of particular interest because formulas are the sole or primary food source for some infants. In this analysis, US Food and Drug Administration data on 3-MCPDE and GE concentrations (as 3-MCPD and glycidol equivalents, respectively) in a small convenience sample of infant formulas were used to estimate exposures from consumption of formula by infants 0–6 months of age. 3-MCPDE and GE exposures based on mean concentrations in all formulas were estimated at 7–10 and 2 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. Estimated mean exposures from consumption of formulas produced by individual manufacturers ranged from 1 to 14 µg/kg bw/day for 3-MCPDE and from 1 to 3 µg/kg for GE.     

Dietary advanced glycation end-products, 2-monochloropropane-1,3-diol esters and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters and glycidyl esters in infant formulas: Occurrence,formulation and processing effects,mitigation strategies

Infant formula contains thermal processing contaminants, such as dietary advanced glycation end-products (dAGEs), glycidyl esters (GEs), 2-monochloropropane-1,3-diol esters and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (MCPDEs). This systematic review aimed to gain insights into the occurrence of these contaminants in different types of infant formula, to understand potential effects of the formulation and processing of infant formulas on these contaminants, as well as into possible mitigation strategies. The occurrence of dAGEs in infant formula depends on the recipes and processing conditions. Hydrolyzed protein formulations promote dAGEs formation in infant formula since peptides are more prone to glycation than intact proteins, which is reflected in high dAGEs concentration in hypoallergenic infant formula. Different carbohydrates in recipes result into different glycation extents of infant formula: maltodextrin containing formulas contained less dAGEs than those with lactose. Concerning mitigation strategies, applying ultra-high-temperature (UHT) treatment during milk processing leads to less dAGEs formation than using in-bottle sterilization. Although data are limited, evidence showed that encapsulation of raw ingredients or the use of antioxidants or enzymes in recipes is promising. The occurrence of MCPDEs and GEs in infant formula fully depends on the vegetable oils used in the recipe. High levels of these contaminants can be found when relatively high amounts of palm oils or fats are used. The mitigation of MCPDEs and GEs should therefore be performed on fats and oils before their application to infant formula recipes. Data and knowledge gaps identified in this review can be useful to guide future studies.     

The comparison of several lipid extraction methods on infant formula for 3-monochloropropanediol esters and glycidyl esters analysis

This study aimed to determine the best lipid extraction method for infant formula; therefore, it can be used as a routine analysis. The samples were some commercial infant formulas in Indonesia. The research was conducted with three steps: (i) Lipid extraction of infant formula using five lipid extraction methods; (ii) 3-monochloropropanediol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) analysis of lipid extract from three lipid extraction methods in the first step; and (iii) 3-MCPDE and GE analysis of six commercial infant formulas using the best lipid extraction method. The results showed that lipid extraction using the Dubois method gave the best results than other lipid extraction methods. The level of 3-MCPDE and GE also had no significant difference with the addition of NaCl in the Folch method, compared with the addition of Na₂SO₄. The level of 3-MCPDE and GE using the Dubois method was significantly different and higher compared with the other lipid extraction methods. 3-MCPDE and GE levels of commercial infant formula were 6.62–52.84 µg kg⁻¹ and <1.43–17.06 µg kg⁻¹, respectively. The values obtained were still within the standard according to Commission Regulation EU 2018/290 by the European Food Safety Authority (125 µg kg⁻¹ for 3-MCPDE (on progress) and 50 µg kg⁻¹ for GE).     

低含量3-氯-1,2-丙二醇的水解植物蛋白生产工艺优化

本文研究了在低酸、低温条件下植物蛋白的优化水解工艺，此工艺旨在降低水解蛋白中的氯丙醇类物质。研究确定：在98℃左右、固液比1：5、盐酸浓度4mol／L、水解18h所得水解蛋白中3-氯-1，2．丙二醇含量为1．25mg/kg，仅是常规酸法的5％。进一步进行碱中和与减压浓缩处理，可使3-氯-丙二醇残留大幅降低。     

Occurrence of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in human breast milk

A series of twelve breast milk samples were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) operated in selected ion monitoring mode for 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD). Whilst none of the samples contained 3-MCPD above the limit of detection of 3 μg kg^?1 milk, all contained high amounts of 3-MCPD esterified with higher fatty acids. The levels of 3-MCPD released by hydrolysis of these esters (bound 3-MCPD) ranged from the limit of detection (300 μg kg^?1, expressed on a fat basis) to 2195 μg kg^?1; with a mean level of bound 3-MCPD of 1014 μg kg^?1, which corresponded to 35.5 μg kg^?1 milk. The presence of bound 3-MCPD was confirmed using orthogonal gas chromatography coupled with high-speed time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis for four randomly selected breast milk samples. Six breast milks collected from one of the nursing mothers 14–76 days after childbirth contained bound 3-MCPD within the range of 328–2078 μg kg^?1 fat (mean 930 μg kg^?1 fat). The calculated bound 3-MCPD content of these samples was within the range of 6 and 19 μg kg^?1 milk (mean of 12 μg kg^?1 milk). The major types of 3-MCPD esters were the symmetric diesters with lauric, palmitic, and oleic acids, and asymmetric diesters with palmitic acid/oleic acid among which 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol 1,2-dioleate prevailed.     

婴幼儿配方乳粉中氯丙醇酯含量测定方法的研究

建立气相色谱-质谱法（GC-MS）同时测定婴幼儿配方乳粉中3-氯-1,2-丙二醇酯（3-MCPDE）和2-氯-1,3-丙二醇酯（2-MCPDE）的分析方法。样品中加入氘代同位素内标,经乙酸乙酯提取、甲醇钠-甲醇溶液水解、七氟丁酰基咪唑衍生,气相色谱-质谱法选择离子监测（SIM）模式分析,内标法定量。结果表明,两种化合物在10～400 μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数R2＞0.999,方法检出限均为0.003 mg/kg,定量限均为0.01 mg/kg;在3个加标浓度水平下的平均回收率为95.8%～115.7%,精密度试验结果的相对标准偏差（RSD）为1.9%～2.2%。该方法简便、快速、准确、灵敏度高,能够满足婴幼儿配方乳粉中氯丙醇酯快速检测的要求。     

Toxicological assessment of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) as a main contaminant of foodstuff in three different in vitro models: Involvement of oxidative stress and cell death signaling pathway

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) as a main source of food contamination has always been known as a carcinogenic agent. Kidney, liver, testis, and heart seem to be the main target organs for 3-MCPD. Because oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been realized to be involved in 3-MCPD-induced cytotoxicity, the present study aimed to investigate the probable toxicity mechanisms of 3-MCPD in isolated mitochondria, HEK-293 cell line, and cell isolated from the rats’ liver and kidney through measuring multiparametric oxidative stress assay. Based on the data indicating no significant difference between 3-MCPD-treated groups and control group, metabolites of 3-MCPD have a key role in organ toxicity caused by them. To further investigating the suggested hypothesis, the effect of 3-MCPD toxicity on HEK-293 cell line was examined. Although the proliferation declined after exposure to a low dose of 3-MCPD (10 to 200 µM), controversial responses in higher concentration (2 to 10 mM) have led to studies on the effect of oxidative stress and cell death signaling on isolated kidney and liver cells. Treatment of the isolated kidney and liver cells with 3-MCPD resulted in an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and activation of cell death signaling without creating any significant difference in the amount of reduced glutathione. In fact, 3-MCPD can disrupt the mitochondrial electron transfer in isolated cells, which is correlated with the impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system, the rise of ROS level, and the failure of MMP, leading to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol and finally the activation of cell death signaling.     

Determination of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol fatty acid esters in Brazilian vegetable oils and fats by an in-house validated method

An in-house validated GC-MS method preceded by acid-catalysed methanolysis was applied to 97 samples of vegetable oils and fats marketed in Brazil. The levels of the compounds ranged from not detected (limit of detection = 0.05 mg kg^?1) to 5.09 mg kg^?1, and the highest concentrations were observed in samples containing olive pomace oil and in products used for industrial applications, such as palm oil and its fractions (olein and stearin). The content of diesters and monoesters was also investigated by employing solid-phase extraction on silica cartridges, indicating that the majority of the compounds were present as diesters. This study provides the first occurrence data on these contaminants in Brazil and the results are comparable with those reported in other countries.     

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauces and similar products available from retail outlets in the UK

A survey of the level of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauces and similar products available in the UK is reported. The survey was carried out by the Joint Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Food Safety and Standards Group (JFSSG) to check for compliance with the Food Advisory Committee's (FAC) recommended limit for 3-MCPD of 0.01mg/kg following reports that soy sauces in several European countries had been found to contain high levels (up to 124mg/kg) of 3-MCPD. Forty samples of soy sauce and similar products purchased from retail outlets were analysed using a GC-MS procedure which had been formally validated by an earlier collaborative trial. 3-MCPD was undetectable in 21 (52%) of samples analysed in the survey, with a further five samples containing very low levels of between 0.01 and 0.02mg/kg. Five samples (13%) contained 3-MCPD at levels in the range 0.020-1mg/kg while nine samples (23%) were found to contain 3-MCPD at levels greater than 1mg/kg, with the highest level being 30.5mg/kg.     

食用油与氯化钠模型反应中氯丙醇酯的消长规律

为研究热加工过程中食用油与NaCl反应产生3-氯-1,2-丙二醇酯(3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol ester,3-MCPD酯)和2-氯-1,3-丙二醇酯(2-monochloropropane-1,3-diol ester,2-MCPD酯)的变化规律,分别建立食品和煎炸油2个体系模型,考察食...     

Esters of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in vegetable oils: Significance in the formation of 3-MCPD

3-Mono-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a contaminant that occurs in food in its free (diol) form as well as in an esterified (with fatty acids) form. Using a simple intestinal model, it was demonstrated that 3-MCPD monoesters and 3-MCPD diesters are accepted by intestinal lipase as substrates in vitro. Under the chosen conditions, the yield of 3-MCPD from a 3-MCPD monoester was greater than 95% in approximately 1 min. Release from the diesters was slower, reaching about 45, 65 and 95% of 3-MCPD after 1, 5 and 90 min of incubation, respectively. However, in human, the hydrolysis of 3-MCPD esters is unlikely to release 100% as 3-MCPD, as triglycerides and phospholipids are hydrolysed in the intestine liberating 2-monoglycerides. Assuming a similar metabolism for 3-MCPD esters as that known for acylglycerols in humans in vivo, the de-esterification in positions 1 and 3 would thus be favoured by pancreatic lipases. Therefore, 3-MCPD, and 3-MCPD-2 monoesters would be released, respectively, from the 1-/3-monoesters, and the diesters potentially present in food. Hence, information on the exact amounts of the partial fatty acid chloroesters, i.e. 3-MCPD mono- and diesters, is important to assess the contribution of foods to the bioavailability of 3-MCPD. Therefore, a rapid method for the determination of the ratio of 3-MCPD monoesters to diesters in fats and oils was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and isotopically labelled 3-MCPD esters as internal standards. The analysis of 11 different samples of fat mixes typically employed in food manufacturing demonstrated that a maximum of about 15% of the total amount of 3-MCPD bound in esters is present in the monoesterified form. The potentially slower release of 3-MCPD from 3-MCPD diesters, and the mono- to diesters ratio suggest that 3-MCPD esters may in fact contribute only marginally to the overall dietary exposure to 3-MCPD. Further work on the bioavailability, metabolism and possible toxicity of chloroesters per se is warranted.     

橄榄二酯油烘焙苏打饼干中3-氯丙醇酯、缩水甘油酯产生规律及其质构分析

以橄榄甘油二酯油为原料,制作苏打饼干,考察甘油二酯（diglycerides,DAG）含量、烘焙温度、盐添加量、烘焙时间对饼干中3-氯丙醇酯（3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters,3-MCPDE）和缩水甘油酯（glycidyl esters,GE）及饼干硬度和黏度的影响。结果表明,苏打饼干中3-MCPDE和GE的最高含量分别为1.05 mg/kg和0.37 mg/kg,且烘焙过程中3-MCPDE含量与烘焙温度和盐添加量呈正相关,在170℃以上时GE含量随烘焙温度升高而增加。但烘焙时间和DAG质量分数对3-MCPDE和GE的产生无显著影响（P>0.05）。综上,橄榄甘油二酯油应用于烘焙苏打饼干具有良好的安全性和改善产品质构的效果,同时控制烘焙温度和盐添加量能在一定程度降低苏打饼干中3-MCPDE和GE的含量。     

Occurrence of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and its esters in coffee

Fifteen coffee samples comprising green, roasted, decaffeinated and instant coffees were analysed for their content of free and bound 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD). Green coffees contained only traces of the free 3-MCPD. 3-MCPD in roasted coffees was found at the level of 10.1–18.5 µg/kg. The highest 3-MCPD level of 18.5 µg/kg was found in one instant coffee sample and in coffees with very long time application during roasting. The final colour of the roasted coffee beans was directly linked to the 3-MCPD formed, the darker beans having the greatest concentration, and arabica coffees contained lower 3-MCPD levels than robusta coffees. The level of bound 3-MCPD varied between 6 µg/kg (soluble coffees) and 390 µg/kg (decaffeinated coffee) and exceeded the free 3-MCPD level 8–33 times. Arabica coffees contained higher levels of the bound 3-MCPD than robusta coffees. The recognised precursors of 3-MCPD (salt, glycerol, lipids) were also determined and their influence on the formation of the free and bound 3-MCPD was discussed.     

Esters of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in vegetable oils: Significance in the formation of 3-MCPD

3-Mono-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a contaminant that occurs in food in its free (diol) form as well as in an esterified (with fatty acids) form. Using a simple intestinal model, it was demonstrated that 3-MCPD monoesters and 3-MCPD diesters are accepted by intestinal lipase as substrates in vitro. Under the chosen conditions, the yield of 3-MCPD from a 3-MCPD monoester was greater than 95% in approximately 1 min. Release from the diesters was slower, reaching about 45, 65 and 95% of 3-MCPD after 1, 5 and 90 min of incubation, respectively. However, in human, the hydrolysis of 3-MCPD esters is unlikely to release 100% as 3-MCPD, as triglycerides and phospholipids are hydrolysed in the intestine liberating 2-monoglycerides. Assuming a similar metabolism for 3-MCPD esters as that known for acylglycerols in humans in vivo, the de-esterification in positions 1 and 3 would thus be favoured by pancreatic lipases. Therefore, 3-MCPD, and 3-MCPD-2 monoesters would be released, respectively, from the 1-/3-monoesters, and the diesters potentially present in food. Hence, information on the exact amounts of the partial fatty acid chloroesters, i.e. 3-MCPD mono- and diesters, is important to assess the contribution of foods to the bioavailability of 3-MCPD. Therefore, a rapid method for the determination of the ratio of 3-MCPD monoesters to diesters in fats and oils was developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and isotopically labelled 3-MCPD esters as internal standards. The analysis of 11 different samples of fat mixes typically employed in food manufacturing demonstrated that a maximum of about 15% of the total amount of 3-MCPD bound in esters is present in the monoesterified form. The potentially slower release of 3-MCPD from 3-MCPD diesters, and the mono- to diesters ratio suggest that 3-MCPD esters may in fact contribute only marginally to the overall dietary exposure to 3-MCPD. Further work on the bioavailability, metabolism and possible toxicity of chloroesters per se is warranted.     

煎炸方式和煎炸食材对花生煎炸油中3-氯丙醇酯和缩水甘油酯含量的影响

以花生油为煎炸油,采用不同煎炸方式（连续煎炸32 h、间歇煎炸15 h）对不同食材（油条、薯条、鸡翅、豆腐）进行煎炸实验,并对煎炸过程所取油样中3-氯丙醇酯（3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters,3-MCPDE）、缩水甘油酯（glycidyl esters,GEs）含量和极性组分（polar components,PC）质量分数进行检测,分析煎炸方式和煎炸食材对花生煎炸油中3-MCPDE和GEs含量的影响。结果表明：在32 h连续煎炸过程中,油条、薯条、豆腐、鸡翅及空白煎炸油中3-MCPDE含量由初始的0.84 mg/kg分别于煎炸12、4、12、16、8 h时达到最大值（分别为2.08、2.96、17.45、7.12、8.02 mg/kg）,之后呈现下降趋势;GEs含量从初始的2.43 mg/kg至连续煎炸32 h时分别升高至20.80、7.20、5.00、2.10、66.34 mg/kg;PC质量分数达到27%的限量时,不同食材煎炸油中3-MCPDE和GEs总量排序为：空白煎炸油（66.51 mg/kg）＞油条煎炸油（21.48 mg/kg）＞豆腐煎炸油（12.93 mg/kg）＞薯条煎炸油（8.51 mg/kg）＞鸡翅煎炸油（6.60 mg/kg）。在15 h间歇煎炸过程中,煎炸开始3 h后,油条、薯条、豆腐、鸡翅及空白煎炸油中3-MCPDE含量由最初的0.84 mg/kg分别升高至9.96、2.17、4.60、11.02、5.41 mg/kg,至15 h煎炸结束时,其含量又分别变化为3.51、1.58、12.88、11.81、3.72 mg/kg;GEs含量由最初的2.43 mg/kg分别增加至46.47、9.06、9.00、40.36、47.05 mg/kg;经15 h间歇煎炸,5 种煎炸油PC质量分数均未超标,此时3-MCPDE和GEs总量排序为：鸡翅煎炸油（52.17 mg/kg）＞空白煎炸油（50.87 mg/kg）＞油条煎炸油（49.98 mg/kg）＞豆腐煎炸油（21.88 mg/kg）＞薯条煎炸油（10.64 mg/kg）。同样的煎炸方式、不同食材煎炸油中3-MCPDE、GEs及PC 3 种组分的总相对含量增幅排序为：32 h连续煎炸时,空白煎炸油＞油条煎炸油＞薯条煎炸油＞鸡翅煎炸油＞豆腐煎炸油;15 h间歇煎炸时,鸡翅煎炸油＞油条煎炸油＞空白煎炸油＞豆腐煎炸油＞薯条煎炸油。同样的煎炸食材,煎炸时长相近（间歇煎炸15 h、连续煎炸16 h）时,连续煎炸油中3-MCPDE、GEs及PC 3 种组分总相对含量的增幅普遍低于间歇煎炸。综上,油脂煎炸过程中形成3-MCPDE和GEs的含量及其安全风险应引起高度关注。     

我国市酱油氯丙醇污染调查研究:3-氯-1,2-丙二醇(3-MCPD)与某些因素的关系

调查了我国市售酱油氯丙醇的污染情况,样品来自2003年全国污染物监测网和2004年卫生部健康相关产品卫生抽检。采用基质固相分散萃取法(MSPD)进行样品的净化,以稳定性同位素稀释技术结合气相-质谱法(GC-MS)的内标法定量测定3-氯-1,2-丙二醇(3-MCPD)含量。对3-MCPD污染水平与某些因素的关系作了探讨,结果表明,国家免检、HACCP认证、包装形式等因素与3-MCPD水平有显著性相关关系(P<0.05),而QS认证、IS09000认证、推荐与监制、铁强化、生产工艺、质量等级和抽样场所等因素与3-MCPD水平的高低没有显著性关系(P>0.05),说明QS认证、IS09000认证、推荐与监制等措施对氯丙醇降低的作用不明显。此外,来自餐饮业酱油的氯丙醇污染相对较高,值得进一步关注。     

The effects of physical refining on the formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters in relation to palm oil minor components

The formation of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters in refined palm oil during deodorisation is attributed to the intrinsic composition of crude palm oil. Utilising D-optimal design, the effects of the degumming and bleaching processes on the reduction in 3-MCPD ester formation in refined palm oil from poor-quality crude palm oil were studied relative to the palm oil minor components that are likely to be their precursors. Water degumming remarkably reduced 3-MCPD ester formation by up to 84%, from 9.79 mg/kg to 1.55 mg/kg. Bleaching with synthetic magnesium silicate caused a further 10% reduction, to 0.487 mg/kg. The reduction in 3-MCPD ester formation could be due to the removal of related precursors prior to the deodorisation step. The phosphorus content of bleached palm oil showed a significant correlation with 3-MCPD ester formation.