| Abstract: | In this study the 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) identified as being genotoxic and carcinogenic by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) were determined in different brands of soybean oils available on the Brazilian market, totalling 42 samples. A solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for sample clean-up with a C18 cartridge, followed by reversed-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection, was used for determination. The method showed good recoveries for most PAHs studied with values between 74% and 111%. Good intra- and inter-day precisions (0.5?r 2?>?0.999) were obtained. The presence of PAHs was detected in all 42 samples with mean summed PAH levels ranging from 10.4 to 112.0?µg?kg?1. The mean and maximum dietary exposures for total PAHs were estimated as 12.4 and 19.1?ng?kg?bw?1?day?1, respectively. |
