Determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in food, water and smoke using high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract

A method for the separation of 17 different polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been developed. After separation by thin-layer chromatography, the PAHs are examined by high-performance liquid chromatography using ODS and PPS stationary phases. The elution times of all 17 compounds relative to benzo[a]pyrene have been computed. Six representative compounds have been added to bierwurst and to water to check recovery values. Work on stubble smoke has been confined to benzo[a]pyrene only. The method of extraction and clean-up varies with the substrate but the method of determination of the PAH compounds in the final extract is the same in all three cases. Confirmation of identity is obtained by measuring the peak-height ratios for each PAH at two different excitation and emission wavelength combinations. The limit of detection of benzo[a]pyrene is 0.02 µg kg^–1 in food, 0.3 ng l^–1 in water and 150 pg per filter in smoke. Recoveries of the six representative compounds are generally in the range 75–100% at levels approaching the limit of detection.