CHRONECT Workstation PAH and imPAHct

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during partial combustion and pyrolysis processes. They enter the environment through fumes, bound to dust particles or mineral oil residues. PAHs contaminate foodstuff either from the environment (e.g. dust particles on broad-leaf vegetables) or by roasting and smoking processes.

Laboratories analyze PAHs regularly. The reason for this is the partly very high carcinogenicity of the substance group and their broad distribution. European guidelines set limiting values which vary depending on the foodstuff. For the marker substance benzo[a]pyrene the value lies between 1-6 μg/kg while the total limit value for the PAH4 (this term summarizes benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene and benzo[b]fluoranthene) is 1-35 μg/kg. The analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is a great analytical challenge, due to the variety of food matrices and the detection limits demanded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Due to the required sensitivity and complex matrices, PAH determination is a great challenge for analytics. As an analytical method either HPLC with fluorescence detection or GC-MS are used. Sample preparation is often extensive and time-consuming. Conventional analysis methods are using HPLC with fluorescence detection or GC-MS. In both cases, the sample preparation is often extremely extensive and complex. Recent requirements to laboratories include a reduction in sample handling time (Turn-Around-Time) and an increase in the sample throughput. Still, no losses within the analytical parameters, e. g. sensitivity, precision and accuracy are desired. Consequently, highly automated analytical procedures are necessary.

The CHRONECT LC-GC technology by Axel Semrau® has been established for many years in the routine analysis of foodstuff. It forms the ideal base for the solution presented here. The analytics of PAHs is done by a LC-LC-GC-MS/MS system and with the imPAHct method. To measure PAHs, a simple yet fast extraction of the sample is performed. The extract is quickly manually treated and then transferred to the CHRONECT Workstation PAH. Here, the extract is purified by a two-step LC separation (LC-LC Clean-Up) and subsequently analyzed via GC-MS. Edible oils may be measured straightforwardly.

Applying this intelligent matrix management, it is possible to determine the PAHs which are prescribed by EFSA fully automated. Depending on the detector, detection limits are reached which are even lower than the required European values for infant formula by a factor of 100.

The LC-GC solutions by Axel Semrau® are pre-installed and tested in our application laboratory. They are delivered in a ready-for-use condition. The installation includes a Site Acceptance Test as well as a briefing which enables the user to start working with our solution immediately. This ensures the fastest possible start of the routine measuring operation.

dag.dacke@kovalent.se

0707-31 90 09