SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF 16 POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

     An analytical method using QuEChERS sample preparation and GC-MS/MS determination was developed for the determination of PAHs in meat and meat products. The method was in-housed validated in term of specificity, linearity, repeatability, recovery, LOD and LOQ, and was proved as suitable and reliable for the intended application. The method was used for detecting PAHs in 6 meat samples and 24 meat-based food samples (8 fried meat samples, 8 grilled meat skewer samples and 8 smoked meat samples). Analytical results showed that 22/24 samples of meat-based food contained PAHs, 8/24 samples having the total residual amount of PAHs higher than the maximum limit tolerated by EC (35 g/kg), 4/24 samples containing benzo(a)pyren at levels lower than the maximum limit tolerated by EC (5 g/kg).

Keywords: PAHs, GC-MS/MS, QuEChERS, meat