Researchers from Seoul National University of Science and Technology have recently demonstrated the efficacy of using a new method, called QuEChERS, to streamline extraction and analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from foods. PAHs do comprise some carcinogenic compounds, making them of particular interest due to their human health implications.
The novel QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method, reduces extraction time while improving overall accuracy and extraction rates according to the teams findings. In their work the team used the QuEChERS method to analyze eight different PAHs in food including benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[ b ]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene.
The team used acetonitrile to extract PAHs from several food matrices before purifying with various combinations of sorbents. Their work demonstrated remarkable linearity in calibration curves, with R2 values exceeding 0.99 for the eight PAHs. Furthermore, the team utilized GC-MS to demonstrate a detection range of 0.006 to 0.035 µg/kg with a LOQ of 0.019 to 0.133 µg/kg.
"This method not only simplifies the analytical process, but also demonstrates high efficiency in detection compared to conventional methods. It can be applied to a wide range of food matrices," said Professor Joon-Goo Lee.
The team believes the method could scale to industry applications, ultimately improving safety while reducing costs.
"Our research can improve public health by providing safe food. It also reduces the use and emission of hazardous chemicals in laboratory testing," Lee added.