Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in infant formula using solid state urea clathrate formation with...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety Analysis
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental contaminants.
• Infant formula requires rigorous safety testing for contaminants like PAHs.
• European Union (EU) regulations set strict limits for PAHs in foodstuffs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a quantitative analytical method for 16 EU priority PAHs in infant formula.
• To establish reliable detection and quantification limits for PAHs in infant formula.
• To ensure infant formula complies with European Commission regulations.

Main Methods:

• Sample preparation involved PAH extraction, triglyceride transesterification to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and FAME removal via urea clathrate formation.
• Quantitative analysis was performed using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).
• Method validation included assessment of trueness, precision, LOD, LOQ, selectivity, sensitivity, and linearity.

Main Results:

• The method achieved a measurement range of 200-1500 ng/kg, aligning with EU limits.
• Limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 50-75 ng/kg for the 16 PAHs.
• Limit of quantification (LOQ) was 200 ng/kg for all 16 PAHs, with trueness between -29.7% and 29.8% and precision (RSD) between 0.5% and 24.7%.

Conclusions:

• A robust analytical method for determining 16 EU priority PAHs in infant formula has been successfully developed.
• The method's validated parameters demonstrate its suitability for routine monitoring and regulatory compliance.
• This contributes to enhanced infant safety by ensuring the quality of infant formula.