Study on the content and profile of MOSH and MOAH in unprocessed meat by LC/GC × GC-FID/MS

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) contamination was evaluated in 30 samples of various unprocessed meats. Preliminary tests showed that a saponification method with a 2 M KOH solution was the most adequate for sample treatment for meat. Most of the meat samples showed saturated MOH (MOSH) in a carbon chain length range that could have accumulated by the animals. However, the highest contamination found in two beef rib samples occurred probably during slaughter or handling prior to commercialization. This was suggested by the MOSH profile (i.e. high molecular weight), the presence of aromatic MOH (MOAH), hopanes and alkylbenzenes. The primary type of MOSH found in the meat was generally paraffins, and the MOAH in beef ribs were exclusively composed of 1-2 ring compounds. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the types of MOH that can be found in animal food products, addressing a gap in the existing literature.