Supercritical fluid extraction of N-nitrosamines in hams processed in elastic rubber nettings

A method for analysing N-nitrosamines in hams processed in elastic rubber nettings by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is described. The study was carried out with the prototype of a commercial extractor with a silica gel adsorption cartridge integrally attached to the variable restrictor. The SFE method was compared with a solid-phase extraction procedure currently used for ham analysis. Both methods used the same gas chromatographic-chemiluminescence detection conditions. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between results obtained with the 2 methods. Repeatability standard deviation of the SFE method was 1.7 ppb, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 2.7%, compared with 2.2 ppb, with a CV of 3.5%, for solid-phase extraction. SFE permits minimal use of solvent and more rapid analysis of nitrosamines.