ONR CEN/TS 16621

This Technical Specification specifies a method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) plus benz[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF) and chrysene (CHR) in several food matrices. The method is based on size exclusion chromatography (SEC) cleanup, followed by quantification with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with programmable fluorescence detection. This method has been in-house validated via the analysis of spiked samples of edible olive oil, fresh mussels, smoked fish, smoked meat products, processed cereal-based foods for young children, infant formulae, chocolate and food supplements (isoflavones) at levels ranging from 0,25 microg/kg to 1,00 microg/kg and from 4,95 microg/kg to 23,53 microg/kg, depending on the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) or the matrix. This method complies with the performance characteristics specified for BaP, BaA, BbF and CHR in current legislation [3]. The method has been shown to be applicable to a variety of additional matrices as meat products, fresh fish, paprika, roasted coffee, bread, herbs, breakfast cereals, beer, sunflower oil, olives and fried tomato, with a limit of quantification below 0,5 microg/kg.