Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) in food and environmental samples: an overview

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been widely reported as a class of ubiquitous chemicals in different matrices. Health implications of these pollutants include carcinogenicity and mutagenicity amongst others. The need for effective measurement techniques of these compounds therefore becomes imperative. This paper reviews sources of PAHs into the environment, exposure routes and effects on humans. Furthermore, an overview of different measurement techniques in environmental and food samples is also presented. Extraction methods that have been applied for PAHs quantification include solidphase extraction (SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), liquid-phase microextraction (LPME), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and solid-liquid extraction. Most commonly used analytical methods are gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), gas chromatography- flame ionization detection (GC/FID), high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC/FD) and high performance liquid chromatography- ultra violet detection (HPLC/UV). Levels reported in different media suggest global need for PAHs monitoring in foods and environmental samples. KEYWORDS: Extraction, analysis, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, food, soil and water