Application of QuEChERS-EMR-Lipid-DLLME method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked food of animal origin

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an effective sample preparation procedure for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoked fatty products of animal origin (fish, cheese and sausage). Two different approaches were tested: classical QuEChERS and procedure with the use of Enhanced Matrix Removal (EMR)-Lipid material. Two techniques of extract preconcentration: under nitrogen stream and with the use of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), were also taken into consideration. All samples were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed the optimised sample preparation procedure was composed of three steps: 1) QuEChERS extraction, 2) clean-up by EMR-Lipid material and 3) extract preconcentration by DLLME. The obtained recovery rates within the range of 50–120% were received for all compounds with relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 16.7%. The proposed method is fast and effective and can be successfully applied for PAHs determination in difficult matrices such as heat-treated food of animal origin with high fat content. The research also discovered the significance of the quality of the laboratory disposables. Contaminants present in plastic consumables can be transferred to the sample extract contributing to its contamination and can also lead to failure of analytical equipment.