Separation and Identification of Carcinogenic Polynuclear Hydrocarbons in Smoke Flavoring 3, 4-Benzpyrene, 1, 2, 5, 6-Dibenzanthracene, and 3-Methylcholanthrene

Abstract

Methods for the separation and identification of carcinogenic polynuclear hydrocarbons in the smoke flavoring, 3, 4-benzpyrene (I), 1, 2, 5, 6-dibenzanthracene (II), and 3-methylcholanthrene (III) were investigated. n-Hexane extracts of the smoke flavoring were applied on an alumina column (0.9×15 cm, contained 1 per cent water), and the column was eluted with n-hexane-ether (1 : 1). Uuknown yellow substances in the n-hexane extracts were held on the top of the column, while the hydrocarbons were eluted out. This separation of hydrocarbons from interfering substances facilitated their subsequent identification. Thin layer chromatography was adopted for identification of (I), (II) and (III), using silica gel as adsorbent and n-hexane-o-dichlorobenzene-pyridine (10 : 1 : 0.5) as developer. The each spot was detected by the fluorescence under an ultra violet light (365mμ). The method was utilized for analysis of the commercial preparations.