DONOR-ACCEPTOR COMPLEX CHROMATOGRAPHY-HPLC FOR THE DETERMINATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHS) IN EDIBLE OILS

A number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified as carcinogens. For non-smokers who do not work in industries that produce PAHs, the main risk of PAH exposure comes from dietary intake. Edible oils used in food preparation have been identified as a potential source of dietary PAH exposure. HPLC is commonly used for determinations of PAHs, but separation of these samples requires removal of the oily matrix. Several solvent extraction and cleanup techniques have been employed, but are labor intensive and difficult to automate.