Analysis of acrylamide, 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol, its esters and glycidyl esters in carbohydrate-rich products available on the Polish market

Background. Carbohydrate-rich foods, such as breakfast products, snacks and biscuits because of its nutritional or sensory qualities are an inherent part of human diet. However, their production might contribute to the formation of acrylamide, 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and its esters and glycidyl esters. Objective. The aim of this work was to assess the levels of acrylamide, free and bound 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in selected carbohydrate-rich, thermal processed products, present on the market in Poland in 2016-2017. Material and Methods. The survey involved 60 samples of snacks, breakfast products and biscuits. Acrylamide and free 3-MCPD was determined using modified QuEChERS approach. Analysis of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters was based on the acid-catalysed method of sample preparation, derivatisation with PBA and GC-MS analysis. Results. Free 3-MCPD contents were within the values of 9.3-63.3 μg kg-1, with the highest mean content for muesli (33.3 μg kg-1), and the lowest for baby biscuits (11.7 μg kg-1). The levels of bound 3-MCPD were higher (from 9.3 μg kg-1 to 1500 μg kg-1). The highest average content was observed for sugar free biscuits (599 μg kg-1), whereas the lowest for breakfast cereals (50.2 μg kg-1). Glycidyl esters were detected only in four samples with the highest content at the level of 28.8 μg kg-1. The acrylamide levels varied from 195 to 1352 μg kg-1, with the highest content for organic biscuit samples (913 μg kg-1), and the lowest for muesli (348 μg kg-1). Conclusions. Regular consumption of popular snacks such as potato chips, crackers and biscuits may result in risk to human health as the effect of high content of acrylamide or 3-MCPD. Due to a high level of these contaminants detected in some type of breakfast products, and products targeted for children, its consumption should be restricted, especially in younger population groups

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticide residues in birch tree sap from an agricultural area

Introduction. Tree saps are tapped in early spring, both by individual consumers for direct consumption, and as a raw material for the production of beverages by the food industry. In Poland, for centuries and today, the most common has been birch tree sap - the source of nutrients. As a result of the developing civilization, which destroys natural environment, there is an increasing risk of contamination of tree saps by harmful substances. The objective of this work was to estimate the presence of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and residues of 48 chemical plant protection products in spring saps. Material and methods. Birch tree sap was tapped from 20 silver birch trees (Betula pendula Roth.) that grow in a agricultural area in the south-east part of Poland. The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and residues of chemical plant protection products was examined using GC/MS technique. Results. Birch sap analysis revealed trace amounts of methiocarb, propoxur, carbaryl, parathion and 4,4’-DDD in the samples. So called light PAHs, that is, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene, and in individual cases: anthracene, benzo[a]anthracene and acenaphtylene were also found in the sap. Conclusions. Taking into account the standards, fresh birch saps tapped from trees growing in the agricultural area do not pose any health risk for consumers, although serious health risk should be expected in the case of birch sap collected from areas of intense anthropopressure.Wstęp. drzewne pobierane są wczesną wiosną, zarówno przez indywidualnych konsumentów do bezpośredniego spożycia, jak również jako surowiec do produkcji napojów dla przemysłu spożywczego. W Polsce najpopularniejszym sokiem drzewnym na przestrzeni wieków był i nadal pozostaje sok brzozowy, będący źródłem wielu składników odżywczych. W związku z rozwojem cywilizacji, pogarszającym stan środowiska naturalnego, istnieje coraz większe ryzyko skażenia soków drzewnych przez substancje szkodliwe. Celem niniejszej pracy było oznaczenie zawartości 13 wielopierścieniowych węglowodorów aromatycznych oraz pozostałości 40 środków ochrony roślin w sokach drzewnych. Materiał i metody. Sok brzozowy pobrano z 20 osobników gatunku brzoza zwisła (Betula pendula Roth.), rosnących na terenie rolniczym w południowo-wschodniej Polsce. Zawartość wielopierścieniowych węglowodorów aromatycznych oraz pozostałości środków ochrony roślin oznaczono z wykorzystaniem techniki GC/MS. Wyniki. Analiza wykazała obecność śladowych ilości pięciu pestycydów, tzn. metiokarbu, propoksuru, karbarylu, parationu oraz 4,4’-DDD. W sokach brzozowych odnotowano także zawartość lekkich, wielopierścieniowych węglowodorów aromatycznych, tj. fluorenu, fenantrenu, pirenu, chryzenu, oraz w sokach pojedynczych osobników: antracenu, benzo[a]antracenu i acenaftylenu. Wnioski. Biorąc pod uwagę obowiązujące normy, soki brzozowe pochodzące z terenów rolniczych nie stwarzają ryzyka zdrowotnego pod względem zawartości pozostałości środków ochrony roślin oraz wielopierścieniowych węglowodorów aromatycznych, należy jednak spodziewać się znacznego zagrożenia dla zdrowia konsumentów w przypadku pobierania soków brzozowych z terenów o bardziej intensywnym stopniu antropopresji

Analysis of odorous compounds at municipal landfill sites

International audienceThe aim of this investigation was to determine odorous compounds in the air over the landfill sites in France and Poland. Air samples were collected by passive and dynamic methods of preconcentration analytes and analysed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The coupling µTD-µGC-MS was also used for on-site analysis of odorous compounds. The achieved results indicated that the concentrations of odorants in the air varied and strongly depended on the sampling site. The highest concentrations were observed at the points situated near biogas wells and above the fresh waste layer. The concentrations were influenced by landfill activities such as failures of the landfill gas collection system, heavy truck traffic, machinery operations and compacting fresh waste