Effect Of Different Processing Methods On The Level Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Palm Oil

ABSTRACT

Gas chromatograph (GC) with flame ionization detection (FID) was used to determine 13 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons(PAHs) in palm oil processed using 4 different processing methods. The analysis for PAll in the sample includes several procedures which involve separation, clean up and final determination. The results showed that the limit of detection (LoD) for individual (10) PAHs found in the sample was less than 1.44j.tg/kg. Benzo (b) flouranthene, Benzo(k) flouranthene and Benzo (a) pyrene were detected in the oil from the mill and their values were 3225 jig/kg, 83,275 jig/kg and 5299j.tg/kg respectively. Benzo (b) flouranthene was detected and quantified in the palm oil obtained from the market with value of 1296jig/kg. However PAH content of sample prepared using gas cooker and firewood as a source of heat were below the instrument detection limit of 1.44 jig/kg. The presence of Benzo(b) flouranthene, Benzo (k) flouranthene and Benzo (a) pyrene which range from 1296 jig/kg-83,275 jig/kg suggest that palm oil contains PAHs from pyrolytic origin.