Automated determination of mineral oil hydrocarbons from food using a novel LC-GC-FID coupling platform

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) contamination, including mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), originates from sources such as packaging, processing aids, and machine oils, posing health risks due to accumulation in human tissues and potential carcinogenic properties. The study presented here outlines an efficient method for separating and analyzing MOSH and MOAH fractions in food extracts using normal-phase liquid chromatography coupled with gas chromatography and flame ionization detection (LC-GC-FID).
The system used for the work employs the GERSTEL MPS sampler, Early Vapor Exit (EVE) for eluent removal, and the ChroMOH software to automate data integration, enhancing throughput and reproducibility. The method was applied to analyze various food samples and packaging materials, demonstrating accurate and consistent results. The research highlights the platform’s ability to process complex mixtures and its potential to standardize MOH analysis across laboratories, improving food safety monitoring. The automated system, integrated with advanced software, offers reliable and efficient analysis of MOH contamination in diverse matrices.