Unwanted mineral oil residues are detected in many foods and food contact materials. These substances can be divided into two classes: saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH – mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH – mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons). While the first class of substances accumulates in the human body, the second class of compounds is suspected of containing carcinogens. These substances can enter food through numerous contamination pathways. These include gas-phase migration followed by re-condensation within the food or contact with lubricants in the production line.
Mineral oil residues are complex mixtures that contain many different compounds. This characteristic is visible in the typical chromatogram; here is a group of unresolved images, the so-called "bump." In the quantitative analysis of MOSH/MOAH, the sum of the individual substances is determined. This complex analysis requires specific sample preparation and measurement equipment.
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