Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review

This review aims to compile and present information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk, their effects on human health, relevant legal regulations, and methods for their detection. PAHs are hazardous environmental pollutants that can accumulate in milk due to their lipophilicity and f...

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Main Authors: Klara Żbik, Elżbieta Górska-Horczyczak, Magdalena Zalewska, Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Andrzej Półtorak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11387
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author Klara Żbik
Elżbieta Górska-Horczyczak
Magdalena Zalewska
Agnieszka Wierzbicka
Andrzej Półtorak
author_facet Klara Żbik
Elżbieta Górska-Horczyczak
Magdalena Zalewska
Agnieszka Wierzbicka
Andrzej Półtorak
author_sort Klara Żbik
collection DOAJ
description This review aims to compile and present information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk, their effects on human health, relevant legal regulations, and methods for their detection. PAHs are hazardous environmental pollutants that can accumulate in milk due to their lipophilicity and feed, water, and grass contamination. Also, high-temperature processing in the milk industry can contribute to their formation. PAHs are recognized for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties, posing significant risks to human health. Milk presents a unique analytical challenge as a complex matrix; the fats where hydrophobic PAHs tend to accumulate are “trapped” within the membranes of casein micelles. This complexity makes the extraction and analysis of PAHs more demanding than other food matrices. Developments in chromatographic techniques provide effective methods for detecting PAHs in milk, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. The proper planning of research and the use of these techniques will lead to accurate results. This review focuses specifically on methods for extracting and isolating PAHs from milk, and instrumental methods for their detection and quantification. Such a review may be valuable for researchers looking for methods to analyze PAHs in milk and dairy products.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-1102b1f6192345f4a6aba0bfc0e7d25d2025-08-20T02:50:18ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0114231138710.3390/app142311387Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A ReviewKlara Żbik0Elżbieta Górska-Horczyczak1Magdalena Zalewska2Agnieszka Wierzbicka3Andrzej Półtorak4Department of Technique and Food Development, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c Street, 32, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Technique and Food Development, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c Street, 32, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Technique and Food Development, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c Street, 32, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Technique and Food Development, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c Street, 32, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Technique and Food Development, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c Street, 32, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandThis review aims to compile and present information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk, their effects on human health, relevant legal regulations, and methods for their detection. PAHs are hazardous environmental pollutants that can accumulate in milk due to their lipophilicity and feed, water, and grass contamination. Also, high-temperature processing in the milk industry can contribute to their formation. PAHs are recognized for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties, posing significant risks to human health. Milk presents a unique analytical challenge as a complex matrix; the fats where hydrophobic PAHs tend to accumulate are “trapped” within the membranes of casein micelles. This complexity makes the extraction and analysis of PAHs more demanding than other food matrices. Developments in chromatographic techniques provide effective methods for detecting PAHs in milk, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. The proper planning of research and the use of these techniques will lead to accurate results. This review focuses specifically on methods for extracting and isolating PAHs from milk, and instrumental methods for their detection and quantification. Such a review may be valuable for researchers looking for methods to analyze PAHs in milk and dairy products.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11387detection methodsliquid chromatographygas chromatographyfood processingextraction methodsmilk
spellingShingle Klara Żbik
Elżbieta Górska-Horczyczak
Magdalena Zalewska
Agnieszka Wierzbicka
Andrzej Półtorak
Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
Applied Sciences
detection methods
liquid chromatography
gas chromatography
food processing
extraction methods
milk
title Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
title_full Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
title_fullStr Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
title_short Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
title_sort methods for determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pahs in milk a review
topic detection methods
liquid chromatography
gas chromatography
food processing
extraction methods
milk
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11387
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