DETERMINATION OF DIOXINS AND FURANS FROM EGGS AND OILS, THROUGH HIGH RESOLUTION GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

Dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins – PCDD) and furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans – PCDF) represent a group of chemical substances with high toxicological potential, which are persistent within environment and which can be accumulated within organisms through food chain. In this paper we present the results of the performed researches for dioxins and furans determination in eggs and oils, through high resolution gas chromatography in combination with high resolution mass spectrometry. Egg and oil samples available in commerce were analyzed. Within the performed experiments, some steps were taken: sample preparation for testing, fat extraction, extract clean-up and concentration, separation, identification and quantification of different native compounds of dioxins and furans. Fat extraction from eggs was achieved in many more steps with organic solvents. Extracts cleanup was achieved on multiple columns, using different absorption materials (silica gel, aluminium oxide, florisil). Concentration of cleaned extract was achieved under nitrogen flow, at 40ºC and pressure 5 psi.Separation, identification and quantification of different compound PCDDs/PCDFs were achieved by complex equipment: a system of two high resolution gas chromatographs coupled with high resolution mass spectrometer. In the case of analysed oil samples, no item of the native congener of dioxins and furans was detected. The total concentration of dioxins and furans in the analysed egg samples was expressed in toxic equivalents (TEQ) and was in the range: 0.0216 – 0.034 pg WHO-PCDD/PCDF-TEQ/g fat, being under maximum allowed limit by Regulation of the European Commission 1881/19 of December 2006 (3 pg WHO-PCDD/PCDF-TEQ/g fat).