Journal of Analytical & Bioanalytical Techniques
Open Access

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, cost-effective and solvent less/eco-friendly Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) method coupled to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is proposed for the first time for the trace level simultaneous determination of ten volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in chocolate samples. Influence of time and temperature of extraction, stirring speed and salt addition on extraction efficiency of PAHs were thoroughly investigated in the present study. The sensitivity of the optimised method were proved by obtaining detection (LOD) and quantification limits (LOQ) up to ng Kg -1 level (LOD; 0.6�9.6 ng Kg -1 , LOQ; 2.0�31.0 ng Kg -1 ), by considering signal to noise ratio of 3 and 10 correspondingly. For method accuracy, recovery study was conducted by spiking the chocolate sample at two concentration levels. The average recovery percentage was found to be varying between 90 to 103%. Additionally, to check the applicability, the proposed method has been applied to the real chocolate samples for the determination of volatile PAHs. Overall, the developed headspace SPME method coupled to GC- MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode is easy, sensitive and successfully applicable to explore the level of PAH contamination in chocolate samples and their related products.

Biography

Rupender Kumari has obtained her Masters in Forensic Science in 2010 from National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. She was honoured with Junior Research Fellowship by University Grant commission in 2010. She joined the Ph.D group of Dr. D.K. Patel at the age of 22 years at CSIR-IITR, Lucknow. She has published two research papers in reputed international journal in a very short span. She is pursuing her doctoral degree registered under the aegis of Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi.