ABSTRACT
Four different types of noodles were tested for concentrations of 16 key polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The samples of noodles were Chikki, Indomie, Mimee, and Golden Penny. Following sample soxhlet extraction and extract cleanup, analysis was conducted using Gass Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in all the Noodles analyzed where below the permissible limits of the various food and environmental agencies listed in this research. The BaP concentrations in 50% of the samples were less than 0.001mgkg-1 permissible limit specified for processed cereal based food, while 50% was high and above the permissible limit. Acenaphthylene was found in three samples with mean concentrations ranging from 0.04 mgkg1 in samples B, 0.023mgkg-1 in sample C and 0.0003mgkg-1 in sample D. Only sample A was not having Acenaphthylene. The mean amounts of acenaphthene varied from 0.03mgkg-1 in sample A, 0.003mgkg-1 in sample B, 0.004mgkg-1 in sample C and 0.0003mgkg-1 in sample D. Florene was found in just one sample, with a concentration of 0.02mgkg-1 in sample C. Florene was absent in sample A, B and D. Another PAH found in pasta products is phenanthrene, with amounts ranging from 0.003mgkg-1 in sample A to 0.007mgkg-1 in sample C. Pyrene is undoubtedly a skin irritant, a tumor-causing and carcinogenic agent, and a suspected mutagen that is readily absorbed by the skin; workers exposed to 3–5 mgkg−1 of pyrene exhibited some teratogenic effects. The samples' benzo(a)anthracene concentrations ranged from 0.101mgkg-1 in sample A to 0.0003mgkg-1 in samples A and D, respectively, but absent in sample B and C. Sample D contains 0.0003mgkg-1 of chysene, but undetected in sample A, B and C. Chrysene is categorized by the US EPA as belonging to weight-of-evidence Group B2. In the current research, benzo(b)fluoranthene concentrations was not detected in sample A, B and C but present in sample D with mean concentration of 0.003mgkg-1 . Sample D contained the lowest amount of Benzo(k)fluoranthene (0.006mgkg-1 ), whereas sample A contained the highest amount (0.006mgkg-1 ). Because of this, Benzo(k)fluoranthene was present in the pasta products at levels that were far lower than the 0.1mgkg-1 exposure limit advised by NIOSH (1997), which is thought to be the lowest practical concentration for oral exposure to carcinogens like Benzo(k)fluoranthene.
