PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs and pesticides in cold-pressed vegetable oils

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (marker and dioxin-like congeners), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (EPA 15 + 1), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (14 predominant congeners) and pesticides (74 compounds) in various coldpressed vegetable oils. Poppy seed oil, rapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, pumpkinseed oil, hempseed oil, linaire oil, borage oil and evening star oil were investigated. Results of this study revealed that concentrations of PCBs, PBDEs and PAHs were low in majority of the investigated samples. However, high concentrations of organophosphorus insecticides were found. Chlorpyrifos methyl and pirimiphos methyl were the pesticide residues most commonly found in the studied oils. Concentration of 15 + 1 EPA PAHs was within the 17.85-37.16 μg kg -1 range, concentration of (marker) PCBs varied from 127 to 24,882 pg g -1, dioxin-like TEQ values were below 0.1 pg TEQ g -1. Concentration of PBDEs was below LOQ in most cases. © AOCS 2011.