β-carbolines norharman and harman in vegetable oils in China

ABSTRACT

The beta-carbolines norharman and harman, two heterocyclic aromatic amines with potential mutagenicity, have been determined in vegetable oils. Identification and analysis were carried out by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). In 88 samples analysed, the concentrations of norharman and harman were < LOD to 336.22 ng/g and < LOD to 505.14 ng/g, respectively. A high variability of norharman and harman levels among different oil types was observed. Sesame-, flaxseed-, sunflower seed-, peanut- and rapeseed oils were most contaminated. Both β-carbolines were most likely formed during roasting of the oilseeds. Oil consumption, especially of oils obtained after roasting of the seeds, was a major dietary source of the β-carbolines norharman and harman. Under existing oil risk factors, this investigation contributes to the unprecedented and essential information for dietary assessments associated with oil consumption.

KEYWORDS:

• Β-carbolines
• norharman
• harman
• heterocyclic aromatic amines
• vegetable oil

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest exits in the submission of this manuscript and manuscript is approved by all authors for publication.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded in part by National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFC 1600402) and the earmarked fund for Modern Agricultural Industry Technology Research System (CARS14-1-29).