116 retail and/or industrial edible seed oils were tested for concentrations of the chemicals 3-MCPD and glycidol. These chemicals are formed as unintentional contaminants when seed oil is heated to 400 degrees F during the refining process. 3-MCPD was found in 22 unrefined oils from below the level of detection to 0.09 mg/kg (ppm) and in all 94 refined seed oils from 0.005 to 7.2 mg/kg-1 (ppm). Higher levels of these contaminants are of concern as they are shown to be carcinogenic and/or genotoxic. Highest levels were found in palm oil and palm olein samples.
ABSTRACT
Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and glycidol are processing contaminants found in a wide range of edible oils. While both 3-MCPD and glycidol have toxicological properties that at present has concerns for food safety, the published occurrence data are limited. Occurrence information is presented for the concentrations of 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in 116 retail and/or industrial edible oils and fats using LC-MS/MS analysis of intact esters. The concentrations for bound 3-MCPD ranged from below the limit of quantitation (< LOQ) to 0.09 mg kg-1 (ppm) in 22 unrefined oils and from 0.005 to 7.2 mg kg-1 (ppm) in 94 refined oils. The concentrations for bound glycidol ranged from < LOQ to 0.03 mg kg-1 (ppm) in unrefined oil samples and from < LOQ to 10.5 mg kg-1 (ppm) in processed oil samples. The highest concentrations for both 3-MCPD and glycidol were seen in refined palm oil and palm olein samples. Palm olein samples also contained a higher percentage of 3-MCPD in mono-ester form than any other type of oil.