Occurrence of benzene as a heat-induced contaminant of carrot juice for babies in a general survey of beverages.
A survey of benzene contamination of 451 beverage samples, using headspace sampling combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) with a quantification limit of 0.13 microg l(-1), was conducted. Artefactual benzene formation during headspace sampling was excluded by gentle heating at 50 degrees C only and adjustment of sample pH to 10. The incidence of benzene contamination in soft drinks, beverages for babies, alcopops and beer-mixed drinks was relatively low, with average concentrations below the EU drinking-water limit of 1 microg l(-1). Significantly higher concentrations were only found in carrot juice, with the highest levels in carrot juice specifically intended for infants. About 94% of 33 carrot juice for infants had detectable benzene levels, with an average concentration of 1.86 +/- 1.05 microg l(-1). Benzene contamination of beverages was significantly correlated to iron and copper concentrations, which act as catalyst in benzene formation. The formation of benzene in carrot juice was predominantly caused by a heat-induced mechanism, which explains the higher levels in infant carrot juices that are subject to higher heat-treatment to exclude microbiological contamination.
Lachenmeier
Dirk W
DW
Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt (CVUA) Karlsruhe, D-76187 Karlsruhe, Germany. lachenmeier@web.de
Reusch
Helmut
H
Sproll
Constanze
C
Schoeberl
Kerstin
K
Kuballa
Thomas
T
D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis*; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D018552:Daucus carota / Q000737:chemistry*; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000032:analysis; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005511:Food Handling; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis*
D005030:Ethylenes; C036216:ethylene; D001554:Benzene