Today, mineral oil can enter food products and processed products in any process in the food industry. Potential sources are fuels, exhaust fumes, lubricating oils, surface treatment agents, blending oils and packaging materials. Relevant food groups for mineral oil contaminations include rice, cereal flours, cereals, chocolate products, spices, fats and oils, as well as processed foods.
-analizleri.jpg "MOSH-MOAH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) Analysis")
The mineral oil residues in question mainly consist of complex hydrocarbon mixtures of fossil origin. Technical grade mineral oils consist of:
Unlike structurally related and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), MOAHs are mixtures of compounds with different and essentially unknown toxicities.
In advanced laboratories, various tests are carried out on the analysis of mineral oils from food matrices. The online HPLC-GC technique (HPLC high performance liquid chromatography and GC gas chromatography) enables separate measurement of MOSH and MOAH within a single chromatographic run. In addition, the LC/GC-MS method (LC liquid chromatography, GC gas chromatography and MS mass spectrometry) allows for the qualitative characterization of mineral oil hydrocarbons. This method describes the source of contamination.
Briefly, from a chemical point of view, mineral oils are mixtures consisting mainly of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and often alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Both groups of substances contain linear, branched and ring-shaped compounds of different molecular sizes.
The chemical and percent composition of mineral oil residues varies greatly depending on the origin and manufacturing process of mineral oil products derived from crude oil. Therefore, crude and technical mineral oils contain relatively high MOAH content, while refined medicinal mineral oils often contain only traces of aromatic components or no detectable ingredients.
Currently, there is insufficient toxicological evidence to prove that residues of saturated mineral oil (MOSH) pose a health risk to humans. Meanwhile, MOAH is suspected to be carcinogenic. Therefore, their levels in food should be reduced.
Among the numerous tests, measurements, analyses, and evaluations our organization provides for businesses in various sectors, we also offer MOSH-MOAH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons) analysis services with our trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
To get an appointment, to get more detailed information or to request an evaluation, you can ask us to fill in our form and reach you.
