Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Effective Sorbents for Rapid Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Edible Oils Using Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction (d-SPE) and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

A method was developed for the analysis of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons regulated in the European Union, namely, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene in edible oils. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were applied for dispersive solid-phase extraction of analytes from the oils after dilution with n-hexane followed by elution of analytes with toluene under reflux conditions. Gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used for quantitative determination of the analytes. The efficiency of four nanotube-based sorbents was evaluated. The performance characteristics of the method permitted reliable measurement of four regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in oil samples according to the criteria stated in the Commission Regulation No. 836/2011 and considering the maximum levels (MLs) stated in the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 835/2011. The concentrations of the selected analytes in real-world samples determined by our developed method and by previously validated gel permeation chromatography method were found to be in a good agreement.