Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and olive pomace oil

The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in five samples of olive pomace oil has been studied to determine the contamination degree of this type of oil and to evaluate if specific purification steps must be introduced during its manufacture. The PAHs present have been determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A high number of PAHs, with a wide range of molecular weights and in very high concentrations, have been found in four of the samples studied. A very high number of alkyl derivatives and, in many cases, in higher concentrations than their respective parent PAHs, have also been identified. One of the samples, however, presents a more reduced number of PAHs and in significantly lower concentrations than the others. These findings reveal that it is necessary to introduce adequate cleanup steps in the manufacturing process of olive pomace oil, which can give rise to oils with a relatively low content of PAHs. Some carcinogenic PAHs have also been identified, both unalkylated and alkylated.