Determination of benzo[a]pyrene in smoking-flavour agents (water-soluble liquid smoke) by second derivative constant-wavelength synchronous spectrofluorimetry

We have developed a simple, rapid, inexpensive method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene (BP, a known carcinogen) in smoking-flavour agents (water-soluble liquid smoke; WSLS). After purification of the WSLS by a single passage through a Sep Pak C18 Plus cartridge, BP in the hexane eluate was determined by second derivative constant-wavelength synchronous spectrofluorimetry. Method precision (RSD < 6%) and recovery (approximate to 92%) were satisfactory, and the detection and quantification limits (1.05 and 2.28 mu g kg(-1) respectively) indicated that the current maximum permissible concentration of BP in smoke flavourings (10 mu g kg(-1)) can be monitored by this method.