Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in alcoholic beverages consumed in Awka, Southeast Nigeria

ABSTRACT. The aim of this investigation was to assess the presence 16 PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene fluoranthene, benz[a]anthracene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene with symbols Nap, Ace, Ane, Flu, Ant, Phe, Flt, BaA, Pyr, Chr, BbF, BkF, BaP, DahA, BghiP InP, respectively) in alcoholic beverages consumed Awka, Southeast Nigeria. samples used were sourced from international, national, local-based sold Nigeria, which analysed for priority components using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) order quantify offer advice public on health implications consuming these beverages. results show absence all beverages, could be due lower temperature shorter production duration utilized process. This is because during intense heating raw materials or additives, are released. Therefore, consumption safe consumers poses no risk that detrimental adults children. As such, further research into other micropollutants toxins advocated maintain current good manufacturing practices quality.
 KEY WORDS: Alcoholic Food analysis, Public health, PAHs, GC-FID, Nigeria
 
 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(4), 805-815. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i4.1