Evaluation of three extraction methods for the isolation of PAHs from recycled paperboard materials intended for food contact applications

Abstract The present work is part of a comprehensive study aiming to identify and quantify an array harmful contaminants at very low concentrations in recycled paperboard materials intended for food contact applications. In this initial study, three commonly used extraction techniques were optimized tested their efficacy accuracy isolating 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from commercially available packaging made paperboard. Soxtec (SE), ultrasound-assisted (UAE), headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. recoveries all methods rather satisfactory; 10 out substances recovered rates between 70 124% using the SE method, 8 50 134% UAE finally, 105% HS-SPME method. Regarding accuracy, method gave best results 125 ?g kg ?1 , as 7 concentration values within acceptable limits, while only five four limits methods, respectively. Furthermore, both calculated RSD HorRat indicated that more accurate extracting PAHs than other two methods.