Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons analysis in tea infusions and tea beverages using membrane assisted solvent extraction

Membrane Assisted Solvent Extraction (MASE) was applied as an extraction and enrichment technique of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from tea infusions fruit/herbal-tea beverages. PAHs have been separated detected by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). Variables affecting MASE comprising temperature time, stirring rate, acceptor solvent (hexane) volume, organic modifier in the donor phase (methanol) aqueous pH ionic strength were simultaneously studied applying Plackett–Burman design (PBD) screening method. Results showed statistical significance for time which optimised orthogonal 23 + star central composite (CCD). Quantitative recoveries all (within 78–116%) obtained using optimized conditions: 350 µL hexane, 70 min rate 175 rpm. temperature, statistically non-significant, simplify procedure. The method has found sensitive (LOQs < 43 ng L−1) precise (RSDs 13%). Finally, assess levels several beverages presence surrogate standards. total mean Σ16PAHs 1.2 L−1 (white tea) 151.7 (black tea), while lower than 11.5 regarding fruit/herbal Furthermore, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) concentrations 1.5 4.6 (green tea). Nevertheless, BaP well summation BaA, Chry, BbF (4.6 7.5 green infusions) did not exceeded maximum according with European Union (EU) carcinogenic equivalent concentration (BaPeq) mutagenic (BaPMeq) estimated, ranging 0.01 19.8 0.23 6.9 L−1, respectively.