Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) Levels and Toxicity in Herbal Teas Marketed in Malaysia using Quechers and GC-FID

In line with the growing health trend in Malaysia, more consumers drink herbal tea for medicinal benefits. However, products could be contaminated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from various production sources. There is a little study focused on detection of PAHs species distributed Malaysia. This was performed to investigate content and toxicity selected commercial teas A total seven different Malaysian samples were extracted using QuEChERS extraction method contamination level evaluated gas chromatography (GC) flame ionization detector (FID). The 10 (∑10PAHs) ranged 2.53 9.39 µg/kg. Acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene anthracene most abundant compounds 53% contribution all content. All tested showed low toxic equivalency (TEQ) values ranging 0.0027 0.1148. least Strobilanthes crispus, Senna alata, Orthosiphon aristatus, Clinacanthus nutans, Stevia rebaudiana.