Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tea infusions samples by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

This study focuses on the contamination of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) , recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency, in 10 tea brands distributed in Italy. Analysis were carried out with a procedure based on saponification, liquid-liquid extraction and PAHs determination by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. A comparison with ultrasonic extraction in bath water was also reported. Contamination is expressed as the sum of analyzed PAHs and ranged between 347 and 4120 ng/l with a mean value of 1675 ng/l. PAHs with 3-4 rings were dominant with a contribution of 92% , while 7% and 1% were found for PAHs with 5 and 6 rings, respectively. Moreover, data revealed that three samples exceeded the EU 2008 criteria established for drinking water in which the sum of benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene is considered (<100 ng/L) and two samples exceeded the 10 ng/L level allowed for benzo[a]pyrene