3-MCPD Process Contaminant in Malt

Abstract

3-MCPD (3-chloropropane-1,2-diol) is a process contaminant formed during food processing, namely protein hydrolysis. This substance can also occur in a number of foods produced without hydrolysis, e.g. thermally processed cereals (malt, bakery products). Precursors of 3 -MCPD may be endogenous lipids of cereals and chloride ions. 3-MCPD is classifi ed as a possible human carcinogen for which a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 2 μg/kg of body weight was established. 3-MCPD content was studied in various kinds of malt. Analysis of 3-MCPD content in malt samples was performed by gas chromatography with a mass detector. The limit of detection of 3-MCPD content in the analyzed malt samples was 10 μg.kg^-1. The combined standard uncertainty of the method was 13%.

malt, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry