Monitoring of Acrylamide Content in Selected Foods

Abstract

Acrylamide is a toxic substance occurring in foods. It is formed at temperatures higher than 120 °C, the highest acrylamide amount is produced within the temperature range of 150–180 °C. High acrylamide content occurs namely in starch rich foods that are thermally processed. The quantification of acrylamide in various groups of foods was investigated using the GC/MSD method. No acrylamide was detected in instant coffee and sunflower bread. The lowest acrylamide quantity was detected in pre-fried potato chips (66 μg.kg-1); acrylamide content in wholesome bread, biscuits, crackers and roasted coffee varied in the range from 78–470 μg.kg-1. The acrylamide value in potato crisps was higher (160–1530 μg.kg-1), the highest acrylamide level was measured in potato chips after frying (1588 μg.kg-1).