Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH) in Edible Oils and Possible Minimization by Deodorization Through the Example of Cocoa Butter

Abstract

Abstract Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are present in many fats and oils as well as foods prepared thereof. A survey of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in different types of vegetable fats and oils is reported. Contents of MOSH/MOAH were quantified using liquid chromatography online‐coupled to gas chromatography with flame‐ionization detection (LC‐GC‐FID). Cocoa butter ( n = 142) showed levels from <LOQ (2.5 mg kg −1 ) to 162 mg kg −1 ΣMOSH (sum of C10–C50) and <LOQ to 55 mg kg −1 ΣMOAH, in palm oil ( n = 21) ΣMOSH were quantified from <LOQ to 124 mg kg −1 and ΣMOAH from <LOQ to 39 mg kg −1 . Sunflower oil showed lower levels: ΣMOSH were determined in the range of <LOQ to 17 mg kg −1 and MOAH were not observed at all. A possible influence of deodorization and a subsequent minimization of MOSH/MOAH was investigated. Systematic model‐experiments were performed on laboratory scale using spiked cocoa butter. Significant minimization of volatile MOH subfractions ≤C24 were observed at a deodorization temperature of 210 °C. Deodorization can be considered as an important processing step to reduce or even remove volatile MOSH/MOAH ≤C24. Practical Applications : Regardless of their possible entry routes into the food chain, volatile fractions of MOSH/MOAH can be removed by deodorizing vegetable fats and oils. This model‐study identifies the temperatures of deodorization that provide a significant improvement toward minimization of undesired MOSH/MOAH.