MOSH/MOAH Contamination
In the modern industrialized world, our food, packaging, and personal care products journey through complex production, processing, and transportation systems. However, this journey is not without its risks.Â
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Mineral oil hydrocarbons, comprising MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons), are compounds that enter the product life cycle at various stages of production. Sources of contamination include the environment, plant protection agents, machine oils, additives, and food packaging.
These compounds pose a significant threat to consumer health and safety because they accumulate in human tissues and may contain highly potent carcinogenic compounds, as reported by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
MOSH/MOAH are found in food, cosmetics, packaging and adhesives. Affected foods include:
Cereal
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Fats and oils
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Chocolate and candy
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Coffee and cocoa
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Infant Formula
The importance of monitoring these substances cannot be overstated. As awareness grows, robust analytical methods are needed to ensure consumer protection. Fortunately, advancements in instrumental analysis offer promising solutions to this challenge.
The Role of Instrumental Analysis
Instrumental analysis is a cornerstone of consumer protection, particularly concerning food safety. To balance cost-effectiveness and quality assurance, leading laboratories increasingly turn to automation. By automating processes such as MOSH/MOAH analysis, laboratories can enhance productivity while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.
Complexity of Analysis
MOSH/MOAH analysis entails intricate procedures to extract and determine mineral oil residues accurately. Extract cleanup steps are crucial for separating, concentrating, and transferring MOSH and MOAH fractions from the sample matrix. These fractions are then analyzed separately but simultaneously using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID).
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Depending on the sample type and matrix, additional steps may be necessary to eliminate interfering compounds. For example, some samples require epoxidation to remove unsaturated polyenes that could interfere with MOAH determination. Moreover, cleanup steps using aluminum oxide (AlOx) columns may be necessary to remove n-alkanes of plant origin from the MOSH fraction.
Unresolved complex mixtures (UCM) of MOSH (A) and MOAH (B) fractions extracted from an edible oil sample and integrated using the GERSTEL MOSH/MOAH Data Analysis software. The colored peak (signal) areas represent individual c-fractions. The total amounts are calculated as the sum of all c-fractions between n-C10 and n-C50. The values are included in the final report. System control of the GERSTEL MPS robotic HPLC-GC-FID solution for MOSH/MOAH analysis is performed through the MAESTRO software;
data handling is simplified using a dedicated software.
Benefits of Automation
Automation offers numerous advantages in MOSH/MOAH analysis. It reduces the risk of errors, improves efficiency, and ensures consistency in results. By streamlining the process, automation enables laboratories to meet productivity demands and rapid turnaround times without compromising quality.
GERSTEL MOSH/MOAH Solution:
A Game-Changer
GERSTEL has developed an integrated system that revolutionizes MOSH/MOAH analysis. This system automates HPLC-GC-FID determination of both fractions, maximizing efficiency, accuracy, and precision.
The system’s modular design allows easy adaptation to changing requirements, while its user-friendly interface simplifies operation. With full control over all system parameters and comprehensive data handling capabilities, laboratories can achieve reliable results with minimal manual intervention.
Conclusion
The need for rigorous quality assurance measures has never been more apparent in an increasing awareness of food safety and consumer health. MOSH/MOAH analysis plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of our food and personal care products. By embracing automation and leveraging cutting-edge analytical solutions like the GERSTEL MOSH/MOAH system, laboratories can uphold the highest consumer protection standards and ensure a safer, healthier future for all.
Related AppNote: Follow the link below to learn more about MOSH/MOAH Determination.
