Abstract Analysis of raw and roasted beef (suya), sold and consumed in Iwofe, Trans Amadi and Port Harcourt city were screened for the presence of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Column chromatography, packed with anhydrous Na2SO4 and silica gel were used for PAH extraction with dichloromethane as the eluting solvent. The identification and concentration of PAHs were carried out by gas chromatography GC/FID with the aid of 16 PAH standards. Appreciable mean amount of fluoranthene (4.2×10-3mg/kg) were found present in raw beef; while a mean of 1.2×10-2mg/kg of fluoranthene was detected in roasted beef (suya). In addition to these, other members of the PAH family were detected at varying amounts. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon has been related to roasting food with charcoal or wood and raw beef depending on the dietary origin and handling of the animal. In view of this, it is necessary to occasionally carry out analysis on roasted and raw beef to investigate the amount of PAHs present.
Keyword: Roasted beef, benzo(a)Pyrene, Gas Chromatograph, Polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Carcinogenic.