Determination of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fruit and vegetables by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Monocylic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs: benzene, toluene, ehtylbenzene and xylenes) were isolated from fruit and vegetables using a solvent extraction technique. GC-MS (with selected-ion monitoring mode) was applied for determination of the isolated pollutants. It was observed that uptake of MAHs depends on the species and takes place in different morphological parts of the biological material. The highest concentrations of MAHs were found in parsley leaves (m- and p-xylene) and in orange peel (toluene). Estimation of the daily human exposure to MAHs through eating contaminated fruit and vegetables was performed.