Determination of benzo[a]pyrene in barley malt using constant wavelength synchronous fluorescence

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a carcinogenic contaminant in food, and its formation in particularly critical during malt kilning for beer production. Despite European Commission limits of 1.0 µg.kg⁻¹ B[a]P in processed cereals, limited data exists for its occurrence in malt. This study introduces a simplified method for B[a]P detection in barley malt using constant wavelength synchronous fluorescence (CWSF). The method involves a single-step extraction with acetonitrile, evaporation and direct analysis by CWSF, achieving a detection range from 0.5 to 3.0 µg.kg⁻¹ , with limits of detection and quantification at 0.24 µg.kg⁻¹ and 0.50 µg.kg⁻¹ , respectively. Precision assessments showed relative standard deviations below 10 %, and recovery rates ranged from 97.9 % to 114.6 %, demonstrating reliable performance. This CWSF method offers a practical and cost-effective alternative to traditional chromatographic techniques, reducing analysis time and complexity, which is advantageous for routine food safety testing and regulatory compliance.