The influence of meteorological conditions during traditional smoking on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content in traditional Polish pork ham

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of meteorological conditions observed during the process of traditional smoking on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content in traditional Polish pork ham. The material of the study comprised traditional Polish pork ham, one of the most frequently purchased and consumed meat products in Poland. The analysed ham was smoked with the traditional method using beech chips and pieces. Smoking time was four hours. During laboratory research the basic chemical composition of the product was examined. Using the HPLC method, the level of 15 selected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The obtained results show that the level of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the examined material depended on atmospheric pressure and relative air humidity. Atmospheric pressure significantly influenced the content of benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene and indeno(c,d)pyrene. Relative humidity impacted the absorption level of 5-methylchrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(j)fluoranthene and indeno(c,d)pyrene. An influence of air temperature during the smoking process on PAHs content in the product was not observed. The results indicate that traditional smoking should be conducted under conditions of high relative humidity – ideally above 75%, and high atmospheric pressure – above 1000 hPa.

Influence of roasting olive fruit on the chemical composition and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of olive oil

Alwana olive oil is a special product of the people from the mountains of Morocco. To produce this oil, prior to the pressing procedure, olives are roasted at up to 130 °C, which leads to the formation of a typical roasty and nutty aroma. It can be expected that this process, which strongly differs from the usual production technic of virgin olive oil, impact the oil chemical composition. We observed that the roasting process has no influence on the fatty acid and sterol composition of Alwana olive. Concentration in α-tocopherol underwent a slight decrease (from 93 to 91%) whereas γ-tocopherol, polyphenol, and chlorophyll content were increased by the roasting process. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content was found to be 50 µg kg−1.