Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in South Indian diet

Several commonly consumed food items of South India were screened for the presence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Samples were extracted with dichloromethane, cyclohexane and acetonitrile and PAHs were identified. Chrysene was detected in almost all the samples. Salted, sundried and oil-fried ribbon fish, and kashayam prepared from cumin seeds, mint leaves and cardamom, contained chrysene in high concentration. Benzo[a]pyrene was maximum in ribbon fish, while dibenzanthracene was quantified in high concentrations in the kashayam and oil-fried chillies.