Physicochemical properties and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of fragrant rapeseed oils in China

BACKGROUND Fragrant rapeseed oil is a type of hot‐pressed oil in China. In this study, physicochemical properties, oxidative stability index (OSI), tocopherols, sterols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fragrant rapeseed oils were evaluated. Additionally, the cancer risk assessment pertaining to PAHs in fragrant rapeseed oil was investigated. RESULTS Acid values (0.64–2.68 mg potassium hydroxide per gram), peroxide values (1.58–4.86 mmol kg−1), and color values (R = 2.6–5.8, Y = 35) of fragrant rapeseed oils were all within codex limits. Tocopherols and sterols ranged from 559.5 to 783.7 mg kg−1 and 4412.6 to 7859.8 mg kg−1 respectively. The OSI (110 °C) was between 4.8 and 15.9 h, with an average value of 10.8 h. Mean values of benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 (chrysene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluroranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene) were 2.32 μg kg−1 and 8.21 μg kg−1 respectively. The 95% dietary exposure of benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) contents from PAH4 were 0.3474 ng kg−1 day−1, 0.3942 ng kg−1 day−1, 1.8293 ng kg−1 day−1, and 0.4294 ng kg−1 day−1 for male children, adolescents, adults, and seniors respectively. For females, these values were 0.3443 ng kg−1 day−1, 0.3228 ng kg−1 day−1, 1.8697 ng kg−1 day−1, and 0.4084 ng kg−1 day−1, respectively. Moreover, incremental lifetime cancer risk values at the cumulative probabilities of 91.3% and 91.6% for male adults and female adults respectively were higher than 1 × 10−5. CONCLUSION The results imply that the potential risk of cancer with PAHs in fragrant rapeseed oil should be a concern, especially for the health of adults. Fragrant rapeseed oil is still a product subject to contamination by PAHs. Limits for PAH4 of fragrant rapeseed oil should be included in Chinese regulations to improve safety. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry