Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Some Commercial Herbal Teas

This study presents the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), determined in 19 types of herbal tea sold in Romania. The instrumental analysis was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). PAH distribution patterns are characterized by the presence of both low molecular weight (LMW), given especially by the presence of anthracene (An), and high molecular weight (HMW) compounds represented by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Among PAHs, 3-4 rings compounds were predominant in the analyzed samples. A statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences between the most PAHs in the 19 samples of herbal tea. Significant statistical difference was found between (An) group, on one hand, and (BaP), dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DahA) and indeno[1,2,3cd]pyrene (IP) groups, on the other hand. Results of diagnostic ratios showed that the main of PAHs in the herbal teas might be attributed to petrogenic (liquid fuels spills), pyrolytic (combustion of fuels) and coal sources. Taking into account the limits established by the European Communities Regulation no. 1933/2015 for both BaP and the sum of 4PAHs, in this study, one sample exceeded the value proposed for sigma 4PAHs and five were higher than the limit value of BaP.