- Laboratory
Determination of mineral oil
(MOH: MOSH/MOAH)
Quantification and chromatographic characterisation of MOSH and MOAH fractions to support the control and technical interpretation of results in complex matrices.
Quantification and chromatographic characterisation of MOSH and MOAH fractions to support the control and technical interpretation of results in complex matrices.
Need for reliable control of MOH in food
The presence of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in food is a growing technical concern due to their ubiquity and the multiple routes by which they can enter the chain (e.g. lubricants, processing aids, migration from packaging materials or environmental contamination). From a toxicological and risk assessment perspective, MOH are considered a complex mixture that is usually addressed by separating two fractions: MOSH (saturated) and MOAH (aromatic), with the MOAH fraction being particularly relevant due to its greater toxicological significance.
In practice, the analytical control of MOH is not straightforward, as these are complex mixtures with a large number of components. In addition, food matrices may contain interfering compounds (e.g. terpenes, waxes, carotenoids or saturated hydrocarbons originating from plastic materials, such as POSH), which can lead to overestimations if an appropriate analytical and interpretative approach is not available. In addition, there are European monitoring references and control criteria that increase the need for comparable and technically defensible analytical data (for example, Recommendation (EU) 2017/84 and the use of common LOQ-based reference values for MOAH in certain control contexts).
In practice, the analytical control of MOH is not straightforward, as these are complex mixtures with a large number of components. In addition, food matrices may contain interfering compounds (e.g. terpenes, waxes, carotenoids or saturated hydrocarbons originating from plastic materials, such as POSH), which can lead to overestimations if an appropriate analytical and interpretative approach is not available. In addition, there are European monitoring references and control criteria that increase the need for comparable and technically defensible analytical data (for example, Recommendation (EU) 2017/84 and the use of common LOQ-based reference values for MOAH in certain control contexts).
Our solution
The mineral oil determination service (MOH: MOSH/MOAH) provides specialised analytical support to quantify and, where appropriate, characterise MOSH and MOAH fractions in food matrices (and, where applicable depending on the technical objective of the study, in investigations related to food contact materials).
The analytical approach is based on the use of chromatographic techniques for this type of determination, combining methods for quantifying overall fractions with advanced higher-resolution techniques when it is necessary to reduce uncertainty due to interferences or to explore the interpretation in greater depth (for example, methodologies described as LC-GC-FID and advanced techniques such as GC×GC-MS-FID as confirmatory/interpretative support). Results are reported separately for MOSH and MOAH and are accompanied by a technical interpretation aimed at: (i) assessing the robustness of the data according to the matrix, (ii) identifying possible interferences and (iii) supporting internal decisions on control, incident investigation or monitoring.
The service provides analytical evidence to support decision-making (e.g. batch management, prioritisation of investigations or definition of control plans).
AINIA has established chromatography capabilities within its analytical offering and operates quality systems aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 where applicable, without implying automatic accreditation for all tests or analytical configurations.
The analytical approach is based on the use of chromatographic techniques for this type of determination, combining methods for quantifying overall fractions with advanced higher-resolution techniques when it is necessary to reduce uncertainty due to interferences or to explore the interpretation in greater depth (for example, methodologies described as LC-GC-FID and advanced techniques such as GC×GC-MS-FID as confirmatory/interpretative support). Results are reported separately for MOSH and MOAH and are accompanied by a technical interpretation aimed at: (i) assessing the robustness of the data according to the matrix, (ii) identifying possible interferences and (iii) supporting internal decisions on control, incident investigation or monitoring.
The service provides analytical evidence to support decision-making (e.g. batch management, prioritisation of investigations or definition of control plans).
AINIA has established chromatography capabilities within its analytical offering and operates quality systems aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 where applicable, without implying automatic accreditation for all tests or analytical configurations.
Applications
- Analytical verification of the presence of MOSH and MOAH in raw materials, intermediate products and the final product to support internal control plans.
- Technical assessment of high or unexpected results (screening and, where appropriate, advanced confirmation/interpretation to reduce uncertainty caused by interferences).
- Support for incident investigations linked to possible sources (e.g. lubricants/processing, migration from packaging, environmental contamination), from an analytical perspective.
- Support for supplier approval/monitoring and comparison between batches or origins, taking into account matrix variability and the matrix effect.
- Specific studies to differentiate contributions from interfering compounds (e.g. assessment of POSH versus MOSH in methodological developments), when required by the objective of the study.
Impact and benefits
- Differentiated MOSH/MOAH analytical data with an interpretative approach adapted to the matrix, reducing uncertainty associated with interferences.
- Greater capacity to prioritise internal actions (e.g. expanding sampling, reviewing process points, assessing changes in packaging or raw materials) based on analytical evidence, without assuming automatic implementation.
- Technical support for batch management decisions: and for technical communication with suppliers or internal departments (quality, purchasing, R&D).
- More robust analytical basis for addressing monitoring scenarios/technical criteria referenced in Europe (e.g. monitoring under Recommendation (EU) 2017/84 and LOQ-based references for MOAH in certain controls).
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Begoña Company
Head of Chromatography Laboratory
