1.Precautions and general considerations for benzo(a)pyrene in food samples
The basic requirement is to obtain a representative and homogeneous laboratory sample without introducing secondary contamination.
The analyst should ensure that samples do not become contaminated during sample preparation. Containers should be rinsed with high purity acetone or hexane (p.A., HLPC grade or equivalent) before use to minimise the risk of contamination. Wherever possible, apparatus coming into contact with the sample should be made of inert materials e.g. aluminium, glass or polished stainless steel. Plastics such as polypropylene, PTFE etc. should be avoided because the analyte can adsorb onto these materials.
All of the sample material received by the laboratory is to be used for the preparation of test material. Only very finely homogenised samples give reproducible results.
There are many satisfactory specific sample preparation procedures which may be used.