Abstract:

The analytical methods of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs) in different samples, e.g., vegetable oils, waters and soils, have been reviewed. The sample pretreatment steps play a key role during the analysis due to the very low PAHs contents. The pretreatment methods for water samples include liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, etc. The pretreatment methods for soil samples include Soxhlet extraction, ultrasonic extraction, microwave assisted extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, etc. The pretreatment methods for vegetable oils include saponification, liquid-liquid partitioning, caffeine complexation, solid phase extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, etc. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection are mainly used for separation and detection. The novel on-line determination method, e.g., the coupling of liquid chromatography with high performance liquid chromatography, or with gas chromatography may obtain ideal results. Fifty-two references are cited.

Key words: gas chromatography , high performance liquid chromatography, soils, trace analysis, vegetable oils, waters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons