Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) produced during heat processing in meat samples are introduced as chemical toxicants with hazardous effect on human body. In this study, we applied an advanced, simple, efficient and sensitive analytical procedure based on microwave-assisted extraction and low density solvent/dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of four kinds of HAAs (2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ)) in barbecued meat samples for the first time. The parameters affected on microextraction method including type and volume of extraction and disperser solvents, salt percent and PH were optimized using response surface design. The dynamic linear range was 1–1000 ng g−1. The coefficient of determination was higher than 0.982, relative standard deviations were between 3.7 and 8.1%. The recoveries in tree levels (10, 50 and 100 ng g−1) were obtained 89–101.5%. Detection limits were between 0.25 and 0.71 ng g−1. Offered technique is sensitive, selective‚ quick and precise. The most concentration of HAAs determined in barbecued meat samples was for IQ 1250 ng g−1 and the lowest amount is also related to IQ type 25 ng g−1. This proposed method presents proper concentration factors and detection limits for determination of HAAs in different barbecued meat samples.
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