# Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review
###### Abstract  
This review aims to compile and present information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk, their effects on human health, relevant legal regulations, and methods for their detection. PAHs are hazardous environmental pollutants that can accumulate in milk due to their lipophilicity and feed, water, and grass contamination. Also, high-temperature processing in the milk industry can contribute to their formation. PAHs are recognized for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties, posing significant risks to human health. Milk presents a unique analytical challenge as a complex matrix; the fats where hydrophobic PAHs tend to accumulate are \"trapped\" within the membranes of casein micelles. This complexity makes the extraction and analysis of PAHs more demanding than other food matrices. Developments in chromatographic techniques provide effective methods for detecting PAHs in milk, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. The proper planning of research and the use of these techniques will lead to accurate results. This review focuses specifically on methods for extracting and isolating PAHs from milk, and instrumental methods for their detection and quantification. Such a review may be valuable for researchers looking for methods to analyze PAHs in milk and dairy products. detection methods; liquid chromatography; gas chromatography; food processing; extraction methods; milk; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons +
Footnote †: journal: Applied sciences  
[PERSON]  
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,  
milk is a source of water-soluble vitamins, including B1, B2, B12, A, C, and pantothenic acid, at levels that make it an excellent dietary option to meet a substantial portion of daily nutritional requirements [2; 7]. Milk from other species, such as camel, yak, goat, and sheep, also possesses beneficial properties for human health, and in some regions, its popularity surpasses that of cow milk. For instance, goat and camel milk are often included in dietary therapies for children with allergies to cow milk proteins. However, research on the PAH content in non-cow milk is less developed. This represents an important area for future investigation [8; 9; 10; 11; 12]. Humans began consuming the milk of other species more than 8000 years ago [13], extending its role as a valuable food source across the human lifespan. Cow milk, the most widely consumed and industrially produced worldwide, remains a dietary staple, despite ongoing controversies. Numerous studies highlight its undeniable health benefits [14; 15]. Milk is a valuable raw material, with global production reaching 659.25 million tonnes in 2022/2023 and projected to grow by 1% (to 667.49 million tonnes) in 2023/2024. The 10-year compound annual growth rate is 2%. India is the largest producer, with output exceeding 200 million tonnes in 2023, followed by the EU (nearly 150 million tonnes) and the USA (just over 100 million tonnes) [16; 17]. In many regions, milk serves as a dietary cornerstone, enabling the creation of specialized products for infants due to its easily digestible proteins and lipids [18; 19]. The market for modern functional products derived from milk is also expanding, with milk increasingly being viewed as a whole food and a source of individual bioactive components [20; 21]. However, as the dairy market grows, so do concerns about environmental pollution, processing impacts, and the presence of harmful substances in milk and dairy products. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), classified as mutagenic and carcinogenic. Monitoring PAH levels in milk and dairy products is crucial [22]. PAHs accumulate in the environment and enter milk through contaminated feed [23]. Furthermore, high-temperature milk processing can lead to additional PAH formation [24]. Given its widespread consumption by vulnerable groups, including children and older adults, controlling PAHs in milk is essential.