ACRYLAMIDE MONOMER OCCURRENCE IN SUGAR

Polyacrylonitrile compounds are used in sugar technology as anti-scali ng agents which retard scale formation. The occurence of acrylamide mo nomer (MoAA) is a matter of concentration due to the cumulative neurot oxic effect. The content of MoAA in sugar produced by the sugar indust ry in the Slovakian Republic during 1990/93 was therefore reviewed. Mo AA was derivatised to 2,3-dibromopropionamide (2,3-DBPA) by ionic brom ination. The resulting compound was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was purified on a silica gel column and analysed by capillary gas chromatography using an OV-1 columns equipped with an AFID selecti ve detector (alkali flame - ionization detector). The MoAA content in sugar seemed to be constant during the given period. The average conte nt was less than 5 mu g/kg and is therefor not representing a signific ant risk for consumers.