Heterocyclic aromatic amines in spiced pork shoulder: content analysis and effects of soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar

Abstract

SummarySpiced pork shoulder is a traditional Chinese meat product that is loved by consumers. However, heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) formed by spiced pork shoulder during processing endanger human health. The present study determined the HAA contents of seven kinds of spiced pork shoulder, and examined the effects of soy sauce, cooking wine and sugar on the formation of HAAs. The total HAAs of the seven samples were between 0.10 ng/g and 56.82 ng/g. There were Harman (0.03–39.77 ng/g) and Norharman (0.06–18.76 ng/g) correlations in all samples. Not all samples had higher HAAs levels in the skin than the whole shoulder. Creatine and creatinine were more actively involved in the formation of HAAs than glucose. Soy sauce contributed the most to the formation of HAAs, followed by cooking wine and sugar. Compared to spiced pork shoulder, the soup contained more HAAs. Exogenous contamination of HAAs in soy sauce, cooking wine and soup was an important source of HAAs in spiced pork shoulder.