Food Science and Biotechnology

Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (한국식품과학회)
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Exposure to Ethyl Carbamate by Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Imported in Korea

  • Hong, Kwon-Pyo (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kang, Yoon-Seok (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Jung, Dong-Chae (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Park, Sae-Rom (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Yoon, Ji-Ho (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Lee, Sung-Yong (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Ko, Yong-Seok (Test and Analytical Center, Busan Regional Korea Food & Drug Administration) ;
  • Kim, So-Hee (Test and Analytical Center, Busan Regional Korea Food & Drug Administration) ;
  • Ha, Sang-Do (Department of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Park, Sang-Kyu (Bio/Molecular Informatics Center, Konkuk University) ;
  • Bae, Dong-Ho (Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University)
  • Published : 2007.12.31
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Abstract

Determination of ethyl carbamate content in imported alcoholic beverages in Korea and an exposure assessment were conducted. In gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring (GC/MS/SIM) analysis, 2.5-39, 8-263, 6.3-112, 11.3-23.5, 53-94, 8.5-38.5, 7-9.5, 21.3-31.5, 5-832.5, and $10.5-364.8\;{\mu}g/L$ of ethyl carbamate were detected in imported beers, sakes, whiskies, vodkas, Chinese liquors, cognacs, tequilas, rums, liqueurs, and wines, respectively. The exposure assessment indicated that the exposure of Korean adults to ethyl carbamate were lower than 20 ng/kg BW per day, (the virtual safe dose) indicating that the amount of ethyl carbamate exposed through fermented food and alcoholic beverages including imported products are currently in the 'no significant risk level'. However, the present low exposure to ethyl carbamate through the imported alcoholic products was not due to the low contents of ethyl carbamate in imported products, but low consumption of the imported products. Therefore, given increasing importation of alcoholic beverages in Korea, reductions of ethyl carbamate content in imported alcoholic beverages, especially non-distilled products, should be required by regulating limits on the ethyl carbamate content in the imported alcoholic beverages.

Keywords

References

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