Pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) represents a powerful technique which can be conveniently used for
rapid extraction of mineral oil saturated (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) from dry foods
with a low fat content, such as semolina pasta, rice, and other cereals. Two different PLE methods, one
for rapid determination of superficial contamination mainly from the packaging, the other for efficient
extraction of total contamination from different sources, have been developed and optimised. The two
methods presented good performance characteristics in terms of repeatability (relative standard deviation
lower than 5%) and recoveries (higher than 95%). To show their potentiality, the two methods have
been applied in combination on semolina pasta and rice packaged in direct contact with recycled cardboard.
In the case of semolina pasta it was possible to discriminate between superficial contamination
coming from the packaging, and pre-existing contamination (firmly enclosed into the matrix).