Impact of cooking methods on PAH formation in traditional Akçaabat meatballs

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Akçaabat meatballs, a traditional and commercially important Turkish meat product, are widely consumed and typically prepared using high-temperature cooking methods that may promote the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different cooking techniques, including pan cooking without added oil (dry pan cooking), electric grilling, oven baking, charcoal barbecue, and hazelnut shell charcoal barbecue, on PAH formation in Akçaabat meatballs. Samples obtained from eight different producers were analyzed for selected chemical properties and PAH contents using HPLC-FLD. While basic compositional characteristics varied among samples, the most significant differences were observed in PAH levels depending on the cooking method. The sum of four priority PAHs (∑PAH4) ranged between 7.70 and 112.38 µg/kg across all treatments. Among the cooking methods, barbecue applications (charcoal and hazelnut shell charcoal) resulted in the highest PAH levels, frequently exceeding regulatory limits. In contrast, electric grilling produced the lowest PAH concentrations and showed the highest compliance with food safety standards. These findings demonstrate that cooking method plays a critical role in PAH formation and highlight the importance of selecting appropriate cooking techniques to minimize health risks. In this context, electric grilling can be considered a safer alternative, whereas traditional charcoal-based cooking methods may pose a significant risk in terms of PAH exposure.