But what is acrylamide?
Acrylamide is a highly oxidizing (pro-oxidant), mutagenic and neurotoxic substance resulting from the degradation of starch or other polyglucides at high temperatures (above 120ºC). Discovered at the end of the NINETEENth century, only in 1950 the first polymerization was achieved, with the obtaining of polyacrylamide, with wide industrial uses.
Until the beginning of this century, however, no one suspected the presence of this compound in food.
Chemical formula: acrylamide is a amine (contains an amidic group -NH2), having the general formula: C3H5NO, and the structural formula:
Acrylamide is formed during food processing, as a result of a series of dehydration and reduction reactions (Maillard reaction) between carbohydrates and amino acids present in starch-containing foods. The combination at high temperatures of these substances causes the browning of the product and the change of flavors.
The 3 major conditions for the formation of acrylamide:
1) the presence of macromolecular carbohydrates (especially starch);
2) the existence of amino acids - especially asparagine, even in insignificant quantities (present in flour, potatoes and meat);
3) processing at temperatures above 120 ºC.
From starch that decomposes gradually but quickly, results in di-carbonyl compounds, which combine with asparagine or other free amino acids, losing water molecules.
The Schiff base is formed, which, being reduced, passes into intermediate compounds, from which the acrylamide is then generated in 3 possible ways.
| Food | Reference level [μg/kg] | ||
| speaded book (ready for consumption) | 500 | ||
| Red potato (chips) from fresh potatoes and potato dough Crispy potato-based products Other potato-based products from potato dough | 750 | ||
| Soft bread |
| ||
| 50 | ||
| 100 | ||
| Cele for breakfast (except porridge) |
| ||
| 300 | ||
| 300 | ||
| 150 | ||
| Kits and waffles | 350 | ||
| Crispy products, except those based on potatoes | 400 | ||
| Cooky bread | 350 | ||
| Sweet cake | 800 | ||
| Products similar to the other products in this category | 300 | ||
| Caffeatcase | 400 | ||
| Appeal (soluble) hotkey | 850 | ||
| Head replacers |
| ||
| 500 | ||
| |||
| 4 000 | ||
| Food products for infants, processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children, excluding biscuits and breadcrumbs (3) | 40 | ||
| Kits and breadcrumbs for infants and young children (3) | 150 |
(1) Cereals that are not whole grains and/or are not based on bran. The cereal present in the largest quantity determines the category.
(2) The reference level to be applied to coffee substitutes based on a mixture of cereals and chicory shall take into account the relative proportion of these ingredients in the finished product.
(3) As defined in Regulation (EU) No .../... 609/2013.
