Acrylamide: Increased concentrations in homemade food and first evidence of its variable absorption from food, variable metabolism and placental and breast milk transfer in humans

We have developed a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
(LC-MS/MS) assay to determine acrylamide in various body fluids.
The assay also allows the reliable quantitation of acrylamide in
food. In a total of 11 healthy male and female subjects, we were
able to show that acrylamide from food given to humans is in fact
absorbed from the gut. The half-lives determined in two male
subjects were 2.2 and 7 h. Acrylamide was found in human breast
milk and penetrated the human placenta (n = 3). The variability of
acrylamide concentrations found in this investigation is most
likely caused by variable intersubject bioavailability and
metabolism. This may be an important indication that the assessment
of the risk from acrylamide for the individual may be very
difficult without knowing the concentrations of acrylamide in the
body. This should be considered in the design of any risk
assessment study or post hoc analysis of earlier studies. At this
time, we suggest that pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers
avoid acrylamide-containing food. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG,
Basel.