A tandem solid-
phase extraction method was used to isolate carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines(HAAs) from cooked meats. The following 10 HAAs were identified by HPLC/ESI-MS/MS: 2-amino-9
H-
pyrido[2,3-
b]indole (2-A
![](/images/gifchars/al<font color=)
pha.gif" BORDER=0>C), 2-amino-3-methyl-9
H-
pyrido[2,3-
b]indole (MeA
![](/images/gifchars/al<font color=)
pha.gif" BORDER=0>C), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-
f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-
f]quinoxaline (IQx), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-
f]quinoxaline (8-MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-
f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-
f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-
phenylimidazo[4,5-
b]
pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-1,7,9-trimethylimidazo[4,5-
g]quinoxaline (7,9-DiMeI
gQx),and 2-amino-1-methylimidazo[4,5-
b]quinoline (IQ[4,5-
b]); the latter HAA has not
previously beenre
ported in cooked meats. The concentrations of these HAAs ranged from <0.03 to 15
ppb in cookedmeats and
poultry, to 75
ppb in cooked beef extract, and to 85
ppb in grill scra
pings. The
product ionscan mode was used to confirm the identities of these HAAs. Six other com
pounds were detectedthat a
ppear to contain the
N-methylimidazoquinoxaline skeleton on the basis of their
product ions
pectra, and these com
pounds are
probable isomers of IQx, 8-MeIQx, and DiMeIQx. A number ofknown HAAs and novel HAAs of unknown genotoxic
potential are formed at a
ppreciable levels incooked meats.Keywords: Heterocyclic aromatic amines; mutagens; LC/MS