Formation and Determination of Monochloropropanediol Esters in Foods

MCPD (monochloropropanediol) esters are some of the heat treatment contaminants found in refined oils and oily foods. In particular, they occur due to the processing of products containing oil and salt at high temperatures. Dietary MCPD esters are hydrolyzed as triglycerides in gastrointestinal tract, and free MCPD is released. Since free MCPD is carcinogenic, it is important to determine the amounts of MCPD esters in heat-treated foods. In this review, information on the formation, toxicity, identification and reduction of 3？MCPD esters and similar compounds are provided