A method has been developed for the analysis of individual alkanes in ducks and typical results are reported. Recoveries averaged 87 (+12 SD) with a detection limit of 0.05 mg/kg. Alkanes were observed on the duck skin at widely varying levels (e.g. 0.16 to 7.0 mg/kg skin for hexacosane) but were not observed in the duck flesh. These levels would therefore correspond to a total hydrocarbon concentration of 1 to 32 mg/kg duck which are small compared to other food products. Evidence is presented that the major source of these alkanes is from wax used in the duck defeathering process.
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