Analysis of Phthalate Migration to Food Simulants in Plastic Containers during Microwave Operations

Abstract

Phthalates used as plasticizers in the manufacture of household containers can potentially be transferred to foods that are stored or heated in these plastic containers. Phthalates are endocrine disruptor compounds (EDC) and are found in very low concentrations in foods, thus, highly sensitive analytical techniques are required for their quantification. This study describes the application of a new method developed for analyzing the migration of dibutylphthalate (DBP) and benzylbutylphthalate (BBP) from plastic food containers into liquid food simulants. This new method employs the technique of solid phase microextraction cooled with liquid nitrogen. The analysis was conducted by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using a polyacrylate fiber. Ultrapure water was used as a simulant for liquids foods, and both new and used plastic containers were placed in a domestic microwave oven for different periods of time at different power levels. The limits of detection for DBP and BBP were 0.08 µg/L and 0.31 µg/L, respectively. BBP was not found in the samples that were analyzed. DBP was found in concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 7.5 µg/L. In general, an increase in migration was observed in containers that were used for a prolonged time, which correlated with increasing heating time.

Analysis of plasticiser migration to meat roasted in plastic bags by SPME–GC/MS

“…The phthalates were determined using a solid-phase microextraction fibre cooled by liquid nitrogen (CF-SPME), as described in Moreira, Andre, and Cardeal (2014). The efficiency of the cooling system was evaluated through the simultaneous analysis of DBP and BBP phthalates by DI-CF-SPME and DI-SPME.…”

A Review of Plastics Use in Winemaking: HACCP Considerations

“…The TDI set by the EPA for nine phthalates ranges from 0.02 to 0.8 mg/kg/day orally. The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) TDI for phthalates is 0.01 mg/kg/day for DBP, 0.05 mg/kg/day for BBP, and 0.05 mg/kg/day for DEHP (Moreira et al 2013). The US Consumer Product Safety Commission examined target subpopulations (women, infants, toddlers, and children), and for eight phthalates (DEP, DBP, DIBP, BBP, DNOP, DEHP, DINP, and DIDP) found that ingestion of food, beverages, and drugs were the greatest sources of phthalate exposure, rather than children's toys and personal care products (Gennings et al 2014).…”

Analysis of Di-N-Butyl Phthalate (Dbp) Residue in Commercial Food Packaging From Recycled Paper and Its Migration Into Food Simulant

“…When evaluating the migration of phthalates, it is essential to consider the characteristics of the food. Phthalates are lipophilic and are found in higher concentrations in fatty foods (Moreira et al, 2014). In this study, the migration test used 95% ethanol as a food simulant to represent fatty foods (food type III, IV A, V, VII A and IX).…”

“…Various method of extraction of phthalates has been published. During the last few years, several methods were proposed for the determination of phthalates by gas chromatography (GC) preceded by different preconcentration techniques such as cold fiber solid phase micro extraction (CF-SPME) for benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) analysis on plastic container (Moreira et al, 2014); liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) for dimethyl phthalate (DMP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), DBP, and BBP on milk samples (Milojkovic et al, 2015); ultrasound assisted solvent extraction (UAE) for all contaminants on paper food packaging such as benzophenone, di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and DBP (Vapenka et al, 2016). Suciu et al (2013) used soxhlet extraction for bisphenol A (BPA), DEHP, nonylphenol mono-ethoxylate (NMP) and nonylphenol diethoxilate (NDP) on recycled paper food packaging.…”