Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cachaças packed in bottles of polyethylene terephthalate

Abstract

Cachaça is a beverage of great cultural and economic importance for Brazil. It is made up of several substances that are responsible for the flavor of the beverage. Countless substances of a toxic nature can also be present, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These contaminants are commonly found in beverages and food. They have been studied because their toxicity is related to their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, and they pose a risk to human health. The PAHs can be formed in cachaça during different stages of processing. In this work, the presence of PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, acephenylene, and benzo[a]pyrene) was investigated during the storage of the beverage in plastic containers. Thus, samples from five producers of cachaça in the state of Minas Gerais were stored for up to 8 months in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging from three different manufacturers. Samples stored for 4 and 8 months were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and 10 PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, acephenylene, and benzo[a]pyrene) were identified and quantified. An increase in PAH concentration in cachaça samples with the storage time in plastic containers was observed. The three different packages contributed to the contamination of the cachaça samples with different PAHs. The highest concentration (approximately 11.0 µg L–1) of fluorene was observed in sample A from the three packages and during the two storage times. Thus, it can be inferred that the storage of cachaça in bottles of PET is inadequate for maintaining the quality of the beverage. Practical Application Therefore, it can be inferred from the results of the analysis that PET packages are sources of PAHs, and the storage time in these packages contributed to the increase in the concentration of these contaminants in the beverage. These results suggest that a review of the legislation regarding the use of PET packaging for beverage storage is necessary, as these compounds are carcinogenic.

Cachaça sold in polyethylene terephthalate packaging: Determination of the physical-chemical profile, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ethyl carbamate

“…The PAHs were identified and quantified by HPLC in a Shimadzu high efficiency liquid chromatograph equipped with two model LC-6AD high pressure pumps, a model DGU-20A3 degasser, a model CBM-20A interface and a model SIL -1 0AF automatic injector with sampler. The diode array detector (DAD) was used according to the method standardized by Souza et al (2022).…”

“…During the manufacturing process, PET packaging undergoes thermal processes in material synthesis and polymer molding so that it obtains the desired shape. These processes can be associated with the formation of PAHs and other contaminants found in polymeric packaging for food purposes (Souza et al, 2022) Machado et al (2014 investigated the storage of cachaça in high-density polyethylene drums and glass containers. The beverage samples stored in glass bottles were contaminated only by PAHs of up to three rings, whereas high concentrations of PAHs with more than three rings were found in the samples stored in polyethylene drums.…”

“…When he evaluated five brands of cachaça stored in PET packaging for different periods of time, Souza et al (2022) observed that the types of packaging interfered in the concentration of these contaminants. Samples stored for a longer time in PET packaging contained higher concentrations of these contaminants in all the brands of cachaça analyzed.…”

“…The polymeric packaging used is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (Ethylene Poly terephthalate), which has greater resistance to physical shocks, and different models and sizes exist on the market. Storage, physical changes and beverage packaging have been the subject of research in different areas, such as the presence of different compounds that are considered contaminants and can be associated with migration from the plastic packaging to the beverage (Souza et al, 2022).…”

Systemic inflammation mediates environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to increase chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk in United States adults: a cross-sectional NHANES study

“…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a collection of compounds that are produced through the incomplete combustion of oil, coal and natural waste, gas, and other organic materials. PAHs have been linked to a variety of health risks (5,6). PAHs can be derived from a broad variety of sources, including but not limited to vehicle exhaust, asphalt, coal tar, wildfires, agricultural burning, food that has been grilled, and tobacco smoke (7,8).…”