LC-MS/MS analysis of BADGE, NOGEs, and their derivatives migrated from food and beverage metal cans.

A simple and novel method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated to determine the levels of 10 compounds (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), novolac-glycidyl ethers (NOGEs), and their related compounds) migrated from food and beverage cans into food simulants. Method validation showed acceptable linearity, precision, and accuracy. The detection limits ranged from 0.28 to 14.8 µg L-1, and the quantification limits ranged from 0.94 to 49.3 µg L-1. Water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane were employed as food simulants for the migration tests, and the developed LC-MS/MS method was applied to 104 epoxy-coated beverage and food metal cans. Only BADGE∙2H2O and BADGE were detected; the levels were below the specific migration limit. Based on the obtained migration results, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of BADGE∙2H2O and BADGE were calculated. Exposure assessments were conducted to compare the EDI with the tolerable daily intake (TDI), with a relatively low percentage of the TDI being reported. NOGE and its related compounds were not detected in the monitored cans. Long-term storage tests were also conducted at 60°C over 30 days. Only BADGE∙2H2O was detected in all food simulants, except for n-heptane, and the maximum amount detected was 114.6 µg L-1 in 50% ethanol.

HS-GC/MS method development and exposure assessment of volatile organic compounds from food packaging into food simulants.

A simultaneous headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) method was developed and validated to determine the migration of 12 volatile organic compounds (methanol, acetone, methylethylketone, ethylacetate, isopropylalcohol, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, cumene, propylbenzene, and styrene) from food contact materials into food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.007-0.201 mg L-1 and 0.023-0.668 mg L-1, respectively. The method was applied to 205 samples of paper/paperboard, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated using the migration results. Exposure assessments were carried out to compare the EDI to the tolerable daily intake (TDI); the results indicated that the EDI of styrene represented only a small percentage (8.0%) of the TDI. This analytical method will be a useful tool to examine levels of various volatile compounds migrating from food packaging to food simulants using HS-GC/MS method.

Simultaneous analysis and exposure assessment of migrated bisphenol analogues, phenol, and p-tert-butylphenol from food contact materials.

A simple, rapid, and novel liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to determine levels of eight bisphenol analogues (A, S, F, B, P, AF, AP, and Z), phenol, and p-tert-butylphenol migrated from food contact material (FCM) into food simulants. Method validation showed acceptable values in terms of linearity, precision, and accuracy. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.53-29.6 and 1.77-29.6 µg L-1, respectively. Water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and n-heptane were employed as food simulants for the migration tests, and the proposed method was applied to 234 articles of 11 FCMs including polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, polypropylene, and polyethyleneterephthalate, obtained from domestic markets and manufacturers in Korea. Only phenol was found in the FCMs poly(cyclophexane-1,4-dimethylene terephthalate), polylactide, and thermoplastic polyurethane. Eight bisphenol analogues and p-tert-butyl phenol were not found in any samples. Using the obtained migration results, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of phenol was calculated. Exposure assessments were carried out to compare the EDI with the tolerable daily intake (TDI), showing a low percentage (0.18%) of the TDI reported. This is the first study to examine eight bisphenol analogues and two phenols simultaneously in FCMs using the LC-MS/MS.