Chromatographic Methods for the Determination of Polyfunctional Amines and Related Compounds Used as Monomers and Additives in Food Packaging Materials: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Polyfunctional amines are a group of substances commonly used as additives or monomers in food-contact materials. These substances can migrate into foodstuffs and, consequently, may be potentially dangerous for human health. Due to their different chemical structures and physicochemical properties there does not exist a standard method to analyze polyfunctional amines. This review aims to provide an update on the chromatographic methods used for the determination of polyfunctional amines that are commonly used in the manufacture of food packaging materials. Detailed information regarding chromatographic conditions (mobile phases, chromatographic columns, detection systems, and so on) is provided. Moreover, chemical structures and physicochemical properties of the substances studied are also presented.