Assessment and detection of the potential contaminants from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber-based biodegradable tray. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naziruddin, M.A.; Jawaid, M.; Yusof, N.L.; Abdul-Mutalib, N.A.; Ahmad, M.F.; Sanny, M.; Alzahari, A.
• Is Part Of: Food packaging and shelf life. Volume 29(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Oil palm empty fruit bunch -- Biodegradable food contact material -- Contaminants -- Polychlorinated biphenyls -- Phthalates -- Photo-initiators -- Heavy metals -- Formaldehyde; Food -- Packaging -- Periodicals; Food -- Preservation -- Periodicals; Food -- Packaging; Periodicals; 664.0905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2021.100685
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-2894

Abstract

Highlights: The presence of chemical contaminants in EFB fiber-based tray Vs commercially available fiber-based tray were investigated. Hot water extract of recycled Kraft fiber-based tray show highest level of formaldehyde & it surpassed the allowable limits. The levels of contaminants detected in EFB fiber-based tray were well below the allowable limits. Abstract: The advent of food contact material made from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber serves as a biodegradable alternative to petrochemical-based materials. This material needs to be tested according to strict regulations for its compliance as a food contact material. Present work aims to determine the presence of chemical contaminants in the EFB tray as compared to commercially available bagasse fiber-based tray and recycled Kraft fiber-based tray. The chemical contaminants were detected, and their levels were compared to the established limits. Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) was used to detect and quantify Polychlorinated Biphenyls' (PCBs) presence in all fiber-based trays. Meanwhile, the presence of phthalates, benzophenone, and 4-methylbenzophenone was quantified by means of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). The levels of mercury in fiber-based trays was measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and the levels of lead and cadmium was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Additionally, formaldehyde migrated to aqueous extracts from fiber-based trays at two conditions (cold and hot) was determined by an ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. Each fiber-based tray exhibited different innate chemical contaminants. Fortunately, most of the contaminants identified in the EFB fiber-based tray were found at trace levels. Unexpectedly, the migrated formaldehyde level found in hot water extract of recycled Kraft fiber-based tray was the highest and exceeds the limit set in Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, which is at 15 mg/kg of simulant. The results implied that the EFB fiber-based tray was inert and suitable for its application as food contact material.