Oligomers: Hidden sources of bisphenol A from reusable food contact materials. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavazza, Antonella; Bignardi, Chiara; Grimaldi, Maria; Salvadeo, Paola; Corradini, Claudio
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 139(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Bisphenol A -- Degradation products -- Food contact material -- Migration -- Oligomers -- Polycarbonate; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109959
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Polycarbonate degradation causes release of bysphenol and oligomers. Analytical controls quantify bisphenol without considering oligomers. Description of kinetics of release of oligomers migrating from polycarbonate. Unreacted species during polymerisation have also been identified. Correlation of the amounts of oligomers with material ageing. Abstract: A recent European Regulation further restricted the use of bisphenol A in food-contact materials, reducing its limit of migration. However, all analytical systems of control are aimed at identifying and quantifying the molecules of this monomer without taking in consideration the possible presence of its oligomers, species originating from material degradation and able to follow an in-vivo hydrolysis providing bisphenol A generation. Thus, the presence of oligomers of polycarbonate deriving by unreacted species or polymer degradation can be considered a hidden source of several bisphenol A units, that remains outside the control of legislation and should be considered of high concern. This work was focused on the identification and the description of kinetics of release of different molecules migrating from polycarbonate food contact materials to simulants and to a model food sample such as melted chocolate. Analyses were performed by UHPLC system coupled to a Q-Exactive mass spectrometer. Targeted and untargeted analysis through data dependent acquisition mode allowed to detect the occurrence of several species deriving from polycarbonate, and permitted to investigate the polymer degradation pattern and explore the correlation of the recorded amounts of each product with age, hours of usage, and washing cycles of the plastic items.