Determination of potential migrants in polycarbonate containers used for microwave ovens by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and fluorescence detection

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Sep 10;51(19):5647-53. doi: 10.1021/jf034330p.

Abstract

The determination of several compounds present in a commercial polycarbonate container intended to be used in microwave ovens which could be considered as potential migrants has been carried out by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with both ultraviolet (UV) and fluorescence detectors. Total dissolution with dichloromethane and polymer reprecipitation with methanol have been used to evaluate 100% potential migration as the worst case. The extract consisted of a complex mixture containing monomers, oligomers, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, degradation products, and other additives. Phenol, Bisphenol A, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, Cyasorb UV5411, bis(2-ethylhexylphthalate), Irganox 1076, and Irgafos 168 were identified by both retention times and fluorescence-to-UV ratios. Additional confirmation was achieved by HPLC with diode array detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Recovery percentages were in the range of 73.8-94.4%, the lowest one being for the antioxidant Irgafos 168 due to its transformation into the phosphate form and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol. The concentrations of the studied analytes present in the polycarbonate container ranged between 0.9 and 240 microg.g(-)(1). The total dissolution conditions that may affect the final concentration of analytes, mainly Bisphenol A, are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Food Contamination*
  • Food Packaging*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Microwaves*
  • Polycarboxylate Cement*

Substances

  • Polycarboxylate Cement
  • polycarbonate