Abstract
Phthalate acid esters (PAE) serve as additives in plastic formulations, enhancing flexibility and transparency. Their potential migration from plastic packaging to food can lead to endocrine disruption in consumers. This transfer is contingent on the specific usage conditions designated for each type of plastic.Plasticizers such as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP) play a significant role in the production of plastic bottles utilized for storing edible oils. Since phthalates are not chemically bonded to the plastic structure, they have the potential to migrate into the food contents during storage. This research delved into examining the transfer from phthalate derivatives of PET bottles to edible oil under various storage conditions. The analysis employed a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) system. Findings revealed a notable increase in migration, particularly in DEHP levels, with concentrations reaching 115.3 μg/L in the bottled oils after 6 months at 45 °C. This figure surpassed the upper threshold of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which stands at 6.0 μg/L for DEHP, by a factor of 19.1.
Keywords: Phthalate acid esters, Plasticizers, Gas Chromatography-Mass.
