Effects of food simulants on overall migration and on the migration of metals, phthalates (DBP, DIBP, and DEHP), benzophenone, and BPA from virgin and recycled cellulosic packaging materials

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of four different food simulants (deionized water, 3% (w/v) acetic acid, 10% (v/v) ethanol, and n-heptane) on the overall migration (OM), cold aqueous extraction of Cd, Hg, and Pb, and the specific migration of Ag, As, B, Ba, Cr, Cu, Sb, Sn, and Zn from virgin and recycled cellulosic packaging samples. In addition, the presence of three phthalates (DIBP, DBP, and DEHP), bisphenol A (BPA), and benzophenone in fatty and acidic food simulants was also analyzed. Specific functional groups were evaluated by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed that both virgin and recycled corrugated boards presented the highest OM values for aqueous, ethanolic, and acidic simulants. Chloroform extraction markedly reduced the gravimetric residue, exceeding 99% reduction in the most pronounced cases, although the chloroform-soluble fraction was not chemically characterized. All samples presented OM values below the acceptance threshold when tested with n-heptane. Migration of B, Cr, and Zn was observed, but only B exceeded its specific migration limit (SML) in corrugated boards. For the fatty food simulant, the combined concentrations of DBP and DIBP exceeded the applicable SML in all samples, whereas DEHP remained below its SML. BPA and benzophenone were below their respective SMLs. ATR-FTIR analysis showed new infrared bands after migration in aqueous, acidic, and ethanolic food simulants. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of evaluating these materials for compliance with Brazilian food-contact regulations.