Analytical screening of polyadipates and other plasticisers in poly(vinyl chloride) gasket seals and in fatty food by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

SummaryFourteen poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) gasket seals and 15 samples of pesto, tomatoes sauces, olive oil and olives in oil were analysed for the additives and plasticisers. The systematic screening of the representative samples revealed that epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) was the principal plasticiser in eight gaskets and the concentrations of the substance ranged from 15% to 42%. Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) as main plasticiser was revealed in three samples and the amount ranged from 37 to 41%. Polyadipate was added in four samples at 16–46%. The concentration of ESBO exceeded 60 mg kg−1 in three food samples with extreme at 281.9 mg kg−1 and average 61.3 mg kg−1. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was detected in six food samples and it ranged from 2.5 to 8.7 mg kg−1. The concentration of DEHP exceeded SML (3 mg kg−1) in five cases. The concentration of total polyadipate (PA) was 16.3 mg kg−1 in average. All eight positive food samples for total PA showed the concentrations below SML (30 mg kg−1), which are specified for the fraction of polyadipates lower than 1000 Da. The migration rate of polyadipate in the food ranged from 1 to 7%. At such low transfer rate the polyadipates could be promising plasticisers for PVC gasket seals used in food industry.