Multi-analyte method for the quantification of bisphenol related compounds in canned food samples and exposure assessment of the Spanish adult population

In vitro bioaccessibility of cyclodi-BADGE present in canned seafood: A new approach for the estimation of dietary exposure of the Spanish population

Human dietary exposure to chemical compounds is a priority issue for public health authorities since it constitutes a key step in risk assessment, and food packaging could be an important source of contamination. In this study, the bioaccessibility of cyclodi-BADGE was evaluated in canned seafood samples using a standardized protocol of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and an analytical method based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The impact of enzymes, different gastric pHs, and food-covering liquids on the bioaccessibility of cyclodi-BADGE was studied. The results highlighted that cyclodi-BADGE was available to be absorbed at the intestinal level (90.9-112.3%), and its bioaccessibility increased substantially in fat food samples. Finally, the estimated dietary exposure to cyclodi-BADGE in the Spanish adult population reached values of 14.26 μg/kg bw/day for tuna in tomato, exceeding the tolerable daily intake (1.5 μg/kg bw/day) recommended for chemicals with high toxicological risk.

Determination of the occurrence of and exposure to bisphenol A and its analogues in carbonated beverages and canned tuna using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry

Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, is commonly used in food containers and packaging. Recently, alternatives such as bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol B (BPB), and bisphenol E (BPE) have been introduced to replace BPA. However, these substitutes have been reported to exhibit toxicity levels similar to BPA. In this study, we developed and validated a method for the analysis of trace bisphenols (BPA, BPAF, BPB, and BPE) in food using immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up. The method demonstrated satisfactory accuracy and precision. We applied this validated method to analyze 56 carbonated beverage samples and 30 canned tuna samples. In the carbonated beverages, average concentrations of BPA and BPAF were 0.4 and 0.2 μg kg-1, respectively. In canned tuna, BPA and BPAF were found at average concentrations of 22.2 and 0.7 μg kg-1, respectively, while BPB and BPE were not detected in any samples. Estimated exposure levels ranged from 0.13 to 0.18 ng kg bw-1 day-1 in the general population and from 205.2 to 232.0 ng kg bw-1 day-1 among consumers. The commercial IAC-based analytical method used in this study can contribute to the safety management of BPA, BPAF, BPB, and BPE.

Adverse outcomes of the newly emerging bisphenol A substitutes

BPA and its analogues are facing increasingly stringent regulations restricting their use due to the increasing knowledge of their harmful effects. It is therefore expected that novel BPA analogues and alternatives will replace them in plastic products, cans and thermal paper to circumvent restrictions imposed by legislation. This raises concerns about the safety of "BPA-free" products, as they contain BPA substitutes whose safety has not been sufficiently assessed prior to their market introduction. The regulatory agencies have recognised BPAP, BPBP, BPC2, BPE, BPFL, BPG, BPP, BPPH, BPS-MAE, BPS-MPE, BP-TMC, BPZ and the alternatives BTUM, D-90, UU and PF201 as compound with insufficient data regarding their safety. We demonstrate that the mentioned compounds are present in consumer products, food and the environment, thus exhibiting toxicological risk not only to humans, but also to other species where their toxic effects have already been described. Results of in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies examining the endocrine disruption and other effects of BPA analogues show that they disrupt the endocrine system by targeting various nuclear receptors, impairing reproductive function and causing toxic effects such as hepatotoxicity, altered behaviour and impaired reproductive function. In vitro and in vivo data on BPA alternatives are literally non-existent, although these compounds are already present in commonly used thermal papers. However, in silico studies predicted that they might cause adverse effects as well. The aim of this article is to comprehensively collate the information on selected BPA substitutes to illustrate their potential toxicity and identify safety gaps.

Assessing dietary bisphenol A exposure among Koreans: comprehensive database construction and analysis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure primarily occurs through dietary intake. This study aimed to estimate the extent of dietary BPA exposure among Koreans. A thorough literature search was conducted to establish a BPA content database encompassing common foods consumed in Korea, including various food raw materials and processed food products. Dietary exposure levels were estimated by integrating the constructed BPA database with comprehensive nationwide 24 h-dietary recall datasets. The finding revealed that dietary BPA exposure was low for most Koreans, with a mean of 14.5 ng/kg bw/day, but was higher for preschool-age children (over 23 ng). Canned foods accounted for 9-36% of the total dietary exposure of the highest dietary exposure groups; while across all age groups, a considerable amount was derived from canned tuna, contribution of canned fruits and canned coffee (milk-containing) was high for preschool-age children and adults, respectively. Notably, for adults, a substantial proportion also stemmed from beer packaged in cans. While diet contributed over 80% of aggregate exposure for most age groups, preschool-age children experienced 60% exposure through diet due to additional exposure from indoor dust. Even at the high exposure scenario, aggregate BPA exposure levels remained lower than the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by the Korean agency (20 μg/kg bw/day). Nevertheless, most Koreans were exposed to BPA levels surpassing the strictest TDI (0.2 ng/kg bw/day) set by the European Food Safety Authority.

Optimization of a fast and sensitive method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion-LC-ms/ms for simultaneous determination of phthalates and bisphenols in mussel samples

Bisphenols and phthalates are wide classes of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) extensively used as additives in plastic products. In this study, a fast and reliable analytical method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) coupled with LC-MS/MS was developed and optimized for simultaneous determination of 8 bisphenols and 7 phthalates in raw mussel extract. The LC-MS/MS method was tested for linearity (R2), inter- and intra-day repeatability, limit of detection and quantification, both for matrix-free and matrix-matched solutions. The MSPD method was optimized in terms of ratio between sample and sorbent, and the type and quantity of the eluents in order to maximize the recoveries and to minimize matrix effects. The obtained recoveries (values between 75% and 113%), limits of detection (values between 0.048 and 0.36 µg kg-1), limits of quantification (values between 0.16 and 1.28 µg kg-1), repeatability (RSD% between 1.30% and 8.41%) and linearity (R2 > 0.998) were satisfactory and suitable for the determination of target micropollutants in food samples. In addition, the low solvent consumption and fast execution make this method ideal for routinely determinations of bisphenols and phthalates in mussels.

Recent Advances in Sources, Migration, Public Health, and Surveillance of Bisphenol A and Its Structural Analogs in Canned Foods

The occurrence of bisphenol A (BPA) and its structural analogs, known as endocrine disruptors is widely reported. Consumers could be exposed to these chemicals through canned foods, leading to health risks. Considerable advances have occurred in the pathogenic mechanism, migration law, and analytical methodologies for these compounds in canned foods. However, the confusion and controversies on sources, migration, and health impacts have plagued researchers. This review aimed to provide insights and perspectives on sources, migration, effects on human health, and surveillance of these chemicals in canned food products. Current trends in the determination of BPA and its structural analogs have focused on mass spectroscopy and electrochemical sensor techniques. Several factors, including pH, time, temperature, and volume of the headspace in canned foods, could affect the migration of the chemicals. Moreover, it is necessary to quantify the proportion of them originating from the can material used in canned product manufacturing. In addition, adverse reaction research about exposure to low doses and combined exposure with other food contaminants will be required. We strongly believe that the information presented in this paper will assist in highlighting the research needs on these chemicals in canned foods for future risk evaluations.

Risk assessment of bisphenol related compounds in canned convenience foods, olives, olive oil, and canned soft drinks in Turkey

The presence of Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (BADGE), and their derivatives in seventy-nine samples of food products available in Turkish stores was determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Among Bisphenol A and its analogues, BPA was the most detected migrant with 56.97%. Fish products had the highest level of BPA with 0.102 mg/kg although only three fish samples exceeded the Specific Migration Limit (SML) for BPA of 0.05 mg/kg of food. The BPF, BPS, and BPB in all analyzed foods ranged between 0-0.021, 0-0.036, and 0.072 mg/kg, respectively. BADGE derivates, BADGE·2H₂O and cyclo-di-BADGE (CdB) were present in 57 and 52 samples with concentrations ranging between 0-0.354, and 0-1.056 mg/kg, respectively. All the analyzed traditional Turkish ready-to-eat meals and fish products were contaminated with BADGE·2H₂O and CdB. The overall levels of BADGE and the derivates were below the specific migration limit. CdB was found at higher concentrations in traditional Turkish ready-to-eat meals, up to 1.056 mg/kg. The CdB concentration in most of the samples was above the highest figure with 0.05 mg/kg authorized by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. The predominant chlorinated derivative was BADGE·H₂O·HCl which was found in thirty-seven samples in the range of 0.007-0.061 mg/kg.

Food and beverage can coatings: A review on chemical analysis, migration, and risk assessment

The internal surface of food and beverage cans is generally covered with polymeric coatings to preserve food and protect metal substrate from corrosion. Coating materials are complex formulations that contain different starting substances (e.g., monomers, prepolymers, additives, etc.) and in addition during the manufacture of the material several compounds can be formed (e.g., reaction products, degradation products, etc.). These substances have the potential to migrate into the food. Many of them have not been identified and only some have been toxicologically evaluated. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the analytical methods used for the identification of potential migrants in can coatings. The migration and exposure to chemicals migrating from can coatings are also reviewed and discussed so far, which is essential for risk assessment. Moreover, a brief section on the current status of the legislation on varnishes and coatings for food contact in Europe is also presented. Liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and fluorescence detectors and particularly to mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry seem to be the techniques of choice for the identification of potential migrants in can coatings. Some studies have reported migration levels of BPA (bisphenol A) and BADGE (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether) and derivatives exceeding the specific migration limits set in the European legislation. On the whole, low dietary exposure to migrants from can coatings has been reported. However, it is interesting to highlight that in these studies the combined exposure to multiple chemicals has not been considered.

Non-targeted screening of extracts from polyester-phenolic can coatings: Identification of new aldehyde molecules from resole-based resins

Phenolic and substituted phenol based resoles are commonly used in the formulation of can coatings. However, migration analyses of these coatings are very little described compared to other coating technologies. While epoxy and polyester have well known migrants with defined formation mechanisms, Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) specifically related to the phenolic resin are hardly studied in the literature. The goal of the publication is to further explore the influence of the phenolic resole, used in the formulation of can coatings, on extracted NIAS's nature. Six different model polyester-phenolic can coatings were formulated each with a specific phenol, cresol or tertbutylphenol-based resole. Can coating films were extracted for 24 h at 40 °C in acetonitrile before analysis. NIAS identification was done using gas chromatography separation coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses. Cyclic polyester oligomers were found in all extracts, with oligomers found in a range of 10 μg/dm² to 226 μg/dm², without specific influence of the resole used in formulation. While very few or no peaks were detected from cresol- and phenol-based resoles, 48 peaks were specifically observed in coating extracts of formulas with tertbutylphenol-based resoles as well as in their respective resoles. The most intense peaks were identified as aldehyde compounds by HRMS and NMR analysis. These aldehydes were semi-quantified in similar proportions as polyester oligomers. The presence of such aldehydes has never been reported in the literature regarding NIAS in can coatings. Further study will then be needed to better understand the aldehyde formation mechanism and assess the toxicological profile of such chemicals.