Identification of non volatile migrant compounds and NIAS in polypropylene films used as food packaging characterized by UPLC-MS/QTOF

Migration of non volatile compounds from twenty six PP films used as food contact materials has been studied in four simulants (ethanol 95% and 10%, acetic acid 3% and Tenax ®) and analyzed by UPLC-MS/QTOF. Seventy six compounds have been identified, where 76% of them were non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) coming from degradation of additives used, such as methyl or ethyl or hexyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) from irganox 1076 and irganox 1010 degradation; or impurities such as N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) amines, or compounds of unknown origin, like hydro-ceramides. The most common compounds found were glyceryl monostearate or monopalmitate, erucamide, irganox 1010, irgafos 168, irgafos 168 OXO, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) tridecylamine and N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) pentadecylamine. Six films didn’t comply with the European Regulation Nº 10/2011/EU, where irganox 1010 and the group of N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) amines exceeded their SMLs. Other films surpassed the maximum concentration recommended by Cramer for the compounds of class II (degradation products) or III (amide compounds) when ethanol 95% was used as simulant. [Display omitted] •Twenty six PP films to be used as food packaging materials were studied by UPLC/MS/QTOF.•Seventy five compounds were identified.•76% of identified compounds were NIAS.•Six samples exceeded the SML for European legislation 10/2011/EU.•Six samples overcame the maximum concentration recommended by Cramer.