title: A systematic study on the stability of selected polymer antioxidants in EU official aqueous and alternative food simulants using HPLC.
abstract: Whilst considerable research has been conducted on the stability of plastics additives during processing, there is, on the other hand, a lack of studies on the stability of the same additives in food simulants in the published literature. In the work presented a systematic study has been undertaken on the stability of five selected commercial plastics additives (Irganox 3114, Irganox 1035, Irganox 245, Irganox 1098 and Irgafos P-EPQ) in the three EU-official aqueous food simulants (distilled water, 3% aq. acetic acid and 15% aq. ethanol) and in an alternative fat simulant (95% aq. ethanol) under two different time/temperature exposure conditions (10 days at 40 degrees C and 1 h at 100 degrees C). To enable quantitative analysis of the additives for this investigation, a simple and rapid HPLC method with UV detection was developed. The results obtained showed that the four Irganox-type additives under investigation were practically stable under the applied exposure conditions in all of the employed food simulants. Only Irganox 3114 exhibited a relatively low degree of instability in the ethanolic food simulants. Concerning Irgafos P-EPQ, a mixture of at least seven constituents, a remarkable degradation in ethanol and acetic acid solutions was observed. The developed HPLC method is also considered to be applicable for stability testing of other Irganox-type additives both in aqueous and fatty food simulants.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institute of Food Technology and Packaging, Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Demertzis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franz
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004355:Drug Stability; D000431:Ethanol; D005062:European Union; D005506:Food Contamination; D018857:Food Packaging; D006801:Humans; D010969:Plastics; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010969:Plastics; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol; D019342:Acetic Acid