Use of atmospheric pressure solids analysis probe time-of-flight mass spectrometry to screen for plasticisers in gaskets used in contact with foods.
BACKGROUND
Plasticisers are used in the PVC gaskets of metal closures on glass jars and bottles used for foods and beverages. They may migrate and so contaminate the packed foodstuff. The plasticisers are present in a high proportion and are often a complex mixture of substances leading to time-consuming analytical methodologies. This work describes a rapid screening method to identify the plasticisers used.


METHODS
Analysis was carried out by direct sampling of the gaskets using atmospheric pressure solids analysis probe (ASAP) with time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) using a SYNAPT G2 HDMS system. The accurate mass information collected was then compared to a user-prepared database of plasticisers to aid identification.


RESULTS
The rapid identification approach was shown to be successful for 24 gasket samples previously analysed by alternative more lengthy gas chromatographic (GC) methods. Quantification by dissolution followed by standard addition was also demonstrated to be reliable.


CONCLUSIONS
The ASAP-TOFMS method is a useful technique for rapidly screening gaskets for the presence of plasticisers. It can be used to identify specific gaskets deserving of further quantitative analysis by chromatographic methods, saving time and money by avoiding unnecessary analyses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fera Science Ltd (Fera), National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
Malcolm
M
Driffield
Fera Science Ltd (Fera), National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
Emma
E
Bradley
Fera Science Ltd (Fera), National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
Laurence
L
Castle
Fera Science Ltd (Fera), National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
Antony
A
Lloyd
Fera Science Ltd (Fera), National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
Mita
M
Parmar
Fera Science Ltd (Fera), National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
Dennis
D
Speck
Waters Corporation, Stamford Avenue, Altringham Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4AX, UK.
Dominic
D
Roberts
Waters Corporation, Stamford Avenue, Altringham Road, Wilmslow, SK9 4AX, UK.
Sara
S
Stead