Related Experiment Videos
High-temperature migration of antioxidants from polyolefins
R Goydan1, A D Schwope, R C Reid
1Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02140.
Food Additives and Contaminants
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Antioxidant migration from plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene into food simulants was studied. Migration rates depended on plastic type, simulant, and temperature, with HDPE showing the lowest losses.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Food Contact Materials Science
Background:
- Antioxidants are crucial additives in polyolefins to prevent degradation.
- Understanding antioxidant migration is vital for food safety and regulatory compliance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify migration rates of Irganox-1010 and Irganox-1076 from LDPE, HDPE, and PP.
- To investigate the influence of food simulating liquids (FSL) and temperature on migration.
- To compare migration behavior across different polyolefin types.
Main Methods:
- Radiolabelled antioxidants (I-1010, I-1076) were used.
- Migration studies were conducted using various FSL (water, ethanol, corn oil) at temperatures up to 135°C.
- Experiments utilized a high-pressure cell with controlled contact periods.
Main Results:
- Antioxidant migration followed Fickian diffusion kinetics, correlating with temperature via Arrhenius equation.
- PP showed highest migration in aqueous simulants; LDPE showed highest in non-aqueous simulants.
- HDPE consistently exhibited the lowest migration rates for both simulants.
Conclusions:
- Migration behavior is polymer-specific, simulant-dependent, and temperature-sensitive.
- HDPE demonstrates superior retention of antioxidants compared to LDPE and PP.
- Findings provide critical data for risk assessment of food packaging materials.