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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents HPHC
Published on: May 10, 2016
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Analytical screening studies on irradiated food packaging
M Driffield1, E L Bradley, I Leon
1a The Food and Environment Research Agency , York YO41 1LZ , UK.
Summary
Food packaging irradiation can alter plastic composition, affecting substance migration into food. This study analyzed radiolytic products in irradiated packaging, highlighting the need for safety assessments.
Area of Science:
- Food science and technology
- Materials science
- Analytical chemistry
Background:
- Food irradiation is a method used to extend shelf life and ensure microbial safety.
- Irradiation of food in its final packaging can impact packaging material composition.
- Potential migration of packaging components into food is a safety concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify radiolytic products in irradiated plastic food packaging materials.
- To investigate the influence of irradiation type, dose, and dose rate on these products.
- To assess the safety implications of irradiation-induced changes in packaging.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fifteen retail plastic packaging materials subjected to irradiation.
- Utilized headspace and liquid injection Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Employed High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-TOF MS).
Main Results:
- Irradiation, including gamma and electron beam, altered the composition of plastic packaging.
- Radiolytic product levels varied with irradiation dose and dose rate.
- Some substances decreased, while others were formed or unaffected by irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Irradiation induces chemical changes in plastic packaging materials.
- These changes can affect the potential for substance migration into food.
- Safety assessments of irradiated food packaging are crucial.
