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Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Published on: October 2, 2016
Ambient mass spectrometry as a tool for a rapid and simultaneous determination of migrants coming from a bamboo-based
Jazmín Osorio1, Margarita Aznar2, Cristina Nerín2
1Analytical Chemistry Department, GUIA Group, I3A, EINA, University of Zaragoza, Mª de Luna 3, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; ASSET Technology Centre, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 9 Northern Ireland, UK.
Abstract:
New bamboo-based biopolymers are used as food packaging materials, but it must be evaluated to ensure consumers safety. In this study, migration from a commercial bamboo-based biopolymer to ethanol 10% (v/v), acetic acid 3% (w/v) and ethanol 95% (v/v) was studied. The migrants were determined from three different perspectives. Volatile and semi-volatile compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-five compounds were detected. In addition, a number of phytosterols were detected in ethanol 95%. Non-volatile compounds were identified and quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/ToF). Twelve non-volatile compounds were detected in migration solutions, mainly melamine and its derivatives, coming from polymer resins present in the biopolymer. Melamine migration was higher than 50 mg/Kg in the third sequential migration test. Finally, the migration samples were analyzed by DART-SVP (direct analysis in real time coupled to standardized voltage and pressure). This methodology was able to detect simultaneously the main volatile and non-volatile migrants and their adducts in a very rapid and effective way and is shown as a promising tool to test the safety and legal compliance of food packaging materials.

