Development and validation of a thermal desorption method based on Py-GC-HRMS using in-house reference materials to...

Plastic additives, such as plasticizers, flame retardants, and UV stabilizers, significantly enhance polymer properties but pose health and environmental risks due to their potential migration into food products. Current quantification methods commonly employ solvent extraction, which carries environmental and toxicity issues, as well as contamination issues. This study addresses the critical need for direct quantification of additives within plastic, using more sustainable, solvent-free, analytical methods.

A thermal desorption technique combined with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (TD-GC-HRMS) is described to accurately quantify additives in food packaging. This method demonstrated excellent linearity (R² > 0.99) within the concentration range of 0.01 %-0.2 % w/w for additives including plasticizers (ATBC, BBP, DEHA, DEHP), flame retardants (TCEP, TDCIPP), and UV stabilizers (UV-326, UV-327). Limits of quantification ranged from 0.01 % to 0.022 % w/w, establishing robust analytical sensitivity. Method validation through an accuracy profile confirmed high reliability, with most additives exhibiting recovery rates above 97 % in the first thermal desorption. Application to polypropylene food packaging samples revealed the presence of targeted additives below quantifiable levels, alongside other hazardous substances not regulated by current standards.

The developed TD-GC-HRMS method provides a rapid, solvent-free, and reliable alternative for quantifying plastic additives in food packaging, significantly reducing environmental impact and operator exposure to hazardous chemicals.