Role of quality assessment of the recycled packaging material in determining its safety profile as food contact material.

Food packaging waste significantly impacts global environmental changes, prompting the adoption of a green circular economy approach. Recycling packaging waste is a critical element of this strategy. However, it faces challenges related to the quality of recycled materials and concerns about their safety. Thus, this review aimed to highlight different analytical methods alone or in combination to evaluate the quality of the recycled material. Furthermore, the safety and health aspects related to the migration of contaminants and their relevant regulations have also been discussed. An important parameter while selecting an appropriate recycling method is the composition and nature of the recyclate, for instance, HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), and PP (Polypropylene) materials can be recycled using mechanical and chemical recycling, however, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and PS (Polystyrene) present challenges during mechanical recycling due to lower molecular weight and complex compositions, thus are often downcycled into lower-grade products. Still, recycled papers can be more problematic than recycled plastics due to the nature of the materials and the impact of recycling. The literature review suggested that three quality properties i.e., presence of low molecular weight compounds, degree of degradation, and composition should be analyzed by using different spectroscopic, thermo-mechanical, and chromatographic techniques to obtain a detailed understanding of recycled material quality. Furthermore, recycling should be done in such a way that the migration of contaminants should be lower than the migratory limits set by the relevant authorities to avoid any toxicological effects.

Electrophoretic determination of chitin in insects.

An electrophoretic method (on-line coupled capillary isotachophoresis with capillary zone electrophoresis with conductometric detection (cITP-CZE-COND)) for the determination of chitin in insects based on the analysis of glucosamine after acidic hydrolysis of the sample is described. Chitin is deacetylated and hydrolyzed to glucosamine by acidic hydrolysis (6 M sulfuric acid, 110 °C, 6 h). Under optimized electrophoresis conditions, glucosamine (GlcN) is separated from other sample components in cationic mode and detected with a conductometer within 15 min. The performance method characteristics of the GlcN assay, i.e., linearity (0.2-20 µmol), accuracy (103 ± 5%), repeatability (1.9%), reproducibility (3.4%), limits of detection (0.06 µmol/L) and quantification (0.2 µmol/L), were evaluated. On a series of 28 insect samples, it was proven that cITP-CZE-COND provides results of chitin content in insects comparable to the literature data. The important features of the developed cITP-CZE-COND method are easy sample treatment, high sensitivity and selectivity, and low running costs. It is clear from the above that the cITP-CZE-COND method is suitable for analysis of insect samples for chitin content.

Evaluation of Chokeberry/Carboxymethylcellulose Hydrogels with the Addition of Disaccharides: DART-TOF/MS and HPLC-DAD Analysis.

With the growing awareness of the importance of a healthy diet, the need for the development of novel formulations is also on the rise. Chokeberry products are popular among consumers since they are a rich source of polyphenols that are responsible for antioxidant activity and other positive effects on human health. However, other natural food ingredients, such as disaccharides, can affect their stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of disaccharides addition on the polyphenol composition of chokeberry hydrogels. Hydrogels were prepared from chokeberry juice and 2% of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with the addition of 30%, 40%, or 50% of disaccharides (sucrose or trehalose). Samples were analyzed using DART-TOF/MS. The method was optimized, and the fingerprints of the mass spectra have been statistically processed using PCA analysis. Prepared samples were evaluated for total polyphenols, monomeric anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH, ABTS assays) using spectrophotometric methods. Individual polyphenols were evaluated using HPLC-DAD analysis. Results showed the addition of disaccharides to 2% CMC hydrogels caused a decrease of total polyphenols. These findings confirm proper formulation is important to achieve appropriate retention of polyphenols.

Incorporation of Natural Blueberry, Red Grapes and Parsley Extract By-Products into the Production of Chitosan Edible Films.

The aim of the research was to produce edible packaging based on chitosan with the addition of various concentrations of extracts of blueberry, red grape and parsley marcs. Packaging was made from extrudate extracts, which were subsequently analyzed by physicochemical methods: zeta-potential, gas barrier properties, thickness, water content, solubility, swelling degree, textural properties, total polyphenol content (TPC), polyphenols by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), antioxidant activity, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-Transform spectroscopy (FTIR), antimicrobial activity and determination of migration of bioactive substances. The results indicate that a higher content of plant extracts have a statistically significant (p < 0.05) influence on properties of experimentally produced edible films. Edible films produced with the highest concentrations of red grapes marc extracts showed the most advantageous properties since antimicrobial activity against E. coli were the highest in this kind of produced film. The physical properties of edible films were also improved by the addition of extracts; gas permeability toward oxygen can be defined as advantageous, as can swelling degree, which decreased with higher concentrations of extracts. The research emphasized the possibility to use plant foodstuffs by-products in the production of edible/biodegradable films, helping in the overall sustainability and eco-friendliness of food/package production.

Electrophoretic determination of taurine.

An electrophoretic method (on-line coupled capillary isotachophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis) with conductometric detection for the determination of free taurine in selected food and feed is described. Taurine is converted to isethionic acid by van Slyke method. Under optimized conditions (leading electrolyte: 5 mM HCl, 10 mM glycylglycine, and 0.05% 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose solution, pH 3.2; terminating electrolyte: 10 mM citric acid; background electrolyte: 50 mM acetic acid, 20 mM glycylglycine, and 0.1% 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose solution, pH 3.7), isethionic acid is separated from other sample components in anionic mode and detected using a conductimeter within 15 minutes. The performance method characteristics, such as linearity (25 - 1250 ng/mL), accuracy (99 ± 9%), repeatability (3.9%), reproducibility (4.3%), limits of detection (3 ng/mL) and quantification (10 ng/mL) were evaluated. By analysing 20 food and pet food samples the method was proved suitable for routine analysis. High sensitivity and selectivity, short analysis time and low costs are significant features of the presented method.

Evaluation of ice-tea quality by DART-TOF/MS.

DART (Direct Analysis in Real Time) coupled with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF/MS) has been used for analyses of ice-teas. The article focuses on quality and authenticity of ice-teas as one of the most important tea-based products on the market. Twenty-one samples of ice-teas (black and green) were analysed. Selected compounds of ice-teas were determined: theobromine, caffeine, total phenolic compounds, total soluble solids, total amino acid concentration, preservatives and saccharides were determined. Fingerprints of DART-TOF/MS spectra were used for comprehensive assessment of the ice-tea samples. The DART-TOF/MS method was used for monitoring the following compounds: citric acid, caffeine, saccharides, artificial sweeteners (saccharin, acesulphame K), and preservatives (sorbic and benzoic acid), phosphoric acid and phenolic compounds. The measured data were subjected to a principal components analysis. The HPLC and DART-TOF/MS methods were compared in terms of determination of selected compounds (caffeine, benzoic acid, sorbic acid and saccharides) in the ice-teas. The DART-TOF/MS technique seems to be a suitable method for fast screening, testing quality and authenticity of tea-based products.

Migration of epoxidised soybean oil from PVC gaskets of commercial lids: simulation of migration under various conditions and screening of food products from Czech markets.

Previous studies have shown that a large number of polyvinylchloride (PVC) lid gaskets exceed the existing migration limits for epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) and correct prediction of ESBO release into food therefore appears to be a difficult issue. ESBO migration from PVC gaskets of metal closures into food simulants and food products from the Czech market is evaluated during a survey in 2009 and subsequently one in 2012 to assess progress in lid manufacturing and official testing conditions. ESBO migration from lids into various food simulants was studied at various temperatures (25, 40 and 60°C) during storage times up to 12 months. ESBO released into food simulants or food products was transmethylated, derivatised and analysed by GC-MS. The levels of ESBO migration in foodstuffs in 2012 exceeded the specific migration limit (SML) in fewer products in comparison with the previous survey. However, most of the products were analysed at a time far from the expiry date and exceedance of the SML at the end of the product shelf life is not therefore excluded. More severe test conditions (60°C for 10 days) for specific migration given by the current European Union legislation (Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011) still seem to be insufficient for the simulation of ESBO migration during long-term storage.

Characterization of mustard seeds and paste by DART ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Direct analysis in real time (DART) is a novel technique with great potential for rapid screening analysis. The DART ionization method coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) has been used for characterization of mustard seeds and table mustard. The possibility to use DART to analyse glucosinolates was confirmed on determination of sinalbin (4-hydroxybenzyl glucosinolate). The DART-TOF-MS method was optimized and validated. A set of samples of mustard seeds and mustard products was analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography and DART-TOF-MS were used to determine glucosinolates in mustard seeds and compared. The correlation equation between these methods was DART = 0.797*HPLC + 6.987, R(2) = 0.972. The DART technique seems to be a suitable method for evaluation of the quality of mustard seeds and mustard products.

DART mass spectrometry for rapid screening and quantitative determination of cholesterol in egg pasta.

To ensure that egg-containing products, such as dried eggs and egg pasta, conform to the technological and legislative requirements for egg content, methods are needed to determine the amount of cholesterol in such products. The conventional approach, direct saponification and hexane extraction followed by cholesterol determination by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector, is very time consuming. Therefore, we developed a rapid method on the basis of direct analysis in real time coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Samples were prepared simply by solvent extraction followed by extract filtration. The optimization of certain parameters, including the solvent used and direct analysis in real time ionization gas temperature, had a pronounced effect on the intensities of the produced ions, in particular, the molecular and dehydrated ions of cholesterol and its deuterated analog, cholesterol 2,2,3,4,4,6-d(6) which was used as an internal standard. For the developed method, limits of detection and quantification were 0.03 and 0.05 mg g(-1) respectively. The results of the real samples were compared with those obtained using the conventional approach [limit of detection = 0.002 mg g(-1) and limit of quantification = 0.05 mg g(-1)], and it was found that, although the results obtained using the conventional approach were more accurate, our developed method is much simpler and faster, where the time was dramatically reduced by 87% for executing a screening analysis.

Testing the influence of various conditions on the migration of epoxidised soybean oil from polyvinylchloride gaskets.

Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) is widely used as a plasticiser and stabiliser mainly in food contact materials on the base of polyvinylchloride (PVC), especially in the gaskets of jar lids. PVC gaskets containing 10-37% of ESBO were prepared by the baking of PVC plastisols at various process temperatures (180-240°C) in the laboratory. ESBO migration into olive oil and 3% acetic acid was studied at various temperatures (4°C, 25°C, 40°C and 60°C) during a storage time up to 12 months. ESBO released into food simulants was transmethylated, derivatised and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The effect of food processing, i.e. pasteurisation (80°C and 100°C) and sterilisation (125°C) on ESBO migration was also evaluated. The results were critically assessed with respect to the test conditions of specific migration in accordance with the current European Union legislation (Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011). The levels of ESBO migration found confirmed that the test conditions (i.e. 40°C or 60°C, 10 days) representing contact in the worst foreseeable use scenario seem to be insufficient for the simulation of ESBO migration during long-term storage and thus do not provide satisfactory objective results.

Rapid determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural by DART ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

DART (direct analysis in real time), a novel technique with wide potential for rapid screening analysis, coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) has been used for quantitative analysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a typical temperature marker of food. The DART/TOF-MS method was optimised and validated. Quantification of 5-HMF was achieved by use of a stable isotope-labelled 5-HMF standard prepared from glucose. Formation of 5-HMF from saccharides, a potential source of overestimation of results, was evaluated. Forty-four real samples (honey and caramelised condensed sweetened milk) and 50 model samples of heated honey were analysed. The possibility of using DART for analysis of heated samples of honey was confirmed. HPLC and DART/TOF-MS methods for determination of 5-HMF were compared. The correlation equation between these methods was DART = 1.0287HPLC + 0.21340, R(2) = 0.9557. The DART/TOF-MS method has been proved to enable efficient and rapid determination of 5-HMF in a variety of food matrices, for example honey and caramel.