Quantification of PET cyclic and linear oligomers in teabags by a validated LC-MS method - In silico toxicity assessment and consumer's exposure

Determination of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) dimer up to heptamer 1st series cyclic 14 oligomers, applying an LC-qTOF-MS method, has been developed and validated. Recoveries 15 ranged between 80-112 % with RSDs lower than 15 %. An innovative semi-quantitative approach 16 has been applied for 2nd and 3rd series cyclic oligomers, using the closest structural-similar 1st 17 series cyclic oligomer standard as analytical reference. Oligomers from the three series were 18 quantified in PET teabags after migration experiments with water and food simulants C and D1. 19 No legal migration limits exist currently for these substances. In silico genotoxicity assessment of 20 all identified oligomers has been performed and showed no genotoxicity alert for linear or cyclic 21 molecules. Exposure assessment was performed using EFSA's approach on the total sum of 22 migrating oligomers and on toxicological threshold-of-concern. Amounts found in water were in 23 some cases significantly higher than the respective limits, especially if the worst-case scenario of 24 multiple consumption.

TSOCHATZIS Emmanouil;  ALBERTO LOPES João Filipe;  KAPPENSTEIN Oliver;  TIETZ Thomas;  HOEKSTRA Eddo; 

2020-03-03

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

JRC118045

0308-8146 (online),   

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814620302880?via%3Dihub,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC118045,   

10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126427 (online),