Determination of key diffusion and partition parameters and their use in migration modelling of benzophenone from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into different foodstuffs

ABSTRACT

The mass transport process (migration) of a model substance, benzophenone (BZP), from LDPE into selected foodstuffs at three temperatures was studied. A mathematical model based on Fick’s Second Law of Diffusion was used to simulate the migration process and a good correlation between experimental and predicted values was found. The acquired results contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon and the parameters so-derived were incorporated into the migration module of the recently launched FACET tool (Flavourings, Additives and Food Contact Materials Exposure Tool). The migration tests were carried out at different time–temperature conditions, and BZP was extracted from LDPE and analysed by HPLC-DAD. With all data, the parameters for migration modelling (diffusion and partition coefficients) were calculated. Results showed that the diffusion coefficients (within both the polymer and the foodstuff) are greatly affected by the temperature and food’s physical state, whereas the partition coefficient was affected significantly only by food characteristics, particularly fat content.

KEYWORDS:

• Benzophenone
• diffusion coefficient
• partition coefficient
• migration
• LDPE
• mathematical modelling
• FACET

Acknowledgements

The authors from the University of Santiago de Compostela are grateful to P. Blanco, C. Casal and G. Hermelo for their excellent technical assistance. The findings and the conclusions in this paper are the responsibility of the authors alone and should not be taken to represent the opinion of the funding bodies.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was conducted as part of the development of the FACET exposure tool and was co-funded by the European Union [grant agreement number 211686] (Project FACET – Flavours, Additives and Food Contact Material Exposure Task). Top-up funds (to Fera) came from the UK Food Standards Agency.