Primary aromatic amine migration from polyamide kitchen utensils: method development and product testing

Abstract

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the identification, quantification and confirmation of six primary aromatic amines (PAAs) was developed and validated to ISO 17025:2005. From a literature survey, 57 frequently used PAA compounds were identified and subsequently reduced to six – aniline, 4,4′-MDA, 3,3′-DMB, 2,4-TDA, 2,6-TDA and o-T – based on results from migration studies on a range of utensils. Low LOQs of between 0.075 and 0.496 µg l⁻¹ were determined for the six analytes, thereby quantifying well below the legal limit of 10 µg kg⁻¹ total PAAs. Furthermore, low measurement uncertainties were calculated for the analytical method, in the range of 3.15–3.20%. Mean recoveries were between 98% and 102% and spanned over ±12% at 95% CI. Following the analysis of 84 black polyamide kitchen utensils, the migration of PAAs detected was significant and is therefore of concern. The six analytes identified, quantified and confirmed in this survey could be utilised as possible markers for the identification of PAA migration, thereby improving the time and cost-efficiency of food control laboratories.

Keywords:

• food contact materials
• chromatography – LC/MS

Acknowledgements

This project was carried out in collaboration with the Public Analyst's Laboratory, Dublin. Their knowledge, assistance and financial support are gratefully acknowledged. Further gratitude is paid to Dr Luke O’Neill (Focas Institute, DIT) for his AFM work and the Dublin–Mid-Leinster Environmental Health Officers, Health Service Executive, for kitchen utensil sampling. This project was funded under the Dublin Institute of Technology ABBEST scheme.