Solubility determination as an alternative to migration measurements

ABSTRACT

Solubility values for six UV stabilisers (Cyasorb UV-1164, Tinuvin P, Tinuvin 234, Tinuvin 326, Tinuvin 327 and Tinuvin 1577) and five antioxidants (Irgafos 168, Irganox 1010, Irganox 3114, Irganox 3790 and Irganox 565) were determined in all the liquid food simulants (3% (m/V) acetic acid–water mixture, 10% (V/V), 20% (V/V), 50% (V/V) ethanol–water mixture and vegetable oil) proposed in European Union Regulation No. 10/2011/EC, as well as in fruit juice and cola drink. The applied method was obtained by modification of the method for the determination of water solubility as described in OECD guideline Test No. 105. By using ultrasonication and shorter equilibration time, the time demand of the solubility determinations were decreased notably. Solubility values proved to be lower than the specific migration limits (as specified in 10/2011/EC) at 25°C for almost all target compounds in food simulants A, B, C and D1 as well as in fruit juice and cola drink. The exceptions were Tinuvin P and Irganox 3790 in simulant D1. The solubility in food simulant D2 was higher than 1000 µg ml^–1 for all target compounds. These results show that the solubility of some additives in food simulants can be so low that it makes migration studies for certain additive–food simulant pairs dispensable.

KEYWORDS:

• Solubility
• SML
• migration
• polymer additive
• antioxidant
• UV stabiliser
• LC-MS

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Wessling International Research and Education Center (WIREC) for providing the HPLC-MS/MS instrument.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank Wessling International Research and Education Center (WIREC) for financial support.