Migration of silver from nanosilver–polyethylene composite packaging into food simulants

An analytical method for the determination of silver in food simulants (3% (w/v) aqueous acetic acid or 95% (v/v) aqueous ethanol) was developed based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Recoveries ranged from 87% to 109% and RSDs ranged from 0.7% to 7.8%. The procedure was applied to determine the migration of silver from nanosilver–polyethylene food packaging film into food simulants at different temperatures and migration times. Results indicated that the maximum migration ratios were 1.70%, 3.00% and 5.60% for 3% (w/v) aqueous acetic acid at 20, 40 and 70°C, respectively, while for 95% (v/v) aqueous ethanol the maximum migration ratios were 0.24%, 0.23% and 0.22% at 20, 40 and 70°C.     

Migration of silver from nanosilver-polyethylene composite packaging into food simulants

An analytical method for the determination of silver in food simulants (3% (w/v) aqueous acetic acid or 95% (v/v) aqueous ethanol) was developed based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Recoveries ranged from 87% to 109% and RSDs ranged from 0.7% to 7.8%. The procedure was applied to determine the migration of silver from nanosilver-polyethylene food packaging film into food simulants at different temperatures and migration times. Results indicated that the maximum migration ratios were 1.70%, 3.00% and 5.60% for 3% (w/v) aqueous acetic acid at 20, 40 and 70 °C, respectively, while for 95% (v/v) aqueous ethanol the maximum migration ratios were 0.24%, 0.23% and 0.22% at 20, 40 and 70 °C.     

Characterisation and potential migration of silver nanoparticles from commercially available polymeric food contact materials

The potential for consumer exposure to nano-components in food contact materials (FCMs) is dependent on the migration of nanomaterials into food. Therefore, characterising the physico-chemical properties and potential for migration of constituents is an important step in assessing the safety of FCMs. A number of commercially available food storage products, purchased domestically within the United States and internationally, that claim to contain nanosilver were evaluated. The products were made of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyphenylene ether sulfone and all contained silver (0.001–36 mg kg^–1 of polymer). Silver migration was measured under various conditions, including using 3% acetic acid and water as food simulants. Low concentrations (sub-ppb levels) of silver were detected in the migration studies generally following a trend characterised by a surface desorption phenomenon, where the majority of the silver migration occurred in the first of three consecutive exposures. Silver nanoparticles were not detected in food simulants, suggesting that the silver migration may be due solely to ionic silver released into solution from oxidation of the silver nanoparticle surface. The absence of detectable silver nanoparticles was consistent with expectations from a physico-chemical view point. For the products tested, current USFDA guidance for evaluating migration from FCMs was applicable.     

Long-term wear effects on nanosilver release from commercially available food contact materials

ABSTRACT

Potential consumer exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) from nanoenabled food contact materials (FCMs) has been a driving force for migration studies of NPs from FCMs. Although NP migration from fresh, unused FCMs was not previously observed, conditions that result in significant changes to the surface of FCMs have not been investigated for NP migration into food. Therefore, a quantitative assessment of nanoparticle release from commercially available nanosilver-enabled FCMs was performed using an abrasion protocol to simulate cleaning, cutting, scraping and other stressful use conditions. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) analysis showed a general increase in root mean square (RMS) roughness after FCM abrasion, and particle count (for particle sizes from 80 nm to 960 nm) at the surface was 4 orders of magnitude higher for the abraded FCMs. Migration was evaluated using both water and 3% (v/v, volume fraction) acetic acid as food simulants. Low concentrations of total Ag were detected in water simulants with a small portion (<10 ng dm^?2) in the form of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Median particle diameter ranged from 39 nm to 50 nm with particle number concentrations on the order of 10⁶ particles dm^{? 2}. Total Ag migration into 3% (v/v) acetic acid was significantly higher than in water; however, 3% (v/v) acetic acid was not suitable for evaluation of NP release due to dissolution of AgNPs to Ag⁺ under acidic solution chemistries.     

纳米银-聚乙烯复合包装中助剂对银向食品模拟物迁移的影响

为探究纳米银-聚乙烯复合包装中添加剂对纳米银颗粒向食品模拟物迁移的影响,在20、40 ℃和70 ℃条件下分别将空白纳米银聚乙烯复合包装和含有助剂（抗氧化剂1076、抗氧化剂168、光稳定剂622和光稳定剂944）的纳米银聚乙烯复合包装在3 g/100 mL乙酸溶液和体积分数50%乙醇溶液两种食品模拟物中浸泡1～30 h,然后蒸干定容并用电感耦合等离子体质谱测定银的含量。结果表明：食品模拟物中银的加标回收率在84.19%～115.69%之间,相对标准偏差在3.21%～8.75%之间;在8 h内塑料中的添加剂会促进银向两种食品模拟物的迁移;同时银的迁移率会随着迁移温度的升高和迁移时间的增加而增大直至平衡;平衡时,塑料中的添加剂反而阻碍银向这两种食品模拟物的迁移;银在酸性模拟物中的迁移率大于在酒精类模拟物中的迁移率。     

聚乳酸抗菌包装中麝香草酚在食品模拟物中迁移规律

研究麝香草酚/聚乳酸包装材料中的抗菌剂麝香草酚在食品模拟物中的迁移行为。在4、10、20、30 ℃条件 下分别将麝香草酚/聚乳酸包装材料浸入蒸馏水溶液、体积分数4%乙酸溶液、正己烷溶液、体积分数10%乙醇溶液 中,通过紫外分光光度法测定食品模拟液中麝香草酚迁移量,分析温度和食品模拟物对麝香草酚迁移量的影响,在 实验数据基础上,采用Piringer方程建立麝香草酚迁移模型,分析验证迁移模型的合理性。结果表明：麝香草酚迁 移量随着迁移温度升高和迁移时间延长而逐渐上升直至平衡,且在4 种食品模拟物中麝香草酚的迁移量大小顺序为： 正己烷＞10%乙醇＞4%乙酸＞蒸馏水;根据幂律方程发现麝香草酚的迁移机制符合Fick扩散定律,且迁移方程扩散系 数随迁移温度升高而增大,分配系数与之相反;Piringer方程能够较好地描述麝香草酚迁移行为。在迁移实验的基础 上构建数学模型,进一步完善基于聚乳酸食品包装材料的迁移理论,以期更好地预测食品包装中麝香草酚的迁移。     

Potential silver nanoparticles migration from commercially available polymeric baby products into food simulants

In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively employed in food packaging systems as a potential antibacterial agent. Although proven to be highly effective, the increased number of AgNP-containing products raises concerns among consumers regarding the migration of AgNPs from the packaging material into foods, which may exert toxic effects. To address this, five baby products were chosen (baby bottle A, baby bottle B, pacifier A, pacifier B and breastmilk storage bag) to investigate AgNPs migration into three food simulants (deionised water, 4% acetic acid (w/v) and 50% ethanol (v/v)) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). As a result, the highest level of migrated Ag was observed for 4% acetic acid in the case of baby bottle B, pacifier A, pacifier B and the breastmilk storage bag, with the detection amount ranging from 1.05–2.25 ng/mL. On the other hand, baby bottle A showed the maximum migration for 50% ethanol due to the polymer nature. Finally, a centrifugal ultrafiltration experiment was conducted to determine the fraction of dissolved Ag in acidic simulant and it was found that migrated Ag was predominantly in Ag⁺ form, with a small fraction of non-ionic AgNPs. Thus, it has been found that the amount of migrated Ag in baby products was low; however, the migration was dependent on the type of food simulant and polymer nature.     

Migration of silver from commercial plastic food containers and implications for consumer exposure assessment

Food storage containers with embedded silver as an antibacterial agent promise longer durability of food. For risk assessment the release of this silver into the stored food and resulting human exposure need to be known. For the purpose of exposure assessment, silver migration from commercial plastic containers with declared content of ‘nano-’ or ‘micro-silver’ into different food simulants (water, 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid, olive oil) was quantitatively determined by ICP-MS and the form of the released silver was investigated. The highest migration of silver was observed for the acidic food simulant with 30 ng silver cm^?2 contact surface within 10 days at 20°C. In a second and third use cycle, migration dropped by a factor of up to 10, so that the maximum cumulated release over three use cycles was 34 ng cm^?2. The silver release over time was described using a power function and a numerical model that simulates Fickian diffusion through the plastic material. The released silver was found to be in ionic form, but also in the form of silver nanoparticles (around 12%). Consumer exposure to the total amount of silver released from the food containers is low in comparison with the background silver exposure of the general population, but since natural background concentrations are only known for ionic silver, the exposure to silver nanoparticles is not directly comparable with a safe background level.     

筷子涂层中重金属元素的暴露研究

目的研究筷子涂层中12种重金属元素(锌、铜、镍、镉、铅、汞、铬、钼、硒、砷、钡、锑)在体液模拟物和食品模拟物中的暴露。方法以胃液模拟物、唾液模拟物作为体液模拟物,以4%乙酸(V/V)、水、95%乙醇(V/V)作为食品模拟物,利用电感耦合等离子体质谱(inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,ICP-MS)法测定筷子涂层中12种重金属元素的溶出量和迁移量。结果对20批次筷子涂层中12种重金属元素的含量进行测试发现10种重金属元素(锌、铜、镍、镉、铅、铬、钼、硒、砷、钡)有检出,其中铅元素含量高达347660.8mg/kg。对检出的重金属元素进一步分析其在体液模拟物中的溶出量和食品模拟物中的迁移量,发现高含量的元素能通过体液模拟物溶出和食品模拟物迁移。结论筷子涂层中重金属元素可能通过3种途径暴露至人体,分别是胃液溶出、唾液溶出、食品中迁移,且涂层涂覆的位置可对重金属元素的暴露途径产生影响;胃液模拟物中溶出量是唾液模拟物中溶出量的10倍以上;4%乙酸(V/V)食品模拟物中的迁移量最多可高于水和95%乙醇(V/V)食品模拟物中的迁移量近1000倍,且随着迁移次数的增加迁移量逐渐降低。     

Effects of consumer use practices on nanosilver release from commercially available food contact materials

ABSTRACT

Migration evaluation involving nano-enabled food contact materials (FCMs) mostly focuses on potential nanoparticle release from new unused products. This may not represent consumer use practices encountered by the FCMs in their lifecycle. In order to determine if product use impacts the release of nanoparticles or other FCM components, it is necessary to perform migration evaluations under typical consumer use scenarios. A quantitative assessment of nanoparticle release from a commercially available nanosilver-enabled cutting board was performed under five conditions intended to simulate consumer use. Knife motion, washing and scratching scenarios were simulated by linear abrasion using knife blades, scrubbing pads and tungsten carbide burr attachments, respectively. Migration was evaluated using water and 3% acetic acid as food simulants. Low concentrations of silver (Ag) were detected in water simulants, a small portion (<4 ng dm^?2) in the form of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with particle number concentrations on the order of 10⁶ particles dm^?2. Median particle diameter was 40 nm. Nanoparticle release into water was observed under all five consumer use scenarios studied, however there was no correlation with the different levels of stress simulated.     

Assessment of the migration potential of nanosilver from nanoparticle-coated low-density polyethylene food packaging into food simulants

An experimental nanosilver-coated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) food packaging was incubated with food simulants using a conventional oven and tested for migration according to European Commission Regulation No. 10/2011. The commercial LDPE films were coated using a layer-by-layer (LbL) technique and three levels of silver (Ag) precursor concentration (0.5%, 2% and 5% silver nitrate (AgNO₃), respectively) were used to attach antimicrobial Ag. The experimental migration study conditions (time, temperature and food simulant) under conventional oven heating (10 days at 60°C, 2 h at 70°C, 2 h at 60°C or 10 days at 70°C) were chosen to simulate the worst-case storage period of over 6 months. In addition, migration was quantified under microwave heating. The total Ag migrant levels in the food simulants were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Mean migration levels obtained by ICP-AES for oven heating were in the range 0.01–1.75 mg l^?1. Migration observed for microwave heating was found to be significantly higher when compared with oven heating for similar temperatures (100°C) and identical exposure times (2 min). In each of the packaging materials and food simulants tested, the presence of nanoparticles (NPs) was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On inspection of the migration observed under conventional oven heating, an important finding was the significant reduction in migration resulting from the increased Ag precursor concentration used to attach Ag on the LDPE LbL-coated films. This observation merits further investigation into the LbL coating process used, as it suggests potential for process modifications to reduce migration. In turn, any reduction in NP migration below regulatory limits could greatly support the antimicrobial silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-LDPE LbL-coated films being used as a food packaging material.     

高温下白卡纸中二苯甲酮和1-羟基环己基苯基甲酮向食品模拟物质的迁移

研究了在70℃和90℃下,采用直接浸泡法使白卡纸中的固化剂二苯甲酮(BP)和1-羟基环己基苯基甲酮(HCH)向水、3%乙酸、15%乙醇、50%乙醇、95%乙醇等食品模拟物质迁移,采用高效液相色谱仪(HPLC)分别检测迁移后模拟物质中的迁移量。结果表明两种固化剂在0.64~40mg/L的质量浓度范围内呈良好线性,相关系数不小于0.9995。温度越高,迁移时间越长,迁移量也越大;随着乙醇浓度的增高,BP、HCH的迁移量也增加;对于3%乙酸,BP和HCH迁移率最小。     

Effect of antioxidants and light stabilisers on silver migration from nanosilver-polyethylene composite packaging films into food simulants

The effect of exposure time, temperature and food simulants, especially additives, on the release of silver from nanosilver-polyethylene composite films to food simulants was studied. Two different type of nanosilver-polyethylene composite films (with or without additives) were chosen to conduct the experiment with the aim of exploring the behaviour of silver migration. It was shown that the migration of silver into 50% ethanol at 40 and 70°C was much less than that into 3% acetic acid. With the increase of exposure time and temperature, the release of silver increased. The migration even continued after a long exposure time (14 days at 20°C, 10 days at 40°C, and 6 days at 70°C respectively). Only about 0.15‰ of silver migrated from composite films with the additives into 3% acetic acid after 6 days of exposure at 70°C, while about 1.3% of silver migrated from composite films that did not contain additives under the same conditions. This could be because the addition of the antioxidants and light stabilisers prevents silver from being oxidised, which is an important way for the release of silver.     

Kinetic desorption models for the release of nanosilver from an experimental nanosilver coating on polystyrene food packaging

To predict the kinetic desorption of silver from an experimental nanosilver coated polystyrene food packaging material into food simulants (0, 1, 2 and 3% acetic acid (HAc) in distilled water (dH₂O)) at 4 temperatures (10, 20, 40 and 70 °C), 5 sorption models were examined for their performance. A pseudo-second order kinetic sorption model was found to provide the best prediction of an unseen desorption validation dataset with R² = 0.90 and RMSE = 3.21. Poor predictions were witnessed for desorption at 70 °C, potentially due to re-adsorption of the silver back onto the polystyrene substrate, as shown in the kinetic migration experiments. Similarly, the temperature dependence of the desorption rate constant was satisfactorily described using the Arrhenius equation with the exception of the 70 °C scenario. The use of sorption models identified scenarios that may limit human exposure to nanosilver migrating from this experimental nanocoating, i.e. low temperature applications.Industrial relevanceThe use of antimicrobial packaging has the potential to reduce food spoilage and risk from pathogenic microorganisms while reducing food waste by extending the shelf life of food products. Coating of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to polymer surfaces is a highly advantageous technology as microbial contamination predominantly occurs on the surface of fresh and processed food products. However, uncertainty related to the potential release of nanoparticles from food packaging materials, subsequent potential human exposure and toxicology is a barrier to the uptake of these novel materials. In the European Union, where the safety assessment of these materials is stringent, mathematical models used to predict the worst case migration of nanoparticles from food packaging materials have supported the acceptance of some nanomaterials for use in food packaging. The performance of a number of desorption models was evaluated to predict the release of AgNPs from AgNP coated polystyrene. The model identified factors that influenced migration and possible industrial applications for the developed material to minimise human exposure. The study highlights the potential benefits of using predictive models to assess migration of NPs from polymers into food simulants instead of time consuming and expensive migration studies.     

纳米二氧化钛改性LDPE薄膜中纳米钛粒子在食品模拟物中的迁移研究

为探究纳米改性LDPE薄膜中纳米钛粒子在食品模拟物中的迁移规律,根据欧盟法规(EU)NO.10/2011,分别采用蒸馏水、3%乙酸溶液(m/V)、10%乙醇溶液(V/V)、95%乙醇溶液(V/V)作为中性、酸性、脂肪性和酒精性食品模拟物,研究在不同温度条件下(40℃和70℃)纳米钛粒子的迁移情况,并研究了微波和紫外处理对迁移结果的影响。研究发现,纳米钛粒子在四种食品模拟物中的迁移量从高到低依次为:酸性食品模拟物、中性食品模拟物、酒精性食品模拟物和脂肪性食品模拟物,并且温度的升高能够促进纳米钛粒子的迁移。纳米钛粒子的迁移量范围为0.0046 mg/kg~0.61 mg/kg。此外,微波处理也能够促进纳米钛粒子的迁移,紫外处理则没有这样的促进作用。根据欧盟规定所允许的最大迁移量5 mg/kg,迁移实验表明纳米二氧化钛改性LDPE薄膜能够作为一种安全的食品包装膜。     

Migration of copper from nanocopper/LDPE composite films

Three nanocopper/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite films were tested in food simulants (3% acetic acid and 10% ethanol) and real food matrices (rice vinegar, bottled water and Chinese liquor) to explore the behaviours of copper migration using ICP-OES and GFAAS. The effects of exposure time, temperature, nanocopper concentration and contact media on the release of copper from nanocopper/LDPE composite films were studied. It was shown that the migration of copper into 10% ethanol was much less than that into 3% acetic acid at the same conditions. With the increase of nanocopper concentration, exposure time and temperature, the release of copper increased. Copper migration does not appear to be significant in the case of bottled water and Chinese liquor compared with rice vinegar with a maximum value of 0.54 μg mL^?1 for the CF-0.25# bags at 70°C for 2 h. The presence and morphology of copper nanoparticles in the films and the topographical changes of the films were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In this manner, copper nanoparticles of different morphologies, sizes and distribution were found, and samples with higher nanocopper concentration had a more irregular topography. In the case of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), no chemical bonds formed between copper nanoparticles and LDPE. Copper nanoparticles were just as physically dispersed in LDPE.     

Nanoclay migration from food packaging materials

A recent trend is to use nanocomposites materials for food-packaging applications. Different kinds of nanoparticles are incorporated into the polymers to improve their characteristics, and, among them, nanoclay is used to improve their barrier properties to gases. In this work, the results of migration studies with different food simulants (ethanol 10% and acetic acid 3%), temperatures and times (40ºC for 10 days and 70ºC for 2 h) from two commercialised LDPE nanocomposite bags are presented. The migration solutions thus obtained were analysed by ICP-MS to evaluate the amount of aluminium which migrated into the solutions both in dissolved form and as a part of nanoparticles. Aluminium migration was observed for both samples with a maximum migration value of 51.65 ng cm^–2 for the Aisaika bags and 24.14 ng cm^–2 for the Debbie Meyer bags. The presence of spikes working in single-particle mode using ICP-MS indicated that part of this aluminium was present as nanoparticles. The size and morphology of the nanoclay, in both the original material and the migration solutions, was studied by scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (SEM-EDX). In this manner, nanoparticles of different morphologies and sizes were found to migrate into the food simulants.     

Migration study of caprolactam from polyamide 6 sheets into food simulants

Caprolactam, used in manufacturing polyamide (PA) 6, may threaten human health. Here, PA 6 sheets were produced by using a twin-screw extruder to evaluate its safety. Caprolactam migration concentrations from the PA 6 sheets into food simulants were evaluated according to the standard migration test conditions under the Korean Food Standards Codex (KFSC). Concentrations were investigated under various food simulants (distilled water, 4% acetic acid, 20 and 50% ethanol, and heptane) and storage conditions (at 25, 60, and 95 °C). Caprolactam migration concentrations into food simulants were determined as follows: 4% acetic acid (0.982 mg/L), distilled water (0.851 mg/L), 50% ethanol (0.624 mg/L), 20% ethanol (0.328 mg/L), and n-heptane (not detected). Migrations were determined to be under the regulatory concentration (15 mg/L) according to the KFSC test conditions. Taken together, these results verified that the standard migration test conditions by KFSC were reliable to evaluate the safety of PA 6.     

Partition coefficient of migrants in food simulants/polymers systems

Partition coefficients of six migrants (ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, acetonitrile, methyl ethyl ketone, isopropyl acetate and butyraldehyde) were determined between four food simulants (water, 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid and 95% ethanol) and two polymers (polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate). The results showed that partition coefficient is highly dependent on the nature of the migrant, polymer and food simulant. Of the six migrants, acetonitrile and ethyl acetate had the highest affinity for polar food simulants such as water, 10% ethanol and 3% acetic acid. Partition values for systems containing 95% ethanol as a food simulant were higher for non-polar migrants and lower for polar migrants.     

食品接触材料中多环芳烃在食品模拟物中的迁移规律研究

采用气相色谱-质谱联用法,对食品接触材料中多环芳烃在水、乙酸(体积分数为3%)、乙醇(体积分数为10%)和异辛烷等4种食品模拟物中的迁移规律进行了研究,研究迁移量与实验的温度、时间和模拟物属性等参数的关系。结果表明:模拟物的属性对迁移行为有显著影响,迁移量随温度的升高和时间的增加而变大。