Chromatographic methods for the determination of free bisphenol A in technical and food products

Abstract

The article provides a brief overview of chromatographic methods for the determination of free bisphenol A in technical and food products. Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a monomer in the production of some plastics and epoxy resins. Free BPA may be present in quantities exceeding acceptable levels in plastic food containers and in food products packaged in these containers. Maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of BPA in the air of the working area is 5 mg/m3, which in terms of liquid is 5 µg/dm3. Maximum permissible concentration for the content of BPA in water, in water bodies for domestic, drinking and community water use is 0.1 mg/dm3. In European countries for plastics in contact with food, the BPA migration value is 0.6 mg/kg. Despite the relatively low toxicity of BPA, it can accumulate in the human body and cause harmful effects. To determine BPA in plastic, food products, and biological fluids, gas chromatography with preliminary derivatization by silylation or acylation of the analyte is most often used. Gas chromatographic techniques for direct chromatography on heat-resistant columns have also been developed. A fluorometric detector and a mass spectrometric detector are used as detection devices, along with a flame ionization detector. An alternative method for determination of BPA is HPLC with optical and mass spectrometric detection methods. The TLC method was also developed for the determination of BPA. For the preparation of BPA samples, solid-phase extraction (SPE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), combined extraction method with acetonitrile separation (QuEChERS) are used.