Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate migration from PVC-cling film into packaged sea bream (Sparus aurata) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets: kinetic study and control of compliance with EU specifications

Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film containing di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) plasticizer was used to wrap sea bream (Sparus aurata) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet samples with and without skin. After wrapping the samples were stored at 2 ± 0.5 °C and analyzed for DEHA content at time intervals between 5 and 360 h of contact (kinetic study). Determination of DEHA was performed using a direct gas chromatography (GC) method. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in migration of DEHA were observed between the two fish fillet samples: the mean equilibrium migration amount of DEHA in sea bream was 2.93 mg/dm2 film (91.9 mg/kg fillet) corresponding to a loss of 19.0% (w/w) DEHA from PVC film; while the mean equilibrium amount of DEHA in rainbow trout was 3.74 mg/dm2 (117.6 mg/kg) corresponding to a loss of 23.9% (w/w) DEHA. The above values for DEHA in sea bream are very close to the limit of 3 mg/dm2 of film surface set by the EU for DEHA while the corresponding migration values for rainbow trout exceeded this limit. Diffusion coefficients for DEHA in the PVC film during contact with both fish fillets were calculated and found significantly different between two fish samples. Furthermore, the presence of skin on the fillet decreased migration of DEHA into the fish flesh by a factor of 2.4–2.8. Based on equilibrium migration values of DEHA it is concluded that for a 60-kg adult, a daily consumption of 150 g rainbow trout or 200 g sea bream fillet packaged in PVC film would result in a daily intake of DEHA close to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.3 mg/kg body weight set by the EU.