Quantification of Cyclo-di-BADGE and Identification of Several BADGE Derivatives in Canned Food Samples

Abstract

Most cans intended to come into contact with food require the application of an internal coating made from synthetic polymers. The most widely used type of coating are epoxy resins based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE). It has been found that some components like cyclo-di-BADGE (CdB) and other BADGE derivatives can migrate into food. In this study, the polymeric coating of forty-eight cans was assessed using an infrared spectrometer with attenuated total reflectance. The food samples were extracted, and a targeted analysis was carried out to quantify CdB using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The first estimation of the exposure of the adult population was estimated by combining the concentration of CdB in the samples and the Spanish consumption data. In addition, a non-targeted screening by LC-MS was performed in the food sample extracts for the identification of other BADGE derivatives. Twenty samples were positive for the presence of CdB reaching concentrations of 2623 µg/kg. However, the tolerable daily intake of 1.5 µg/kg bw/day recommended for chemical compounds with high toxicological risk was not exceeded. A total of 18 epoxy oligomers could be tentatively identified in the food extracts being BADGE.H2O.BuEtOH the derivative with the highest incidence.