Mineral Oil Components Research Articles

Preparation of sustainable mineral oil-free offset printing ink with vegetable oil esters.

Mineral oils are used in substantial quantities for the production of varnishes and inks due to their abundance and versatility. However, as part of the production process, some of mineral oil components are separated as waste material, whereupon they can mix with air, water, or soil and become potentially harmful to the environment. Almost all these waste materials are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that can easily evaporate at room temperature and have toxic effect. Therefore, a novel green, mineral oil-free offset printing ink was produced using vegetable oil esters as bio-renewable raw materials. Accompanying varnishes were prepared with linseed oil, methyl oleate, octyl stearate, and four types of resin (A, B, C, and D). The application of these varnishes to magenta color offset ink was subsequently studied to screen out the best combination of resin and ester in terms of setting time. Meanwhile, dyeing force tests were conducted to evaluate the ink's printability, while rheological analysis was done via viscosity and flowability tests. The setting time of the magenta color offset ink made by varnish A was observed to be considerably shorter than that of the ink samples prepared using varnishes B, C, and D. Furthermore, varnish A proved to be a good alternative varnish for the production of yellow, cyan, and black color offset printing inks. Samples of these inks were printed on coated paper, and their printability was contrasted against that of vegetable oil-based (pure vegetable oil), mineral oil-based, and other mineral oil-free offset printing inks. Results determined that the varnishes produced with linseed oil, methyl oleate, and octyl stearate can replace mineral oil-based varnishes for the production of offset printing ink.

Migration and permeation of mineral oil components from paper-based food contact materials into foods – A critical comparison of analytical methods

Abstract Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) have been focused upon for their ability to migrate out of recycled, paper-based food contact materials. Their transfer into food products is controlled and predicted using various methods. This article provides insight into a variety of testing methods concerned with the migration and permeation of MOH. The influence of the experimental design and analytical approaches on the results is critically discussed. The research on and the potential of theoretical approaches by mathematical modelling are considered. Migration test conditions have not been regulated thus far. Those based on existing regulations dealing with polymers are generally inappropriate. In principle, there should be a focus on the application of food simulants and model substances. There is a wide range of barrier efficiency test methods for the adequate use of functional barrier materials. Permeation experiments, which result in physicochemical properties of the barrier, seem to be more suitable. Mathematical modeling has a high potential for simplifying the evaluation of the quantity of MOH in food.

Static and dynamic behavior of CO2 enhanced oil recovery in nanoslits: Effects of mineral type and oil components

In the present study, the oil miscibility and displacement of CO2/oil systems in nanoslits referred to three minerals (e.g., quartz, calcite and kaolinite) were characterized by molecular dynamics simulations. First, the mode of oil migration was identified to be affected by the difference in the interaction between CO2/C10 and solid surface. In the meantime, we recognized that the stability of displacement front was critical to ensure the smooth migration of oil phase. Besides, the oil molecules were more likely to undergo two-way mass transfer between oil and gas in the multi-component system. Nevertheless, the oil phase exhibited obviously poor mobility and higher viscosity in dynamic system, thereby inhibiting the oil phase that contained multi-components from being displaced and detached. Overall, the study highlights the effect of mineral types and oil components on the oil miscibility and displacement in CO2 flooding, which probably boosting the development of low permeability reservoirs.

Analysis of mineral oil in food: results of a Belgian market survey

ABSTRACTRecently, migration of mineral oil components from food contact materials into various foods has been reported. The analysis of mineral oil in food is complicated since it consists of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) comprising a complex mixture of linear, branched and cyclic compounds and variable amounts of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), mainly alkylated. Both MOSH and MOAH form ‘humps’ of unresolved peaks in the chromatograms with the same range of volatility. Since these two fractions have a different toxicological relevance, it is important to quantify them separately. Occurrence data on mineral oil are available only for a limited number of food groups and only from few countries. In Belgium, data on the contamination of food by mineral oil are lacking. In this contribution, an in-house validated online combination of liquid chromatography with gas chromatography (LC–GC) with flame ionisation detection (FID) was used for the quantification of MOSH and MOAH. Totally, 217 packed food samples were selected using a well-defined sampling strategy that targeted food categories which are highly consumed and categories suspected to contain mineral oil. For 19 samples, the method was not applicable. For the 198 remaining samples, MOSH was detected in 142 samples with concentrations up to 84.82 mg kg−1. For the MOAH fraction, there are 175 samples with a concentration below the limits of quantification (LOQ), while 23 samples had a higher concentration ranging from 0.6 to 2.24 mg kg−1. Finally, these results were compared with the action thresholds as proposed by the Scientific Committee (SciCom) of the Belgian Food Safety Agency (FAVV-AFSCA). Only one sample exceeded the threshold for MOSH, while the threshold for MOAH was exceeded in 23 samples. For the samples exceeding the action threshold, further investigation is needed to identify the contamination source.

Novel Test Approach for Evaluating and Modelling Barrier Properties of Food Contact Materials Against Mineral Oil Contaminants

AbstractA method for testing the mineral oil barrier properties of packaging materials has been developed as a response for the concerns on contamination of food by mineral oil compounds. The aim was to provide an efficient tool to evaluate packaging materials with respect to this. The method is a modification of the so‐called cup test using model compounds comparable with mineral oil components with different length and configuration of the hydrocarbon chain. The model compounds are introduced in the gas phase as penetrants. The absorbed amounts, which have migrated through the barrier, are analysed from a food simulant or powdered sugar. The method has been validated for coated and non‐coated boards. Compared with folding boxboard without polymer coating, polyethylene terephthalate‐coated board reduces the amount of the C16 compound in food simulant after 7‐day tests by a factor of 30. An extended migration model describing sorption mechanisms to both food simulant and fibres in the packing material has been developed. The model simulations for folding boxboard indicate that fibres absorb a significant proportion of the compounds when molecular weight increases. This retards the migration significantly compared with the speed expected by diffusion mechanism only. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

How to determine functional barrier performance towards mineral oil contaminants from recycled cardboard

Abstract In recent years migration issues from the cardboard packaging materials into various foods have been reported. Cardboard packaging materials might be contaminated with mineral oil or other contaminants via the fibre recyclate stream. Regarding consumers safety the concentrations of contaminants migrating from recycled fibres into food should be reduced down to levels below of any toxicological concern. At the moment, maximum concentrations of mineral oil components in cardboard packed food were considered to be 2 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg for saturated and unsaturated mineral oil components, respectively. But what are efficient barriers towards such mineral oil components and – more important – how to test the performance of a functional barrier? In principle, three experimental set-ups can show the functional barrier performance: (i) migration experiments, (ii) permeation experiments and (iii) lag time experiments. Aim of the study is to evaluate in detail the above mentioned three functional barrier testing options with pros and cons as well as to give recommendations for the performance testing of mineral oil components through functional barriers.

Permeation of Mineral Oil Components from Cardboard Packaging Materials through Polymer Films

Mineral oil migration from cardboard packaging into foodstuffs is recognized as a serious problem for the consumers. Within this study, a fast automated method for the determination of mineral oil permeation through barrier films was developed. The method is using 15 defined standard substances representing mineral oil chemistry instead of complex mineral oil mixtures. The developed method can be used for the evaluation of the barrier properties for polymer films regarding mineral oil components from paper and cardboard packaging materials. For all investigated permeants and polymer films, the logarithm of the permeation rates and the logarithm of the vapour pressure result in a linear correlation. The correlation can be used to compare the permeation properties of different barrier films. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that 12 µm oriented polyethylene terephthalate or 15 µm oriented polyamide are effective barriers towards mineral oil components. The barrier effect of pure polyolefin films is negligibly poor because the permeation is too fast and the lag time is in the range of a few hours at 40°C. As a consequence, the migration of mineral oil components from cardboard can be significantly reduced if inner layers of good barrier materials such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide are used. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Immunization as a model for systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Immunization of laboratory animals is a new model system for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the autoimmunity of SLE. Objective: Review the published reports describing immunization as a model ofSLE and describe the state of this research as well as future objectives as related to human illness. Methods: Medline search for relevant articles as well as review of cited bibliographies. Results: Either rabbits or mice can be immunized with proteins or oligopeptidesthat are lupus autoantigens with a resulting immune response not just to the immunogen but instead to a host of other self components that are also SLE-associated autoantigens. Several studies have noted clinical illness in these animals that resembles human SLE. In addition, injection of pristane (a component of mineral oil) also results in SLE-like autoimmunity, even though lupus autoantgens are not present. Pristane injected animals may also develop an SLE-like illness. There are reports of human SLE having its onset after immunization, but there have been no prospective studies. Conclusions: Studies are needed to determine whether human SLE tends tobegin soon after immunization. Meanwhile, continued study of animal models developed after immunization is needed in order to determine the relevance of this model to human disease. Relevance: SLE and/or SLE-like autoimmunity can be triggered after immunizationof animals. This may be a model for an environmental trigger of human SLE.

Immunopathogenesis of environmentally induced lupus in mice.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune syndrome defined by clinical and serologic features, including arthritis, glomerulonephritis, and certain autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP)/Smith antigen (Sm), DNA, and ribosomal P. Although lupus is considered primarily a genetic disorder, we recently demonstrated the induction of a syndrome strikingly similar to spontaneous lupus in many nonautoimmune strains of mice exposed to the isoprenoid alkane pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane), a component of mineral oil. Intraperitoneal injection of pristane leads to the formation of lipogranulomas consisting of phagocytic cells that have engulfed the oil and collections of lymphocytes. Subsequently, pristane-treated BALB/c and SJL mice develop autoantibodies characteristic of SLE, including anti-nRNP/Sm, antiribosomal P, anti-Su, antichromatin, anti-single-stranded DNA, and anti-double-stranded DNA. This is accompanied by a severe glomerulonephritis with immune complex deposition, mesangial or mesangiocapillary proliferation, and proteinuria. All inbred mice examined appear to be susceptible to this novel form of chemically induced lupus. Pristane-induced lupus is the only inducible model of autoimmunity associated with the clinical syndrome as well as with the characteristic serologic abnormalities of SLE. Defining the immunopathogenesis of pristane-induced lupus in mice may provide insight into the causes of spontaneous (idiopathic) lupus and also may lead to information concerning possible risks associated with the ingestion or inhalation of mineral oil and exposure to hydrocarbons in the environment.

Determination of food contamination by mineral oil material from printed cardboard using on-line coupled LC-GC-FID

Inks used for printing paper and cardboard are dispersions of synthetic organic pigments in a bonding agent system built up essentially of resins, vegetable oils and high-boiling-point mineral oil products (b.p. >250°C). The proportion of mineral oil material in the ink ranges between 20 and 30%. The more volatile mineral oil components slowly evaporate from the printed cardboard box and may migrate into the food product. They contaminated cereals and dry baby-food products at concentrations between 10 and 150 mg/kg.

The contribution of parked vehicle emissions to the pollution of urban run-off

The role of parked vehicles, as a source of urban run-off pollution has received little attention and is often considered to be an insignificant source. The investigations reported in this discussion indicate, however, that there may be a significant input of mineral-oil-type hydrocarbons (MOTH) into stormwater conduits (combined and separate sewers) from vehicles parked in the respective drainage areas. The paper outlines the role of non-dissolved solids in transporting MOTH into the sewer system. Suspended solid characteristics as well as potential interactions with mineral oil components are analysed. Hydrological boundary values, such as duration of dry weather periods and rainfall events are included in the analysis.

Intermolecular interaction of sulfonate and succinimide additives with mineral oil components

Intermolecular interaction of sulfonate and succinimide additives with mineral oil components

Electrical and viscosity properties of mineral oil components

Electrical and viscosity properties of mineral oil components

Transport of mineral oil components to groundwater—II influence of lime, clay and organic soil components on the rate of transport

The adsorption of a model compound and of oil components on lime, clay and organic soil components is discussed. It is demonstrated that adsorption may reduce the total amount of oil transport to groundwater, reduce concentrations and delay transport. It is further shown that persistent smells, originating from these physical processes, are to be expected mainly when oil components in a boiling range of 175–350°C (gas oil) are involved.

I. Drug sensitivity of rat adjuvant arthritis, induced with "adjuvants" containing no mineral oil components.

Summary1. Adjuvant arthritis induced with mineral oil adjuvants was resistant to acetylsalicylic acid and flufenamic acid when given prophylactically, and only moderately sensitive to phenylbutazone. 2. Adjuvant arthritis induced in the same rat strain with 4 metabolizable adjuvants (M. tuberculosis with squalene or squalane or butyl palmi-tate or butyl stearate) was considerably more sensitive to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone and flufenamic acid. 3. These alternative adjuvants offer promise for screening weaker, aspirin-like (antiarthritic) drugs in rats, to derive less toxic (ulcero-genic, leukopenic) drugs for use in man.We are grateful to Dr. C. M. Pearson for continued encouragement, the USPHS (NIH grant GM 15759) for financial support, to Drs. R. Per-rin and J. K. Pollard, (Calbiochem) for gifts of butyl palmitate and commercial adjuvants (Per-rigens), and Mr. J. Fitzgerald, Miss R. Stremel and Mrs. E. Taylor for their unfailing technical assistance.

Transport of mineral oil components to groundwater—I: Model experiments on the transfer of hydrocarbons from a residual oil zone to trickling water

It is well-known that oil spills in soils after some time become immobile. Subsequent rainfall may then leach out water-soluble components, which are carried downward by the rainwater. In laboratory experiments a pack of non-adsorbing glass particles has been used as a soil model to study the transfer of oil components to ground water. Oil was injected into a zone with residual water saturation of this model and allowed to disperse freely. Subsequently water was allowed to trickle through the pack and the drain water, not containing any free oil, analysed for contaminants. Experiments were carried out with a gas oil raffinate containing very small amounts of 2-isopropylphenol as a model for transferable components and with actual mineral oil products: gasoline, kerosine and gas oil. In all the experiments we found evidence that waterextractable components are leached out from an oil zone by trickling water at a rate which is determined by the partition coefficient of the components and by the water/oil ratio. When the glass particles were replaced by natural dune sand the transfer of oil components was delayed by adsorption and their concentration in the drain water decreased correspondingly. Under conditions prevailing in practice these effects of adsorption might be much stronger; in addition, chemical or biological oxidation and evaporation may also to some extent determine the fate of oil in soil. Further work is in progress to assess the effect of adsorption on the transport of watersoluble oil components in packs with compositions closer to those of natural soils.