Simultaneous chromatographic analysis of photoinitiators and amine synergists in food contact materials

Photoinitiators (PIs) are components of UV-cured inks widely used in printing of food packaging. These substances can migrate into food and may be a hazard to human health. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) has been used for analysis of PIs and amine synergists in food packaging. Analysis was performed with a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm × 3.2 mm i.d., 5 μm particle size) with a binary mobile phase gradient prepared from acetonitrile and Milli-Q water. The flow rate was 0.5 mL min−1. The method enables separation of fourteen PIs and amine synergists in a single run. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, and limits of detection and quantification. Excellent sensitivity (LODs ≤ 1.56 μg dm2) and appropriate repeatability (RSD (n = 10) <0.9 %) were achieved. Different types of food packaging material including plastic films, cardboard, and cans were analyzed and PIs were detected in 47 % of the samples tested (n = 17). Positive samples were confirmed by use of LC–MS–MS in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode.