Comprehensive study on the migration on non-intentionally added substances from food contact films of PBS, PLA, and their blends

This study investigated the migration of non-intentionally added substances from the biodegradable polymers polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA) and their blends. Migration tests were conducted using 10 % ethanol (hydrophilic simulant) and 50 % ethanol (lipophilic simulant), at 20 °C and 40 °C, for 10 days, and at 70 °C, for 2 h, in accordance with EU Commission Regulation 10/2011. Gas Chromatography Quadrupole Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS) and Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) were employed to characterize both migrated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-/non-volatile compounds, respectively. PBS/PLA blends released higher concentration of VOCs than the neat polymers, whereas the release of PBS and PLA oligomers was strongly affected by simulant and temperature. Although all samples complied with EU Regulation, the findings showed that a comprehensive analysis of the migrated compounds is very important for the in-depth risk assessment of biodegradable polymers. • Migrating VOCs and NVOCs were assessed through high resolution Mass Spectrometry (MS). • PBS/PLA blends film released more VOCs than neat polymers. • Migration was strongly influenced by simulant type and temperature. • All samples complied with EU migration limits. • Comprehensive analysis is essential for risk assessment.