Linear and cyclic oligomers in polybutylene terephthalate for food contact materials

Abstract

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is a polyester (PES) gaining more importance on the food contact material (FCM) market. However, little is known about the potential migration of PBT oligomers which are formed during polymer production. In this work, PBT pellets and a slotted spoon manufactured from this material by injection moulding were analysed on extractable oligomers and their migration potential into hydrophilic foods. Overall 27 oligomers (cycles and linears) could be identified in different extracts by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS data, but without confirmation by reference substances. The oligomers were quantified by HPLC-DAD using bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) as external standard and the total amount of oligomers isolated by reprecipitation from the pellets and the spoon were 0.69 and 0.71%, respectively. While cyclic oligomers made up for approximately 90% of the extractable oligomers, linear oligomers proved to be more relevant for migration into aqueous foodstuffs. Furthermore, it was shown that hydrolysis of oligomers can take place in water at elevated temperatures. Consequently, the qualitative and quantitative composition of PBT oligomers in aqueous foods from FCMs does not only depend on migration but also on hydrolysis. Migration testing of the PBT spoon under repeat use conditions with water at 100°C for 2 h resulted in 0.29 mg item⁻¹ of linear oligomers and 0.05 mg item⁻¹ of the cyclic PBT dimer in the third migrate.