Targeted and untargeted data-dependent experiments for characterization of polycarbonate food-contact plastics by ultra-high performance chromatography coupled to quadrupole orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry

Materials that come in contact with foods are potential sources of chemical food contamination. Con-sequently, characterization of their composition is of paramount importance considering the possibleoccurrence of several unknown molecules such as non-intentionally added substance (NIAS), residualmonomers, degradation products, plastic additives and organic colorants. Previous studies concerningthe characterization in terms of composition are focalized in the recognition of additives. To the bestauthor’s knowledge there are no scientific data about the composition of a plastic material in terms ofcolorants.In this work, an analytical method employing capillary ultra high-performance liquid chromatographyand electrospray ionization quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–ESI Q-orbitrap) was exploited for characterization of polycarbonate for food contact material. Data-dependentexperiments for targeted and untargeted analysis were employed after a total dissolution of polycarbo-nate samples and extraction of its components. The presence of common additives such as antioxidantsand UV absorbers was confirmed by targeted analysis, while, the untargeted approach combined withthe high mass accuracy of orbitrap technology allowed to identify for the first time some polycarbonatedegradation products and the organic dyes effectively used for the coloration of plastic objects intendedto come in contact with food. The present study shows the high potential of this technique in the field ofmaterial characterization aimed at food safety evaluation.