Development and Validation of a UHPLC-qTOF MS Method for the Determination of Sorbitol-Based Nuclear Clarifying Agents in Food Simulants after Migration from Food Contact Materials

Nuclear clarifying agents (NCAs) are a class of substances frequently used as additives in the production polymers to improve their physical properties. Some EU regulated under Commission Regulation (EU) no. 10/2011 can be food contact plastics. However, limited analytical methods for analysis currently available, part due poor solubility most common organic solvents and lack standards known purity. In this work, simple sensitive method was developed analyze 4 EU-regulated sorbitol-based nucleating simulants, following studies establish effective solvents. The shown accurate precise with official simulant D1 (50% v/v ethanol/H2O). Application other ethanolic simulants is also possible, but issues, posteriori conversion those into required. Finally, applied quantify target analytes after migration testing polypropylene (PP) beverage cups.