abstract
The potential of an advanced analytical strategy based on the use of gas chromatography (GC) coupled to
high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with two different analyzers and ionization sources has been
investigated and applied to the non-target analysis of food packaging contaminants. Initially, the
approach based on GC–time-of-flight (TOF) MS with electron ionization (EI) source allowed performing
a library search and mass accurate measurements of selected ions. Then, a second analysis was performed
using hybrid quadrupole (Q) TOF MS with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source in
order to search for the molecular ion or the protonated molecule and study the fragmentation behavior.
This analytical strategy was applied to the analysis of four polypropylene/ethylene vinyl alcohol/polypropylene
(PP/EVOH/PP) multilayer trays and one PP/Al foil/PP film, each one subjected to migration
assays with the food simulants isooctane and Tenax, in order to investigate its potential on the
determination of migrant substances.
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