HPLC with Fluorescence Detection for Determination of Bisphenol A in Canned Vegetables: Optimization, Validation and Application to Samples from Portuguese and Spanish Markets

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the chemicals used to produce both polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin coatings. Research has shown that small amounts of BPA can migrate into the foods and beverages enclosed in these types of containers. In this research, an analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) was developed and validated for the determination of BPA in canned vegetables. The results were confirmed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was performed, to identify the coating material of each tin can. Nineteen cans of vegetables were taken as study samples (eleven samples from the Spanish market, and eight samples from the Portuguese market). Excellent linear correlation (r2 = 0.9999) was observed over the range of 0.01 to 0.25 mg/L. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values were calculated to be 0.005 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Good recoveries, between 72% and 90% were obtained at three different levels of concentration (RSD% = 4.6). BPA was not detected in the samples. The proposed HPLC-FLD was found to be suitable for the determination of BPA in canned vegetables MF Vaz acknowledges FCT, through IDMEC, under LAETA, project UID/EMS/50022/2019. The work was supported by UIDB/00211/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds. Fernanda Vilarinho acknowledges National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge through the project “Development of methodologies for the evaluation of polymeric food packaging components and determination of their structural and mechanical properties” (2016 DAN 1289). Antía Lestido Cardama is grateful for her grant “Programa de axudas á etapa predoutoral” da Xunta de Galicia (Conselleriía de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria). This research was cofounded by the “Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia,” reference number GRC 2019/030 SI