Marine degradation and ecotoxicity of conventional, recycled and compostable plastic bags

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 351, P. 124096 - 124096

Published: May 2, 2024

Plastic bags are currently a major component of marine litter, causing aesthetical nuisance, and undesirable effects on fauna that ingest them or entangled. litter also rises concern the ecotoxicological due to potential toxicity chemical additives leached in aquatic environments. Conventional plastic made polyethylene, either from first use recycled, but regulations restricting single-use plastics limiting lightweight carrier (<50 μm thickness) have fostered replacement thin PE by compostable materials advertised as safer for environment. In this study, we assess degradation commercially available conditions at two scales: aquariums (60 days) outdoors flow-through mesocosm (120 days). Strength break point other tensile strength parameters were used ecologically relevant endpoints track mechanical degradation. Ecotoxicity has been assessed along incubation period using sensitive Paracentrotus lividus embryo test. Whereas did not substantially lose their properties within 60 d aquarium exposures, showed remarkable weight loss decay, some fragmenting after 3-4 weeks. Sediment pore water inoculum promoted more rapid bags, while nutrient addition pattern affect rate. Longer-term mesocosms exposures supported these findings, well pointed out influence microbial processes efficiency compostable/bioplastic bags. Compostable materials, contrast toPE, moderate sea-urchin larvae, partially associated environmental implications findings remain be assessed. These methods proved useful classify according degradability conditions, remarkably shorter time than current standard tests promote new fauna.

Language: Английский

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Role of quality assessment of the recycled packaging material in determining its safety profile as food contact material

Waste Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 188, P. 72 - 85

Published: Aug. 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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Recent and emerging food packaging alternatives: Chemical safety risks, current regulations, and analytical challenges

Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 23(6)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abstract Food contact materials should not release their constituent substances into food at levels harmful to human health nor change the composition, taste, or odor unacceptably. The historical evolution of packaging shows that use plastics has increased dramatically, because its convenience, lightweight, and cost effectiveness, but carries a significant environmental impact. Influenced by trends such as growing awareness footprint stricter safety requirements, conventional is now progressively evolving toward new alternatives. All stakeholders in agrifood system are involved journey transform more sustainable alternatives, while maintaining important functionalities suitable packaging. current most promising alternatives presented this review with benefits, limitations, associated potential hazards, focus on chemical hazards. Although some hazards common packaging, others specific Identification these anticipate any risks posed consumer safety. With much diversity types rules aimed ensuring drastically varying between jurisdictions, it always easy determine best way assess International guidance principles for safe could help drive global harmonization would play crucial role consistent science‐based framework compliance emerging

Language: Английский

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Impact of recyclate quality and functional barrier layers on the performance of LDPE in food packaging

Polymer Engineering and Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Abstract Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most used polyolefins for food packaging applications. However, there are safety concerns and challenges to recycle it back contact material. The present study compares thermal, mechanical, barrier properties, angle, color, structural properties (Fourier transfer infrared) between virgin LDPE two recycled qualities LDPE, without with functional layers (ABA structure). In addition, migration analysis interaction were also conducted. Thermal‐induced degradation resulting from chain scission was observed in LDPE. thermal behavior films not affected by quality recyclate. On other hand, recyclate had a significant effect on both mechanical properties. tensile strength oxygen permeability type addition as multilayer increased strength, while high‐density (HDPE) did have any additional presence HDPE layer permeability, irrespective quality. No difference angle structure nonvolatile compounds conclusive chromatographic analysis. simple odor/flavor evaluation indicated that cheese resulted higher perception chemical/plastic flavor compared virgin, odor apparently lower when adding layer, no effect. Highlights Multilayered prepared low‐density layer. showed Recyclate has organoleptic food. positive effective against volatiles recyclates

Language: Английский

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Regulatory Frameworks and State-of-the-Art Decontamination Technologies for Recycled Polystyrene for Food Contact Applications

Polymers, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 658 - 658

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Recycling post-consumer plastics for food contact applications is crucial the circular economy; however, it presents challenges due to potential contamination and regulatory requirements. This review outlines current European U.S. legislation governing recycled in materials (FCM). The Food Safety Authority (EFSA) mandates evaluation authorization of recycling processes. includes examining input/output flows, prioritizing use previously authorized FCM, assessing decontamination efficiency through material-specific challenge tests. Additionally, evaluates new installations intended apply approved technologies. In contrast, voluntary submission Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidelines with general advice on methodologies recommended parameters Applications EFSA non-PET materials, such as HDPE, PP, PS, are reviewed, highlighting each material. Recycled its lower diffusivity compared polyolefins shows promise packaging, a next material Union. Decontamination technologies PS explored, including super-cleaning processes, solvent extraction, industrial methods. emphasizes need multidisciplinary collaboration address uncertainties around contaminants ensure safety applications.

Language: Английский

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A study protocol for chemical analysis and toxicity testing of virgin and recycled microplastics and associated chemicals

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 975, P. 179287 - 179287

Published: April 2, 2025

Plastics can contain a variety of different chemicals, which are either intentionally (IAS) or non-intentionally (NIAS) added substances. Recycled plastics especially NIAS, might vary in amount and characteristics, possibly compromising the applicability plastics. As eventually degrade into microplastics, these substances be released their environment upon human exposure, pose threat to health. Therefore, simple methods for comprehensive monitoring chemicals needed guarantee safe use The purpose this study was set up analyzing toxicity testing present secondary microplastics virgin recycled origin. Accordingly, chemical compounds polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density (HDPE) were extracted using water, methanol, chloroform as solvents, extracts analyzed with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) methods. In addition, two cytotoxicity assays applied adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. combination NMR TXRF allowed extensive analysis showing that most efficient solvent extraction. results showed milled from mechanically more organic inorganic elements compared decreased cell viability dose dependently observed effect prominent counterparts. conclusion, suggest tend accumulate plastics, therefore, need monitored This extraction is releasing accumulated testing.

Language: Английский

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Progress towards composition-based inline sorting and recycling of multilayer polymer packaging

Sustainable materials and technologies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e01385 - e01385

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Ames Assay Transferred from the Microtiter Plate to the Planar Assay Format

Journal of Xenobiotics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 67 - 67

Published: May 7, 2025

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has studied and classified 1045 potential substances. It is therefore important to develop rapid screening methods identify the mutagenicity of compounds and, further on, intensity number individual mutagenic substances in complex sample mixtures. current vitro Ames assay microtiter plate format (MPF) uses a pH-sensitive detection as endpoint, however, acidic mixtures may interfere result. Hence, it was transferred planar be more selective mixture testing. co-culture Salmonella Typhimurium strains TA98 TA100 with an optical density 0.4 at 600 nm applied high-performance thin-layer chromatography silica gel 60 chromatogram on-surface incubated 5 h, which period limited due zone diffusion. Various positive controls were tested, 4-nitrochinolin-N-oxide limit 100 ng established control. However, shorter incubation time, no detectable or differentiable tested perfumes, herbal teas, margarines, hand creams. This does not mean that samples are mutagen-free, but suggests improvements bioassay urgently needed increase sensitivity selectivity response. Compared conventional sum value assays, performed separated adsorbed components advances toxicology research because from interfering molecules integrated separation. thus would provide mutagens allow testing large volumes concentrated without matrix interference.

Language: Английский

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Investigation of the Effectiveness of Barrier Layers to Inhibit Mutagenic Effects of Recycled LDPE Films, Using a Miniaturized Ames Test and GC-MS Analysis

Recycling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 57 - 57

Published: July 15, 2024

To fulfil the European Green Deal targets and implement a circular economy, there is an urgent need to increase recycling rates of packaging materials. However, before recycled materials can be used in food contact applications, they must meet high safety standards. According Food Safety Authority (EFSA), worst-case scenario applied unknown substances evaluated as being potentially genotoxic. The Ames test, which detects direct DNA-reactive effects, together with chromatographic analysis very promising complement risk assessment. This study aims evaluate effectiveness functional barriers ten different samples, including virgin LDPE foils. FT-IR did not show major differences between films. Light microscopy revealed quality increased number particles. GC-MS detected quantified 35 substances, eight unknowns. Using miniaturized version four samples tested positive two individual migrates up dilution 12.5%. All negative; however, material F showed mutagenic activity, n-fold induction 28. Samples lowered migration reduced mutagenicity. Nonetheless, further investigations are needed identify possible sources contamination.

Language: Английский

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Valorization of Cork Stoppers, Coffee-Grounds and Walnut Shells in the Development and Characterization of Pectin-Based Composite Films: Physical, Barrier, Antioxidant, Genotoxic, and Biodegradation Properties

Polymers, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(8), P. 1053 - 1053

Published: April 11, 2024

The development of sustainable materials from the valorization waste is a good alternative to reducing negative environmental impact plastic packaging. objectives this study were develop and characterize pectin-based composite films incorporated with cork or either coffee grounds walnut shells, as well test films’ genotoxicity, antioxidant properties, biodegradation capacity in soil seawater. addition cork, grounds, shells modified characteristics. results showed that those thicker (0.487 ± 0.014 mm 0.572 mm), more opaque (around 100%), darker (L* = 25.30 0.78 33.93 0.84), had higher total phenolic content (3.17 0.01 mg GA/g 4.24 0.02 GA/g). On other hand, only values elongation at break (32.24 1.88% 36.30 3.25%) but lower tensile strength (0.91 0.19 MPa 1.09 0.08 MPa). All presented heterogeneous rougher microstructures than pectin film. This also revealed developed do not contain DNA-reactive substances they are biodegradable These positive properties could subsequently make an interesting eco-friendly food packaging solution contributes organic by-products, thus promoting circular economy materials.

Language: Английский

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