Empirical models to predict the effect of sterilisation and storage on bisphenols migration from metallic can coatings into food simulants

ABSTRACT Based on response surface methodology, empirical models were built to predict the influence of can processing (heat treatment) and storage conditions (time and temperature) on the migration of bisphenol compounds from the inner lacquer of tinplate cans (4 brands) into several food simulants. Analysis using liquid chromatography revealed the presence of BADGE.2H2O and BPA in all samples. Models were significant in fitting the levels of these two bisphenols in food simulants depending on the input variables, with excellent adjusted coefficients of determination. Their prediction performance was validated through running new data sets. Further comparison of predicted values with bisphenols levels measured in canned vegetables revealed that the proposed models are conservative. By the desirability of the response output, the models are capable of proposing the range of can processing and storage conditions that limit migration for further compliance with the regulation. The proposed approach could be a convenient tool for the industries to control processing conditions in order to ensure the conformity of canned foods.