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. 2025 Aug 26;14(17):2968.
doi: 10.3390/foods14172968.

Optimized Method for Quantifying Bisphenols in Bottled Water and PET/rPET Matrices

Fabiana Di Duca  1 , Paolo Montuori  1 , Elvira De Rosa  1   2 , Immacolata Russo  3 , Raffaele Palladino  1   4   5 , Stefano Scippa  1 , Giuseppe Dadà  6 , Maria Triassi  1   4 , Sergi Díez  7
Affiliations

Optimized Method for Quantifying Bisphenols in Bottled Water and PET/rPET Matrices

Fabiana Di Duca et al. Foods. .

Abstract

The growing use of plastics in food packaging has raised concerns about chemical migration into consumables, posing potential health risks. Ensuring the safety of packaging materials is a critical public health priority. This study aimed to validate an analytical method for qualitative and quantitative determination of BPs in bottled water and evaluate their presence in PET and rPET matrices. The method was validated through recovery tests for eight BPs (Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S, Bisphenol F, Bisphenol AF, Bisphenol AP, Bisphenol B, Bisphenol Z, and Bisphenol P). Linearity (R2 ≥ 0.990) and high recovery rates proved the method's stability, reliability, and accuracy. For bottled water, LODs ranged 0.030-0.075 µg/L and LOQs 0.10-0.25 µg/L; for PET/rPET, LODs were 0.00030-0.00075 mg/kg and LOQs 0.0010-0.0025 mg/kg. Mean recoveries in bottled water were in the range 89-109%, in PET from 94% to 117%, and in rPET from 106% to 118%. The results showed that BPA was quantifiable in all matrices, while other BPs remained below the limit of quantification. The validated method provides a robust tool for assessing bisphenol contamination and supports ongoing efforts to enhance food safety and inform regulatory frameworks for sustainable PET recycling.

Keywords: Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS); Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET); analytical method development; bisphenols; recycled PET (rPET).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of the compounds investigated in this study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage recoveries (on the y-axis) obtained for BPAF, BPAP, BPZ, BPP, BPS, and BPF at three spiked levels (on the x-axis) with the RSDs as error bars in bottled natural mineral water, in virgin PET samples, and in rPET samples.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage recoveries (on the y-axis) obtained for BPB and BPA at three spiked levels (on the x-axis) with the RSDs as error bars in bottled natural mineral water, in vPET samples, and in rPET samples.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Concentrations (mg/kg) of BPA assessed in vPET and rPET samples.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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