Detection of Tetramethylsuccinonitrile in Food Packaging Containers of Plastics

Abstract

Tetramethylsuccinonitrile (TMSN) was determined in plastic products
in contact with food. TMSN was extracted from plastic products with
dichloromethane, steam distilled, extracted from the distillate with
dichloromethane and determined with G.L.C. using nitrogen-phosphorus
detector. TMSN was detected positive in 14 samples out of 35 samples. The
resins in which TMSN was detected were polyacrylo nitrile (PAN), polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The highest frequency
of detection of TMSN was observed in PMMA (158 μg/g).