Separation and Analysis of Bisphenol Compounds in Consumer Receipt Papers

Significance of the Topic

Understanding and monitoring bisphenol compounds in consumer products is critical due to their widespread use and potential health risks as endocrine disruptors.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study aimed to develop and apply an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography screening method for the baseline separation of eleven bisphenol analogues and to test consumer receipt papers for their presence and transferability.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Instrumentation: ACQUITY UPLC H-Class system with CORTECS UPLC Phenyl column (1.6 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm) and MassLynx 4.1 software
• Mobile phases: A) water, B) methanol, D) water with 0.1% formic acid
• Gradient: increasing methanol from 50% to 95% over 8 minutes; flow rate 0.3 mL/min; column temperature 30 °C; UV detection at 275 nm; injection volume 0.8 µL
• Sample preparation: stock solutions (1 mg/mL) of eleven bisphenols diluted to 0.1 mg/mL (BPS at 0.75 mg/mL); receipt extraction by methanol incubation; contact transfer simulation using dampened wipes

Main Results and Discussion

The phenyl-modified stationary phase provided π–π interactions that enhanced selectivity, achieving baseline separation of all eleven bisphenols within eight minutes. Application to four receipt types revealed only bisphenol S in hardware store and gas station receipts, confirmed by mass spectrometry. Contact transfer tests demonstrated that BPS readily transfers to a damp surface, indicating potential consumer exposure.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid and robust screening of multiple bisphenols in real-world samples
• Ability to detect and quantify BPA alternatives such as BPS and BPF
• Insight into consumer exposure pathways through handling

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include routine quantitation by tandem mass spectrometry, expansion to environmental matrices, high-throughput monitoring of emerging bisphenol analogues, and integration of miniaturized or portable UPLC systems for on-site testing.

Conclusion

A phenyl stationary phase UPLC method provides an efficient tool for the separation and detection of eleven bisphenol compounds, enabling screening of consumer receipts and assessment of exposure risks from both residue and transfer.

References

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