Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in highly acidic juice packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container: Occurrence, migration and estrogenic activity-associated risk assessment

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the concentration of PAEs, their migration from the walls of PET containers into highly acidic juices (such as lemon juice, vinegar, and verjuice) and the risk assessment based on the estrogenic potential of these widespread pollutants. We analyzed and quantified six priority compounds of PAEs, including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n‑butyl phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in 40 samples of aforementioned juices packed in PET containers. The results showed that DEHP and DnBP were the major compounds with the median value of 8.1 and 6.8 µg/L, 10.5 and 7.2 µg/L, and 9.8 and 6.7 µg/ L, in lemon juice, vinegar, and verjuice, respectively. The results also showed that ∑PAEs concentration was higher in juices packed in PET containers than in glass containers (two sample t-test, pvalue