ABSTRACT
The relative inexpensiveness of plastics has contributed to
its ubiquity. Plastics are used as packaging materials for several food
products. Inherent in these plastics is Bisphenol A, a chemical with
estrogen-mimicking properties. The continuous use of plastic films as a primary
packaging material for Fante kenkey is a worry, as Bisphenol A may leach from
the plastic films into the Fante kenkey. This study set out to determine the
risks associated within the consumption of Fante kenkey wrapped in plastic
films. A dietary questionnaire was used to collect information on the
consumption of Fante kenkey in the study area. Fante kenkey samples were
homogenised and Bisphenol A extracted using acetonitrile as part of a QuEChERS
method. Extracts were then analyzed using a Cecil-Adept Binary Pump HPLC (High
Performance Liquid Chromatography) coupled with a Shimadzu fluorescence
detector. Bisphenol A was detected in 54% of the samples analyzed, with a range
from 5.5×10-8 mg/g to 3.155×10-6 mg/g. The Palisade @Risk
software was used to run a Monte Carlo simulation at 1000,000 iterations to
obtain the risks. Chronic daily intake of Bisphenol A among consumers had a
mean, median and mode of 6.278×10-7, 2.453×10-7 and
1.022×10-7 respectively. The Hazard quotients presented in the study
were all below 1, indicating no significant risk associated with the
consumption of Fante kenkey containing Bisphenol A. Margin of exposure values
were also above 10,000 indicating a low public health concern. Though the
population under study is at no significant risks, producers of Fante kenkey
must be encouraged to desist from the use of plastic films as a packaging
material.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
As indicated by Russian chemist
Aleksandr Dianin, Bisphenol was discovered in 1891. It has been utilized since
the 1950s to solidify polycarbonate plastic and make epoxy pitch, which is
contained in the covering of sustenance and refreshment containers (Rogers,
2013). Bisphenol A (BPA) is a member of the diphenyl methane derivatives; it is
an exhausting crystalline solid that is soluble in natural solvents, however
inadequately soluble in water (Niu ,2015) and commercially utilized in 1957.
BPA is used to manufacture plastics
and epoxy gums. BPA-based plastic is clear and extreme and is made into an
assortment of regular customer merchandise, for example, infant and water
bottles, food storage containers, power fittings, and vehicle spare parts. In
Ghana, plastics are used in the packaging of food including Fante kenkey,
porridge, banku, rice etc. According to Pivnenko et al. (2015), epoxy tars
including BPA are utilized as lining and coatings within numerous food and
beverage cans. In 2015, a 4 million tons’ value of BPA synthetic were produced
for assembling polycarbonate plastics (French Constitutional Council, 2015)
which was used in the manufacturing of games gear, restorative and dental
contraptions, compact discs, family unit hardware, eyeglass focal points,
foundry castings, and the coating of water funnels.
Fante kenkey or ‘Dorkuno’ is a
staple Ghanaian local dish which is similar to sourdough dumpling. It is
packaged in transparent plastic film and plantain leaves. Fante kenkey is
usually served with stew, soup or pepper sauce and fried fish. The Fante kenkey
is normally prepared at a boiling temperature of 65°C (125°F). This high
temperature is likely to enhance migration of Bisphenol A from the transparent
plastic film. Moreover, BPA displays estrogen impersonating, hormone-like
properties that increase concern over its
presence in food containers and Fante kenkey. Many government institutions have
investigated the safety of BPA since 2008; which made a few avoid the use of
polycarbonate items (CERHR, 2007).
In Ghana, a study conducted by
Mensah (2013) showed that Fante kenkey wrapped in polyethylene films preceding
cooking exposes the kenkey to possible contamination with Bisphenol A (BPA) and
Phthalates. The author added that these chemicals leach from the polyethylene
into the Fante kenkey as polyethylene was not intended for boiling temperature.
Similarly, in Ghana, Ayiku (2013) reported that though the pellets utilized for
the manufacture of the polyethylene films are food grade, these polyethylene
films are meant for packaging of food under normal room temperature only and
not for cooking. He further indicated that massive education on the risk of
cooking food wrapped in polyethylene films and the need to utilize plantain
leaves only in packaging the kenkey was ongoing among kenkey processors and
sellers.
The US Government in 2006 supported
an evaluation of scientific literature on BPA. At the end of the survey,
according to Vom Saal et al. (2007), which was conducted by thirty-eight
specialists in fields (Bisphenol A) concluded that, BPA at concentrations found
in the human body is related with organic changes in prostate, breast, testis,
mammary glands, body size, brain structure and chemistry. Vogel (2009) also
came out with similar findings in the behavior of laboratory animals. The
results further expressed that the normal BPA levels in humans were higher than
those that cause damage to various creatures in research centers. Ghana
government however has no known sponsored studies in BPA.
The consumption of Fante kenkey is
increasing in recent years. In the preparation of this meal the sourdough
dumpling is wrapped in plastic flexible films before final packaging with the
plantain leaves. The packaged par boiled dough is then boiled for about 2 hours
to produce kenkey. This condition of boiling is likely to cause the leaching of
BPA from plastics into the kenkey. There is enough data in literature which
support the leaching of bisphenol a into packaged food products. However little
data exist for the levels of BPA in the prepared fante kenkey. Hence the
exposure levels and associated risk have not been quantified as this data will
assist in the regulation of plastic film packaged fante kenkey by the right
authorities concern. There is therefore the need to assess the levels of BPA in
fante kenkey and consequently the risks associated with its consumption by
consumers.
1.3 Main Objective
The general objective is to
determine the toxicological safety limit of BPA in plastic film packaged fante
kenkey.
Specifically, the study sought to:
Determine the levels of Bisphenol A
in plastic film packaged fante kenkey.
Assess the dietary exposure and
risk due to Bisphenol A in plastic film packaged fante kenkey.
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