Curcumin-loaded magnetic chitosan-based solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography of migrated phthalate esters from pacifiers and plastic toys into baby saliva

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of phthalate esters in the saliva of babies who use pacifiers or plastic toys mouthed by them. For this purpose, magnetic micro solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC–FID) was developed. The solid sorbent, curcumin loaded magnetic chitosan (CUR-MCH), successfully synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, FESEM, TEM and VSM. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency are monitored and optimized through the univariate analysis and experimental design. Under optimum conditions, method presented good linearity [in the range 0.001–5 µg mL−1 for dimethyl phthalate (DMP), din-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP)] with coefficient of determination (R2) from 0.9823 to 0.9935 and enrichment factors from 38 to 50. The applicability of the method was examined using real samples from baby's saliva. Saliva samples are collected, extraction procedure performed on them, resultant of extraction injected to GC for separation and quantification of phthalate esters. The results of this study showed that baby accessories made of soft PVC emit phthalate species and contaminate baby's saliva. Among the phthalate species studied, DBP and DEHP are released from polymers more than other species and enter saliva and then the baby's body. Probably more of these two species have been used in the production of these products. Of course, the child's age and ability to chew plastic also play a role.