Extraction tests

Extraction testing isolates and quantifies the migratory, volatile, hydrophilic, lipophilic, or metallic components present in a material or finished product. This analytical approach is essential for assessing the potential migration, toxicity, and chemical composition of a material in contact with other substances (food, cosmetics, fabrics, or liquids).

Extraction tests are particularly used in the packaging, polymer materials, cosmetics and health sectors to ensure regulatory compliance and product safety.

Analytical methods

Extraction protocols vary depending on the nature of the material and the substances sought. They are generally followed by high-precision instrumental analysis:

• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): identification and determination of polar organic compounds (additives, residues, plasticizers, antioxidants).
• Gas chromatography (GC-MS): detection of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES / ICP-AES): determination of heavy metals and trace elements.
• Solid-liquid extraction or Soxhlet for lipophilic substances, and aqueous extraction for hydrophilic compounds.

These methods allow a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extracted components, according to ISO, EN standards or European regulations (in particular Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 on materials in contact with foodstuffs).

For targeted analyses, also see the global and specific migration test , the dosage of heavy metals by ICP-MS or HPLC chromatography .

Industrial applications

Extraction tests are used in various industrial contexts:

• Food packaging: control of the migration of components into food, verification of the conformity of plastic materials, papers, inks and varnishes.
• Materials and polymers: evaluation of chemical stability, additive release and formulation compatibility.
• Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals: study of interactions between the container and the contents (primary packaging), detection of solvent residues or trace metals.
• Fabrics and technical textiles: identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or undesirable elements from surface treatments.
• Environment and recycling: characterization of polymer materials from recovery or selective sorting.

These analyses guarantee the safety of finished products, regulatory compliance and quality control throughout the production chain.

Analytical interest and complementarity

Extraction tests are often combined with other analyses for complete characterization:

• FTIR infrared spectroscopy to identify the chemical functions present in the material;
• TGA thermal analysis to study polymer stability;
• DSC analysis to detect thermal transitions and crystallinity;
• Mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to identify traces of complex organic compounds.

The combination of these approaches makes it possible to precisely determine the composition of a material, its behavior in real-life usage conditions and its potential impact on health and the environment.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab provides you with a network of ISO 17025 and COFRAC , experts in the analysis of materials, polymers and packaging. Our scientific teams select the method best suited to your matrices and regulatory requirements.

Thanks to our digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples, and easily access your reports. Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting packaging, cosmetics, materials, and food manufacturers in controlling their formulations and ensuring product compliance.

For any extraction testing or specific project inquiries, contact our scientific team today.