Extraction tests

Extraction tests allow for the isolation and quantification of 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 being sought. They are generally followed by high-precision instrumental analysis:

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

These methods allow for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 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 consider global and specific migration testing , heavy metal analysis by ICP-MS , or HPLC chromatography .

Industrial applications

Extraction tests are used in various industrial contexts:

• Food packaging: monitoring the migration of components into food, verifying 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.
• Technical fabrics and 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 a complete characterization:

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

Combining these approaches makes it possible to precisely determine the composition of a material, its behavior under real-world conditions of use, and its potential impact on health and the environment.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab provides you with a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards , 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 manufacturers in the packaging, cosmetics, materials, and food industries in controlling their formulations and ensuring product compliance.

For any extraction trial request or specific project, contact our scientific team today.