Investigating the endocrine disrupting potential and cytotoxic effects of packaging leachates and plasticisers

Plastic packaging and films have been identified to leach chemicals/compounds into food and beverages which can negatively affect the consumer and/ or environment. Compounds which leach out of plastic materials often have hormonal activity, therefore highlighting the potential for endocrine disrupting leachates to be present.

This thesis assessed novel naturally produced bio-based polymers that are currently being explored as a potentially safer alternative to current synthetic plastics using in vitro bioassays. <br><br>The in vitro bioassays utilised in this thesis have shown to be valuable for assessing interferences with nuclear receptor signalling and cellular health. This thesis presents novel data and confirms and extends previous research that exposure to plastic leachates may affect the endocrine system via affecting the functioning of steroid hormones; disrupting nuclear receptor signalling.