A New Approach to Predict the Water‐transport Properties of Multilayer Films Intended for Food‐packaging Applications

Abstract

A mathematical model that predicts the water-permeability coefficient of multilayer films intended for food-packaging applications is presented. A 6-layer film composed of 5 polyolefinic layers and a layer made of a copolymer of ethylene and vinylalcohol (EVOH) was used to validate the proposed model. Water-permeability tests were run at 25°C both on each single layer and on the multilayer film; whereas the water-sorption isotherm and the water-sorption kinetics were determined only for the EVOH layer. Results suggest that the water-permeability coefficient of multilayer films can be predicted from the knowledge of the water-transport properties of each constituent layer.

Use of biodegradable films for prolonging the shelf life of minimally processed lettuce

“…As also reported in the literature, the determination of the actual mass transport properties of the packaging film is not a simple task to accomplish (Del Nobile, Fava, & Piergiovanni, 2002;Del Nobile, Buonocore, Dainelli, & Nicolais, 2004;Del Nobile, Buonocore, Altieri, Battaglia, & Nicolais, 2003a;Del Nobile, Buonocore, La Notte, & Nicolais, 2003b). The above method could be proposed as a simple way for evaluating the ability of the packaging film to control the gas exchange between the inside and the outside of the package.…”

A simple model to predict the oxygen transport properties of multilayer films

“…Del Nobile et al (2004) proposed a mathematical model to predict the water barrier properties of multilayer films intended for food-packaging applications. The multilayer films used in the work of Del Nobile et al (2004) have one moderately hydrophilic film (such as ethylene and vinylalcohol [EVOH]), which serves as barrier film, and five hydrophobic films (such as polyolefines).…”

“…The multilayer films used in the work of Del Nobile et al (2004) have one moderately hydrophilic film (such as ethylene and vinylalcohol [EVOH]), which serves as barrier film, and five hydrophobic films (such as polyolefines). The value of E% is 7.05%, suggesting that the proposed approach to predict the water-permeability coefficient of multilayer film from the knowledge of the water-transport properties of each constituent layer is successful.…”

“…The proposed mathematical model (Del Nobile et al, 2003b) was validated by successfully predicting the water-permeability coefficient of nylon film. The same mathematical approach, used to predict the water barrier properties of a single-layer film, was extended to the case of multilayer structure (Del Nobile et al, 2004). In particular, a 6-layer film composed of five polyolefinic layers and a layer made of a copolymer of ethylene and vinylalcohol (EVOH) was used by Del Nobile et al (2004) to validate the proposed model.…”

“…The same mathematical approach, used to predict the water barrier properties of a single-layer film, was extended to the case of multilayer structure (Del Nobile et al, 2004). In particular, a 6-layer film composed of five polyolefinic layers and a layer made of a copolymer of ethylene and vinylalcohol (EVOH) was used by Del Nobile et al (2004) to validate the proposed model. Water-permeability tests were run at 25°C both on each single layer and on the multilayer film; whereas the water-sorption isotherm and the water-sorption kinetics were determined only for the EVOH layer.…”