Rapid comparison of mineral oils vapor transmission rate through paper and board packaging materials

Abstract

This paper reports the development of a permeation test method to evaluate the transmission rate of a volatile organic compound, acting as a mineral oil simulant, through paper and plastic packaging materials. The method uses accelerated conditions, whereby the environment on the one side of a substrate is saturated with the vapor of a model organic compound, similar to mineral oil vapor, namely n-heptane. A suitable adsorbent is placed on the other side of the substrate to ensure a constant gradient of vapor pressure by adsorbing the organic vapor as it migrates through the substrate. This mechanism enables the measurement of the heptane vapor transmission rate through food packaging materials, which is an indirect measure of the mineral oil barrier properties. This research demonstrated that barrier-coated paperboards have the ability to behave in the same way as, and often even better than, commercial plastic films toward the migration of mineral oil.

Translocation of Phthalates From Food Packaging Materials Into Minced Beef

“…Using recycled fibers comes with new challenges, such as controlling potential packaging contamination by harmful chemicals introduced by using pre-and post-consumer waste. Numerous studies have revealed the migration of various contaminants, such as phthalates ( 41 ), diisopropyl naphthalenes, benzophenones and others ( 42 ). In a study conducted by USA Food and Drug Administration scientists reported detectable concentrations of DnBP in paper-based fast food packaging collected from restaurants ( 31 ).…”

Novel Test Approach for Evaluating and Modelling Barrier Properties of Food Contact Materials Against Mineral Oil Contaminants

“…Tenax was chosen as food simulant because it is commonly applied in migration tests from food contact materials to dry foods. Compared with active carbon applied by Tiggelman, Tenax enables determination of multiple components by quantification of the extracted surrogate compounds with GC. The saturated concentrations in the gas phase represent exaggerated conditions that enable ranking of barrier samples in reasonable exposure times.…”

“…The low molecular weight and high vapour pressure may, however, not be suitable for all materials. Another permeation test method was developed by Tiggelman. Either mineral oil or heptane was evaporated in a desiccator into which shallow aluminium cells containing a specific amount of activated carbon covered by the barrier substrate and a lid with open top were placed.…”

Development and Characterization of Thermoformed Bilayer Trays of Paper and Renewable Succinic Acid Derived Biopolyester Blends and Their Application to Preserve Fresh Pasta

“…Paper is a hygroscopic material and, therefore, has low moisture resistance and high-water vapor permeability. In addition, it is highly permeable to organic vapors (aroma) and gases (oxygen) due to its high porosity as it consists of cellulose fibers [ 8 ]. Thus, paper packaging has barrier values that are totally insufficient to preserve moist foods or foods that can release water (meat, fish, fresh pasta, etc.).…”