Transport Coefficients of Eucalyptol through Various Polymeric Films

Abstract

This study presents the determination of the transport properties of eucalyptol, which is a key aroma compound in fresh tropical herbs through different polymeric packaging materials. Packaging films used in this study were polyethylene, polypropylene, Nylon, polyethylene terephthalate and polylactide (PLA1 and PLA2). Test films were immersed in the 1000 ppm of aroma compound and stored in amber vials. The concentrations of aroma compounds extracted from films were determined using gas chromatography. Diffusion, solubility, permeability and partition coefficients were calculated from sorption kinetics. Results show that the diffusion and solubility coefficients of eucalyptol were lowest in PLA1 and highest in polyethylene. Solubility coefficients were associated with partition coefficients as well as solubility parameters and contact angle values. Primary factor determining solubility was affinity between the aroma compounds and the polymeric films. Transport coefficients of eucalyptol in the vapor phase followed the same trends as in the liquid phase with about 3‐fold greater. Understanding interaction phenomenon between the key aroma compound and major packaging films may contribute to improvements in film selection and the design of food packaging applications. Finding from this research contributes toward future development of the high‐aroma barrier materials. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.