Studies on the Volatile Compounds Generated on Irradiation of Flexible Films for Spice Packaging

Volatile compounds generated from two types of polymeric laminated films, irradiated by gamma radiation at 8, 10 and 15 kGy, were investigated. Activated carbon was used as a dry food simulant to trace the migrating compounds by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). The resulting data showed that the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)/Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)/Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) film was more resistant to gamma radiation as compared to Biaxial Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)/Cast Polypropylene (CPP) film. Toxic radiolysis products migrated through both laminated films at 8 and 15 kGy gamma irradiation. The toxic products originating from additives formulated in adhesive and in direct food contact layers may be considered as high risk against the safety of dry foodstuffs such as spices.