Determination of volatile compounds and their sensory impact in a biopolymer based on polylactic acid (PLA) and polyester

• Published in: Food chemistry 2019-10, Vol.294, p.171-178
• Main Authors: Ubeda, S., Aznar, M., Nerín, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: APGC-QTOF; Biopolymers - chemistry; Dimerization; Food contact material; Food Contamination - analysis; Food Packaging; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); Off-odors; Olfactometry; Polyesters - chemistry; Polylactic acid (PLA); Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.05.069

•Total dissolution and specific migration of a PLA-based biopolymer were analyzed.•Samples were analyzed by GC–MS(EI), APGC–QTOF and GC–MS(EI)–O.•A total of 22 volatile and semi-volatile compounds were identified.•No compounds with sensory impact on the aroma were detected in migration. Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most commonly used biopolymers for manufacturing food packaging; its control is very important to ensure consumers’ health. In this work, a blend of PLA and polyester was studied and its volatile composition in the polymer and in the migration to food simulants was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and atmospheric pressure gas chromatography–quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (APGC–QTOF). The results showed that both techniques provided complementary information, to give complete information on the biopolymer’s composition. Some compounds such as lactide or cyclopentanone were detected only by GC–MS while others, such as the cyclic dimer [AA-BD]2 (AA:adipic acid, BD:butanediol), were detected only by APGC–MS. In migration, lactide, AA-BD and [AA-BD]2 were identified in ethanol 95%. A GC–olfactometry study was also carried out. Some compounds showed sensory impact on the polymer odor but not in migration.