Barrier Properties of Polymeric Packaging Materials to Major Aroma Volatiles in Herbs

This study determined the main transport coefficients (diffusion, solubility and permeability) of key aroma compounds present in tropical herbs (eucalyptol and estragol) through low‒density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), nylon (Nylon), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metalized‒polyethylene terephthalate (MPET) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films at 15 and 25 °C. The concentration of aroma compounds permeating through the films were evaluated at various time intervals using a gas chromatograph flame ionization detector (GC–FID). Results showed that the diffusion coefficients of aroma compounds were highest in LDPE whereas the solubility coefficients were highest in PLA at both temperatures. PLA had the highest permeability coefficients for estragol at both temperatures. PP and LDPE had the highest permeability coefficients for eucalyptol at 15 and 25 °C, respectively. MPET had the lowest permeability for both aroma compounds studied. Aroma barrier properties can be used when selecting polymeric packaging materials to prevent aroma loss in various food and consumer products