Identification of the Volatiles from Low Density Polyethylene Film Irradiated with an Electron Beam

Abstract

The odor-producing volatiles produced by electron beam irradiation for the sterilization of polyethylene film were examined and identified using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main volatile products in low density polyethylene irradiated with an. electron beam were aliphatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. Aliphatic hydrocarbons accounted for ca. 35% of the total peak area, and saturated hydrocarbons up to C₁₃ were predominant. Four aldehydes with C₂ to C₅ carbon atoms, six ketones with C₄ to C₈, and five carboxylic acids with C₂ to C₅ were detected. Aldehydes and ketones accounted for ca. 26% of the all volatiles, and carboxylic acids for ca. 18%. Small amounts of alcohols, toluene, and phenol were also found. In a sensory test of the odor from the mixed solution of identified compounds, the odor was found to resemble the off-odor of the irradiated polyethylene.