A Separation System of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide and Argon by Capillary Gas Chromatography and Its Application to In-Package Atmosphere

Abstract

A gas chromatographic system equipped with a thermal conductivity detector (TCD) was developed for simultaneous determination of inorganic gases including nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and argon in flexible pouches. The four gases were separated by a capillary column system of Molsieve 5A PLOT and PoraPLOT Q linked in parallel. The split ratio of the gas flow at a diverging point of the linked column was controlled by adding fused silica capillary tubes in series. When the relative response of TCD to each gas was considered, the atmospheric gas composition analysis by this system proved this system to be highly acceptable. Linearity of calibration curves suggested possible determination of 0.1% oxygen and 0.02% carbon dioxide. Low oxygen levels in a modified atmosphere packaging of pimientos and in packaging with oxygen absorber were accurately monitored during storage. The gas chromatographic procedure developed can be applicable to design for modified atmosphere packaging and oxygen absorber packaging for the optimization of these packaging systems.