Headspace-GC determination of volatile organic compounds from the printed paper packaging materials

The packaging materials itself as well as the coatings, varnishes and printing inks applied to the packaging carry a risk of contaminating the packaged product. The effective and simple way to protect against negative phenomena causing migration of contaminants to the packaged product is to use suitable materials. In this work, headspace gas chromatography and flame ionization detector (FID) were used to measure emissions of the volatile organic compounds (VOC). The effects of variables such as the type of packaging materials and inks were studied. Chromatographic analysis volatile organic compounds obtained from the prints, showed the presence of the compounds included in the printing inks are used as solvents (n-hexane, n-heptane, propionaldehyde, acetone, methanol, n-propyl acetate, 1-propanol, 1-butanol) and the decay product of ink drying process -hexanal. It was found that the amount of volatile organic compounds in the headspace identified changed depending on which ink and which substrate were used for printing.