Development of an Aroma Permeation Measurement Method Using Dynamic SPME-GC-FID Technique Coupled to a Flow-Cell

An isostatic aroma permeation measurement system was developed using a customized permeation cup and dynamic SPME-GC-FID coupled to a flow-cell unit. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method ranged from 0.012 to 0.054 mg/m 3 with a PDMS-coated SPME Arrow, with typical linearity from 5 to 600 mg/m 3 . The system's repeatability on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film was between 8.7% and 25.0% (%RSD, n = 4). The results were verified using headspace GC–MS and thermal desorption GC–MS, with relative average deviation (%RAD) ranging from 6.0% to 20.7%. The aroma barrier performance of six film samples, including PET, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and vacuum metalized polyethylene (PET//VMPE), was compared using this method with a mixture of five model aroma compounds, such as 2-methyl pyrazine, 2-heptanone and benzaldehyde. This method provides a sensitive, automated and low-cost solution for evaluating the aroma barrier performance of polymer films, with potential applications in the packaging industry.