Optimizing an electronic nose for analysis of volatiles from printing inks on assorted plastic films

Volatiles from inks present in food packaging films could pose a quality problem in food products. The food industry is interested in determining a single set of optimum values for the system parameters to maximize detection levels on assorted plastic packaging films. Volatiles from ink used on nine plastic food-packaging films were analyzed using an electronic nose with six resonating quartz sensors. A response surface analysis was used to determine if the system parameters (sample temperature, equilibration time, sensor temperature and pressurization time) significantly affected the detection levels of volatile compounds. Sample temperature, equilibration time and sensor temperature were significant (α = 0.05) for each of the sensors and the optimum settings for these parameters to maximize detection levels were 80 °C, 20 min, and 40 °C, respectively. The results of this study indicate potential for this electronic nose to be used as a discriminatory tool in quality control for packaging films.