STORAGE OF SELECTED SUBSTANCES IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION IN POLYETHYLENE CONTAINERS - EFFECT OF SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL FACTORS ON THE DISAPPEARANCE KINETICS OF THE SUBSTANCES

The disappearance kinetics of certain solutes in aqueous solution during storage in polyethylene containers is described. For solutes with low affinity for polyethylene, loss is characterized by mono-exponential kinetics. If the solute has a strong affinity for the polyethylene, bi-exponential kinetics exist due to significant uptake of solute into the polyethylene in addition to loss by permeation. A 'compartmental' model is used to examine the observed kinetics and is based on sorption of the solute by the container wall followed by permeation of the solute into the atmosphere. The disappearance kinetics of the solutes examined in this study is dependent on the formulation of the solution to be stored in the container, presoaking of the container in solutions of the solute, and the nature of the external environment in which the containers are stored. © 1979.