Study of electron beam irradiation effects on 2,4,6-trichloroanisole as a contaminant of cork by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The effects of electron beam irradiation on solutions of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), the major contributor to sensory defects in cork stoppers, were studied at different doses (25 and 50 kGy) by qualitative and quantitative analysis of its breakdown products. The behaviour of irradiated TCA was also evaluated in the presence of cork. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), irradiation of TCA caused the formation of 2-chloroanisole, 4-chloroanisole, 2,4-dichloroanisole and 2,6-dichloroanisole. Quantitative data showed that the amount of TCA decreases with increasing dose of irradiation, whereas higher concentrations of all its derivatives, except for 2,6-trichloroanisole, were found in samples irradiated with a 50 kGy dose. Among the radiolytic products of TCA, 2,4-dichloroanisole and 4-chloroanisole were found to be the most abundant degradation products. Irradiation of cork contaminated by TCA could positively affect cork quality both from organoleptic and sanitary points of view, since the chlorinated anisoles found in irradiated solutions give less off-odours than TCA and since they are not listed under the EPA hazardous substances.