Release of antioxidants from co-extruded active packaging developed for whole milk powder

Control of oxidation is a basic criterion to maintain the quality of milk and dairy products. Multilayer co-extruded films are often used to limit the diffusion of oxygen from the environment into the package. In this study, multilayer co-extruded films made of high density polyethylene (added with titanium dioxide), ethylene vinyl alcohol and a layer of low density polyethylene containing the antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (1.5%), butylated hydroxytoluene (1.5%) and alpha-tocopherol (4%) were manufactured. The release of the antioxidants from the films to whole milk powder was determined during 30 days at 30 degrees C. Whole milk powder stability was measured by monitoring vitamin A, hexanal, pentanal and heptanal content. Butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole migrated quickly from the films to the milk powder, while alpha-tocopherol migrated gradually. Multilayer co-extruded films provided an adequate light-barrier for whole milk powder and the film added with x-tocopherol contributed to the protection of vitamin A degradation compared with the other films. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.