Improving Food Packaging Oxygen and Moisture Barrier Performance with Advanced Testing Instrument

Packaging plays a crucial role in maintaining product quality, particularly for perishable goods like sponge cake. When issues such as mildew and bag deflation arise, comprehensive testing is essential to identify the root cause.

In this case, Labthink packaging test center employed a series of tests to evaluate the packaging material. The first set of tests focused on the material's barrier properties. Oxygen and nitrogen transmission rates (OTR and NTR) were measured to assess the package's ability to protect the product from oxidation. High OTR and NTR values indicated poor barrier performance, allowing oxygen ingress and nitrogen loss, which can accelerate product deterioration.

To evaluate the package's structural integrity, heat-seal strength and leak tests were conducted. Heat-seal strength determines the package's resistance to opening, while the leak test identifies any vulnerabilities in the seals. Low heat-seal strength and package leakage can lead to product contamination and spoilage.

Finally, headspace air analysis was performed to assess the gas composition within the package over time. Changes in gas composition can affect product shelf life. A decrease in nitrogen and increase in oxygen levels, as observed in this case, can accelerate product degradation.

The test instruments used in this analysis likely include:

• žOxygen and Nitrogen Transmission Rate Tester: Measures the rate at which gases pass through the packaging material.
• žHeat Seal Strength Tester: Evaluates the strength of the package's seals.
• Leak Tester: Detects leaks in the packaging.
• žHeadspace Gas Analyzer: Analyzes the gas composition within the package headspace.

Labthink C406H Oxygen /Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is based on the testing principle of Coulometric oxygen sensor and infrared water vapor sensor. It is designed and manufactured according to ASTM D3985、ASTM F1249，ISO 15106-2 and other relevant standards to provide high precision and high efficiency oxygen and water vapor transmission rate tests for high and medium gas barrier materials. It is suitable for testing the oxygen and water vapor transmission performance of films, sheets and related materials in the fields of food, medicine, medical devices, daily chemicals, photovoltaic, electronic and many others.

Labthink C630H Heat Seal Tester can be used to determine the optimal heat sealing parameters including dwell time, sealing pressure and sealing temperature for plastic films, flexible composite films, plastic coated paper and other heat-sealable films.

Labthink C660M Leak and Seal Strength Tester is professionally applicable to quantitative determination of seal strength, seal quality, burst pressure, seal integrity, compression resistance, torsion force and joint/disengaging force of various flexible packages, aseptic packages, plastic tamper-evident closures, flexible tubes, caps and other materials.

Labthink C650M Headspace Gas Analyzer is featured with handheld design and equipped with high precision sensors and air pump supplied by globally well-known manufacturers. It can provide accurate and fast evaluation of the volume of oxygen and carbon dioxide (with optional CO2 sensor) in sealed packages, bottles and cans, etc. Because of its portable design, the instrument can be used to measure the volume and proportion of oxygen and carbon dioxide on production lines, in warehouses or in laboratories, to serve as a guide for production.

Through these tests, it was determined that the packaging material exhibited poor barrier properties and inadequate heat-seal strength. These factors contributed to package leakage, oxygen ingress, and product spoilage. By understanding the specific packaging failures, appropriate corrective actions can be implemented to improve product quality and shelf life.

As the demand for functional packaging materials grows, testing methods are evolving to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation of packaging films. Labthink encourages collaboration with packaging industry companies for quality control! Visit the website www.labthink.com to learn more!