The measurement of carbon dioxide transmission of edible films by a static method

A static method is proposed for the measurement of CO₂ transmission of edible films. It is based on the absorption of CO₂ transmitted through the film on an absorbent ascarite II. Water is evolved during absorption of CO₂ by ascarite II and that is absorbed by a desiccant, anhydrous CaCl₂. Total CO₂ transmission is determined from the increase in weight of the absorbents. The transmission parameters, CO₂ transmission rate (CO₂TR), CO₂ permeance and CO₂ permeability (CO₂P), are also calculated. The edible film used was composed of methyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol. An attempt was made to determine the optimum amounts of ascarite II and CaCl₂ to be used. Finally, the effect of CO₂ pressure on the transmission parameters was also examined. CO₂TR was found to increase with increasing pressure while CO₂ permeance and CO₂P values were found to decrease with increasing pressure. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry