A study into the potential barrier properties against mineral oils of starch-based coatings on paperboard for food packaging

• Migration kinetics of n-alkanes through neat paper at different temperatures.
• Starch coatings evaluation for reducing migration of mineral oils.
• Modelling was performed using the Weibull distribution function.
• Efficiency of hydrophilic biopolymers were obtained against non-polar substances.

The aim of this research study is to evaluate the effectiveness of starch-coatings for preventing food contamination from paperboard packaging. Specifically, regarding the migration phenomena of n-alkanes and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH).Migration test series were performed under varying conditions (kinetics up to 5 days, at 40 and 60 °C) using spiked model substances (n-alkanes mixture: C10–C40) and Tenax® as food simulant. The results obtained for neat paperboard showed that at 40 °C, alkanes from C18 to C26 and at 60 °C from C18 to C28 can migrate almost for 5% of the original spiking. Migration testing of starch-coated paperboard was evaluated, considering the effect of different ingredients and discussed together with the information gained by micro-structural observations. Results for coated paperboards demonstrated significant barrier properties compared to neat materials at the tested conditions. Finally, migration test series with originally contaminated materials were carried out.