TASTE AND ODOR DEVELOPMENT IN WATER IN POLYETHYLENE CONTAINERS EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Drinking water samples contained in Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) an d exposed to direct sunlight for 2 weeks were analysed to identify sub stances responsible for taste and odour development. Identical samples not exposed to direct sunlight and samples contained in glass bottles were used as reference material. The analyses were performed by passi ng water through a column of purified Amberlite XAD-2 resin (polystyre ne-divinylbenzene), to concentrate trace compounds. Solvent eluates fr om the resin were concentrated 50 times and analysed by gas chromatogr aphy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Butyl vinyl ketone, der iving from the photodecomposition of LDPE, together with benzophenone, 3.5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, n-butylphthalate and i-butylphthalate, der iving from the ink, were found in water exposed to direct sunlight. Th e addition of horseradish peroxidase to water stored in PE containers resulted in lower taste and odour development.