Cause and detection of off-odours in unprinted paperboard

Short-chain fatty acids are frequently responsible for off-odours in unprinted paperboard. They are formed as microbiological metabolic products in the circuit water of the paper mill and are absorbed on the paperboard. A gas chromatographic method for detecting these organic acids is described which seems to be suitable for quality control of unprinted paperboard. The various off-odours associated with paperboard can be explained via the specific composition of the fatty acids.