Absorption of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole by wine corks via the vapour phase in an enclosed environment

Abstract

Natural bark corks which were exposed to an atmosphere saturated with deuterium-labelled 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (d5-TCA) absorbed the d5-TCA rapidly. A commercially applied surface treatment did not prevent the ingress of the d5-TCA into the corks. d5-TCA was lost from contaminated corks by aeration relatively slowly. Nevertheless, the observation that TCA can be desorbed in this manner suggests that aeration, albeit under modified conditions, may yet prove useful in improving the quality of wine corks. Most of the absorbed d5-TCA was localised in the outer 2 mm of the cork cylinder, but a significant amount migrated to the interior of the cork cylinder after as little as twenty-four hours of exposure. Significantly more d5-TCA was found in the older growth compared to the younger growth bark after this time.