Evaporation of allyl isothiocyanate from clay minerals and organoclays

Abstract Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), the major component in mustard oil, is an organosulfur volatile pungent compound classified as “generally regarded as safe”. Methods to slow its evaporation rate can increase its applicability as a natural and safe preservative in food industry and as a pesticide in agriculture. This study tested evaporation of AITC mixed with mineral oil and combined with clay minerals or smectite based organoclays. Raw smectites and halloysites did not influence the evaporation rate, whereas fibrous clays increased half-life time by 3–4 folds. Organoclays differed on their efficiency. An organoclays based on thiamine (B1 vitamin) adsorbed on montmorillonite exhibited the best behavior, increasing half-life time 10 times. Thus, the combination of mustard oil with such organoclay may offer an efficient and natural character preservative and pesticide.