A corker of an infrared spectroscopy study...

Researchers have employed infrared spectroscopy techniques to determine how a cork might perform in a wine bottle. A team from the Universidad Politéchnica de Madrid, INIA-CIFOR and the Universidad de Córdoba have used the techniques to calculate equations allowing them to estimate the properties of corks faster than traditional methods. Stoppers are generally made from cork, a tissue made of bark from the cork oak. Like all materials directly extracted from nature, it has a high variability compared to synthetic products. Typically they are treated with silicon or a combination of paraffin and silicon to improve surface properties –particularly it’s coefficient of friction and capillarity – before use in wine bottles. Researchers determined the composition and dosage of these surface treatments using mid-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). They found the techniques can control the homogeneity and properties of the applied treatment and improve the performance of the cork in some key parameters, such as the extraction force. Secondly, researchers used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine the geographical origin of the raw material, or the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the stoppers. Results, published in Wood Science and Technology show the feasibility of this technique to improve the traceability and permanent control of some essential properties such as humidity content, density, or resilience after compression. Application of VIS/NIR spectroscopy for estimating chemical, physical and mechanical properties of cork stoppers Control by ATR-FTIR of surface treatment of cork stoppers and its effect on their mechanical performance