Evaluation of polyethylene terephthalate as a packaging material for premium quality whole pasteurized milk in Greece

Chemical, microbiological and sensorial changes in premium quality whole pasteurized milk stored at 4 °C under fluorescent light was studied for a period of 13 days. Milk containers tested included 1 l bottles made of (a) clear PET + UV blocker, 350–400 μm in thickness bearing a transparent label, (b) clear PET + UV blocker, 350–400 μm in thickness bearing a white colored label, (c) clear PET 350–400 μm in thickness. Milk packaged in 1 l coated paperboard cartons and stored under the same experimental conditions served as the “commercial control” sample. Data were obtained for lipid oxidation, lipolysis, proteolysis, vitamin A, E and riboflavin content, microbial growth including mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts and sensorial attributes (odor and taste) of whole pasteurized milk. Results showed satisfactory protection of milk packaged in all containers with regard to microbiological and chemical parameters assessed over the 13-day period. Based on sensory analysis, the shelf life of premium quality whole pasteurized milk tested in the present study was 10–11 days for both samples packaged in clear PET + UV bottles and in paperboard cartons and 8–9 days for clear PET bottles. Vitamin E losses recorded after 10 days of storage were respectively 42.7, 53.6 and 43.9% for samples packaged in clear PET + UV protected bottles, clear PET and control samples. Respective losses for riboflavin were 38.7, 52.5 and 35.0%. Average losses for vitamin A were 20.6% for all packaging materials. Clear PET + UV provided equal or better protection to milk as compared to the paperboard carton. Clear PET was the least effective in retaining light-sensitive vitamins. Based on spectral transmission curves of packaging materials tested, it is suggested that the use of a UV blocking agent in combination with a dark color pigmentation (blue, green etc.) in fresh milk packaging will provide a better protection to light-sensitive vitamins in cases where the expected shelf life of milk exceeds 5–6 days.     

Protective influence of several packaging materials on light oxidation of milk

Light-induced degradation reactions in milk create a serious problem for the dairy industry because of the development of off-flavors, the decrease in nutritional quality, and the severity and speed by which these phenomena develop. Packaging materials are essential to avoid this particular deterioration of milk. Therefore, efforts are being made to design protective polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packages. In the present study, a number of PET bottles were compared for their ability to avoid photo-oxidation in UHT semi-skimmed milk. The milk was packed in 3 types of PET bottles: one transparent bottle provided with an active oxygen-binding inner layer, one bottle with perfect light barrier, and one transparent bottle provided with a UV-absorbing additive. During 2 storage experiments, running parallel to each other for 2 mo, chemical milk quality parameters such as fat oxidation, vitamin and protein degradation, oxygen consumption, and color change were monitored. A trained taste panel compared the sensory quality of the illuminated milk stored in these bottles, with milk perfectly protected against light and oxygen. In the first study, milk was continuously illuminated at room temperature. A comparison was made for milk under storage conditions that simulated those expected during display in retail and supermarkets. The results of the 2 shelf-life studies showed that an adequate light barrier was apparently sufficient to avoid the light-induced oxidation of milk during extended storage. Oxygen barriers, on the other hand, did not provide a significant protection, nor did bottles with UV filter. If wavelengths detrimental to riboflavin were not completely excluded by the packaging material, incoming light could still give rise to photo degradation of milk. Accordingly, riboflavin and vitamin A were gradually degraded, milk fat was photo-oxidized, oxygen dissolved in the milk was consumed, and the sensorial quality decreased significantly.     

Concentrations of cadmium and lead in different types of milk

 Concentrations of Pb and Cd were determined in samples of human, raw and pasteurized cow's and goat's milk and powdered infant formula. The following mean Cd concentrations (and ranges) were recorded: in human milk, 2.70 μg/l (0.6–11.3, n=55); in raw cow's milk, 4.88 μg/l (0.7–23.1, n=47); in pasteurized cow's milk, 4.30 μg/l (3.4–5.9, n=6); in goat's milk, 7.81 μg/l (1.0–18.4, n=38); and in powdered, infant formula, 3.81 μg/l (3.4–4.1, n=5). The concentrations (and ranges) of Pb were: in human milk, 8.34 μg/l (0.1–32.3, n=55); in raw cow's milk, 14.82 μg/l (1.3–39.1, n=28); in pasteurized cow's milk, 10.25 μg/l (6.9–19.6, n=6); in goat's milk, 11.86 μg/l (0.4–38.5, n=36); and in powdered, infant formula, 8.30 μg/l (5.1–10.6, n=5). Our data were within the normal ranges for each kind of milk. The Cd and Pb concentrations in goat's milk were significantly higher than the concentrations observed in the other milks, whereas human milk and powdered infant formula presented the lowest Cd and Pb concentrations. A considerable decrease in the concentration of Cd with the stage of lactation was observed. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in human, cow's and goat's milk also varied according to the time of year. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in the different milks did not present any risk to human health (infants or adults). Received: 26 May 1998     

Flavour and vitamin stability in pasteurized milk in polyethylene-coated cartons and in polyethylene bottles

Commercially pasteurized, non-homogenized full cream milk in 2-pt white polyethylene (PE)-coated cartons overprinted with blue, and in 4-pt PE bottles was stored for 4 d in the dark or under white fluorescent light of 4000 1x, at a temperature of 7°C. The flavour of milks kept in the dark remained good, but exposure to light resulted in early off-flavour development: cartoned milk was disliked by a flavour panel after about 17.5 h exposure and milk in the PE bottles after 9 h. Vitamins A and B₂ were stable in the milk during 4 d storage in the dark in both bottles and cartons, and in cartons exposed to light. In the bottled milks, light-induced losses of these vitamins after 4 d were, respectively, 15% and 35%. but there was little or no loss before the development of light-induced flavour. Loss of total vitamin C by day 4 was about 50% in the dark, irrespective of container. In the cartons exposed to light, 66% of the vitamin C was lost, while virtually none remained in the exposed, bottled milk. There was also a markedly greater loss of vitamin C in the bottled milk than in the cartoned milk at the time the flavour became unacceptable. The dissolved O₂ concentration dropped considerably in the bottled milk exposed to light, but only marginally in the cartons. There were small increases in dissolved O₂ in the dark in both types of container.     

LABORATORY EVALUATION OF PAPERBOARD CARTONS FOR THE NONREFRIGERATED STORAGE OF STERILIZED MILK1,2

The suitability of various carton materials for the nonrefrigerated storage of sterilized milk was investigated. One quart paperboard cartons were fabricated from the same base sheet of stock but varied in the type of sizing used to make them resistant to penetration by liquids and whether or not they were aluminum foil-lined. They were preformed and sterilized with ethylene oxide. The four types of paperboard were: (a) rosin (sizing) paperboard (R); (b) rosin paperboard with foil lining (RF); (c) cyanasize (sizing) juice paperboard (CJ); and (d) cyanasizejuice paperboard with foil lining (CJF). Each carton was aseptically filled and sealed, in a glovebox. Incubation was carried out at 20°C for up to nine weeks. Every week five cartons of each type were randomly selected and the milk tested for microbial stability and flavor. The candidate cartons were also tested for degradation of the physical characteristics of static bulge, wicking, tensile strength, and stiffness. Of these, it appears as if selection of carton type will be determined mostly by wicking resistance. The most acceptable carton type is CJF, which had minimal wicking, acceptable bulge, acceptable stiffness, and acceptable tensile strength during the testing period.     

Proteolysis of Cheese Slurry Made from Pulsed Electric Field-Treated Milk

Raw milk cheeses have unique flavor and texture characteristics not obtainable in cheeses made from pasteurized milk. However, cheeses made from pasteurized milk are widespread, primarily for public health reasons. Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment as a non-thermal pasteurization method has shown its ability to keep the flavor and natural characteristics of food samples intact, thus providing advantage over conventional heat processing. In this study, PEF treatment was performed in a continuous treatment chamber, consisting of two parallel stainless steel electrodes separated by a 50-mm-thick insulator. A 30-kV pulse generator was used to deliver bi-polar square waveform electric field to milk sample. Pulse width was 2 μs; pulse frequency was 2 Hz, and up to 120 pulses were applied. Cheese curds were made from raw milk, pasteurized milk, and PEF-treated milk, and their proteolysis processes were compared using curd slurry incubated at 30 °C for 5 days. The profiles of water-soluble peptides were measured using an reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) system. The concentration of free amino acids was measured by Cd–ninhydrin method. Results indicated that PEF-treated milk has intermediate proteolysis profiles between raw milk and pasteurized milk in terms of peptide and free amino acid concentration. The results showed the potential of making high-quality cheeses by PEF treatment without sacrificing the natural characteristics of the cheeses.     

Study of the migration of benzophenone from printed paperboard packages to cakes through different plastic films

Benzophenone is one of the most commonly used photoinitiators, which are mostly used in UV-cured inks for which drying times are much shorter than for conventional solvent or water-based coatings. Benzophenone levels were determined in different packaging materials used for cakes, to evaluate the safety of printed paperboard intended for food contact. For this, a simple extraction method and a rapid specific reverse-phase high performance chromatography method with UV detection were developed. Benzophenone was quantified in different samples by a rapid specific reverse-phase high performance chromatography method after extraction with acetonitrile at 70 °C for 24 h. A novel method for testing benzophenone diffusion towards plastics was also developed and different experiments were conducted in order to measure diffusion coefficients at 70 °C for 2 days and at 40 °C for 10 days. Polypropylene plastics sleeves were found not to be an effective barrier against benzophenone diffusion (3,800 μg/g of benzhophenone was found after 48 h at 70 °C in cakes protected with this film) whereas, the corresponding value in cakes wrapped with a multilayer film of PP/EVOH/PP was reduced to 1,400 μg/g, and the concentration of benzophenone in cakes wrapped with a multilayer film of PET/SiOx/PE was negligible.     

Effect of several heat treatments and frozen storage on thiamine, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid content of milk

This research was designed to test the reliability of modified Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods for quantitation of thiamine, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid in milk; to ascertain the extent of destruction of those vitamins by modern heat processing; and to determine if it is truthful to report that heat processing does not reduce milk's nutritional properties insofar as those vitamins are concerned. Milk was processed continuously at four time-temperature treatments, including that used for modern commercial sterilization. Both raw and heated milks were analyzed immediately for content of heat labile vitamins; subsamples were packaged in amber plastic bottles, frozen, and subsequently analyzed for vitamin content after 14 days storage. Analyses were by modified Association of Official Analytical Chemists fluorometric techniques.     

Bursting risk of capped PET bottles with leftover contents caused by yeast growth

Accidents caused by the bursting of capped PET bottles with leftover contents have increased in Japan. Therefore, the bursting risk of capped PET bottles with leftover contents was investigated. The ratios of distension, after 10 days at 25 degrees C, of capped PET bottles with leftover orange juice were approx. 70% in the case of drinking while eating Kimuchi, and approx. 6% in the case of drinking but not eating. Among 58 distended bottles, none burst spontaneously, but 4 bottles (6.9%) burst upon physical shock (dropping onto a concrete floor from 1.5 m height). The greatest distensions of capped PET bottles were observed with leftover orange juice, apple juice and soured milk after 10 days at 25 degrees C. No distensions were observed in bottles containing leftover sports drink and green tea under the same conditions. Identified organisms from distended bottles were almost all Candida spp. When those Candida spp. strains were inoculated individually into PET bottles half full of orange, apple or sour milk, all bottles were distended after 7 days at 25 degrees C. From the above results, it appears that there is a risk that capped PET bottles with leftover contents, especially sour fruit juice or soured milk, may burst owing to high gas pressure caused by yeast growth during storage at room temperature for over 1 week.     

Endogenous Mycoflora of Gable-top Carton Paperboard Used for Packaging Fruit Juice

Studies were undertaken to isolate and identify filamentous fungi from gable-top cartons used for fruit juice packaging. All containers studied were food-grade, gable-top cartons composed of paperboard with various laminants and coextruded layers. Paperboard fibers from surface sterilized pieces of blank (unfilled) cartons harbored 40 species of 14 genera and 6 Mycelia Sterilia isolates. A parallel study of juice-filled cartons revealed 10 filamentous species and 3 Mycelia Sterilia isolates from deteriorated areas of the paperboard cartons. Three of 9 juice-filled cartons contained mycelial mats of Penicillium biforme and Penicillium spinulosum within the juice. These two species were also isolated from the paperboard.     

NUTRITIVE AND ORGANOLEPTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF NONDAIRY IMITATION MILKS

SUMMARY –13 nondairy imitation milk powders, concentrates and bottled beverages were analyzed for general composition, nutrients and organoleptic properties. These products were obtained from 11 domestic sources, which decreased to eight by the end of the study. Nondairy imitation milks were characterized by wide fluctuations in riboflavin (1.9–418.0 μ per 100 ml) and thiamine (0.2–54.7 μ per 100 ml), protein (0.76–3.67%) and amino acids like lysine (4.7–13.6 μmole per ml). Calcium and magnesium in all imitation milks were well below levels of the same elements in cow's milk reconstituted from whole milk powder, whereas sodium generally was much higher, almost threefold in several instances. The appearance of most nondairy imitation milks closely resembled fresh, pasteurized cow's milk, but the flavor, ascertained by three milk judges, was not similar nor as acceptable to them. Several imitation milks scored in flavor as well as or slightly better than cow's milk reconstituted from whole milk powder, but in all these instances, including the cow's milk, the flavor quality was only fair. Most imitation milks contained less protein than reconstituted cow's milk, but two contained concentrations of 3.26 and 3.67%, comparable to cow's milk. A number of nondairy imitation milks showed very low levels of calcium, riboflavin, thiamine and essential amino acids, lysine and methionine, in relation to cow's milk.     

Retail lighting and packaging influence consumer acceptance of fluid milk

Little is known about the effect of retail light-emitting diode (LED) exposure on consumer acceptance of milk. The study objective was to determine effects of fluorescent and LED lighting under retail storage conditions on consumer acceptance of milk. Consumer acceptance of milk stored under retail conditions was determined through sensory evaluation (2 studies; n = 150+ each) and analytical measures (dissolved oxygen, secondary oxidation products, riboflavin retention). Study 1 evaluated milk stored in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packages for 4 h under LED light (960 lx). Commercially available HDPE package treatments included translucent HDPE (most commonly used), white HDPE [low concentration (1.3%) TiO₂], and yellow HDPE; in addition, HDPE with a higher TiO₂ concentration (high white; 4.9% TiO₂) and a foil-wrapped translucent HDPE (control) were tested. Translucent and control packages also were tested under fluorescent light. Study 2 evaluated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packages for 4 h under fluorescent and LED light (1,460 lx). The PET packaging included 2 treatments (medium, 4.0% TiO₂; high, 6.6% TiO₂) as well as translucent HDPE (exposed to fluorescent), clear PET (fluorescent and LED), and light-protected control. Overall mean acceptability of milk ranged from “like slightly” to “like moderately” with significantly lower acceptability for milk exposed to fluorescent light. Milk in HDPE and PET packages had comparable overall acceptability scores when exposed to LED light. Only the fluorescent light condition (both PET and HDPE) diminished overall acceptability. Fluorescent light exposure negatively influenced flavor with significant penalty (2.0–2.5 integers) to overall acceptability of milk in translucent HDPE and clear PET. The LED also diminished aftertaste of milk packaged in translucent HDPE. Changes in dissolved oxygen content, as an indication of oxidation, supported the observed differences in consumer acceptance of milk stored under fluorescent and LED light. Consumers like the flavor of fresh milk, which can be protected by selecting appropriate packaging that blocks detrimental light wavelengths.     

Microbiological Shelf Life of Pasteurized Milk in Bottle and Pouch

ABSTRACT:  Shelf life of pasteurized milk in Brazil ranges from 3 to 8 d, mainly due to poor cold chain conditions that prevail throughout the country and subject the product to repeated and/or severe temperature abuse. This study evaluated the influence of storage temperature on the microbiological stability of homogenized whole pasteurized milk (75 °C/15 s) packaged in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pouch, both monolayer materials pigmented with titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The storage temperatures investigated were 2, 4, 9, 14, and 16 °C. Microbiological evaluation was based on mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts with 7 log CFU/mL and 6 log CFU/mL, respectively, set as upper limits of acceptability for maintaining the quality of milk. The microbiological stability for pasteurized milk packaged in HDPE bottle and stored at 2, 4, 9, 14, and 16 °C was estimated at 43, 36, 8, 5, and 3 d, respectively. For milk samples packaged in LDPE pouch, shelf life was estimated at 37, 35, 7, 3, and 2 d, respectively. The determination of Q₁₀ and z values demonstrated that storage temperature has a greater influence on microbiological shelf life of pasteurized milk packaged in LDPE pouch compared to HDPE bottle. Based on the results of this study, HDPE bottle was better for storing pasteurized milk as compared to LDPE pouch.     

Short communication: Investigation into Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in pasteurized milk in Italy

This study investigated the presence of viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in pasteurized milk produced by Italian industrial dairy plants to verify the prediction of a previously performed risk assessment. The study analyzed 160 one-liter bottles of pasteurized milk from 2 dairy plants located in 2 different regions. Traditional cultural protocols were applied to 500 mL of pasteurized milk for each sample. The investigation focused also on the pasteurization parameters and data on the microbiological characteristics of raw milk (total bacterial count) and pasteurized milk (Enterobacteriaceae and Listeria monocytogenes). No sample was positive for MAP, the pasteurization parameters complied with European Union legislation, and the microbiological analysis of raw and pasteurized milk showed good microbiological quality. The results show that a 7-log (or >7) reduction could be a plausible value for commercial pasteurization. The combination of hygiene practices at farm level and commercial pasteurization yield very low or absent levels of MAP contamination in pasteurized milk, suggesting that pasteurized milk is not a significant source of human exposure to MAP in the dairies investigated.     

Changes in flavour volatiles of whole pasteurized milk as affected by packaging material and storage time

Changes in volatile profiles of whole pasteurized milk stored under fluorescent light at 4 °C, packaged in different containers were monitored for a period of 7 days in a study designed to differentiate between light-induced oxidative and purely autoxidative effects related to packaging material. Changes in volatiles were measured using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, while microbiological and sensory analyses were used to assess milk quality. Two distinct patterns of milk flavour deterioration were observed. In light-exposed samples, a light-induced oxidation mechanism prevailed while in light-protected samples, an autoxidation mechanism was apparent. Under both conditions, the concentration of selected odorous compounds increased with storage time. Microbiological data correlated poorly with both sensory and GC/MS data. Sensory data correlated well with selected volatile compounds pointing to dimethyl disulphide, pentanal, hexanal and heptanal as potential markers of fresh milk quality. Based on sensory analysis, the optimal shelf life of the whole pasteurized milk used in this study was approximately 5 days.     

Controlling Light Oxidation Flavor in Milk by Blocking Riboflavin Excitation Wavelengths by Interference

ABSTRACT:  Milk packaged in glass bottles overwrapped with iridescent films (treatments blocked either a single visible riboflavin [Rb] excitation wavelength or all visible Rb excitation wavelengths; all treatments blocked UV Rb excitation wavelengths) was exposed to fluorescent lighting at 4 °C for up to 21 d and evaluated for light-oxidized flavor. Controls consisted of bottles with no overwrap (light-exposed treatment; represents the light barrier properties of the glass packaging) and bottles overwrapped with aluminum foil (light-protected treatment). A balanced incomplete block multi-sample difference test, using a ranking system and a trained panel, was used for evaluation of light oxidation flavor intensity. Volatiles were evaluated by gas chromatography and Rb degradation was evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Packaging overwraps limited production of light oxidation flavor over time but not to the same degree as the complete light block. Blocking all visible and UV Rb excitation wavelengths reduced light oxidation flavor better than blocking only a single visible excitation wavelength plus all UV excitation wavelengths. Rb degraded over time in all treatments except the light-protected control treatment and only minor differences in the amount of degradation among treatments was observed. Hexanal production was significantly higher in the light-exposed control treatment compared to the light-protected control treatment from day 7; it was only sporadically significantly higher in the 570 nm and 400 nm block treatments. Pentanal, heptanal, and an unidentified volatile compound also increased in concentration over time, but there were no significant differences in concentration among the packaging overwrap treatments for these compounds.     

Effect of storage conditions on the chemical attributes of Ogbomoso mango juice

Mango juices were extracted from Ogbomoso variety using the method of Brekke et al. (1972). Mango juices were packaged in polyethylene films, polyethylene tetraphthalate (PET or plastic) bottles and transparent glass bottles and stored at 6 °C, 26 °C and 34 °C. Percentage ascorbic acid loss, browning index, titratable acidity, pH and soluble solids were evaluated at 2-week intervals for 8 weeks. Percentage ascorbic acid loss, non-enzymatic browning and titratable acidity increased with storage time in all packaging materials. However, pH decreased with storage time and soluble solids remained constant. Higher percentage ascorbic acid loss, browning index and titratable acidity occurred in juices packaged in polyethylene film, than in PET and glass bottles. Percentage ascorbic acid, browning index and pH increased with increased storage temperature. However, titratable acidity decreased with increased storage temperature and soluble solids remained constant throughout the period of storage.     

Effect of the addition of nitrate to milk on the formation of volatile N-nitrosamines and apparent total N-nitroso compounds

 Saint-Paulin, a French semihard cheese, was manufactured from milk with and without added NO₃ ^–. Reference and experimental cheeses were analysed at different stages of ripening for the presence of apparent total N-nitroso compounds (ATNC) by chemical denitrosation and chemiluminescence detection (thermal energy analyser). The fate of NO₃ ^– and NO₂ ^–was also scrutinized. The levels of ATNC and of volatile N-nitrosamines were followed during ripening. After 60 days of ripening, ATNC were detected at concentrations of 27 μg NO-N/kg and 64 μg NO-N/kg in the cheeses obtained from milk with and without added NO₃ ^–, respectively. The NO₃ ^– contents of both cheeses were nearly the same, and below 5 mg/kg. The occurrence of NO₂ ^–was not observed. No relationship was found between the NO₃ ^– contents and the contamination of the cheeses by volatile N-nitrosamines. At the beginning of ripening, the cheeses manufactured with added NO₃ ^- showed high levels of ATNC (mean value 5800 μg N-NO/kg with large variations of 570–15210 μg NO-N/kg). These ATNC contents rapidly decreased during the first days of ripening (96%), but decreased much more slowly during the following days. An hypothetical mechanism, attempting to explain the disappearance of ATNC, involving the formation of alkylated species in the cheese was proposed. Received: 30 March 1998 / Revised version: 7 October 1998