Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on quality factors and shelf-life of mould surface-ripened cheese: Part II varying storage temperature

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been extensively used to increase the shelf-life of horticultural, meat and dairy products. Its design methods assume rigorous temperature control; however temperature fluctuations are very common in the distribution chain of food products. MAP designed for a specific temperature could produce an excessive depletion of O₂ and accumulation of CO₂ at higher temperatures, which could lead to metabolic disorders and shortening of shelf-life. Packages containing mould surface-ripened cheese designed for 12 °C with 2% O₂ and 19% CO₂ were exposed to variable temperature conditions. The original commercial packaging system was used as a control under the same temperature profile. The temperature profile used consisted of alternate cycles of 12 °C for 48 h and 20 °C for 24 h during storage of 14 days. Gas composition inside the packages was monitored during the storage period and quality parameters such as colour, texture, pH and moisture content were evaluated after 0, 7 and 14 days of storage, together with a sensory evaluation. The results on gas composition showed that very low levels of O₂ (>0.27%) were reached after 24 h at 20 °C. From the results of the quality parameters it was concluded that the cheeses with MAP were however better preserved than the control ones after 14 days of storage under fluctuating temperature conditions.     

Quality and shelf-life of washed fresh-cut asparagus in modified atmosphere packaging

Fresh-cut asparagus is one of the most popular fresh vegetables for healthy consumption. However, the level of microbial load in the raw vegetable can cause food poisoning and shorten its shelf-life of asparagus. The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of chlorinated and ozonated water in the washing process to reduce the microbial load on fresh green asparagus and the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on asparagus quality. Washing at 10 °C for 15 min with chlorinated water (100 mg/L free Cl₂) reduced aerobic plate count which had higher efficiency on microbial reduction than the use of ozonated water (0.1 mg/L O₃). No significant differences on the amount of Escherichia coli contamination among washing methods were found. Asparagus in modified atmosphere packaging retarded the deterioration process. Changes in hue angle followed a first-order kinetic reaction. Temperature dependence of the kinetic rate constant during storage time of asparagus obeyed the Arrhenius relationship with an activation energy (E_a) 29.33 ± 4.60 kJ/mol. The shelf-life prediction equation was related well with real practice. The combination of appropriate washing process and MAP increased the food safety, maintained the quality and prolonged the shelf-life of asparagus.     

Effects of packaging atmospheres on shelf-life quality of ground ostrich meat

Fresh ground ostrich meat was packaged under high oxygen (O2), high nitrogen (N2), vacuum (VAC) and ambient air (AIR) atmospheres, stored at 4 ± 1 °C and displayed under 1700 ± 100 lux of fluorescent lighting for 9 days. The meat was evaluated for changes in typical shelf-life characteristics consisting of pH, color properties (CIE L^∗, a^∗, b^∗, and total color difference, ΔE), oxidative changes (thiobarbituric acid value and hexanal content) and bacterial counts (total viable cell, coliform, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp.) Initial meat pH was 6.16 and declined slightly during storage. TBA values and hexanal content were highest in O2 and lowest (P ? 0.05) in VAC and N2 atmospheres. Surface lightness (L^∗) and redness (a^∗) were highest in O2 packaging initially, decreasing (P ? 0.05) by day 9. ΔE of the ground ostrich increased during storage in only O₂ and AIR packaging. All packaging methods had generally similar effects on microbial outgrowth. Total aerobic bacteria attained >10⁶ CFU/g meat between day 3 and day 6. Ground ostrich meat was below saleable quality in less than 6 days based on all of the meat attributes. For O2 packaging however, quality based on lipid oxidation and color properties indicated a shelf-life of less than 3 days. Oxidation is likely the limiting factor for shelf-life of ground ostrich meat.     

Combined effect of irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging on shelf-life extension of chicken breast meat: microbiological, chemical and sensory changes

In the present study the combined effect of gamma irradiation (2 and 4 kGy) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (30% CO₂/70% N₂ and 70% CO₂/30% N₂) on shelf life extension of fresh chicken meat stored under refrigeration was investigated. The study was based on microbiological (TVC, Pseudomonas spp., Lactic Acid Bacteria, Yeasts, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterobacteriaceae), physicochemical (pH, TBA, color) and sensory (odor, taste) changes occurring in chicken samples. Microbial populations were reduced by 1–5 log cfu/g for a given sampling day depending on the specific treatment. The effect was more pronounced in the case of the combination of MAP (70% CO₂/30% N₂) and the higher irradiation dose of 4 kGy. Of the chemical indicators of spoilage, TBA values for all treatments remained lower than 1 mg malondialdehyde (MDA)/kg meat throughout the 25 day storage period. pH values varied between 6.4 (day 0) and 5.9 (day 25). The values of the color parameters L*, a* and b* were not considerably affected by MAP. Irradiation resulted in a small increase of the parameter a*. Irradiation had a greater effect in extending the shelf life of chicken as compared to MAP. Sensory evaluation showed that the combination of irradiation at 4 kGy and MAP (70% CO₂/30% N₂) resulted in the highest shelf-life extension by 12 days compared to the air packaged samples.     

Gas exchange dynamics in modified atmosphere packaging of soft cheese

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a shelf-life extension technique that has been widely applied to horticultural, meat and dairy products. It relies on the interaction between product, packaging material and environment, which determines the gas composition inside the package at steady state. Therefore, MAP design needs to take into consideration O₂ consumption and CO₂ production rates of the product and the mass transfer coefficients for the gas exchange through the packaging material and how they are affected by environmental factors such as storage temperature. In this work, a mathematical model was developed for designing MAP systems for a soft cheese (camembert-type). The model was used to evaluate the effect of perforations on O₂ and CO₂ concentrations of package containing cheese, at constant and varying storage temperatures. The predicted gas composition was compared with those obtained experimentally at 293 and 285 K with packages having different numbers of perforations (1), (2) and (3). Experimental values of gas composition observed at steady state with one perforation were 0.050 and 0.148 (v/v) at 285 K for O₂ and CO₂ respectively, and 0.003 and 0.207 (v/v) at 293 K. Gas composition was found to take values between 0.009–0.058 for O₂ and 0.154–0.200 for CO₂, when the packages with a single perforation were exposed to storage temperature varying between 285 and 293 K during 14 days of storage. The model developed was able to accurately predict the gas exchange dynamics of the package throughout the storage period whether the temperature of storage was constant or not.     

Combined effect of oregano essential oil and modified atmosphere packaging on shelf-life extension of fresh chicken breast meat, stored at 4 degrees C

The combined effect of oregano essential oil (0.1% and 1% w/w) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (30% CO2/70% N2 and 70% CO2/30% N2) on shelf-life extension of fresh chicken meat stored at 4 degrees C was investigated. The parameters that were monitored were: microbiological (TVC, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae), physico-chemical (pH, TBA, color) and sensory (odor and taste) attributes. Microbial populations were reduced by 1-5 log cfu/g for a given sampling day, with the more pronounced effect being achieved by the combination of MAP and oregano essential oil. TBA values for all treatments remained lower than 1 mg malondialdehyde (MDA) kg(-1) throughout the 25-day storage period. pH values varied between 6.4 (day 0) and 5.9 (day 25). The values of the color parameters L*, a* and b* were not considerably affected by oregano oil or by MAP. Finally, sensory analysis showed that oregano oil at a concentration of 1% imparted a very strong taste to the product for which reason these lots of samples were not scored. On the basis of sensory evaluation a shelf-life extension of breast chicken meat by ca. 3-4 days for samples containing 0.1% oregano oil, 2-3 days for samples under MAP and 5-6 days for samples under MAP containing 0.1% of oregano oil was attained. Thus oregano oil and MAP exhibited an additive preservation effect.     

Shelf-life extension and quality attributes of the whey cheese “Myzithra Kalathaki” using modified atmosphere packaging

The present work evaluated the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on quality characteristics and shelf-life extension of the whey cheese “Myzithra Kalathaki” using microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses. Myzithra cheese was packaged in four different atmospheres: vacuum, 20% CO₂/80% N₂ (M₁), 40% CO₂/60% N₂ (M₂) and 60% CO₂/40% N₂ (M₃); identical cheese samples were packaged in air, taken as controls. All cheese samples were kept under refrigeration (4±0.5 °C) for 45 days. Of the four atmospheres, the M₂ and M₃ gas mixtures were the most effective for inhibiting growth of aerobic microflora and psychrotrophs in cheese samples until days 40 and 33 of refrigerated storage, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were part of the cheese microflora becoming dominant toward the end of the storage period regardless of packaging conditions. Enterobacteriaeceae were also part of the cheese microflora being effectively inhibited after day 35 of storage. Molds and yeasts were also totally inhibited by MAP (M₂ and M₃) gas mixtures throughout the entire storage period. Of the chemical quality indices determined, lipid oxidation varied below 0.005 absorbance at 532 nm for all treatments, except control samples for which absorbance values of 0.02 were recorded after 35 days of storage. Lipolysis did not vary significantly with type of packaging treatment while proteolysis values showed and increasing trend up to day 25 of storage and then decreased toward the end of the storage period. Sensory evaluation (odour and taste) showed that Myzithra cheese packaged under MAP (M₂ and M₃) retained good sensory characteristics for 30 days of storage while control samples were sensorily unacceptable after 10-12 days of storage.     

Effect of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging on the quality of pork loin

The effect of packaging in protective atmospheres on the process of lipid oxidation, colour and water retention capacity of pork loin chops during refrigerated storage was investigated. The use of modified atmospheres with a high oxygen concentration (70%) acted as a pro-oxidation factor both for fatty acids and for cholesterol (an increase of 86.4% on the initial COPS content). No significant advantages were found in the use of these atmospheres concerning the colour of the meat. Vacuum packaging was seen to be an interesting alternative in the packaging of pork, due to the fact that it increases oxidative stability, which brings about greater colour stability and therefore increases the shelf life. The only disadvantage of this type of packaging is that it increases initial weight loss (5.1% on day 2 of storage).     

Effect of ripeness on the shelf-life of fresh-cut melon preserved by modified atmosphere packaging

Fresh-cut ‘Piel de Sapo’ melon was processed at different ripeness stages and stored under modified atmosphere packaging for 35 days at 5 °C. Raw material firmness and soluble solids content ranged from 6.5 to 3.9 N and 11.1 to 14.3 °Brix, respectively. The effects of a 2.5 kPa O₂+7 kPa CO₂ packaging atmosphere and a dip of 1% ascorbic acid and 0.5% calcium chloride on physiology, microbiological stability as well as color and firmness were evaluated. An intermediate stage of ripeness at processing was the most suitable to extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut ‘Piel de Sapo’ melon. Green-mature fresh-cut melon reduced CO₂ accumulation and ethanol production. In addition, a treatment with ascorbic acid and calcium chloride in combination with modified atmosphere packaging, contributed to a greater extension of the shelf-life of fresh-cut melon than that reported for fruits stored under non-modified atmosphere, slowing down the growth of microbial populations, maintaining the original color and reducing softness. Thus, the shelf-life of green-mature fresh-cut ‘Piel de Sapo’ melon dipped in an ascorbic acid and calcium chloride solution and packaged under modified atmosphere was about 10 days.     

Effects of bactericides and modified atmosphere packaging on shelf-life of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis)

Effects of different bactericides and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on aerobic plate counts (APCs), total volatile base-nitrogen (TVB-N) and organoleptic evaluation of overall acceptable score (OA score) of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) during cold storage were investigated. Results indicated that APC in MAP(40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) shrimp treated with compound bactericide reached 10⁷ cfu/g on the 13th day of storage, while that of ozonated water or water control treatments exceed 10⁷ cfu/g on the 9th day. APC in shrimps treated with MAP (40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) or 100%CO₂ after soaking with compound bactericide reached close to 10⁷ cfu/g at day 13, while that of air treatment exceed 10⁷ cfu/g. TVB-N value in MAP(40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) shrimp treated with compound bactericide was slightly higher than the upper threshold of 30 mg/100 g on the 17th day, while that of ozonated water treatment or water control increased to or over the threshold value on the 9th day. TVB-N value in shrimps treated with MAP (40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) or 100%CO₂ after soaking with compound bactericide were significantly lower than that of air control on the 17th day (P ≤ 0.01), with a value of 33.6 mg/100 g and 42-47.6 mg/100 g respectively, compared to 78.4-86.8 mg/100 g in air control. The lowest OA score of MAP(40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) whole and decapitated shrimps treated with compound bactericide appeared on the 17th and 21th day, respectively, compared with the 9th day in whole shrimp and the 13th day in decapitated shrimps treated with ozonated water and water control. The lowest OA score of whole and decapitated shrimps treated with MAP (40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) or 100%CO₂ after soaking with compound bactericide appeared on the 17th and 21th day, respectively, compared with the 13th and 17th day in air control. In conclusion, when combined the parameters determined together, the shelf-life of Chinese shrimp at 2 ± 1 °C, either whole or decapitated, treated with MAP (40%CO₂/30%O₂/30%N₂) and 100%CO₂ after soaking with compound bactericide were 13 and 17 days, respectively.     

Effect of modified atmosphere and vacuum packaging on some quality characteristics and the shelf-life of “morcilla”, a typical cooked blood sausage

The effect of modified atmosphere and vacuum packaging on the shelf-life of “morcilla”, a traditional cooked blood sausage, was investigated. A total of 99 “morcillas” were packaged under vacuum and in modified atmosphere using three different gas mixtures: 15:35:50/O₂:N₂:CO₂ (atmosphere 1), 60:40/N₂:CO₂ (atmosphere 2) and 40:60/N₂:CO₂ (atmosphere 3), and stored during 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks at 4 °C. Shelf life evaluation was based on pH, water activity (a_w), colour (CIE L*, a*, b*, C* and h*), TBARS formation and microbial counts. The results indicated that, in general, storage time affected (P < 0.05) all parameters whereas no significant differences were observed (P > 0.05) among packaging conditions. Based on the microbial counts, the shelf-life of “morcilla” would be greater than 8 weeks for all packaging conditions. Samples packaged with high CO₂ concentrations (40:60/N₂:CO₂) showed the lowest values of TBARS at the end of storage.     

Shelf life of Turkish whey cheese (Lor) under modified atmosphere packaging

In this study, the shelf life of Lor cheese stored under different atmosphere compositions was assessed and compared. Lor cheeses were held in four different atmospheres containing: vacuum packaging (VP), 40% CO₂/60% N₂, 60% CO₂/40% N₂ and 70% CO₂/30% N₂ (modified atmosphere packaging). Control cheeses were stored in air. All cheese samples were kept in the refrigerator at 4°C for 45 days and investigated for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties. The acidity index value was significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) in the control and vacuum packaged samples than in those stored for the same period under CO₂. Microbiological results showed that modified atmosphere packaging delayed microbial growth compared with air and VP samples. Of the three modified atmospheres, gas mixtures 60% and 70% CO₂ were the most effective for inhibition of growth of micro-organisms. Sensory evaluation (odour and taste) results showed that Lor cheese packaged under modified atmosphere packaging (60% CO₂/40% N₂ and 70% CO₂/30% N₂ ) retained good characteristics for 45 days of storage, while vacuum and control samples were sensorily unacceptable after 10 days of storage.     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on visual quality and glucosinolates of broccoli florets

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) florets were packaged in polyethylene bags with no holes (M₀), two microholes (M₁), and four macroholes (M₂), and then stored at 4 or 20 °C. The effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments on visual quality and glucosinolate contents were determined by comparing with non-wrapped florets. The results showed that MAP treatments, especially with M₀ and M₁, extended the shelf life and reduced the postharvest deterioration of broccoli florets stored at 4 and 20 °C. All three MAP treatments reduced the decreasing concentration rates of individual, total aliphatic and indole glucosinolates in broccoli florets when compared to those in the control, with M₀ being the most significant, followed by M₁ and M₂ during 23 days of storage at 4 °C or 5 days of storage at 20 °C. Broccoli florets with M₀ treatment maintained the visual quality and glucosinolate contents for 13 days at 4 °C and 3 days at 20 °C.     

Preservation of precut white cheese by modified atmosphere packaging

Effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on storage stability and quality of precut fresh and aged white cheese were investigated. Fresh or aged white cheese was cut into small cubes and packaged in five different atmospheres [0% O₂ + 0% CO₂ + 100% N₂ (MAP1), 10% O₂ + 0% CO₂ + 90% N₂ (MAP2), 0% O₂ + 75% CO₂ + 25% N₂ (MAP3), 10% O₂ + 75% CO₂ + 15% N₂ (MAP4) and aerobic (air)]. Control samples were packaged in brine and vacuum for fresh and aged white cheese, respectively. Changes in gas composition, total plate count, lactococci, lactobacilli, yeast and mould counts, proteolysis, lipolysis, pH, colour, texture and sensory properties were investigated during refrigerated storage. The best packaging treatment for the fresh cheese was MAP3, as it inhibited mould growth and protected the hardness. MAP2 can be recommended for the packaging of the aged cheese, as it decreased lipolysis.     

Effectiveness of active and modified atmosphere packaging on shelf life extension of a cheese tart

This study evaluated the shelf life extension of a cheese cake subjected to modified atmosphere (MAP) and active packaging (AP). Cheese cakes were packaged under different N₂/CO₂ ratios (70/30 and 20/80) (MAP batches), by placing a sachet of an iron oxide-based oxygen absorber inside trays (AP batch) and with air (air batch). Changes in microbial growth, in-package gas composition, chemical–physical parameters including texture and sensory attributes were monitored for 48 days at 20 °C. AP allowed a mould-free cheese cake shelf life of 48 days, MAP extended the shelf life of samples packaged under 30% and 80% CO₂ up to 14 and 34 days, respectively, whereas tarts stored with air spoiled after 7 days. MAP resulted in a significant increase in hardness after 14 days of storage, whereas AP tarts recovered the initial texture after 48 days. Panellists judged AP tarts over the acceptability threshold during the whole shelf life of cheese tarts.     

自发气调包装对不同品种青椒贮藏品质的影响

目的 探究自发气调包装对不同品种青椒贮藏品质的影响。方法 以贵州主栽的“改良螺丝椒王”和“黔椒8号”品种为实验材料,使用MP20气调包装袋对其进行包装处理,贮藏于(10±0.3)℃的环境内32d,每隔8 d进行一次相关指标的测定,研究贮藏期间不同品种间青椒品质变化。结果 随着贮藏时间的延长,青椒果实的腐败率、失重率和转红指数均呈上升趋势,相比之下,“黔椒8号”的贮藏性能优于“改良螺丝椒王”。两个品种共检测出48种挥发性物质,主要以醛类、酯类为主;在贮藏末期,“黔椒8号”对醛类和酯类物质的保留率高于“改良螺丝椒王”,风味损失较少。根据化合物的香气活性值得出,两个辣椒品种共有的关键特征呈香物质为:(E,E)-2,4-癸二烯醛、水杨酸甲酯、肉豆蔻醛、正己醛、2-己烯醛和β-紫罗兰酮,其含量均随着贮藏时间的延长而下降。贮藏期间,“改良螺丝椒王”特有的挥发性物质为3-蒈烯和反式-2-壬醛,“黔椒8号”特有的挥发性物质为1-己醇和环己醇。结论 在低温下采用MP20气调包装袋进行包装的“黔椒8号”的贮藏效果最佳。     

Microbiological,chemical and sensory assessment of mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>) stored under modified atmosphere packaging

Wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), were packaged aerobically under vaccum packaging(VP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP (50%/50% CO₂/N₂: M1, 80%/20% CO₂/N₂: M2, 65%/35% CO₂/N₂: M3), and stored at 2 ± 1 °C. Quality evaluation was carried out using microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses. Microbiological results revealed that M2 and M3 delayed microbial growth compared to M1. Of the chemical indices determined, the TVB-N and TMA-N values of M2 remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits of 35 mg N/100 g and 8 mg N/100 g, respectively, up to 8 days of storage. All of the MAP and VP mussel samples exceeded these limits after 12 days of storage. All samples retained desirable sensory characteristics during the first 8 days of storage. Based on microbiological and chemical analyses along with sensory evaluation, M2 and M3 gave a longer shelf-life compared with VP and M1. M2 gas mixture was the most effective for mussel preservation.     

Effect of high carbon dioxide atmosphere packaging and soluble gas stabilization pre-treatment on the shelf-life and quality of chicken drumsticks

The effects of an aerobic modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (70% CO₂, 15% O₂ and 15% N₂) with and without a CO₂ 3-h soluble gas stabilization (SGS) pre-treatment of chicken drumsticks were determined for various package and product quality characteristics. The CO₂ dissolved into drumsticks was determined. The equilibrium between CO₂ dissolved in drumsticks and CO₂ in head space was reached within 48 h after packaging, showing highest values of CO₂ in SGS pre-treated samples. This greater availability of CO₂ resulted in lower counts of TAB and Pseudomonas in SGS than in MAP drumsticks. Package collapse was significantly reduced in SGS samples. The average of CO₂ dissolved in the MAP treatment was 567 mg CO₂ kg^− 1 of chicken and, 361 mg CO₂ kg^− 1 of chicken during the MAP treatment, in SGS pre-treated samples. This difference could be the quantity of CO₂ dissolved during SGS pre-treatment.     

气调储藏中不同平衡气体对鸡蛋保鲜品质的影响

采用高浓度的CO2,以不同浓度的N2、O2、空气作为平衡气体储藏鸡蛋,以新鲜度指标中的失重率、蛋黄指数、哈夫单位、蛋白pH为指标,研究了气调包装对鸡蛋保鲜效果的影响。本实验结果表明:鸡蛋采用体积分数60%~100%CO2的气调包装,在25℃条件下贮藏,质量损失率、蛋白pH保持相对较低水平,蛋黄指数、哈夫单位保持相对较高水平。贮藏28d后,不包装的对照组已经散黄,空气包装组鸡蛋降到了B级,而气调包装组鸡蛋仍保持AA级左右,各气调实验组保鲜效果差异不显著。      

Shelf-life of Domiati cheese under modified atmosphere packaging

The present study describes the effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on shelf-life extension, chemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of Domiati cheese. Five different MAP were studied [10% CO₂/90% N₂ (G1), 15% CO₂/85% N₂ (G2), 25% CO₂/75% N₂ (G3), 100% CO₂ (G4), and 100% N₂ (G5)]. Control samples were packaged in air (CA) and under vacuum. In both groups of cheeses, chemical analysis was significantly affected by MAP during cold storage. Ripening indexes were significantly affected by MAP during cold storage. Microbiological data showed that G4, followed by G5, were the most effective groups inhibiting the growth of total aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, and yeasts and molds until the end of storage. Sensory evaluation was significantly affected by MAP and storage period, at 45 d CA cheese samples were judged as unacceptable. The best sensory properties were obtained in G5, G4, and G3 treatments, and recorded a relatively higher sensory evaluation scores. The best shelf-life extension was obtained in G5, G4, and G3 treatments.