Utilisation of modified atmosphere packaging to extend the shelf life of Khalas fresh dates

Completely matured tamr stage dates are widely available and consumed throughout the year. However, for some date varieties, the earlier khalal stage crunchy fruit is considered a premium product. This work examines the use of modified atmosphere packaging to extend the shelf life of khalal dates under refrigerated conditions. Modified atmosphere packaging with 10% or 20% CO₂ in air was successful in reducing the rate of the ripening processes while control‐packaged dates showed signs of ripening development such as significant weight loss and darkening in date colour (identified visually and as low lactic acid bacteria measurements at 18 and 27 days after packaging), similar to that observed in tamr stage fruit.     

Combined effect of active coating and modified atmosphere packaging on prolonging the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese

In this work, the effect of active coating on the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese packaged in air and modified atmosphere (MAP) was studied. The active coating was based on sodium alginate (2%, wt/vol) and potassium sorbate (1%, wt/vol). The MAP was made up of 75% CO₂ and 25% N₂ (MAP1), 25% CO₂ and 75% N₂ (MAP2), or 50% CO₂ and 50% N₂ (MAP3). The product quality decay was assessed by monitoring microbiological and sensory changes during storage at 4, 8, and 14°C. Results showed that the combination of active coating and MAP was able to improve the preservation of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese. Specifically, the shelf life increased up to 160 d for samples stored at 4°C, and 40 and 11 d for those at 8 and 14°C, respectively. A faster quality decay for untreated samples packaged in air was observed. In particular, the Pseudomonas spp. growth and the appearance of molds were responsible for product unacceptability. The combination of active coating and MAP represents a strategic solution to prolong the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese and to ensure the safety of the product under thermal abuse conditions.     

Shelf‐life extension of refrigerated seabass slices under modified atmosphere packaging

The effect of CO₂‐enriched atmosphere in combination with either oxygen or nitrogen on the keeping quality of seabass slices stored at 4 °C was investigated. The inhibitory effect on bacterial growth increased proportionally to the CO₂ concentration in the packaging, maximum inhibition being achieved with 100% CO₂ (P < 0.05). Seabass slices stored in CO₂‐enriched atmosphere had lower total volatile base, trimethylamine, ammonia and formaldehyde contents than those stored in air (P < 0.05). However, increases in lightness and exudate loss were observed for samples packaged in high‐CO₂ atmosphere, suggesting the denaturation of both muscle and pigment proteins by carbonic acid formed. Thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) increased as the CO₂ concentration increased (P < 0.05). However, odour, flavour and overall acceptability of CO₂‐enriched packaged samples, particularly with 80 and 100% CO₂, were acceptable throughout storage for 21 days. Chemical and microbial changes in all samples were generally in agreement with sensory panel evaluations. The shelf‐life of seabass slices packaged in 80–100% CO₂ atmosphere could be extended to more than 20 days at 4 °C, compared with 9 days for those packaged in air. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

充气包装对青菜冷藏品质的影响

充气包装已成为一种有效的延长小包装蔬菜货架期的保鲜技术。目的是选择最合适的环境气调贮藏包装青菜,研究贮藏在4℃,不同的气体浓度(空气对照组、10%CO2+20%O2+70%N2、10%CO2+5%O2+85%N2、10%CO2+1%O2+89%N2、5%CO2+5%O2+90%N2、15%CO2+10%O2+85%N2)对其感官品质、叶绿素、亚硝酸盐、可溶性固形物、电导率等指标的影响。结果表明:4℃下,延长青菜货架期和保持其营养品质的最佳的气体组成为10%CO2+5%O2+85%N2。     

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.     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on microbial growth,quality and enzymatic defence of sanitiser washed fresh coriander

Fresh coriander samples were washed in an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution and stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with air (T0), 4%O₂ + 3%CO₂ + 93%N₂ (T1); 10%O₂ + 3%CO₂ + 87%N₂ (T2); 15%O₂ + 3%CO₂ + 82%N₂ (T3); 20%O₂ + 3%CO₂ + 77%N₂ (T4) at 4 °C for 14 days. After 14 days, the ascorbic acid contents in samples were 24.8 (T3), 22.4 (T4), 19.6 (T0), 18.2 (T2) and 8.8 (T1) mg/100 g; the total phenol contents were 59.9 (T3), 53.8 (T0), 50.1 (T4), 44.8 (T2) and 39.3 (T1) mg gallic acid/100 g; and the total chlorophyll contents were 1.60 (T3), 1.52 (T4), 1.05 (T2), 0.91 (T0) and 0.63 (T1) mg g^?1 respectively. T3 treatment resulted in the best colour maintenance, the least bacterial growth, and the highest activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase throughout the storage period as compared to others. The data revealed that the T3 MAP condition in combination of aqueous chlorine dioxide washing significantly (P < 0.05) maintained the quality and extended the shelf life of fresh coriander.     

酸性电解水联合气调包装对鲜切生菜品质的影响

以鲜切散叶生菜为研究对象,在4℃贮藏条件下研究酸性电解水联合气调包装对其保鲜效果的影响。研究表明:与pH 2.3、有效氯含量为60 mg/L的酸性电解水联合空气包装(21%O_2+1%CO_2)的对照组相比,电解水联合气调包装可以有效抑制鲜切生菜微生物的生长繁殖,延缓水分和VC的损失,抑制新陈代谢和可溶性固形物含量的减少,抑制叶绿素的分解,延缓褐变黄化的速度,保持鲜绿的外观,维持鲜切生菜的感官品质。采用酸性电解水联合气调包装(5%O_2和10%CO_2)可以将鲜切生菜的货架期从6~9d延长到15d,并保持良好的感官品质。     

Shelf life extension of fresh ginseng roots using sanitiser washing,edible antimicrobial coating and modified atmosphere packaging

Fresh American ginseng roots were washed with sanitiser solution (200 ppm sodium hypochlorite), surface‐coated with a coating solution consisting of 0.5% chitosan and three organic acids (lactic, levulinic and acetic acids) and then placed in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with 5% O₂, 10% O₂ or ambient air. Total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds, weight loss and quality changes (texture, colour and appearance) of roots were monitored during storage at 4 °C. Throughout the 38‐week study, there were no significant changes in microbial loads, texture, colour and appearance of samples after sanitiser washing and coating treatments and packaged with air, 5% O₂ or 10% O₂. The weight loss of roots after 38 weeks was approximately 3%. The results demonstrate that the unique coating formulation (0.5% chitosan and multiple organic acids) and combination of sanitiser washing, coating treatment and MAP extend the shelf life of fresh ginseng roots to at least 38 weeks.     

不同包装对冷藏和货架期黑布朗李果实品质及乙烯释放速率的影响

黑布朗李分别经PE、PVC和微孔膜包装后在0℃贮藏,以无包装为对照,研究不同材料包装对冷藏及货架期（25℃）黑布朗李果实品质的影响。结果表明,包装可以显著（p<0.05）降低果实失重率,对果实贮藏期品质具有良好的影响;PVC包装能显著地降低包装内O₂体积分数（p<0.05）,提高CO₂体积分数,并能够有效地延缓货架期李果实硬度下降,维持较高的SSC;PE包装的李果实软化缓慢,与其他组果实相比转色指数最高。PE、PVC和微孔膜包装均能有效地抑制贮藏过程中李果实乙烯的释放速率。      

低温结合气调包装处理对鲜切胡萝卜品质的影响

该研究以鲜切胡萝卜为对象,采用低温结合气调包装对鲜切胡萝卜进行处理,研究不同保鲜方式对鲜切胡萝卜品质的影响。鲜切胡萝卜经气调(气体组成分别为5%O₂+5%CO₂+90%N₂、5%O₂+10%CO₂+85%N₂、10%O₂+5%CO₂+85%N₂)包装后,(4±1)℃下在保鲜盒中贮藏,每3 d测定感官品质、失重率、可溶性固形物含量、抗坏血酸含量、胡萝卜素含量、菌落总数、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量和以及超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)和过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)活性等指标。结果表明,低温结合5%O₂+10%CO₂+85%N₂气调包装处理组有效地保持了鲜切胡萝卜的品质,减少了水分的流失,延缓了营养物质可溶性固形物、胡萝卜素以及抗坏血酸含量的下降,抑制了MDA含量...     

复合保鲜剂结合MAP对鲜切茄子贮藏品质的影响

为延长鲜切茄子的保鲜时间,研究单一气调包装(2%CO2+5%O2+93%N2)和保鲜液(1.5%壳聚糖+1%抗坏血酸+1%氯化钙+2%柠檬酸)结合气调包装对鲜切茄子品质的影响。以感官评分、褐变度、硬度、多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性和细菌总数为指标,分析鲜切茄子于(10±1)℃下贮藏8d内的品质变化。结果表明:贮藏8d后,对照组样品的L*值、硬度、PPO酶活性和细菌总数分别为75.66、7.41kg/cm2、68.77U/(min·g)和5.52lg CFU/g,而经保鲜液结合气调包装的鲜切茄子各指标分别为82.51、10.05kg/cm2、23.70U/(min·g)和2.87lg CFU/g。气调包装能够抑制鲜切茄子的褐变、萎蔫等感官品质的下降,并抑制PPO活性的增加和细菌的生长繁殖,尤其在结合保鲜液处理后效果更加明显,贮藏8d仍保持较好的品质。     

Microbiological,physical and chemical characteristics of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in modified‐atmosphere packaging

This study evaluated the influence of packaging atmosphere (air versus 50% N₂/50% CO₂) on microbiological (mesophiles, psychrotrophs), physical (gas measurement) and chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N], NH₃, H₂S and biogenic amines) parameters in freshwater prawns during storage at 0 ± 1 °C for 240 h. To select the most appropriate packaging, 21 batches of each treatment were analysed. Both the packaging permeability and the combination of gases affected the shelf life, but the modified‐atmosphere packaging (MAP) was more efficient than air packaging, increasing the shelf life by 40 h. The parameters of pH and TVB‐N showed no statistical difference between the two atmosphere conditions all along the storage period. The biogenic amine agmatine showed potential for use as a quality indicator due to the increased concentration during storage. In further studies, this amine can be applied as an indicator for public health issue.     

Effect of irradiation, active and modified atmosphere packaging, container oxygen barrier and storage conditions on the physicochemical and sensory properties of raw unpeeled almond kernels (Prunus dulcis)

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the effect of irradiation, active and modified atmosphere packaging, and storage conditions on quality retention of raw, whole, unpeeled almonds. Almond kernels were packaged in barrier and high‐barrier pouches, under N₂ or with an O₂ absorber and stored either under fluorescent lighting or in the dark at 20 °C for 12 months. Quality parameters monitored were peroxide value, hexanal content, colour, fatty acid composition and volatile compounds. Of the sensory attributes colour, texture, odour and taste were evaluated. RESULTS: Peroxide value and hexanal increased with dose of irradiation and storage time. Irradiation resulted in a decrease of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids during storage with a parallel increase of saturated fatty acids. Volatile compounds were not affected by irradiation but increased with storage time indicating enhanced lipid oxidation. Colour parameters of samples remained unaffected immediately after irradiation. For samples packaged under a N₂, atmosphere L* and b* values decreased during storage with a parallel increase of value a* resulting to gradual product darkening especially in irradiated samples. CONCLUSION: Non‐irradiated almonds retained acceptable quality for ca. 12 months stored at 20 °C with the O₂ absorber irrespective of lighting conditions and packaging material oxygen barrier. The respective shelf life for samples irradiated at 1.0 kGy was 12 months packaged in PET‐SiOx//LDPE irrespective of lighting conditions and 12 months for samples irradiated at 3 kGy packaged in PET‐SiOx//LDPE stored in the dark. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on Quality Index Method (QIM) scores of farmed gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) at low and abused temperatures

A Quality Index Method (QIM) scheme was developed for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) packed gilthead seabream, and the effect of MAP gas mixtures (60% CO2 and 40% N2; 60% CO2, 30% O2, and 10% N2), temperature (2, 4, and 8 °C), and time of storage on QI scores was assessed. QI scores were crossed with sensory evaluation of cooked fish according to a modified Torry scheme to establish the rejection point. In order to reduce redundant parameters, a principal component analysis was applied on preliminary QIM parameters scores coming from the best performing MAP among those tested. The final QIM scheme consists of 13 parameters and a maximum demerit score of 25. The maximum storage time was found to be 13 d at 4 °C for MAP 60% CO2 and 40% N2. Storage at 2 °C do not substantially improved sensory parameters scores, while storage under temperature abuse (8 °C) accelerated drastically the rate of increase of QI scores and reduced the maximum storage time to 6 d.     

Maintenance of safety and quality of refrigerated ready-to-cook seasoned ground beef product (meatball) by combining gamma irradiation with modified atmosphere packaging

Abstract: Meatballs were prepared by mixing ground beef and spices and inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and S. enteritidis before packaged in modified atmosphere (3% O₂+ 50% CO₂+ 47% N₂) or aerobic conditions. The packaged samples were irradiated at 0.75, 1.5, and 3 kGy doses and stored at 4 °C for 21 d. Survival of the pathogens, total plate count, lipid oxidation, color change, and sensory quality were analyzed during storage. Irradiation at 3 kGy inactivated all the inoculated (approximately 10⁶ CFU/g) S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes cells in the samples. The inoculated (approximately 10⁶ CFU/g) E. coli O157:H7 cells were totally inactivated by 1.5 kGy irradiation. D¹⁰‐values for E. coli O157:H7, S. enteritidis, and L. monocytogenes were 0.24, 0.43, and 0.41 kGy in MAP and 0.22, 0.39, and 0.39 kGy in aerobic packages, respectively. Irradiation at 1.5 and 3 kGy resulted in 0.13 and 0.36 mg MDA/kg increase in 2‐thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) reaching 1.02 and 1.49 MDA/kg, respectively, on day 1. Irradiation also caused significant loss of color and sensory quality in aerobic packages. However, MAP effectively inhibited the irradiation‐induced quality degradations during 21‐d storage. Thus, combining irradiation (3 kGy) and MAP (3% O₂+ 50% CO₂+ 47% N₂) controlled the safety risk due to the potential pathogens and maintained qualities of meatballs during 21‐d refrigerated storage. Practical Application: Combined use of gamma irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) can maintain quality and safety of seasoned ground beef (meatball). Seasoned ground beef can be irradiated at 3 kGy and packaged in MAP with 3% O₂+ 50% CO₂+ 47% N₂ gas mixture in a high barrier packaging materials. These treatments can significantly decrease risk due to potential pathogens including E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and S. enteritidis in the product. The MAP would reduce the undesirable effects of irradiation on quality, and extend the shelf life of the product for up to 21 d at 3 °C.     

Cellulose nanoparticles synthesised from potato peel for the development of active packaging film for enhancement of shelf life of raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) during frozen storage

In this study, the cellulose nanoparticles (CNP) isolated from potato peel were used for reinforcement of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based active packaging film. The above film was used to pack the raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) at −20 °C, and the colour change, protein content, TVB-N, TMA and microbial analysis were done at regular interval for prawns stored in CNP-PVA active packaging film. A significant difference was observed in the quality of prawns stored in potato CNP-PVA film compared with prawns packed and stored in polyethylene film. The newly designed active packaging with CNP and fennel seed oil enhanced the shelf life of prawns up to two months for both HOSO (head on shell on) prawn and PD (peeled and deveined) prawn. Hence, the study recommends the potato peel CNP-PVA film with fennel seed oil as better choice to extend the shelf life of the prawns during storage compared with polyethylene packaging.     

Effect of storage temperatures and time on shelf‐life of sliced and modified atmosphere packaged Pastırma,a dried meat product,produced from beef

The effects of modified atmosphere on some physical, chemical and microbiological properties of sliced past?rma made from beef Longissimus dorsi muscle were investigated. Sliced‐past?rma samples (moisture 43.65 ± 0.15%, pH 5.71 ± 0.02) were stored in modified atmosphere packages (50% N₂ + 50% CO₂) at 4 and 10 °C for 150 days. The storage period had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on moisture, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, free fatty acid, non‐protein nitrogen, water‐soluble nitrogen, colour values and total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Micrococcus/Staphylococcus counts. The storage temperatures (4 and 10 °C) also had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on moisture, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive subctances, free fatty acid, water soluble nitrogen, a* values, total aerobic bacteria lactic acid bacteria, and Micrococcus/Staphylococcus counts. It was determined that the storage period × the storage temperature interactions had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on the values of pH, a* and the counts of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus. It was also observed that the yeast and mold count was the highest in the first storage period and decreased throughout storage. Enterobacteriaceae count was also below the detectable level (<2.00 cfu g^?1) throughout the storage period. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry