A solid‐state time‐temperature indicator used in chilled fresh pork monitoring

A solid‐state enzymatic time‐temperature indicator (TTI) was developed in this paper. Glucoamylase microcapsules, emulsifier, and substrate solution were mixed uniformly, then the mixture was coated on a paper and could be activated by an agar cover. Both single factors and orthogonal experiments were conducted to obtain qualified formulations whose endpoints ranged from 5 to 6 days with storage temperature maintained at 4°C. The Arrhenius activation energy (E_A) of obtained TTIs was also calculated at 107, 97.5, 88.0, 107, 98.5, 87.7, and 89.7 kJ/mol. For the application of TTIs to chilled fresh pork monitoring, both the spoilage mechanism and kinetic properties of pork were studied and an E_A value of 64.7 kJ/mol was obtained. After isothermal verification, a qualified TTI formulation was obtained, of which the mass of glucoamylase microcapsules was 0.02 g, the mass of amylose was 5 g, the concentration of iodine solution was 0.1M, and the thickness of agar cover was 2 mm. The time‐temperature history of chilled fresh pork can be indicated by the colour response of the TTI.     

Shelf life prediction of oxygen‐sensitive products: The influence of moisture on prediction accuracy for freeze‐dried coffee

Optimised packaging requires that properties are matched to the protection requirements of food for its shelf life duration. Benefits include reduced packaging costs, use volumes, and potentially improved environmental performance. The ability to predict product shelf life in different materials can assist in selecting optimal packaging. However, the availability of such tools is limited, and risk for over packing exists. The aim with this work is to develop a prediction approach which can be applied to assist users to select more optimal packaging materials. Soluble coffee was used to develop the approach, where oxygen consumption of the product is used as a quality indicator. The effect of moisture content on O₂ consumption was studied to determine its influence on prediction accuracy. Samples were prepared with different levels of moisture content. O₂ consumption rates were measured, and a notable influence of moisture was observed. A model was developed to predict the O₂ consumption of the product when packed in a pouch. The model considers oxygen and moisture permeation properties of the packaging film, O₂ and moisture differential between the interior and exterior of the packaging, and the evolution of the O₂ consumption rate as a function of moisture increase. To test model accuracy, coffee samples were packed in flexible pouches, and O₂ consumption was measured which showed that predicted and measured values shared the same trend characteristics. We show that considering both moisture and O₂ ingress simultaneously leads to more precise shelf life prediction as oxidation rate is influenced by moisture content.     

Review of Time Temperature Indicators as Quality Monitors in Food Packaging

Time temperature indicators (TTIs) are devices used for recording thermal history and indicating the remaining shelf life of perishable products throughout their storage, distribution and consumption. This is achieved by the irreversible change of colour resulting from the cumulative effects of time and temperature. When applied in intelligent packaging, TTI can provide visual information that is easily accessible, and thus, consumers can judge from the visual information whether the food has deteriorated, which helps to assure the quality and safety of food. TTI can be classified into several different groups including chemical TTI, physical TTI, biological TTI, and other new types of TTI based upon different principles of colour change. Although these kinds of TTI can basically provide effective information about food quality, there are still a number of problems with them in the food supply chain, such as migration of toxic substances, the inaccuracy of temperature monitoring and the high cost in the area of commercial application. However, there are also some scientific methods to solve the aforementioned problems of TTI. In this paper, the latest research of TTI is summarized, its status and its main problems are elaborated and the prospect of its development is envisaged, aiming to provide reference and support for researchers in this realm. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

预制方便食品保鲜包装技术及货架期预测的研究进展

目的 分析预制方便食品的发展前景,并研究预制方便食品变质的影响因素以及保鲜包装技术和货架期预测方法在预制方便食品中的应用,为相关科研人员及餐企解决预制食品营养风味不足和货架期较短等问题提供参考。方法 综述近些年食品保鲜包装技术在预制方便食品领域的研究与应用,以及不同食品特性所采用的几种食品货架期预测方法。结果 利用合适的保鲜包装技术对预制方便食品进行处理,能够保证其品质,减少食物资源浪费,并能有效延长食品货架期。结论 预制方便食品具有良好的发展前景,先进食品保鲜包装技术的研发和可靠的货架期预测方法的应用,对提高产品质量与安全具有重要意义,也是相关餐饮企业提高竞争力的有效手段。     

Recyclable mono materials for packaging of fresh chicken fillets: New design for recycling in circular economy

The focus on sustainability and circular economy is leading to a need for development of new food packaging concepts, including recyclable materials that ideally consist of a single material in a monolayer system. This research was focused on the possibility of replacing complex multilayered material [amorphous polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene (APET/PE)] with simple recyclable mono material [high-density polyethylene (HDPE)] for packaging of chicken fillets in modified atmosphere packaging (CO₂/N₂: 60%/40%). Bacterial growth measured as total viable count (TVC), lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Escherichia coli for chicken fillets packed in HDPE mono materials was compared with chicken fillets packed in APET/PE. TVC increased during the storage period (24 days) with high level of TVC count (7 log₁₀ CFU/g) recorded at Days 19–20 of storage in both HDPE and APET/PE material. No significant differences were recorded in off-odour between chicken stored in APET/PE compared with HDPE in CO₂/N₂ atmosphere during the storage period (samples were regarded as acceptable on the 24th day of storage). The drip loss increased in all samples during storage, and no significant differences between samples stored in different materials were recorded. Significant differences in bacterial growth were recorded between samples with different gas volume to product volume (G/P) ratio (Day 17), implying that higher G/P ratio is resulting in lower TVC count. The lowest G/P ratio caused the highest drip loss, whereas addition of CO₂ emitter reduced the drip loss to some extent. This research is very encouraging as it provides new insight into the use of monolayer materials as well as the importance of design for recycling in circular economy.     

Ji Young Park,doctoral student at the School of Packaging at Michigan State University,awarded Best Poster at IAPRI symposium

The Packaging Technology and Science journal sponsored the 2009 Best Poster award at the IAPRI (International Association of Packaging Research Institutes) symposium in Greenville, SC, USA, May 2009. The winner of this award at this symposium is Ji Young Park, doctoral student in the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

European Consumers' Perceptions of Time–Temperature Indicators in Food Packaging

Food quality is an essential aspect of the food industry. Time–temperature indicator (TTI) technology has the capability to provide information on temperature fluctuations that temperature‐sensitive food products have undergone. However, the adoption of the TTI technology in the consumer market has yet to materialize despite the many benefits that TTIs bring to food manufacturers, retailers and consumers. One of the reasons for this could be the general lack of knowledge regarding consumers' perceptions of TTIs. The aim of this study is to understand the consumers' knowledge, interest and perceptions of TTIs. To reach this aim, 16 focus group discussions and a quantitative survey were conducted in four European countries (Finland, Greece, France and Germany) during May–October 2012. Consumers' views on both the TTI technology concept and two commercially available TTI applications were studied. The results of the study show that consumers in all countries appreciate and understand TTI technology and associate differing benefits with it, especially so in warmer countries. On the other hand, the studied applications did not meet all consumers' expectations implying the need for further work to enable TTIs to gain a wider acceptance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

活性-智能包装在肉类工业中的应用进展

目的对活性-智能包装在肉类工业中的应用进行综述,为肉类保鲜提供研究依据。方法从活性-智能包装(AIP)的主要类型、原理及其优缺点入手,查阅相关文献,重点论述了气体吸收/释放型、传感器型、指示器型和射频识别指示器等在肉类工业中的应用。结果与传统包装相比,AIP能更好地保证食品的质量安全。结论开发新型天然抗菌包装以及各种AIP的组合应用,将成为肉类包装工业应用研究的热点。     

面向物联网食品货架期监测智能包装研究进展

目的 对智能传感器技术在智能包装果蔬等食品监测中的应用进行介绍和分类总结,为果蔬的货架期智能监测提供依据和帮助,并推动传感器技术在智能包装果蔬领域中的实际应用。方法 分别介绍湿敏型、气敏型及微生物检测这几个方面的智能传感器,以及结合NFC/RFID等智能技术在果蔬包装货架期监测中的应用。相较于传统的包装方式,此类智能包装结合当下发展势态良好的互联网,给人们的生活带来了更多的便捷。结论 智能传感器标签在果蔬等食品智能监测中发挥着重要的作用,可通过连接智能手机等终端,快速监测食品新鲜度情况。近年来,包装材料研发呈现多样化,例如多元复合纳米材料、金属有机骨架材料等,因此未来可以通过优化包装传感材料和器件结构,更好地发挥智能包装标签在果蔬智能包装中的优势。     

The Effect of Active Packaging on Minimizing Food Losses: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Essential Oil Component‐enabled Packaging for Fresh Beef

Packaging plays an important role in ensuring food safety and quality, and the development of active packaging, especially antimicrobial packaging, enables actively inhibiting/killing the microorganisms causing food spoilage and thus extending the product's shelf life. A survey of the publications revealed that generally 50% shelf life extension is possible. The goal of this study is to assess the overall environmental performance of the food and packaging system considering the effect of food loss reduction by using active packaging. A comparative life cycle assessment has been carried out, focusing on a case study: essential oil component‐enabled packaging for fresh beef. Different scenarios were set up to contrast the situations of food using conventional packaging (current situation) and food using novel active packaging (containing active coating). Additionally, a sensitivity analysis has been integrated, aiming to identify the breakeven point of the balance. In the scenarios using the best‐performance active packaging, it was shown that a breakeven point can be achieved across the four impact categories evaluated, including global warming, fossil energy demand, acidification potential and eutrophication potential. It is expected that the obtained results would serve as guidelines for active packaging development striving for a positive eco‐profile of the food and packaging system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness of modified atmosphere packaging in preserving a prepared ready‐to‐eat food

The effectiveness of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was evaluated for a combination prepared food (Korean braised green peppers with dry anchovies). From a preliminary storage test of the ready‐to‐eat dish at 10°C, the aerobic bacterial count on the green peppers was selected as a primary quality index. The effect of MAP with different CO₂ concentrations on the product quality at 10°C was also studied. MAP with a CO₂ concentration of ≥30% extended the lag time and/or reduced the growth rate of bacteria. Finally, the effect of different storage temperatures (5, 10, 15 or 20°C) on the shelf life of the product was investigated. Mathematical modelling of bacterial growth curves under stretch‐wrap air packaging and MAP with 60% CO₂/40% N₂ showed that MAP increased the hypothetical minimum temperature in the square root model that describes the temperature dependence of the lag time and growth rate. MAP conditions of 60% CO₂/40% N₂ extended the shelf life at 10°C by 130% (to 18.4 days) relative to that achieved with stretch‐wrap air packaging (7.9 days) based on the time taken to reach the quality limit of an aerobic bacterial count of 10⁵ CFU/g. The relative extension of shelf life achieved with MAP was greater at lower temperatures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design of a functional box for take‐away pizza

Pizza is one of the world‐famous Italian dishes because of its simplicity, taste, nutritional value and low cost. It is usually consumed at specialized vending points, which also offer a take‐away service. The packaging must guarantee adequate protection against rapid temperature decrease and water vapour elimination, to maintain quality. In this paper the performance of a traditional corrugated cardboard container is compared with that of a new package, realized with expanded polystyrene and a water‐absorbing polymer. The tests performed (water absorption, WVTR, thermal insulation and sensory profile) showed that the new packaging was better than the traditional one. The ‘consumption life’ of take‐away pizza was increased, allowing the product to reach consumers nearly in the same condition in which it left the oven: warm and not softened. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modified atmosphere packaging of fresh meats–sudden partial adaptation caused an increase in sustainability of dutch supply chains of fresh meats

In the past decade, a major transition evolved in the Dutch fresh meat industry with ramifications for the entire meat business. In 1995, more than 95% of all fresh meat products for consumers were either sold loose or packed in the traditional way, i.e. on a white styrofoam tray with stretch wrap. Almost a decade later, about half of the meat industry has adapted the modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology. Strikingly, the first trials with this technology had already been conducted in The Netherlands in 1964, but it took four decades for the technology to conquer the Dutch meat industry. This paper argued that the partial adaptation of MAP diminished the product losses in fresh meat sales and hence the environmental impact of meat production and consumption. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of PP‐based Nanopackaging on the Overall Quality and Shelf Life of Ready‐to‐eat Salami

A total of 1% nanoclay containing polypropylene (PP)‐nanocomposite and 1% nanoclay plus 5% poly‐beta‐pinene (PβP) containing PP‐active‐nanocomposite materials were produced and tested for packaging of sliced salami. The sliced salami was packaged using both nanofilms and multilayer film of PP/PA/EVOH/PE under vacuum, modified atmosphere packaging under 50% CO₂ and 50% N₂ and air and stored at 4 °C for 90 days. During storage, headspace gas composition; microbial, physical and chemical analyses; and sensory evaluation were performed. The antimicrobial effect of PβP containing nanomaterial was pronounced under vacuum, and no bacterial growth was observed for 75 days. An a* value decreased notably in all applications during storage and preserved best by the multilayered material under vacuum and high CO₂. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were 0.63 mg MDA/kg after the processing and gradually increased at all applications during increased storage. TBARS values of all vacuum applications were lower than that of modified atmosphere packaging applications. Rancid taste development was determined by sensory panelists when TBARS values were higher than 0.80 mg MDA/kg on the 90th day. There was no significant moisture loss, and no increase in hardness was determined during the whole storage time. The longest shelf life was 75 days for the sliced salami under vacuum and high CO₂ using the multilayer material. PβP containing nanomaterial provided 50 days of shelf life under vacuum, which is commercially considerable. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同气调包装对冷鲜羊肉保鲜效果研究

目的 筛选出合适的气调包装,以延长冷鲜羊肉的货架期。方法 通过测定70% N2 + 30% CO2(CO2组)、70% O2 + 30% CO2(O2组)和0.4% CO + 69.6% N2 + 30% CO2(CO组)3种气调包装和真空包装(Vac组)在4 ℃贮藏条件下,黑山羊背最长肌的菌落总数、pH、色度、挥发性盐基氮含量(Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen,TVB-N)、硫代巴比妥酸反应物值(Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance,TBARS)、水分活度、水分含量、剪切力等品质指标的变化,比较不同气调包装和真空包装对冷鲜羊肉贮藏保鲜效果。结果 Vac组的微生物增殖最快,并于贮藏21 d后,微生物菌落总数达到6.32 lg(CFU/g),超过了国家二级鲜肉标准。相较于Vac组,CO2组表现出对微生物增殖的明显抑制效果,在贮藏第7天和第14天菌落总数显著低于Vac组,但CO2组对肉色的保持作用不及O2组。在贮藏的整个过程中,O2组虽然能较好地保持冷鲜羊肉的红色但同时也加速了脂肪的氧化,贮藏第14天时,TBARS值显著高于Vac组和CO2组。CO组在贮藏第14天时,菌落总数为4.15 lg(CFU/g),显著低于其他3组,符合国家二级鲜肉标准,其a*值显著高于其他3组,并且同时减缓了蛋白质和脂肪氧化速度,增加消费者的购买欲望。结论 4组不同包装的冷鲜羊肉菌落总数在第14天时均符合国家二级鲜肉标准,可以使黑山羊生鲜羊肉保鲜至14 d,其中CO组的菌落总数最低,并且pH值较低的同时能很好地维持羊肉的鲜红色,因此CO气调包装是较好的羊肉保鲜技术。     

Effect of chitosan coating and vacuum packaging on the quality of refrigerated grilled pork

The effects of chitosan coating and vacuum packaging on the quality and shelf‐life of retail packaged grilled pork in a PVDC/nylon pouch during refrigerated storage at 2 ± 1°C were investigated. Grilled pork without chitosan coating and packaged in 100% air was used as the control sample. Firmness, pH, colour, peroxide values, microbial population and shelf‐life (as determined by sensory characteristics) of the samples were determined during the storage. The results showed that colour, peroxide values and microbial population coincided with sensory characteristics. The delayed growth of microbes in vacuum packaging can be attributed to inhibition by low levels of O₂. Chitosan coating was shown to minimize oxidation, as reflected by the peroxide values, colour changes and microbial counts of the samples. Vacuum‐packaged chitosan‐coated grilled pork showed negligible microbial growth and was found to be organoleptically acceptable throughout the storage period. Chitosan coating along with vacuum packaging provided a type of active packaging to maintain quality and extend the shelf‐life of grilled pork. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of packaging oxygen transmission rate on the shelf life of ready-to-heat foods susceptible to postcontamination during refrigerated and illuminated storage

Since more and more pressure is exerted to reduce the use of plastic packaging materials, optimizing the use of food packaging is opportune. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of packaging materials, spanning a range of oxygen transmission rates (OTR), and retail illumination, on the microbial shelf life and safety of refrigerated ready-to-heat foods. Cooked potato slices were packaged in OPA/PP bags with a high OTR (28.85 ccO₂/m²/d) and OPA-EVOH/PP bags with a low OTR (6.57 ccO₂/m²/d). Cooked composite meals were packaged in tray and foil combinations, also spanning a range of OTR: PP trays (2.09 ccO₂/tray/d) with OPA/PP foils (28.85 ccO₂/m²/d), PP trays with OPA-EVOH/PP (6.57 ccO₂/m²/d) foils, and PET trays (0.07 ccO₂/tray/d) with PET top foil (32.86 ccO₂/m²/d) . The packages were stored in a dark environment, or under fluorescent or LED light. Due to the rapid growth of lactic acid bacteria, the microbial shelf life of both food products was largely unaffected by the type of barrier. Illumination at 1000 lux for 12 hours per day led to temperature differences significantly affecting microbial growth. Based on the results, it could be concluded that re-evaluating packaging material choices for these foods may prove valuable, since the use of high-barrier multilayer packaging materials may be considered as a case of overpackaging.     

Packaging's Role in Minimizing Food Loss and Waste Across the Supply Chain

This paper presents the results of Australian research that explored the role of packaging in minimizing food waste in the supply chain. The economic, social and environmental costs of food waste have been well documented elsewhere. This research contributes to the debate by identifying opportunities to reduce or recover food loss and waste through improved packaging. In the fresh produce sector, e.g. waste can be reduced through the use of packaging that improves product protection, ventilation and temperature control. Other opportunities include improved design of distribution packaging to reduce damage in transport and handling; design of primary packaging to reduce waste in the home, e.g. through appropriate portion sizes and by reducing confusion over date labels; and the use of retail‐ready packaging that minimizes handling and improves stock rotation in stores. An important conclusion of the study is that packaging can have a significant impact on reducing food waste in the food supply chain; and in some cases, a focus on reducing food waste will require more rather than less packaging. Packaging developers must therefore consider the product and its packaging as a complete system to optimize sustainability. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in the quality of abalone (Haliotis asinina Linnaeus) packaged under atmospheric air,vacuum and modified atmosphere

Changes in the quality of abalone (Haliotis asinina Linnaeus) meat packaged under modified atmosphere (MA) of 40% CO2/30% O2/30% N2, vacuum and atmospheric air in polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)/nylon/oriented polypropylene (OPP) pouches, and stored at 2 ± 1°C were investigated. Biochemical indices, such as pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N), and trimethylamine (TMA) and sensory evaluation, as well as total plate counts of packaged abalone meat were determined periodically. TMA was not affected by the packaging conditions, and remained low during storage periods. A decrease in pH of the MA packaged abalones during the storage reflected the apparent absorption of CO2. The content of TVB‐N slowly increased in the MA packaged abalone, whereas those stored in atmospheric air markedly increased during the storage. The sensory quality of MA packaged abalones was shown to be acceptable up to 15 days, while atmospheric and vacuum‐packaged abalones were not acceptable after 3 days of storage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Plant Layout and Pick‐and‐place Strategies for Improving Performances in Secondary Packaging Plants of Food Products

The aim of secondary packaging plants is to pick food products from a conveyor belt and to place them into boxes. The typical configuration of these packaging plants consists of a set of sequential robot stations, performing pick‐and‐place cycles from one conveyor to another parallel one, which transport the products and the boxes to be filled. Depending on the relative movement of the two conveyors, the plant operates in co‐current or counter‐current flow configuration. Undesired perturbations in the product flow rate from its nominal value can lead to critical events, i.e. unpicked product at the end of the first conveyor or not completely filled boxes. Even if the structures of co‐current flow and of counter‐current flow plants are very similar, their behaviour in non‐nominal or perturbed conditions can significantly differ. The aim of this paper is to deeply investigate the behaviour of these two kinds of secondary packaging lines, evaluating their performances in the case of different pick‐and‐place strategies, using discrete events simulation techniques. Results show to which extent the different proposed control strategies can improve the performances of both co‐current and counter‐currents plants and, in particular, how co‐current plant layouts can achieve performances that are equivalent to, or perhaps even better than, those that can be obtained with a counter‐current plant layout, which cannot be freely used because of patent. The simulation tool, control algorithms and results presented can help packaging plant designers for choosing the most appropriate solutions and for properly sizing the plant. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.