Static, Controlled (CO2) Atmosphere Packaging of Retail Ready Pork

Wrapped boneless pork loin roasts and slices were stored at 4°in bulk under constant CO₂ concentrations of 50% and 100% for 1 and 2 wks. Samples stored under 50% CO₂ for 2 wks could subsequently be displayed (aerobic) for 3 days without becoming unacceptable or for 6 days if previously held under 100% CO₂ for 14 days. Aerobic shelf-life at 4°of the latter samples equalled that of fresh pork chops under simulated retail display. Physicochemical characteristics during storage did not limit acceptability. Reusable master packs have application for distribution of retail ready cuts under controlled atmosphere packaging.     

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Storage on C. Botulinum Toxigenesis and the Spoilage Microflora of Salmon Fillets

Modified atmosphere (MA) storage in conjunction with refrigeration has been shown to significantly increase the shelf life of fresh fish and other products, but the effects, if any on the outgrowth and toxigenesis of C. botulinum are unknown. A commercial system was duplicated in the laboratory and the effects of modified atmosphere on the outgrowth of C. botulinum types A, B, and E were observed in inoculated salmon fillets and sandwiches stored at 4.4°C and 22.2°C. Inoculated samples stored in air at the same temperatures were used as controls. No toxigensis was observed in either the air or modified samples stored at 4.4°C, but all inoculated samples held at 22.2°C were toxic within 2–3 days. Spoilage generally preceded toxigenesis. In a concurrent study, the tendency of CO₂ environments to repress the growth of gram negative bacteria to a greater extent than gram positive bacteria was also noted.     

Extending the shelf life of fresh ewe’s cheese by modified atmosphere packaging

This study evaluated the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in extending the shelf life of a fresh ewe’s cheese stored at 4 °C for 21 days. Three batches were prepared with 20, 30 or 50% CO₂ with N₂ as filler gas. MAP controlled well the microbial growth, and the best result was obtained with 50% CO₂. Pathogens were not detected in any sample. Softening of cheese was best reduced by 30% or 50% CO₂. The sensory characteristics of the cheeses markedly decreased during storage. Only the sample stored with 50% CO₂ obtained an overall score above the acceptability at 14 days.     

Antioxidant properties and shelf‐life extension of fresh‐cut tomatoes stored at different temperatures

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of using modified atmosphere packaging (5 kPa O₂ + 5 kPa CO₂) to maintain the antioxidant properties of fresh‐cut tomatoes during shelf‐life was assessed through storage at different temperatures (5, 10, 15 and 20 °C). Health‐related compounds, antioxidant capacity, microbiological counts, physicochemical parameters and in‐package atmosphere of tomato slices were determined. RESULTS: Initial lycopene, vitamin C and phenolic contents and physicochemical parameters of tomato slices were well maintained for 14 days at 5 °C. Lycopene and total phenolic contents were enhanced over time in tomato slices stored at 15 and 20 °C. However, this increase in antioxidant compounds of fresh‐cut tomatoes during storage may be associated with excessive amounts of CO₂ (R² = 0.5679–0.7328) in the packages due to microbial growth. Although keeping tomato slices at temperatures above 10 °C increased their antioxidant content, the shelf‐life of the product was reduced by up 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: A storage temperature of 5 °C is appropriate for maintaining the microbiological shelf‐life of fresh‐cut tomatoes for up to 14 days and also allows the antioxidant properties of tomato slices to be retained over this period, thus reducing wounding stress and deteriorative changes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

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     

Control of Microbial Spoilage on Fresh Poultry using a Combination Potassium Sorbate/Carbon Dioxide Packaging System

The effects of potassium sorbate combined with vacuum or carbon dioxide modified atmosphere packaging on natural poultry spoilage flora were examined. Fresh chicken thighs were dipped into either 2.5% potassium sorbate solution or distilled water, adjusted to pH 6.0 and packaged on trays in Nylon/Plexar/Surlyn bags. Atmospheres of either air, vacuum or 100% C0₂ were created in the packages which were then stored at 10 ± 1°C for 10 days. Changes in aerobic plate counts, lactic acid bacteria and pseudomonads were monitored. The combination of CO₂ packaging and sorbate treatment provided the most effective inhibitory system against the poultry spoilage organisms, especially Pseudomonas species, without creating a selective environment for the growth of lactic acid bacteria and premature souring of the product. The shelf life of the sorbate/CO₂ samples was extended 3 days over the control/air samples at 10°C.     

Storage of Morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus Bloch and Schneider) in Combinations of Polyphosphate, Potassium Sorbate and Carbon Dioxide at 4o C

Combinations of potassium sorbate and polyphosphate, in conjunction with vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging, were assessed for their preservative effects on morwong fillets (pH 6.75) stored at 4°C. Vacuum packaged and/or frozen fillets were used as comparisons for microbiological and taste panel analysis. A combination of potassium sorbate, polyphosphate and 100% CO₂ was the most effective packaging regime. Potassium sorbate on vacuum packaged fish was more effective than a 100% CO₂ atmosphere alone. Polyphosphate had no apparent additional effect on fillets stored under vacuum with or without potassium sorbate.     

Effect of Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere on Microbial Growth and Quality of Salmon Slices

Salmon slices ( Salmo salar ) were packed under CO₂ and stored in a chill room at 2±1°C for 3 weeks. A study was carried out on the effect of CO₂ atmosphere on bacterial growth as well as on chemical deterioration (pH, total volatile bases, (TVB), trimethylamine (TMA), lipid oxidation) and sensory features (exudation, raw fish odour, cooked fish flavour). Results were compared with a control stored in air. Salmon slices stored under CO₂ had a shelf-life of nearly twice as long as those in air, having lower bacterial counts, pH, TMA and TVB, as well as improved sensory features after 18 days at 2±1°C. Exudation was not significantly different between control and CO₂-stored samples after 10 days ice storage. Exudate values extended from 1 to 2% for CO₂-stored samples after 10 and 20 days storage, respectively. Salmon slices can be stored under CO₂ at 2±1°C for about 18 days, with no substantial loss of quality. Shelf-life can vary depending upon the state of fish, handling practices, initial bacterial load and storage temperature.     

Bulk Storage of Cod Fillets and Gutted Cod (Gadus morhua) Under Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere

The storage-life of bulk-stored cod under CO₂ atmosphere and air were compared. Gutted fish or fillets were distributed in bulk, among coolers containing 100% air or 25% CO₂-75% N₂, which were then stored at 0 ± 1°C for 20 days. Sensory assessments and chemical tests (pH, total volatile nitrogen) were carried out to estimate the raw-state quality and the bacterial spoilage. An important difference was observed between the storage life of cod under carbon dioxide atmosphere and air; microbiological and sensory assessments suggested a storage life exceeding 20 days and total volatile nitrogen results about 6–7 days under gas atmosphere, which was nearly twice as long as in air. Storage in CO₂ atmosphere was effective in inhibiting the growth of some bacteria on the fish, thereby contributing to the significant extension of the shelf life of the product.     

Shelf-life of a Greek whey cheese under modified atmosphere packaging

“Anthotryros” cheese was packaged under vacuum (VP) or modified atmosphere (MAP) and stored at 4 or 12 °C. MAP mixtures were 30%/70% CO₂/N₂ (M1) or 70%/30% CO₂/N₂ (M2), while VP was taken as the control sample. Microbiological results showed that M1 and M2 delayed microbial growth compared with VP samples. Of the two modified atmospheres, gas mixture M1 was the most effective for inhibition of growth of mesophilic bacteria. Based primarily on sensory evaluation, the use of both MAP conditions extended the shelf-life of fresh Anthotyros cheese stored at 4 °C by ca. 10 days (M1) or 20 days (M2) compared with VP, and by ca. 2 days (M1) and 4 days (M2) at 12 °C, with cheese maintaining good sensory characteristics.     

Effectiveness of Active Packaging on Control of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Total Aerobic Bacteria on Iceberg Lettuce

Contaminated leafy green vegetables have been linked to several outbreaks of human gastrointestinal infections. Antimicrobial interventions that are adoptable by the fresh produce industry for control of pathogen contamination are in great demand. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of sustained active packaging on control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and total aerobic bacteria on lettuce. Commercial Iceberg lettuce was inoculated with a 3‐strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 at 10² or 10⁴ CFU/g. The contaminated lettuce and un‐inoculated controls were placed respectively in 5 different active packaging structures. Traditional, nonactive packaging structure was included as controls. Packaged lettuce was stored at 4, 10, or 22 °C for 3 wk and sampled weekly for the population of E. coli O157:H7 and total aerobic bacteria. Results showed that packaging structures with ClO₂ generator, CO₂ generator, or one of the O₂ scavengers effectively controlled the growth of E. coli O157:H7 and total aerobic bacteria under all storage conditions. Packaging structure with the ClO₂ generator was most effective and no E. coli O157:H7 was detected in samples packaged in this structure except for those that were inoculated with 4 log CFU/g of E. coli O157:H7 and stored at 22 °C. Packaging structures with an oxygen scavenger and the allyl isothiocyanate generator were mostly ineffective in control of the growth of the bacteria on Iceberg lettuce. The research suggests that some of the packaging structures evaluated in the study can be used to control the presence of foodborne pathogens on leafy green vegetables.     

Relation of biogenic amines to microbial and sensory changes of precooked chicken meat stored aerobically and under modified atmosphere packaging at 4 °C

The formation of biogenic amines and their correlation to microflora and sensory characteristics of a precooked chicken meat product stored aerobically and under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (30% CO₂, 70% N₂) was studied. Putrescine was the main amine formed both in aerobically and MA-packaged chicken samples. For the rest of the biogenic amines, including tyramine, histamine, and cadaverine, a stepwise increase was recorded throughout the 23-day storage period under the above packaging conditions. Spermidine was found in higher amounts, as compared to spermine in both aerobically and MA-packaged chicken samples at 4 °C. Formation of these amines in precooked chicken stored either aerobically or under a 30% CO₂, 70% N₂ atmosphere followed an inconsistent trend during the entire storage period at 4 °C. Agmatine, β-phenyl-ethylamine, and tryptamine were not detected in precooked chicken. Of the bacterial groups monitored, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) became the dominant bacteria after day 8 of storage under MAP while LAB were the dominant population of natural microflora of precooked chicken stored both aerobically or under MAP, reaching 7.5 and 8.0 log cfu/g, respectively, on day 23 of refrigerated storage. Enterobacteriaceae populations in chicken meat were below the detection limit (<1 log cfu/g) by pour plating throughout the 23-day storage period, irrespective of packaging conditions. Based on sensory data, after ca. 8 days for the precooked chicken meat stored aerobically and after 12 days under MAP (time to reach initial decomposition stage, score of 2) the putrescine and tyramine content of chicken samples were ca. 14–19 and 1.4 mg/kg, values that may be proposed as the limit for spoilage initiation of precooked chicken meat (respective TVC for both aerobically and MA-packaged chicken meat were ca. 6.5 log cfu/g).     

Elucidation of colour development and microstructural characteristics of Allium sativum fumigated with acetic acid

It has been well known that the greening of Allium sativum cloves could be formed after immersed in acetic acid solution. Nonetheless, no investigation was reported on colour development of A. sativum in response to acetic acid vapour until now. In this study, the brief exposure of A. sativum to acetic acid vapour (200–400 ppm) was combined with controlled atmosphere (5%, 20% and 80% CO₂) packaging storage to break cell membrane and green garlic. The garlic bulbs were fumigated with acetic acid before controlled CO₂ atmosphere packaging for 25 days at 4 °C. Fumigation with 200 ppm acetic acid followed by high CO₂ atmosphere packaging (80% CO₂) facilitated the garlic greening. It was also verified that γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase was involved in garlic greening in present study, and the compromise of glacial acetic acid vapour fumigation and CO₂ gas atmosphere in package stored at low temperature could result in garlic greening as well.     

Effect of Packaging and Basil Essential Oil on the Quality Characteristics of Whey Cheese “Anthotyros”

In this study, we compared the effect of basil essential oil (EO) and various packaging conditions on “Anthotyros,” a Greek whey cheese. This cheese was stored at 4 °C under aerobic (A), vacuum (V), and modified atmosphere (M, 40%/60%; CO₂/N₂,) conditions, without or with (AB, VB, and VM) basil EO added to the cheese samples to a final concentration of 0.4% (v/w). The quality characteristics and the shelf life of both untreated and basil EO-treated cheese were assessed using microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory parameters. Microbiological results revealed that either modified atmosphere/vacuum packaging (MAP/VP) singly or in combination with basil EO delayed microbial growth as compared to the control (A) samples. The sensory and microbiological data showed that the combined use of MAP and VP with added basil EO extended the shelf life of fresh Anthotyros (4 °C) by approximately 10–12 days (treatment MB) and 6 days (treatment VB) as compared to aerobic packaging (A). Under these treatments, whey cheese samples maintained good sensory characteristics. This study has shown that the combined use of either VP or MAP, and basil EO, can extend the shelf life of whey cheese and maintain the freshness and the sensorial characteristics of the product.     

Survival and Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on Lettuce as Influenced by Shredding, Chlorine Treatment, Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Temperature

The effects of shredding, chlorine treatment and modified atmosphere packaging on survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes, mesophilic aerobes, psychrotrophs and yeasts and molds on lettuce stored at 5°C and 10°C were determined. With the exception of shredded lettuce which had not been chlorine treated, no significant changes in populations of L. monocytogenes were detected during the first 8 days of incubation at 5°C; significant increases occurred between 8 and 15 days. Significant increases occurred within 3 days when lettuce was stored at 10°C; after 10 days, populations reached 10⁸-10⁹ CFU/g. Chlorine treatment, modified atmosphere (3% O₂, 97% N₂) and shredding did not influence growth of L. monocytogenes. It was concluded that L. monocytogenes is capable of growing on lettuce subjected to commonly used packaging and distribution procedures used in the food industry.     

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.     

Protein Quality of Fish in Modified Atmospheres as Predicted by the C-PER Assay

The nutritional quality of proteins from fillets of fresh rockfish (Sebastes spp) stored in air or in a modified atmosphere (MA) of 80% CO₂ and 20% O₂ at 4°C was evaluated by the Computed Protein Efficiency Ratio (C-PER) method. This procedure involves determination of in vitro digestibility and the amino acid composition of the samples prior to computation of the C-PER. Casein was used as a standard. Both air-held and MA-held fish showed similar amino acid profiles, but the air-held fish showed lower in vitro digestibility. The C-PER values of both types of samples were higher than the C-PER of 2.50 for standard casein. These results suggest that storage of fish in a modified atmosphere of 80% CO₂ and 20% O₂ does not result in deterioration in the nutritional quality of the fish proteins.     

Modified atmosphere packaging as a means to alleviate package expansion of Korean fermented red pepper paste

Summary Korean fermented red pepper paste was packaged under a modified atmosphere (MA) of 30% CO₂/70% N₂ and 100% CO₂. A plain air package was also prepared as a control for comparison. The MA conditions were applied with a high gas barrier film and subsequently with a gas permeable film. Throughout the storage period at 13 °C, package volume, headspace gas composition, microbial flora, surface colour, pH and acidity were measured. An MA of 100% CO₂ suppressed the growth of aerobic bacteria and yeasts, and reduced the CO₂ production from the paste without any adverse effect on product quality, and thus alleviated the volume expansion of flexible packages stored at 13 °C. However, the reduced volume expansion for the package of high‐barrier film was not sufficient in prolonged storage. An MA package of 100% CO₂ using plastic film of appropriate gas permeability could be stored at 13 °C for 150 days without volume expansion or any adverse quality changes, and was also tolerant to temperature abuse conditions at 25 °C.     

Atmospheric Composition and Quality of Fresh Mushrooms in Modified Atmosphere Packages As Affected by Storage Temperature Abuse

Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) were packaged in 4-liter modified atmosphere (MA) containers, and a steady-state atmosphere of 5% and 10% was maintained at 4 °C. Temperature was fluctuated from 4 °C to 20 °C during 12-d storage period in cycles: 2 d at 4 °C followed by 2 d at 20 °C. Temperature increase during fluctuations caused anoxic atmospheres both in O₂ (1.5%) and CO₂ (22% to 10%). The quality of mushrooms stored under temperature fluctuating regime was severely affected as indicated by extensive browning, loss of firmness, and the level of ethanol in the tissue compared to mushrooms stored at constant temperature. It was clear that temperature fluctuation, even if it should occur once, can seriously compromise the benefits of MA packaging and safety of the packaged produce.