Interaction between plastics packaging materials and foodstuffs with different fat content and fat release properties

The migration of an addictive (phenolic antioxidant) from different types of plastic food packaging materials (low density polyethylene [LDPE], high density polyethylene [HDPE], polypropylene [PP], acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene [ABS] and high-impact polystyrene [SB]) into low-calorie (reduced fat) foodstuffs has been determined under normal storage conditions, and shown in most cases to be equivalent to migration into normal foodstuffs. Certain exceptions are discussed and related to the fat-release properties of the particular foodstuffs. Additive transfer into low-calorie products, as well as into emulsions of fat and water, has been compared with that into aqueous acetic acid and test fat HB 307 under normal storage conditions and after 10 days at 40 degrees C. The transfer of antioxidant from plastics was found to decrease in the order LDPE, HDPE, PP, SB and ABS. Migration was found to be higher into pure fat and margarine than into mayonnaise. When comparing absorption from different emulsions of fat and water, the ranking for plastics was the same as the above with LDPE having a greater absorption than HDPE, except that ABS and PP had absorptions of the same order whilst it was significantly higher for SB. The type of emulsion was, however, found to have a greater influence on migration of the antioxidant from the polymer than on the fat absorption from the emulsion. The results are discussed in relation to earlier work and also with respect to the classification of foodstuffs.     

Feasibility study for the development of certified reference materials for specific migration testing. Part 1: Initial migrant concentration and specific migration

The paper describes a project with the main objective of developing the know how to produce certified reference materials (CRMs) for specific migration testing. Certification parameters discussed are the initial concentration of the migrant in the polymer (C_P,0) and the specific migration into a food simulant under certain temperature/time conditions. Sixteen preliminary candidate CRMs were defined and produced. The most important polymers (low- and high-density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephtalate (PET), plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rigid PVC, polyamides (PA)) and additives as well as monomers representing different physicochemical properties as target substances for migration were chosen. The stability and homogeneity of the migrants in the materials were tested and methods for the determination of the certification parameters were developed and validated. From the 16 materials produced, the six most suitable CRM candidates (LDPE//Irganox 1076/Irgafos 168, LDPE//1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene (DPBD), HDPE//Chimassorb 81/Uvitex OB, PP homo//Irganox 1076/Irgafos 168, HIPS, 1% mineral oil//styrene, PA 6//caprolactam) were selected. The feasibility of CRM production for the six candidate materials was demonstrated and a trial certification exercise was performed with participation of all four partner laboratories. All six materials showed suitable properties for future production as certified reference materials.     

可食包装膜与合成包装膜综合性质的对比研究

研究了几种可食包装膜和合成包装膜的综合性质。结果表明:明胶膜、海藻酸钠复合膜和甲基纤维素复合膜综合性质较好。明胶膜的直角撕裂强度和断裂伸长率高于低密度聚乙烯膜(LDPE膜)和高密度聚乙烯膜(HDPE膜),但其抗拉强度稍低于HDPE膜而高于LDPE膜;海藻酸钠复合膜和甲基纤维素复合膜的抗拉强度高于HDPE膜和LDPE膜,海藻酸钠复合膜的直角撕裂强度和断裂伸长率以及甲基纤维素复合膜的断裂伸长率低于LDPE膜和HDPE膜,但甲基纤维素复合膜的直角撕裂强度却高于LDPE膜和HDPE膜;这3种膜都具有热封性,其热封强度接近HDPE膜,并具较高的阻气、阻油和阻湿性能,可以满足一些食品的包装要求。     

Effect of packaging films on storage stability of intermediate-moisture deep-fried mackerel

A storage stability study was conducted on intermediate moisture deep-fried mackerel packed in polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) for 12 weeks at 27°C. Water activity increased significantly ( P < 0.01) during 12 weeks storage from 0.80 to 0.86, 0.88 and 0.91 for PP-, HDPE- and LDPE-packed samples, respectively. Thiobarbituric acid values increased significantly ( P < 0.01) in all packaging films, most rapidly in the LDPE-packed samples. the physical firmness of the samples decreased similarly and was closely related to the amount of moisture absorbed during storage. Microbial count was low initially but increased most rapidly in LDPE-packed samples. Sensory evaluation showed that samples packed in PP and HDPE were acceptable for up to 8 weeks storage but for less than 4 weeks in LDPE.     

Pulsed Ligh inactivation of Listeria innocua on food packaging materials of different surface roughness and reflectivity

Inactivation of Listeria innocua on food packaging materials by Pulsed Light (PL) treatment was investigated. Coupons of low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene-laminated ultra-metalized polyethylene terephthalate (MET), polyethylene-coated paperboard (TR), and polyethylene-coated aluminum foil paperboard laminate (EP) were inoculated with L. innocua cells in stationary growth phase. Inoculated coupons (∼8 CFU/coupon) were treated with Pulsed Light fluence of up to 8.0 J/cm², and survivors were determined. Reductions up to 7.2 ± 0.29, 7.1 ± 0.06, 4.4 ± 0.85, 4.5 ± 1.32, and 3.5 ± 0.82 log CFU/coupon were obtained on LDPE, HDPE, MET, TR, and EP, respectively. Inactivation data were used to determine Weibull kinetic parameters and predict inactivation in a wide range of fluence. Increasing surface reflectivity and surface roughness appeared to induce lower inactivation. Minimal surface heating was observed for all materials except MET, on which significant heating occurred. These results demonstrate the potential of Pulsed Light as an effective method for decontaminating food packaging materials.     

木塑复合材料力学性能影响因素研究

采用木材刨花与LDPE、HDPE.和PP等热塑性高分子聚合物,经热压复合工艺制成木塑复合板材,研究了塑料基质种类、刨花用量与偶联剂种类对木塑复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明:相较于LDPE和PP,由HDPE制成的木塑复合材料力学性能更佳;所使用的三种偶联剂,以硅烷偶联剂的效果最好;随着刨花用量的增加,木塑复合材料的抗弯曲性能逐步提高,但内结合强度逐渐下降。     

Influence of flavour absorption on oxygen permeation through LDPE, PP, PC and PET plastics food packaging

The effect of flavour absorption on the oxygen permeability of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was studied using an isostatic continuous flow system. Polymer samples were exposed to a model solution containing limonene, hexyl acetate, nonanone and decanal at 40°C. After exposure, one part of each sample was analysed for absorbed flavour compounds using a Large Volume Injection GC Ultrasonic 'in vial' extraction method, and from the other part, oxygen permeability was measured in a permeation cell at 25°C. After 8h of exposure, LDPE and PP samples showed a significant linear (R² = 0.82 and 0.99) increase in oxygen permeability of 21 and 130%, respectively. Owing to swelling of the polymer samples resulting from flavour absorption, the structure of the polymeric network changed (i.e. opened) and consequently increased oxygen permeability. The oxygen permeability of exposed PC showed a significant linear (R² = 0.78) decrease of 11% after 21 days. PC obviously did not swell like LDPE or PP. Therefore, it was suggested that absorbed flavour compounds occupied or blocked 'microcavities' through which normally oxygen is transported. Absorption of flavour compounds by PET did not affect the oxygen permeability of PET significantly.     

Quality of Textured Soya Protein During Storage in Different Packaging Materials

Abstract

The shelf stability of textured soya protein (TSP) procured from a single source and packaged in seven different packaging materials [viz. low density polyethylene (LDPE), HDPE, and polypropylene (PP) of 300 and 500 G and HDPE–LDPE–HDPE] in quantities of 10 kg each and stored at three different climatic conditions (viz hot and dry—Jodhpur; hot and humid—Tezpur; normal Mysore) for one year was studied. At the end of 6, 9, and 12 months, samples were drawn and analyzed for the quality parameters like moisture, browning, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), uric acid, water holding capacity (WHC), available lysine, in vitro digestibility, and sensory attributes. Anti nutritional factors like trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and phytic acid were also evaluated. The changes in the moisture content and non‐enzymatic browning correlated well with the relative humidity of the place of storage. However the TBARS showed wide variations while the WHC varied between 2.6 and 2.9 of water/g material. Interestingly the TIA showed a ten‐fold decrease (6.65 vs. 0.68 mg/g). The reduction in available lysine (6.33 vs. 5.29/16 g N) correlated well with the observed reduction in in vitro digestibility (84% vs. 73%). Although the sensory quality showed a decline by the end of 12 months storage period, the overall acceptability of the product on the 9 point Hedonic scale, remained very good. It is inferred from the present study that packaging of TSP in HDPE‐500 Primary Sac and HDPE woven Secondary Sac, keeps the product shelf stable up to one year even under diverse climatic conditions.     

High-temperature migration of antioxidants from polyolefins

Migration rates of radiolabelled antioxidants, Irganox-1010 (I-1010) and Irganox-1076 (I-1076), were measured from low- and high-density polyethylenes (LDPE, HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) at temperatures up to 135 degrees C. Water, 8 and 95 per cent aqueous ethanol and corn oil were employed as food simulating liquids (FSL). The experiments were conducted in a high-pressure cell in a manner that allowed contact between the polyolefin plaque and the FSL only during the test period and not while being heated. The migrations of the antioxidants varied with the square root of time, and the Fickian diffusion coefficients could be correlated with temperature in an Arrhenius fashion. Under comparable test conditions, antioxidant migrations were largest from PP for aqueous simulants, but for non-aqueous simulants the highest losses were from LDPE. In both instances lowest losses were from HDPE. In most instances there was little difference between the migration behaviour of I-1010 and I-1076. A few tests were conducted to measure the antioxidant migrations to foods. The losses were usually larger than those to water but below those to corn oil.     

Effects of packaging materials following ethanol and benomyl treatments on chemical and microbiological changes in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits

The effects of various post-harvest treatments on chemical changes, microbiological quality and occurrence of spoilage in ripe tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L) were investigated. Fruits were pretreated in 70% ethanol or 0.2% benomyl before being packaged in low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) or raffia palm basket. Fruit was stored at 27–32°C for up to 16 days. Control fruits (without pretreatment or packaging) showed the highest increase in pH; basket-packaged fruits were erratic but LDPE- and HDPE-packaged fruits showed gradual increases. Changes in titratable acidity were the inverse of those in pH. Among packagings, LDPE most effectively maintained total soluble solids (TSS) as compared with basket-packaged fruits, and the control showed the lowest TSS. Of the pretreatments, benomyl-treated fruits retained higher TSS. Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, Pseudomonas spp and Escherichia spp occurred most commonly in control and basket-packaged fruits, but Rhizopus spp and Leuconostoc spp predominantly occurred in LDPE- and HDPE-packaged fruits. Microbial load was lowest in benomyl-treated fruits followed by ethanol-treated and control fruits. Spoilage was higher (53.1%) in ethanol-treated than in benomyl-treated (43.8%) fruits.     

Additive migration from various plastics with different processing or properties into test fat HB 307

The migration of the antioxidant n-octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionate from various plastics into the test fat HB 307 was investigated. Plastics from the following classes were included: high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE and LDPE), and were found to have distinctly different properties--in particular, different densities, melt flow indices and structural characteristics. Each plastic was processed into test specimens such as pressed and extruded sheets, injection-moulded cups, deep-drawn tubs and blown bottles. The migration out of these specimens was investigated under identical test conditions. The results confirm that the amounts of additive migrating from the different classes of plastics into test fat HB 307 in general decrease in the order LDPE greater than HDPE greater than PP greater than HIPS. Moreover, it seems to be of great importance that the respective amounts of additive migrating from the injection-moulded cups, deep-drawn tubs and blown bottles into test fat were significantly lower in all cases than those from the corresponding pressed or extruded sheets. Presumably, this effect is mainly caused by orientation of the polymer molecules in the injection-moulded, deep-drawn or blown products. It is concluded that the migration of the antioxidant decreases with increasing density of the polymer and that the melt flow index (molecular weight) has hardly any influence. Migration from HIPS into fat increases with the content of impact modifier. In the case of the polyethylenes, the influence of processing on the migration rate decreases with decreasing density of the polymer.     

Changes During Accelerated Storage in Millet–Wheat Composite Flours for Bread

Two millet–wheat composite flours, CF1 and CF2, were formulated based on the rheological and textural properties of dough using response surface methodology. The optimized contents of composite flour CF1 were 61.8% barnyard millet flour, 31.4% wheat flour, and 6.8% gluten, respectively. The optimized components of the composite flour CF2 were barnyard millet flour 9.1%, finger millet flour 10.1%, proso millet flour 10.2%, and wheat flour 70.6%. Millet–wheat composite flours were stored in three different packaging materials, namely, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and metallized polyester (MP), at 90% RH and 40 °C temperature for 90 days. For the packaging of millet–wheat composite flour CF1, MP was found best among the tested packaging materials, where moisture gain in samples was minimum (55%) as compared with materials LDPE (124%) and HDPE (100%). Vitamin loss among the different packaging materials was not significantly different at the 5% level of significance. The shelf lives of the composite flours were estimated based on their critical moisture contents. After 90 days of storage of CF1, the highest retention of starch (91.85%) was recorded in MP packaging followed by HDPE (87.5%) and LDPE (84.8%). However, in CF2, the retention was not significant in all three packaging materials (P?相似文献   

Effect of a packaging material type on PAHs contents in oils and water

The aim of this study is to determine the extent of packaging material effect on the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from stored liquid media. Changes in PAHs contents were monitored in edible oils and water during their storage for 504 h. The most significant reduction in PAHs content was reported upon the use of polyethylene packagings. In the case of LDPE packagings, the Σ16PAHs content decreased to 40.07% (water) and 45.0% (rapeseed oil) of their initial level after 504 h. Most PAHs absorption occurred within the first 24 h of liquid media storage. In terms of PAHs absorption capability, the packages tested could be ordered as follows LDPE > HDPE > PET > glass. The experiment involving the re-use of LDPE, HDPE, and PET packagings earlier contaminated with PAHs demonstrated that their effective washing with detergents commonly used at household was impossible.     

Retention of α-tocopherol in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) in contact with foodstuffs and food-simulating liquids

Alpha-tocopherol occurs as a natural antioxidant in many foods and has also found use as a stabiliser in polymeric packaging materials. During storage of a food in contact with a plastic material, α-tocopherol may be released from the packaging material and transferred into the food. An active packaging application with the transfer of a substance, such as an antioxidant, from a packaging material to a food may help to prolong the shelf-life of the food. In this study, the retention of α-tocopherol in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) was investigated for contact with liquid foods with different fat contents and food simulants with different ethanol contents. The PP film exhibited excellent retention of α-tocopherol when in contact with all media, whereas some losses were observed from the LDPE film. A number of factors including fat, alcohol and organic acid contents of the various foodstuffs seemed to influence the loss of α-tocopherol from the LDPE film. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of wood polymer composite (WPC) specimen composition and dimensions on wave propagation

Wave propagation velocity has been used to characterize and classify different types of materials. Proper use of this parameter means, it is necessary to know which variables affect it. This study therefore aims to evaluate the influence of composite type and specimen dimensions on the velocity of ultrasonic and stress wave propagation in compression and injection molded specimens produced with 12 different wood-polymer-composite (WPC) formulations and with high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) thermoplastics. For wave propagation velocity analysis, the compression-molded specimens were cut into pieces of four different lengths with a nominal thickness of 10 mm, while the injected ones were produced in two lengths and 4 mm nominal thickness. 22 and 45 kHz transducers were used for the ultrasound wave propagation tests. Specimen size affect wave propagation velocity, showing that in the WPC classification the relationships between cross section dimensions (width and thickness) and length and cross section dimensions are important, as are the relationships between these dimensions and wavelength. The type of WPC polymer affected wave propagation velocity, showing that it is feasible to use this parameter in the classification of different polymers. Composition also affected velocity when a single polymer was used, but the influence of the dimensions hinders more conclusive results regarding wave propagation velocity sensitivity in the differentiation of different compositions.     

A comparative study on the effect of packaging material and storage environment on shelf life of fresh bell-pepper

The effect of packaging materials [low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP)] and storage environment [modified atmospheric packaging (MAP)] on shelf life enhancement of bell pepper in terms of quality attributes such as physiological weight loss, ascorbic acid, texture, surface colour and subjective quality analysis have been studied at ambient and refrigerated condition. Different packaging techniques used for the experiment were MAP with LDPE, MAP with PP, MAP in perforated LDPE films, MAP in perforated PP films, shrink packaging with bi-axially oriented PP (BOPP) film and vacuum packaging with PP film. The in-pack bell pepper created a suitable headspace environment with low O₂ and high CO₂ concentrations, which resulted in a better retention of freshness of the vegetables and its marketability. Shrink packaging with BOPP film could not yield better result under ambient storage because of high water vapor transmission rate of the film and consequently loss of turgidity of the vegetables. Among different packaging techniques and storage conditions, MAP with PP film in refrigerated condition was found to be the best followed by vacuum pack with PP film in refrigerated condition and could be used to store for 20 days for bell pepper with maintenance of texture, colour, ascorbic acid and marketability. It is also inferred that under ambient conditions, bell pepper could be stored for 4 days using ventilated LDPE and PP as MAP storage. Further studies are needed to evaluate the sensory aspects, as well as to microbiological evaluation to characterize the fresh bell pepper during storage.     

Maintaining quality of wild vegetables (Aster glehni and Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus) from Ulleungdo(Island), Korea by modified atmosphere packaging

Wild vegetables, Aster glehni and Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus, produced from Ulleungdo (Island), Korea were packaged with 30 μm polypropylene (PP), 30 μm antifogging oriented polypropylene (A-OPP), 30 μm microperforated antifogging oriented polypropylene (MiA-OPP), 30 μm macroperforated low density polyethylene (Ma-LDPE), and 20 μm macroperforated high density polyethylene (Ma-HDPE), stored at 4, 10, and 20°C. Concentrations of O₂ and CO₂ in the packages were not modified by Ma-LDPE and Ma-HDPE. Weight loss was retarded by PP, A-OPP, MiA-OPP, especially as storage temperature decreased. Soluble solids were not affected by packaging materials. pH slightly decreased in LDPE and Ma-HDPE. Appearance, color, and overall acceptability of both vegetables stored at 4°C in PP or MiA-OPP showed the highest sensory score. These results suggest that packaging with PP or MiA-OPP films and storage at 4°C could be a useful method to maintain quality of the wild vegetables.     

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.     

Effects of type of packaging materials on physicochemical,microbiological and sensory characteristics of durian fruit leather during storage

A study on storage stability of durian leather was carried out at room temperature using four types of packaging materials—laminated aluminium foil (LAF), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) films—for 12 weeks. Analyses on physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics were conducted at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12. Analyses for sugar, fat and caloric contents were conducted at the beginning and the end of storage period. Moisture contents and water activity (A_w) fluctuated during storage but tended to decrease after week 8. Non-enzymatic browning increased significantly (P<0·05) for all samples in packaging materials used; the highest increases were observed in LDPE-packed leather. The increases were related to the changes in colour of samples during storage. The longer storage time, the higher L and b values and the lower a value. The pH, although it fluctuated in the first weeks, slightly increased at the end of the storage period, while the hardness for each sample gradually increased during the storage. Microbial analyses showed that total mesophilic bacteria (TMB) and total moulds and yeast (TMY) counts were low, where after 12-week storage TMB and TMY were less than 60 and 140 cfu g⁻¹, respectively. Organoleptically, for all attributes evaluated, all samples were acceptable by panelists during the 12-week storage period. © 1998 SCI.     

QUALITY CHANGES IN FRESH‐CUT SPINACH (SPINACIA OLERACEA) UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERES WITH PERFORATIONS

ABSTRACT

Fresh‐cut spinach leaves were stored for 4 days at 15C and 75% relative humidity under modified atmosphere packaging to assess the impact of differential in‐pack gas atmospheres generated through different packaging films and variable in‐pack weight on the quality of stored produce. After 4 days of storage, retention of chlorophyll, β‐carotene and ascorbic acid was better in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) packages than in polypropylene (PP) packages. LDPE film‐packaged samples had higher phenolic content than PP film‐packaged samples. Low in‐pack O₂ (1–2 kPa) along with the buildup of CO₂ (8–10 kPa) seems to have enhanced the retention of antioxidant components, i.e., β‐carotene and ascorbic acid, in LDPE packages. This helped in chlorophyll retention and also prevented formation of oxidation compounds of phenols that otherwise caused browning of cut surfaces. Thus, O₂ and CO₂ permeability of packaging film or in‐pack weight of produce might be such that equilibrated O₂ partial pressures remain near to 1–2 kPa so as to affect a beneficial increase in the phenolic content along with concomitant retention of chlorophyll.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Fresh‐cut spinach leaves have received an enormous demand due to their utility in various traditional Indian preparations. Shelf life and quality of fresh‐cut produce may be greatly reduced due to high rates of respiration. Traditional packaging and handling techniques reduce the shelf life and sensory quality of fresh‐cut spinach. Temperature control and atmospheric modifications help to maintain produce quality by reducing respiration rate and enhance shelf life by minimizing the adverse effects of cutting. This research focused on evaluation of respiratory behavior of fresh‐cut spinach leaves at a temperature commonly encountered during transportation and retail distribution, i.e., 15C, and the effect of different polymeric films and in‐pack weights on produce quality. The results of the study suggest that packaging of fresh‐cut spinach in polymeric film packages could maintain the sensory quality and reduce degradation of various physicochemical constituents. Utilization of the results for proper design of modified atmosphere packages for this highly perishable produce can prove to be extremely beneficial for safe storage and transportation to urban retail markets.