Modeling of Active Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Endives Exposed to Several Postharvest Temperatures

Endives were sealed in low-density polyethylene flexible pouches containing or not containing individual oxygen or carbon dioxide scavenger sachet and stored at 5 °C and 20 °C. A mathematical model has been applied to predict gas changes for these passive and active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The model took into account the respiration rate of endives, the transmission rate of gases through the film, the absorption kinetics of gas scavengers, and the temperature influence of all these parameters. Whatever the temperature, the model was successfully validated with root mean square error values still lower than 1 kPa and thus represented a real tool to improve the design of MAP for fresh fruits and vegetables. Oxygen scavengers reduced by half the transient period duration (50 h compared with 100 h without scavengers) and did not modify the gas equilibrium composition, suggesting a beneficial influence on keeping the quality of the product. The carbon dioxide scavengers’ influence was limited and needs further study with carbon dioxide-sensitive products.

[1]  Nathalie Gontard,et al.  Active Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Modeling with Tomatoes and Oxygen Absorber , 2003 .

[2]  D. Lange.  New Film Technologies for Horticultural Products , 2000 .

[3]  Svetlana Fishman,et al.  Mathematical Model for Perforation Effect on Oxygen and Water Vapor Dynamics in Modified‐Atmosphere Packages , 1996 .

[4]  Kit L. Yam,et al.  Model for Fresh Produce Respiration in Modified Atmospheres Based on Principles of Enzyme Kinetics , 1991 .

[5]  Khe V. Chau,et al.  Modified atmosphere packaging under varying surrounding temperature , 1995 .

[6]  M. Chinnan,et al.  Modeling the Effect of O2 and CO2 on Respiration and Quality of Stored Tomatoes , 1988 .

[7]  Joseph Arul,et al.  Suitability of Plastic Films for Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables , 1993 .

[8]  Fatih Yildiz,et al.  Respiratory parameters and sugar catabolism of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus Lange) , 1999 .

[9]  Fernanda A. R. Oliveira,et al.  Maintaining optimal atmosphere conditions for fruits and vegetables throughout the postharvest handling chain , 2003 .

[10]  Randolph M. Beaudry,et al.  Modified-atmosphere Packaging of Blueberry Fruit: Effect of Temperature on Package O2 and CO2 , 1992 .

[11]  C. Wang,et al.  Modified atmosphere packaging of fruits and vegetables. , 1989, Critical reviews in food science and nutrition.

[12]  Dong Sun Lee,et al.  The use of physical carbon dioxide absorbents to control pressure buildup and volume expansion of kimchi packages , 2001 .

[13]  A. Cameron,et al.  Design of Modified Atmosphere Packaging Systems: Modeling Oxygen Concentrations Within Sealed Packages of Tomato Fruits , 1989 .

[14]  Susana C. Fonseca,et al.  Modelling respiration rate of fresh fruits and vegetables for modified atmosphere packages: a review , 2002 .

[15]  Frank Devlieghere,et al.  Developments in the active packaging of foods , 1999 .

[16]  N. Gontard,et al.  Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Cultivated Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus L.) with Hydrophilic Films , 2002 .

[17]  S. G. Gilbert,et al.  COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF THE VARIABLES AFFECTING RESPIRATION AND QUALITY OF PRODUCE PACKAGED IN POLYMERIC FILMS , 1975 .

[18]  Frank Devlieghere,et al.  Designing Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Packages for Fresh-cut Vegetables Subjected to Changes in Temperature , 2000 .

[19]  F Devlieghere,et al.  Predictive modelling for packaging design: equilibrium modified atmosphere packages of fresh-cut vegetables subjected to a simulated distribution chain. , 2002, International journal of food microbiology.

[20]  Nathalie Gontard,et al.  Absorption kinetics of oxygen and carbon dioxide scavengers as part of active modified atmosphere packaging , 2006 .

[21]  John Crank,et al.  Diffusion in polymers , 1968 .

[22]  Aaron Brody,et al.  Active Packaging for Food Applications , 2001 .