73D-10 |
MAP of ready-to-eat food stored at ambient temperature |
S. CHEN and R. C. Lin. Dept. of Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic Univ., #510 Chungcheng Rd., Shinjuang, Taipei, 24205, Taiwan Efficiency of modified atmosphere (MA) to restrain microbial growth relies on temperature control. Low temperature is typically employed to store ready-to-eat food; however, starch undergoes retrogradation at refrigeration, and cause the loss of quality. It has long been established that CO2 has a bacteriostatic effect and ethanol is regarded a vapor phase microbial growth inhibitor, thus, use of the combination may be beneficial to control microbial growth at ambient temperature. This study was undertaken to develop a MAP for ready-to-eat products stored at ambient temperature. Dual-outlet airtight polystyrene container was constructed and used as a model package to assess the effect of MA associated with ethanol and/or limonene on the inhibition of microbial growth. Total plate and specific coliform counts were used to monitor the microbial growth. Subsequently, rice and noodle products were packaged under the formulated MA and stored at ambient temperature. MA containing 30% CO2 and 5% O2 showed effective on inhibiting growth of inoculated microorganism at 37oC for up to 96hr. MA associated with ethanol was found more effective on inhibition of growth of total cell and E coli, and the effect was related to ethanol content and storage temperature between 18-37oC. Both 0.1% limonene and 0.05% ethanol vapor along enhanced the bacteriostatic effect of MAP on shushi product in 72hr, and no off-flavor was detected using this formulated MA. Greater inhibition was obtained using both; however, no significant inhibitory results were observed from noodle product packaged under MA associated with ethanol or limonene. MA combined with ethanol or limonene vapor results in a control of microbial growth at ambient temperature. The bacteriostatic effect of formulated MA may be linked to the properties of ready-to-eat product.
Session 73D, Food Packaging
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