45D-31 |
Development of ethylene absorbent used in active package |
S. CHEN and B. Y. CHUO. Department of Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiepi, 24205, Taiwan Ethylene is a major factor governing the aging of many postharvested horticultural products. Typically, ethylene is removed from package during storage, however, additional ethylene may be added to package to accelerate ripening before shelfing products. This study was focused to develop absorbents which function to scavenge ethylene during storage, and release the absorbed ethylene as needed. Active carbon, betonite, silica gel and a mixture of active carbon and bentonite, were used to absorb ethylene in a hermetical package model, ethylene gas (0.1-10 ppm) was then introduced to fulfill the package. The absorption and de-sorption was conducted by placing package model at refrigeration and oven. Ethylene was quantified using GC-FID installed an Rt-UPLOTTM capillary column (30 m x 0.32mm x 10um), and pre-mixed ethylene gas was used to determine the responses corresponding to concentrations. Efficiency of absorption at refrigeration was observed ranging 50- 85% within 24hr in model study, and mixture of active carbon and bentonite was the best among all, and silica gel the least. Absorbing capacity was related to the pore size of absorbents. De-sorption at 30C was in less extent compared to 50C, and temperature was the key to de-sorption. The consequence suggests that ethylene concentration in headspace may be controlled by absorbent associated with storage temperatures, and packaging material embedded with absorbent may be beneficial to postharvested horticultural products.
Session 45D, Food Packaging: General
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