44-11 |
Novel approach to determining oxygen barrier properties of packages |
C. K. ZWEEP, Applied Research, Guelph Food Technology Centre, 88 McGilvray St., Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada Many food products are susceptible to deterioration from oxidation, so an important consideration in packaging selection is the oxygen barrier property. GFTC has developed a new proprietary technology that enables testing of the packaging system by filling it with an oxygen sensitive solution. LOSI or Liquid Oxygen Sensitive Indicator solution contains a chemical substance, which is colorless in the reduced state but reacts with oxygen to develop a blue color. The color development is monitored over time using a spectrophotometer and the rate at which the blue color develops is used to calculate the rate of oxygen ingression into the package. The standard for oxygen transmission testing uses Mocon instrumentation. The data generated by LOSI testing is in general agreement with Mocon results but provides additional advantages. The LOSI technology mimics the packaged food situation more closely since it is a liquid system compared to the dry gas system that Mocon uses. LOSI testing is not limited to space availability on testing equipment and packages can be tested under different environmental conditions (e.g. high/low temperature or humidity, elevated oxygen concentrations). LOSI can be used carbonated for beer and soft drink applications. This method also measures oxygen barrier performance of the “whole” package (e.g. bottles with closure, flexible packaging with seams or applicators). A related technology is GOSI or Gelled Oxygen Sensitive Indicator. In this case, packages are filled with the oxygen sensitive chemical, which then gels to assume the shape of the package. The blue color development provides visual evidence of locations most susceptible to oxygen ingression. In the case of flexible packaging, this might be the seam or applicator attachment area. In the case of bottles, this might be the interface with the closure. In summary, LOSI and GOSI are novel approaches to evaluation of oxygen barrier properties of packages and provide complementary information for package development and design.
Session 44, NEW PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGIES
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