Oxygen scavengers or oxygen absorber are added to the sealed packaging to help remove or decrease the oxygen level in the packaging. They are used to help maintain product safety and extend shelf life. There are many types of oxygen dampers available to cover a wide range of applications.
The oxygen-absorbing components vary according to the intended use, the water activity of the preserved product, and other factors. Often the oxygen absorber or scavenger is flanked in a porous sachet or packet, but can also be part of the film and packing structure. Others are part of the polymer structure.
Video Oxygen scavenger
Mekanisme
The first patent for oxygen scavengers uses a pyrogallic acid alkaline solution in an airtight vessel.
Modern scavenger sachet uses a mixture of iron powder and sodium chloride. Activated carbon is often also included because it absorbs some other gases and many organic molecules, further preserving the product and eliminating odors.
When the oxygen absorber is removed from its protective packaging, water vapor in the surrounding atmosphere begins to seep into the iron particles in the absorbent sachet. Humidity activates iron, and oxidizes to form iron oxide. Usually, there should be at least 65% relative humidity in the surrounding atmosphere before the rusting process can begin. To aid in the oxidation process, sodium chloride is added to the mixture, acting as a catalyst or activator, causing the iron powder to be able to oxidize even with relative low humidity. When oxygen is consumed to form iron oxide, the oxygen level in the surrounding atmosphere is reduced. This type of Absorber technology can reduce the oxygen level in the surrounding atmosphere to below 0.01%. Complete oxidation of 1 g of iron can remove 300 cm 3 oxygen under standard conditions. Although other technologies can eliminate more, iron is the most useful because it does not cause odors like sulfur or passive compounds such as aluminum compounds. Many other alternatives are not safe to eat. The moisture requirements of iron-based scavengers make them ineffective in moisture-sensitive applications.
The performance of oxygen scavengers is influenced by ambient temperature and relative humidity. Newer packaging technologies can use oxygen-flushing polymers to prevent ingestion of oxygen scavengers.
Maps Oxygen scavenger
Non-ferrous oxygen scavengers
While most standard oxygen scavengers contain iron carbonates and metal halide catalysts, there are several non-iron variants, such as ascorbate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, oranges and others available.
Common reasons for using non-ferrous variants will include packaging of products destined for international shipping where metal detection will cause problems; the desire to reduce the odor associated with iron carbonate; or diet products in which contact with iron should be avoided.
Ascorbic acid is often used to scavenge oxygen for the formation of anaerobic environments for microbiology.
Benefits of oxygen scavenger
- Helps keep the taste of coffee and fresh baked beans
- Prevents oxidation of the oleoresin seasoning present in its own seasoning and on spiced foods
- Prevents oxidation of vitamins A, C, and E
- Extend drug age
- Inhibits mushrooms in natural cheese and other fermented milk products
- Suspend the browning of non-enzymatic fruit and vegetables
- Inhibits oxidation and condensation of red pigments from most berries and sauces
- Oxygen reduction contributes to a pest-free environment in the museum
Oxygen scavenging technology can quickly reduce oxygen levels in a sealed container to below 0.01%.
Common uses
Sachet
Plastic sachet offers greater protection than paper because it is not susceptible to disintegration of products with high fat content.
See also
- Active packaging
- Describe
- Oxygen transmission rate
- Scavenger (chemical)
- Silica gel
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia