Browsing by Author "Chau, Khe V."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Influence of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide on shredded Galega kale quality for development of modified atmosphere packagesPublication . Fonseca, Susana C.; Oliveira, Fernanda A. R.; Brecht, Jeffrey K.; Chau, Khe V.Respiration rate, sensory attributes, colour alterations, and water, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid contents were monitored during storage of shredded Galega kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC.) at 20 ◦C to define an adequate range of O2 and CO2 partial pressures for product preservation. Different low O2 and high CO2 atmospheres were tested. First, tolerance to low O2 partial pressures (1, 2, 3 or 21 kPa O2 with balance N2) was tested. Quality retention was improved as O2 partial pressure was reduced and there was no induction of anaerobic respiration. Then, tolerance to high CO2 partial pressures (0, 10, 15 or 20 kPa CO2 plus 21 kPa O2 and balance N2) was tested. The high CO2 partial pressures extended the shelf life of the shredded kale and no symptoms of CO2 injury were detected. Finally, combinations of low O2 and high CO2 (1 or 2 kPa O2 plus 15 or 20 kPa CO2, with balance N2, and an air control) were analysed. No differences were observed among the different gas combinations. An atmosphere of 1–2 kPa O2 plus 15–20 kPa CO2 and balance N2 extends the shelf life of shredded Galega kale to 4–5 days at 20◦C, compared with 2–3 days in air storage. Predictive models of chlorophyll a and b degradation as a function of time and gas composition were developed.
- Modelling O2 and CO2 exchange for development of perforation mediated modifed atmosphere packagingPublication . Fonseca, Susana C.; Oliveira, Fernanda A.R.; Lino, Isabel B.M.; Brecht, Jeffrey K.; Chau, Khe V.Perforation-mediated modi®ed atmosphere packaging relies on the use of macro perforations or tubes to control the O2 and CO2 exchange and create the desired atmosphere inside an otherwise gas-tight package. In this work, the O2 and CO2 exchange through a single tube was studied. Di erent temperatures (5±20°C) and tube dimensions (length from 9 to 17 mm and diameter from 6 to 30 mm) were tested. O2 and CO2 mass transfer coe cients were determined according to a lumped mass transfer capacitance model that yielded a good description of the gas transfer. Temperature in the range tested did not show a signi®cant e ect on the mass transfer coe cients. A multiplicative non-linear equation was found to yield a good prediction of the dependence of the O2 mass transfer coe cient on tube diameter and length. The ratio between the CO2 and O2 mass transfer coe cients, an important parameter in the design of MAP, was 0.81 and none of the factors tested in¯uenced its value.