Reducing Atmosphere Packaging Technique for Extending the Shelf-life of Food Products

Abstract

Food processors generally apply different techniques to extend the shelf-life of food products according to the characteristics of the product. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) uses different gases in specific combinations to replace the air surrounding the product, which leads to minimize the undesirable oxidation reactions and microbial spoilage growth permitting extending the shelf-life of the product. The property of the Reducing Atmosphere Packaging (RAP) technique is the use of reducing gas like hydrogen besides other gases such as nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide. The advantage of the presence of a reducing gas in the gaseous combination is the prevention of the oxidation reactions such as the formation of free radicals, the deterioration of vitamins such as C, E and beta-carotene, the deterioration of pigments such as carotenoids and the formation of off-flavors like the rancidity products. The prevention of the latter undesirable reactions aides to protect the freshness notes of the food products by preserving its natural color, taste and aroma, as well as the protection of the nutritional quality. The literature contains a few researches concerning the application of RAP on different food products. This is the first review reporting the potential application of hydrogen in modified atmosphere technology for extending the shelf-life of food products.