Abstract
ABSTRACT Two varieties of rice crackers (RC‐1 and RC‐2) were packaged in two types of packaging materials, polyethylene and polypropylene pouches, and stored at 30C/75% RH and 30C/85% RH to simulate actual storage conditions and determine shelf‐life. The main composition differences in the samples were in their fat content (1.87% for RC‐1 and 21.09% for RC‐2) and initial moisture content (4.12% for RC‐1 and 2.28% for RC‐2). The shelf‐life of this product is mainly affected by moisture adsorption as evidenced by sensory evaluation. Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model was used to fit the moisture sorption isotherm. Good precision of fit was found as measured by a determination coefficient (R2) close to 1. The shelf‐life was then predicted based on the relationship between permeability coefficient of the packaging materials and moisture adsorbed by the rice crackers determined by the GAB equation. The validation of the simulations against the experimental shelf‐life gave R2 of 0.90 and 0.51, and root mean square error of 2.93 and 5.20 for RC‐1 and RC‐2, respectively. The simulation model was found to be applicable for a rapid and accurate shelf‐life prediction of RC‐1. However, a large difference between experimental and simulated shelf‐life of RC‐2 was probably because the moisture content may not be the only parameter influencing the shelf‐life of the RC‐2 samples. Other factors may also significantly affect the shelf‐life characteristics of the packaged rice crackers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSFor a low‐moisture food product, actual storage testing by a long‐term stability study involves storing a packaged product under typical storage conditions and examining the product at regular time intervals. The testing is costly and time consuming, since most low‐moisture food products have a shelf‐life of several weeks or even months. This paper describes the shelf‐life prediction of two varieties of rice crackers having different compositions using a simulation model based on the relationship between barrier property of the packaging materials and moisture adsorbed by the rice crackers determined by the Guggenheim‐Anderson‐de Boer (GAB) model. The shelf‐life simulation provides a powerful support tool for shelf‐life estimation and packaging development.
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