Abstract
A simulation model for gas balance in the plastic-film pouch containing shredded vegetables was developed. Product respiration, which is one of the important parameters in the model, was examined. In order to confirm the usefulness of this model, shredded cabbages were packaged in the pouch consisting of 3 different plastic films (HDPE 10μm, LDPE 40μm, LDPE 80μm), and then gas concentration in the pouch and quality of the product were measured. Results were as follows:
(1) Temperature quotient of respiration, Q10 was independent of the shredding size of the product.
(2) O2 concentration in the pouch decreased with lowering the gas permeability of the film used and with increasing the pouch volume. CO2 concentration showed an inverse tendency under the same conditions.
(3) Off-flavor was severe in the product packaged in the film of lower gas permeability as well as in the pouch of large volume. On the contrary, under the same condition, the product showed less browning.
(4) The simulation model was computed for different conditions in storage temperature, respiration rate, gas permeability of film, surface area of the pouch, product weight and volume, and shredding size. The model showed satisfactory agreement with the gas concentration in the pouch for the product kept under aerobic condition.
(5) Using the model developed, a suitable packaging system for shredded vegetables can be designed in connection with storage temperature, respiration rate, and packaging size.
