Articles
Investigating the ethylene adsorption performance of scavenger films in controlled humidity conditions
Article number
1396_49
Pages
367 – 374
Language
English
Abstract
Ethylene scavenging in fresh produce packaging has been shown to have multiple benefits in terms of shelf life elongation and quality maintenance in fresh produce storage.
Different types of scavengers are often used in granular/powder form and incorporated into sachets inside packaging.
In recent years, there has been an increased interest in research directed at incorporation of such scavenging materials in polymer matrix.
Many commercial packaging films are also being launched into the market for ethylene scavenging in fresh produce packaging.
This study is an attempt to investigate the ethylene scavenging properties of such films against ethylene scavengers normally used inside sachets.
Ethylene scavenging properties of scavengers in granular form and after incorporation into films was compared at fixed humidity and temperature (0% RH and 20°C). Furthermore, five scavenging films, two developed in laboratory and three bought commercially were also tested for ethylene removal.
The study showed that incorporating the scavenger in polymer matrix drastically reduced their ethylene removal potential.
Most commercial films did not absorb ethylene except PrimePro® which showed more than 85% ethylene removal at low humidity at 20°C within 170 h.
However, the ethylene absorption by PrimePro® was significantly reduced at high humidity.
Overall, the study shows that packaging films with embedded ethylene scavengers may not be beneficial in terms of ethylene removal compared to using scavengers inside sachets.
Different types of scavengers are often used in granular/powder form and incorporated into sachets inside packaging.
In recent years, there has been an increased interest in research directed at incorporation of such scavenging materials in polymer matrix.
Many commercial packaging films are also being launched into the market for ethylene scavenging in fresh produce packaging.
This study is an attempt to investigate the ethylene scavenging properties of such films against ethylene scavengers normally used inside sachets.
Ethylene scavenging properties of scavengers in granular form and after incorporation into films was compared at fixed humidity and temperature (0% RH and 20°C). Furthermore, five scavenging films, two developed in laboratory and three bought commercially were also tested for ethylene removal.
The study showed that incorporating the scavenger in polymer matrix drastically reduced their ethylene removal potential.
Most commercial films did not absorb ethylene except PrimePro® which showed more than 85% ethylene removal at low humidity at 20°C within 170 h.
However, the ethylene absorption by PrimePro® was significantly reduced at high humidity.
Overall, the study shows that packaging films with embedded ethylene scavengers may not be beneficial in terms of ethylene removal compared to using scavengers inside sachets.
Authors
N. Pathak, A. Antosik, M. Stobińska, M. Pieczykolan, P. Kamola, A. Bartkowiak, P. Mahajan
Keywords
fruit and vegetables, scavengers, horticulture, storage, zeolites
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