T.K. Srinivasa Gopal

Smart packaging systems for food applications: a review

Changes in consumer preference for safe food have led to innovations in packaging technologies. This article reviews about different smart packaging systems and their applications in food packaging, packaging research with latest innovations. Active and intelligent packing are such packaging technologies which offer to deliver safer and quality products. Active packaging refers to the incorporation of additives into the package with the aim of maintaining or extending the product quality and shelf life. The intelligent systems are those that monitor the condition of packaged food to give information regarding the quality of the packaged food during transportation and storage. These technologies are designed to the increasing demand for safer foods with better shelf life. The market for active and intelligent packaging systems is expected to have a promising future by their integration into packaging materials or systems.

Traditional Kerala style fish curry in indigenous retort pouch

Abstract Fish curry processed in metal cans is popular in the overseas markets. An important limitation with the use of metal cans is the undesirable taste imparted to the products on storage. Flexible pouches are an ideal alternative to metal cans. Extensive work carried out at Central Institute of Fisheries Technology has been able to identify indigenous pouches, which are as good as imported pouches. This has been done after collecting different types of indigenous and imported flexible pouches, analyzing their composition and conducting detailed studies on their physical and food contact application properties. Two indigenous pouches with composition 12 micron polyester/ 12 micron aluminium foil/ 87.5 micron cast polypropylene and 12 micron polyester/ 15 micron aluminium foil/ 70 micron cast polypropylene have been selected and got made by indigenous laminators and an imported one with configuration 12 micron polyester/ 15 micron aluminium foil/ 75 micron cast polypropylene were used for further experiment on processing fish curry. Traditional Kerala style mackerel fish curry was processed in the retort pouches of the above configurations. About 220 g fish curry was packed in each pouch (15.5 cm ×7 cm ) . Process requirements were worked out by measuring heat penetration using thermocouples introduced into the pouches. Fish curry processed to a F0 value of 8.43 gave an acceptable product with desired texture and sensory characteristics. The physical properties of the pouches studied showed that the indigenous pouches of the above configurations were good enough to give a shelf life of 1 year at room temperature. The curry remained sterile throughout the storage period at ambient temperature (25–30°C) and retained acceptable sensory characteristics.

Effect of reduced oxygen atmosphere and sodium acetate treatment on the microbial quality changes of seer fish (Scomberomorus commerson) steaks stored in ice.

The effect of reduced oxygen atmosphere and sodium acetate treatment on the microbial quality of seer fish (Scomberomorus commerson) steaks was determined during chilled storage (1-2 degrees C). The O2 absorber reduced the oxygen content in the pack to less than 0.01% corresponding to 99.96% reduction within 24 h. The use of O2 absorber with sodium acetate dip treatment (2% w/v) extended the sensory shelf life up to 25 days compared to only 12 days for control air packs and 20 days for untreated samples with O2 absorber. A prominent lag phase was observed for many bacterium studied, particularly for the sodium acetate treated samples with O2 absorber. On the day of sensory rejection, both the total mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts reached 7.7-8.1 and 7.1-7.9 log cfu/g, respectively. The sodium acetate treatment and reduced O2 atmosphere affected the type of major spoilers. In air packed samples, H2S-producers predominated followed by Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas spp., where as in the untreated samples with O2 absorber, H2S-producers predominated the microbial flora followed by Lactobacillus spp. For treated samples with O2 absorber, B. thermosphacta formed the major micro-flora followed by Lactobacillus spp. The use of O2 absorber inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas spp., and total Enterobacteriaceae.

Development and Characterization of an Edible Composite Film Based on Chitosan and Virgin Coconut Oil with Improved Moisture Sorption Properties

An edible composite film was prepared from an emulsion system based on chitosan and virgin coconut oil (VCO). The effect of incorporation of VCO was evaluated at various concentrations and the optimum concentration was chosen based on resultant changes in the properties of the film. Addition of VCO in film forming solution resulted in increase in film thickness and marginal reduction in film transparency. Compatibility of VCO with chitosan was better at lower concentration of VCO as indicated by the microstructure of composite film in scanning electron micrographs. Phase separation was evident at higher level of oil incorporation and the optimal oil/chitosan ratio was determined to be at 0.5 to 1 mL/g chitosan. Furthermore, chemical interaction took place between VCO and chitosan as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data. Even though control chitosan films exhibited superior gas barrier properties, composite film with optimum VCO concentration revealed better mechanical and moisture sorption properties.

Biogenic amines in seafood: a review

The biogenic amines are low molecular weight organic bases present normally in the body with biological activity influencing important physiological functions. The physiological functions of these molecules are achieved by very low concentrations in the tissues. However, significantly high amounts of biogenic amines are produced during processing and storage of seafood as a result of microbial contamination and inadequate storage conditions. Microorganisms having decarboxylase enzyme activity convert amino acids to their respective biogenic amines. Biogenic amines in seafood have been implicated as a major causative agent of food borne illness, where intoxication results from the ingestion of foods containing higher amount of biogenic amines. Hence its identification, quantitation and awareness of this food borne toxin are important in relation to food safety and spoilage. The aim of this paper is to review the basic concepts of seafood quality and safety in relation to biogenic amines along with its control measures and future areas for research.

SHELF LIFE OF DRIED ANCHOVIELLA IN FLEXIBLE PACKAGING MATERIALS

Packaging and storage studies of dried anchoviella have been conducted using two different types of flexible packaging materials, namely 250-gauge low density polyethylene (LDPE) and 12-micron plain polyester laminated with 200-gauge LDPE. Packing in the polyester polythene laminate gave a longer shelf life compared with the LDPE. In LDPE the shelf life was limited to 12 weeks. However the shelf life was extended up to 32 weeks in the plain polyester polythene laminate. The polyester/polythene laminate provides better resistance against penetration of insects than the LDPE film.

Effect of high pressure treatment on microbiological quality of Indian white prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus) during chilled storage.

High pressure treatment of 250 MPa for 6 min at 25 °C was applied to headless Indian white prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus) to evaluate changes in microbiological characteristics of the species during chilled storage. Changes in load of mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, proteolytic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., H2S producing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta and yeast & mold were estimated in pressurized and un-pressurized samples during chilled storage. All microbes were reduced significantly after high pressure treatment and there was significant difference in microbial quality of control and high pressure treated samples in the entire duration of chilled storage (p < 0.05). There was delay in the growth of Enterobacteriaceae and H2S producing bacteria up to 6th and 9th day of storage, respectively in high pressure treated samples. In high pressure treated sample, no lag phase (λ) was observed for psychrotrophic bacteria, H2S producing bacteria, B. thermosphacta, Pseudomonas spp. and lactic acid bacteria; however, other bacteria showed a reduced lag phase during chilled storage. Kinetic parameter such as specific growth rate (μmax) in high pressure treated samples was significantly reduced in most of the bacterial groups except for psychrotrophic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria. Mesophilic bacterial count of control samples crossed the marginal limit of acceptability on 12th day and unacceptable limit on 18th day of storage, whereas high pressure treated samples never breached the acceptability limit during entire duration of chilled storage. The present study indicated that application of high pressure processing can be used to improve microbial quality of Indian white prawn and extend the chilled storage life.

Comparative Evaluation of Natural Antioxidant Coating and Vacuum-Packaging Technique on Quality Characteristics of Chill Stored Giant Trevally Fillets

ABSTRACT The effect of coating with natural antioxidants like sage and oregano essential oils (EO), and tocopherol on spoilage characteristics of giant trevally fillets was evaluated during chilled storage. Further, results were compared against vacuum and conventional polyethylene packaging practices. Prior to coating, the properties of antioxidants were evaluated in vitro using standard activity assays. Coating with EO was found effective in retarding lipid oxidation in fish fillets; while tocopherol accelerated the spoilage process. It was concluded that EO treatment can slow down the process of spoilage in fish fillets and can be considered as an alternative to expensive vacuum-packaging technique.

Effect of Vacuum Packaging and Sous Vide Processing on the Quality of Indian White Shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) During Chilled Storage

ABSTRACT A comparative study was undertaken to assess the effect of sous vide (SV) processing, vacuum, and ordinary air packaging on the quality and shelf life of condiment-incorporated Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) during chilled storage. The pasteurization value (PV) for SV-processed shrimp was 4.02 min at 90ºC. The initial K value of shrimp (2.17%) increased to 5.26% with SV processing and further increased to a value of 46.9% on the day of sensory rejection, compared with 64.3% and 62.7% for vacuum and air-packed samples, respectively. A nearly 3 log reduction in total mesophilic count was observed for SV-processed shrimp. Formation of volatile bases, indole, and lipid oxidation was significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited in SV-processed shrimp compared to others. SV processing extended the shelf life of condiment-incorporated shrimp up to 28 days, compared to only 15 and 8 days for vacuum and air-packed samples, respectively.