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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a dynamic process of altering gaseous composition inside a package. It relies on the interaction between the respiration rate (RR) of the produce, and the transfer of gases through the packaging material. These two processes are dependent on numerous factors such as storage temperature, film thickness and surface area, produce weight as well as free headspace within the pack. Therefore, in order to achieve the desired modified atmosphere in a given package, it is important to understand the three basic disciplines of MAP, namely produce physiology, polymer engineering, and converting technology. In this study the effects of storage conditions and duration on physiological responses i.e. respiration (RR) and transpiration rate (TR) of two pomegranate cultivars ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’, were investigated and mathematical models were developed to predict these physiological responses at given time and storage conditions. The result of this study showed that RR of whole pomegranate fruit was significantly higher than that of fresh arils, and that temperature had a significant impact on the RR of both whole fruit and fresh arils. The influence of time, and the interaction between temperature and time also had significant influences on RR of fresh pomegranate arils. These findings highlight the significance of maintaining optimal cold-storage condition for packaged arils or whole fruit along the supply chain. In addition, mathematical models based on the Arrhenius-type equation and the power function equation coupled with Arrhenius-type equation accurately predicted the effect of temperature and the influence of time and temperature on the RR of fresh pomegranate arils for both cultivars. Furthermore, the results of experimental and model prediction studies showed that both relative humidity (RH) and storage temperature had significant effects on TR. RH was the variable with the greatest influence on TR, and it was observed that arils were best kept at 5°C and 96% RH to maintain quality for 8 days. The applicability of the transpiration model developed was validated based on prediction of TR of pomegranate arils under different combinations of storage conditions. The model adequately predicted TR and provides a useful tool towards understanding the rate of water loss in fresh pomegranate arils as affected by storage conditions and duration. The effect of passive-MAP engineering design parameters as a function of produce weight contained, storage temperature and duration on fresh pomegranate arils was investigated. The result showed that produce weight of aril content, temperature and the interaction between temperature and time had slight but insignificant effects on measured physicochemical quality attributes. However, headspace gas concentration was significantly influenced by produce weight and storage temperature. Oxygen (O2) composition decline below 2% after day 3 and 5 at 15 and 10 ºC, respectively, while samples at 5 °C did not reach below 2% throughout the study. On the other hand, CO2 levels increased significantly during storage for all packaging conditions. This study showed the importance of a systematic approach to the design of optimal MAP systems. At lowest storage temperature the inability to achieve desired modified atmosphere (MA) required for optimal storage of arils despite the increase in produce weight, suggests that the use of active gas modification (gas flushing with recommended atmosphere) would be necessary. However, the present results show that at higher temperature macro/micro perforations would be required on the polymeric films used in the present study in order to avoid critical levels of O2 and CO2. The influence of passive MAP, storage temperature and duration on volatile composition and evolution of packaged pomegranate arils was investigated. The results showed that changes in aroma compounds were dependent on cultivar differences, storage condition and duration. Using GC-MS analysis of pomegranate juice HS-SPME extracts, a total of 18 and 17 volatiles were detected for ‘Herskerwitz’ and ‘Acco’, respectively. Furthermore, flavour life (7 days) was shorter than the postharvest life (10 days) for both cultivars. There was a decrease in volatile composition during the storage period (aldehydes < alcohols < esters) while the concentration (%) and composition of ethyl esters increased with storage time. These results highlight the need for a more precise definition of flavour shelf life for MApackaged pomegranate arils and other packaged fresh produce. The importance of maintaining optimal cold storage condition, selection of appropriate packaging materials and a systematic approach to the design and application of MAP systems has also been shown. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gemodifiseerde atmosfeer-verpakking (GAV) is ’n dinamiese proses waartydens die gassamestelling binne-in ’n verpakking gewysig word. Dit berus op die wisselwerking tussen die respirasietempo (RT) van die produkte en die oordrag van gasse deur die verpakkingsmateriaal. Hierdie twee prosesse is van verskeie faktore soos bergingstemperatuur, dikte van die film en oppervlakte, gewig van die produkte asook vry boruimte binne-in die pakkie afhanklik. Om dus die gewenste gemodifiseerde atmosfeer in ’n gegewe verpakking te verkry, is dit belangrik om die drie fundamentele dissiplines van GAV te begryp, naamlik produkfisiologie, polimeerontwerp, en omsettingstegnologie. In hierdie studie is die gevolge van bergingstoestande en -duur op fisiologiese reaksie, met ander woorde, respirasie- (RT) en transpirasietempo (TT) van twee geselekteerde granaatkultivars ‘Acco’ en ‘Herskawitz’, ondersoek en wiskundige modelle is ontwikkel om ons in staat te stel om hierdie fisiologiese reaksies by gegewe tyd- en bergingstoestande te voorspel. Die resultaat van hierdie studie het aangetoon dat die respirasietempo (RT) van heel granaatvrugte aansienlik hoër was as die RT van vars arils, en temperatuur het beduidende uitwerking op RT van beide heel vrugte en vars arils gehad. Die invloed van tyd, en die wisselwerking tussen temperatuur en tyd het ook ’n beduidende invloed op die RT van vars granaatarils gehad. Hierdie bevinding beklemtoon die belang van die handhawing van optimale koelbewaringstoestande vir verpakte arils of heel vrugte met die aanvoerketting langs. Daarbenewens wiskundige modelle wat gebaseer op die Arrhenius-tipe vergelyking en die magsfunksie-vergelyking gepaard met Arrhenius-tipe vergelyking, die uitwerking van temperatuur en die invloed van tyd en temperatuur op die RT van vars granaatarils vir beide kultivars onderskeidelik voldoende en akkuraat voorspel. Afgesien die resultate van eksperimentele en modelvoorspellings die studies aangetoon dat beide relatiewe humiditeit (RH) en bergingstemperatuur ’n beduidende uitwerking op TT het. RH was die veranderlike met die grootste invloed op TT, en it was waargeneem dat dit die beste was om arils teen 5°C en 96% RH te bewaar (8 dae). Die toepaslikheid van die transpirasiemodel wat ontwikkel is, is bevestig op grond van voorspelling van TT van granaatarils onder verskillende kombinasies van bergingstoestande. Die model het TT voldoende voorspel en sou ’n bruikbare instrument wees ten einde die waterverliestempo in vars granaatarils en ander vars produkte, soos deur bergingstoestande en duur beïnvloed, te begryp. Die uitwerking van passiewe-GAV ontwerpparameters as ’n funksie van gewig van die produkte, bergingstemperatuur en duur op vars granaatarils is ondersoek. Dit het aan die lig gebring dat gewig van die produkte, temperatuur en die wisselwerking tussen temperatuur en tyd ’n geringe maar onbeduidende uitwerking op gemete fisikochemiese gehalteeienskappe gehad het. Die gaskonsentrasie in die boruimte is betekenisvol beïnvloed deur gewig van die produkte en bergingstemperatuur. Die O2-samestelling het tot benede 2% gedaal na 3 en 5 dae by 15 en 10 ºC, onderskeidelik, terwyl monsters by 5 °C deur die studie heen nooit laer as 2% was nie. Aan die ander kant, CO2-vlakke het gedurende berging betekenisvol verhoog wat betref alle verpakkingstoestande. Hierdie studie het die belangrikheid van ’n sistematiese benadering by die ontwerp van ’n optimale GAV-stelsel aangetoon. By die laagste bergingstemperatuur dui die onvermoë om die gewenste gemodifiseerde atmosfeer (GA) wat vir optimale berging van arils benodig word, te verkry – ondanks die toename in die gewig van die produkte – daarop dat die gebruik van aktiewe gasmodifisering (gasspoeling met aanbevole atmosfeer) nodig sou wees. Egter die huidige uitslae aangetoon dat by hoër temperatuur, sou makro/mikroperforasies op die polimeerfilms wat gebruik word in die onderhawige studie egter nodig wees ten einde kritiese vlakke van O2 en CO2 te verhoed. Die invloed van passiewe GAV, bergingstemperatuur en duur op onstabiele samestelling en evolusie van verpakte granaatarils is ondersoek. Die resultate aangetoon dat veranderinge in aromaverbindings afhanklik was van kultivarverskille, bergingstoestande en duur. Met behulp van GC-MS-analise van granaatsap HS-SPME-ekstrakte, het ons ’n totaal van 18 en 17 vlugtige stowwe vir ‘Herskawitz’ en ‘Acco’, onderskeidelik bespeur. Verder het ons waargeneem dat die smaakleeftyd (7 dae) korter was as die na-oesleeftyd (10 dae) vir beide kultivar. Daar was ’n afname in vlugtige samestelling (aldehiede < alkohole < esters) terwyl die konsentrasie (%) en samestelling van etielesters het met bergingstyd verhoog. Hierdie resultate het die aandag gevestig op die behoefte aan ’n meer presiese definisie van geur-raklewe vir GA-verpakte granaatarils en ander verpakte vars produkte. Die belang van die handhawing van die optimale koelbewaringstoestand, seleksie van geskikte verpakkingsmateriaal en ’n sistematiese benadering tot die ontwerp van ’n optimale GAVstelsel, is ook beskryf.

Listeria monocytogenes is a common post-processing contaminant in ready-to-eat vacuum packaged (VP) cold smoked salmon. Since this psychrotrophic pathogen can grow at refrigerated temperatures (~4°C), other safety barriers in addition to temperature are needed to ensure the continued safety of VP cold smoked salmon. One such novel barrier could be the pulsed light (PL) treatment of the product prior to packaging or treating the product through a transparent package. / Pulsed light destruction kinetics of L. monocytogenes were evaluated while dispensed into a liquid media, on the surface of a general purpose agar and on the surface of cold smoked salmon. Results showed that PL technology was an effective surface sanitation method (a decimal reduction time or D-value of 0.91, 1.37 and 2.25 s exposure of PL at 800, 700 and 600 V, respectively, and a resulting z value of 500 V) on the agar plate. However, it had only a limited success when applied to liquid samples as well as directly on the surface of cold smoked salmon (D-value ranged from 93 s to 24 min). / Sensory quality of VP cold smoked salmon subjected to selected PL treatments was monitored during storage for 14 days at 4°C. Both color and odor scores remained within acceptable limits over the 14 day storage period. Subsequent challenge studies were carried out with L. monocytogenes applied on VP cold smoked salmon. An overall reduction in counts was observed in samples stored at 4°C over 28 days; however, after PL treatment (day 0), there was no significant reduction in counts. Color and odor scores maintained acceptable values over 14 days. Additional experiments were carried out to determine the effects of (1) 1.5% salt, (2) 6% oil, (3) a representative salmon media and (4) background microflora (lactic acid bacteria) on the PL inactivation of L. monocytogenes. All of these factors significantly affected the destruction of L. monocytogenes by increasing the D-value (adding resistance to pulsed light destruction). / Overall, these studies have shown that PL treatment in combination with low temperature storage (4°C) has the potential to extend the shelf-life of VP cold smoked salmon products without compromising sensory quality. However further investigation into higher treatment voltages is necessary in order to achieve a higher target kill of L. monocytogenes.

Salmonella enteritidis has recently emerged as a potential pathogen in poultry products. The growth of S. enteritidis in poultry is affected by several factors such as storage temperature, pH, water activity, modified atmosphere and the presence of preservatives. All of these factors may act alone or in combination with each other resulting in a synergistic, antimicrobial effect. / In this research, initial storage studies were done to determine the effect of various atmospheres (air, vacuum, oxygen absorbent and gas packaging) on the microbial changes of packaged chicken thighs followed by challenge studies with a strain of S. enteritidis$ sp{ rm{NAST}}$. Chicken thighs were packaged in Cryovac bags and stored at 4 and 12$ sp circ$C for up to 28d. Changes in headspace gas composition, pH, drip loss, color and odor were monitored at each sampling day. / The effect of various packaging treatments, dipping solutions (chitosan (0.2%w/v) and potassium sorbate (0.2%w/v)) and low dose irradiation (1.5 & 3.0 kGy) on the growth of S. enteritidis$ sp{ rm NAST}$ and on the shelf-life of chicken thighs stored at 4 and 12$ sp circ$C was also investigated. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

A granola-type, omega-3-rich breakfast cereal prototype was developed using ground flaxseed as the principal source of linolenic acid (1.8% w/w). Other ingredients included rolled oats, yellow sugar, honey, sliced almonds, and canola oil. The focus of the research investigation was to apply and study the addition of an antioxidant (AO) and the use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) on shelf-life extension of the enriched cereal. Granola samples, both with and without AO (300ppm of 70% mixed tocopherols), were packaged in air, and under the two atmospheres achieved by nitrogen flushing (MA 1) and an oxygen scavenger (MA2). Samples were stored at either 21 or 35°C. / Shelf-life was terminated when products reached a thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value of 4.0 mg malonaldehyde/kg corresponding to a sensory score of 5 (on a hedonic scale of 10). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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Thesis (MScFoodSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Perforation-mediated modified atmosphere packaging (PM-MAP) offers the possibility of optimising polymeric films in order to compensate for barrier limitations of conventional modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PM-MAP and storage duration on the physico-chemical quality attributes, microbial quality, phytochemicals (anthocyanins, phenolics and ascorbic acid) and antioxidant activities of arils from fresh minimally processed pomegranate (cv. Acco). The effects of number of perforations (0, 3, 6 and 9; Ø = 0.8 mm) and storage temperature (5, 10 and 15 ºC) on water vapour transmission rate (WVTR, g/m2.day) of synthetic ‘Polylid’ and biodegradable (Nature flexTM) polymeric films were investigated. The results showed that non-perforated biodegradable film had higher WVTR at all storage temperatures, and irrespective of film type, increasing the number of perforations (from P-3 to P-9) had higher impact on WVTR than increasing storage temperature (from 5 to 15 ºC). Furthermore, this study investigated the effects of PM-MAP on the physico-chemical properties, phytochemicals components and antioxidant activities of fresh minimally processed arils. Arils (100 g) were packaged in polypropylene trays (10.6 x 15.1 cm2) and heat-sealed with a polymeric film POLYLID®. Perforations (0, 3, 6 and 9; Ø = 0.8 mm) were made on the top of the film and all samples were stored at 5 ± 1 ºC and 95 ± 2% relative humidity for 14 days. Samples were analysed at intervals of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days. Microbial analysis included tests for Escherichia coli, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and moulds at days 0, 6, 10 and 14. The results showed that headspace gas composition was significantly influenced by the number of perforations, which helped balance the decrease in O2 with corresponding increase in CO2 levels, thus preventing anoxic conditions. Total soluble solids, titratable acidity and firmness of arils were slightly reduced by PM-MAP compared to clamshell trays. Colour attributes was generally maintained across all treatments and throughout the storage duration. The highest counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (5.5 log CFU/g), yeast and moulds (5.3 log CFU/g) were observed in P-0 and P-9 packages, respectively. Overall, P-3 and P-6 better maintained the physico-chemical properties and microbial quality of arils. Total phenolics and anthocyanin contents were higher in arils packaged in PM-MAP while ascorbic acid was slightly reduced. Antioxidant activities tested against FRAP and DPPH radical-scavenging activity increased across all types of MAP over storage duration. However, antioxidant activities were significantly higher in pomegranate arils packaged in PM-MAP due to O2-promoted biosynthesis of phenolics and anthocyanins which constitute the antioxidant properties. Overall, the results reported in this study showed that the use of PM-MAP in cold chain could be suitable for the preservation of physico-chemical quality, phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties of arils packaged in passive PM-MAP compared to clamshell and non-perforated packages during postharvest handling and storage. Perforating MAP films showed potential in preventing the incidence of in-package moisture condensation which is a common problem during postharvest handling and storage of fresh produce packaged inside non-perforated MAP. The results also showed the importance of keeping PM-MAP packs in closed refrigerated shelves to avoid cross contamination or ingress of foodborne pathogens. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Perforasie-bemiddelde gewysigde-verpakking (PM-MAP) maak dit moontlik om polimeer films te optimiseer en om sodoende te kompenseer vir die versperring beperkings van die konvensioneel-gewysigde atmosfeer verpakking (MAP). Die doelwit is om die effek van PM-MAP en die duur van stoor op die fisioko-chemiese gehalte kenmerke, mikrobiale gehalte, fitochemikale (antisianien, fenolies en askorbiensuur) en antioksidant aktiwiteite van granaatarils van vars, minimaal geprosesseerde granate, te ondersoek (cv. Acco). Die effek van die aantal perforasies (0, 3, 6 en 9; Ø =0.8 mm) en stoortemperatuur (5, 10 en 15 ºC) op die waterdamp transmissie koers (WVTR, g/m2.day) van sintetiese ‘Polylid’ en biodegradeerbare (Nature flexTM) polymeriese films is ondersoek. Die resultate het bewys dat nie-perforeerde biodegradeerbare film by alle stoortemperature ’n hoër WVTR het, en dat by alle tipes film, ’n verhoogde aantal perforasies (van P-3 tot P-9) ’n hoër impak op WVTR het as ’n verhoogde stoortemperatuur (van 5 tot 15 ºC). Verder is die effek van PM-MAP op die fisiko-chemiese kenmerke, fitochemikale komponente en antioksidant aktiwiteite van vars, minimaal-geprosesseerde granaatarils bestudeer. Die granaatarils (100 g) is verpak in in polipropilien (PP) platkissies (10.6 x 15.1 cm2) en verseël met polimeer film, POLYLID®. Perforasies (0, 3, 6 en 9; Ø =0.8 mm) is aan die bo-end van die film aangebring en alle voorbeelde is vir 14 dae teen 5 ± 1 ºC en 95 ± 2 % relatiewe humiditeit. Die voorbeelde is met tussenposes van 3, 6, 9, 12 en 15 dae ontleed. Die ontleding het toetse vir Escherichia coli, aerobiese mesofiliese bakterië, suurdeeg en skimmel op tussernposes van 0, 6, 10 en 14 dae ingesluit. Die resultate bewys dat die komposisie van die gas beïnvloed word deur die aantal perforasies. Dit help om die vermindering in O2 met ’n ooreenkomstige toename in CO2 vlakke te balanseer en om dus toestande wat deur ’n gebrek aan suurstof veroorsaak is, te verhoed. Die totaal van oplosbare vaste stowwe, titreerbare suurgehalte en fermheid van die granaatarils is deur die PM-MAP verminder veral as dit vergelyk word met “clamshell trays”. Die kleur kenmerke het oor die algemeen dieselfde gebly by al die behandelings en dwarsdeur die stoortydperk. Die hoogste aantal aerobiese mesofiliese bakterië (5.5 log CFU/g), gis en skimmel (5.3 log CFU/g) is in die P-0 en P-9 verpakkings onderskeidelik opgemerk. Oor die algemeen is P-3 en P-6 beter in staat om die fisioko-chemiese kenmerke en mikrobiale gehalte van die granaatarils te behou. Die totaal van die fenoliese and antosianiin inhoud was hoër in granaatarils wat verpak is in PM-MAP maar die askorbiensuur was effens laer. Antioksdant aktiwiteite is getoets teen FRAP en DPPH aktiwiteite het by al die tipes van MAP tydens stoor vermeerder. Antioksidant aktiwiteite was egter heelwat hoër in granate wat in PM-MAP verpak is. Dit is die gevolg van die biosintese van fenolies en antosianins wat deur O2 in die hand gewerk word en wat die basis van antioksidant kenmerke vorm. Oor die algemeen toon die resultate van hierdie studie dat die gebruik van PM-MAP in die koue ketting geskik is vir die behoud van fisieko-chemiese gehalte, fitochemiese inhoud en antioksidant kenmerke van granaatarils wat in passiewe MAP verpak is, veral as dit vergelyk word met die vrugte wat in ‘clamshell’ en nie-geperforeerde verpakking tydens hantering na die oes en tydens stoor verpak is. Die perforeer van MAP films kan die voorkoms van die kondensasie in die verpakking verminder. Hierdie kondensasie is ’n algemene probleem tydens die hantering en stoor van vars vrugte wat in MAP sonder gaatjies verpak is. Die resultate toon ook hoe belangrik dit is om die PM-MAP verpakking in toe, verkoelde rakke te hou en om sodoende kruis-kontaminasie asook kontaminasie deur kieme wat in vrugte teenwoordig is, te voorkom.

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