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Chemical factors that shorten the shelf-life of food. James McCoy. Background . What is Shelf-Life It is defined as the time during which the food product will Remain safe Be certain to retain desired sensory, chemical, physical and micro-biological characteristic
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Chemical factors that shorten the shelf-life of food James McCoy
Background • What is Shelf-Life • It is defined as the time during which the food product will • Remain safe • Be certain to retain desired sensory, chemical, physical and micro-biological characteristic • Comply with any label declaration of nutritional data
Background • Factors Effecting Shelf-Life • Microbiological • Chemical • Physical • Temperature Related • Intrinsic Factors- properties of the final product • Water Activity • pH and Total Acidity • Redox Potential • Available Oxygen • Nutrients • Natural Microbes • Natural Biochemistry • Use of Preservatives • Extrinsic Factors- factors that the final product encounters as it moves through the chain • Temperature • Relative Humidity • Exposure to light • Consumer handling • Atmosphere • Environmental microbes
Background • Some Chemical Factor Examples • Oxidation • Enzymatic Processes • Chemical Hydrolysis • Browning Reaction (non-enzymatic, enzymatic)
Oxidation • The Reaction is driven by • Temperature • Water activity • Presence of metal ions • Exposure to light • Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) • Enzymes • Causes • Rapid determination of beer flavor • Rancidity development in fat containing foods
Oxidation • Photo- Oxidation • The oxidative rancidity reaction catalyzed by UV light • In milk the UV light activates riboflavin(Vit. B2) and catalyzes the oxidation of the amino acid methionine present in milk protein to methanal • Produces a burnt or medicinal like flavor • Oxidative Rancidity • Oxygen reacts with metal ions (copper, iron) to produce a reactive oxygen species (ROS) • The ROS reacts with unsaturated fatty acids replacing a hydrogen with an oxygen • Produces off flavors and aromas
Oxidation • Mechanism
Enzymatic Browning • A redox reaction that occurs in foods such as fruits and vegetables that contain polyphenoloxidase(PPO) • PPO is a copper containing enzyme that catalyzes of causes the oxidation of phenol compounds contained in plant tissues • Occurs rapidly at warm temperatures with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0 • Is responsible for up to 50%of the losses during production
Non-Enzymatic Browning • Two main types • Millard reaction and Caramelization • Driven by • Temperature • pH • Presence of sugars • Presence of metal ions ( Cu(I), Cu(II), Fe(II), Fe(III) )
Hydrolytic Rancidity • Occurs in food contain saturated fatty acids • Produces off flavors and aromas • Driven by • Water activity • Temperature • Presence of the enzyme lipase • Mechanism • The fat molecule is hydrolyzed back to a glycerol and 3 fatty acid molecules
References • Kilcast, David; Subramaniam, persis (2000) Stablility and Shelf-Life of Food : Woodhead Publishing • Eskin, N. A; Robinson, David S. (2001) Food Shelf Life Stability. New York, New York; CRC Press