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The Use Of Nitrogen Membrane Generators In The Food Industry

By Tammie Caldwell


The food industry has always been concerned with the freshness of food since this is how they are able to make a profit. The longer the freshness last, the more places it can be shipped to and the more people these products can reach. This is why many companies employ nitrogen membrane generators to help them fulfill their goals.

In order for a particular food item to remain fresh in a package, the color, aroma, and flavor has to be preserved. Most people expect their food to look as if it has been prepared the same day. They expect it to taste, smell, and look appetizing. If it does not meet these requirements, they will not buy the product.

One of the main reasons for the spoilage of food over time is oxidation. This is a process where oxygen reacts with the food changing the way it looks, taste and smell. This happens to many different types of food like apples. When they are cut, the white flesh of the fruit exposed to the air turns brown and soon becomes inedible.

To prevent this from taking place, nitrogen is used to replace as much oxygen as possible in packages. Nitrogen is inert and does not react in any way with the chemicals that naturally occur in food. This is an advantage for companies who need a solution to the problem of maintaining freshness in packaging.

In addition to minimizing bacterial growth, it also helps in preventing rancidity caused by the natural oils found in food. These oils can be found in products like potato chips and other foods that have naturally occurring oils in them. A process known as blanketing coats the food with a layer of the inert gas which helps the product to have a longer shelf life.

The nitrogen used must also be of a quality that is compatible with food. There is an industry standard which suppliers have to comply with in order to be able to use this gas in the packaging of food. The purity level of the nitrogen is also important and depending on the food can range from 95% to 99.9% purity. An oxygen meter is used by companies to measure the minimum amount of oxygen in the package that can remain without spoilage to determine how pure the nitrogen should be.

There are different types of systems that are used to create the purity that is needed. If membrane technology is used, the purity level is less than it would be using a different system. Some companies are satisfied with 98% percent which is what they will get if they use this type of technology. On the other hand, other companies might need a higher number.

The creation of packaged foods means that technology has to be used to create a product that will last. There are different types of processes that can be used to accomplish the goal of providing freshness. However, it is the companies that have to decide which one they will use to suit their needs.




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