Optical Methods to Determine the Gas Atmosphere in Various Modified Atmosphere Packages: Applications and Correlation in Meat Spoilage

Abstract

The use of non-invasive optical measurement systems for the quality evaluation of packed food is becoming more important for the reduction of food waste and quality improvement. In this study, the gas atmosphere of packed poultry was monitored using optical measurement systems based on fluorescence quenching for oxygen determination and mid-infrared (MIR) laser spectroscopy for the detection of carbon dioxide. The gas atmosphere was evaluated continuously over fifteen days of storage, the total viable count was obtained, and optical and olfactory sensory evaluations were simultaneously performed by a trained sensory panel. The results revealed that irregular storage conditions could be detected and that microbiological growth under regular conditions does not lead to a significant change in the headspace atmosphere.

Keywords

• meat spoilage
• poultry
• non-destructive
• fluorescence quenching
• infrared
• spectroscopy