MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING (MAP)PACKAGING (MAP)

DR. I MADE S. UTAMA(POSTHARVEST SPECIALIST)

FAKULTAS TEKNOLOGI PERTANIAN

UNIVERSITAS UDAYANA

PERTIMBANGAN FISIOLOGIS

Respirasi

C6H12O6 + O2 ------- CO2 +H20+ Energi (ATP) PANAS

OKSIGEN

Karbon dioksida

EnergiPanasATP

Air

DEFINITION• Modified atmosphere is a condition of atmosphere (normally in a package of

commodity) around the commodity that is different from that of air (78.08% N2, 20.95% O2, and 0.03% CO2).

• Usually this involves reduction of O2 and/or elevation of CO2 concentrations.• Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) involves the exposure of produce to

the atmosphere generated in a package by the interaction of produce, the package and the external atmosphere.

• Different additives that may affect the atmosphere may be introduced into the package before it is sealed.

• The main feature distinguishing MAP from controlled atmosphere (CA) is that , in the case of MAP, active human involvement stops at the moment of sealing.

• Wide spectrum of techniques of MAP from Individual sealed packaging to the more intricate control of microorganisms in the new package of salad bar items.

• MAP is a multidisciplinary technology of maintaining freshness that utilises basic principles of chemistry, physics, plant physiology and pathology, microbiology, food science, engineering, polymer chemistry.

CO2i CO2e

O2i O2e

The MAP SystemPlastic FilmAreaVolumePermeability O2Permeability CO2thcikness

ProduceWeightOxygen uptakeCO2 Production

MAP should be considered as a supplement to proper temperature and relative humidity management

PRINCIPLES OF MAP

• MAP is a dynamic system during which respiration and permeation occur MAP is a dynamic system during which respiration and permeation occur simultaneously.simultaneously.

• Factor affecting both respiration and permeation must be considered when Factor affecting both respiration and permeation must be considered when designing a package.designing a package.

• Commodity mass, temperature, OCommodity mass, temperature, O22, CO, CO22, and C, and C22HH44 partial pressure and partial pressure and

stage of maturity are known to influence respiration in a package.stage of maturity are known to influence respiration in a package.

• Type, thickness, intended holes, and surface area of packaging film, as well Type, thickness, intended holes, and surface area of packaging film, as well as temperature, RH, and gradient of Oas temperature, RH, and gradient of O22 and CO and CO2 2 partial pressures across partial pressures across

the film, are known determinant of permeation.the film, are known determinant of permeation.

• Package equilibrium or steady state is defined as the point at which the Package equilibrium or steady state is defined as the point at which the commodity COcommodity CO22 production and O production and O22 consumption rates are equal to the consumption rates are equal to the

permeation rates of the respective gases through a package at a given permeation rates of the respective gases through a package at a given temperature.temperature.

• Poorly designed package will become anaerobic or develop unacceptable Poorly designed package will become anaerobic or develop unacceptable levels of COlevels of CO22 before equilibrium is achieved. before equilibrium is achieved.

CO2

O2

Gas

co

nce

ntr

atio

n (

O2

and

CO

2)

0.03%

21%

Time

Potential harmful effects

• Retardation of senescence

• Reduction of fruit sensitivity to ethylene action

• Alleviation of certain physiologiical disorders

• Directly and indirectly affect postharvest pathogens

• Useful tool for insect control in some commodities

• Initiation or aggravation of certain physiological disorders

• Irregular ripening of fruits• Off-flavor and off-odors• Susceptibility to decay

may increase • Sprouting and retardation

of periderm development are stimulated in some root and tuber vegetables, such as potatoes.

Potential benefits

Kader et al. (2002)

Disadvantages

• Reduction of weight loss, desiccation and shriveling

• Delay of ripening• Alleviation of chilling injury• Semicentralised manufacturing

option• Expanded radius of distribution

system• Reduction of labor and waste at the

retailer level• Quality advantages such as colour,

moisture, flavour and maturity retention

• Excellent branding option• Reduction of handling and

distribution of unwanted or low grade produce

• Quality advantages transferred to the consumer

• Requirement of additional investment in machinery and labor in the package line

• Risk of spoiled produce due to improper packaging of temperature abuse

• Possible occurrence of new risk of microbiological safety due to possible development of anaerobic pathogenis flora

• Plastic film may be environmentally undesirable unless effective recling is installed

• MAP technology is still unavailable for most produce

Advantages

Ben-Yehoshua et al. (1993)

MAP for fruits and vegetables• Various films have been used

for packaging F&V to minimize respiratory anaerobiosis and potential microbiological hazards

• In China and Japan sealed-packaging has become a common new technique for citrus fruit storage.

• Sealed-package of many F&V are commonly available on the shelves of supermarket.

• One of the novel approaches in MAP of F&V is the introduction of a gas mixture of desirable composition into a package before sealing.

2 40 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 21

2 40 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 21

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2021

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

2021

Rambutan

Strawberry

Avocado

Starfruit

Green beans

'Lampung' BananaAir = 0.8

LDPE =5.0

Oxygen concentration (%)

Oxygen concentration (%)

Car

bon

diox

ide

conc

entr

atio

n (%

)

Car

bon

diox

ide

conc

entr

atio

n (%

)

Guava

CucumberKidney

bean

Eggplant

Salacca

Sweet corn

A

B

C

0 5 10 15 21 %O2

21

15

10

5

0

%CO2

Strawberry

Grapefruit

Banana

Grape

Cherry

Mango, papaya, pineaple

Orange

0 5 10 15 21 %O2

21

15

10

5

0

%CO2

Spinach

Tomato

Lettuce

Asparagus

Leek

Bell pepper

Mushroom

Modified humidity packaging

• RH in a plastic package is usually very high.• Reduction in RH to an optimal amount may be critical for

the success of MAP• Research: CaCl2, Sorbitol, NaCl, xylitol and KCl sealed

with one mature tomato fruit at 20C in simulated package for 48 days resulted in stable RH of 35, 75, 75, 80 and 85%, respectively.

• RH was a function of the ratio of chemical and fruit mass• The storage life of package red-type tomato fruit at 20C

was extended from 5 days using no pouch to 15-17 days with a pouch containing NaCl.

Interactive and microporous film

• MAP application may require packaging materials capable passing controlled quantities of water, O2, CO2, C2H4 in order to control concentration of these gases in the internal package environment and to avoid anaerobiosis.

• Emerging of a new technology “Smart packaging” or “active packaging”

• Active packaging could be the use of chemicals to absorb of gases.

• Microporous film; a) intentionally perforated with very small orifices which pass gases at a very slow rate relative to the total area, b) the perforations contain intentional additives.

Future Research Needs