NON-METALLIC OXYGEN SCAVENGING SYSTEMS FOR FOOD PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

A novel non-metallic oxygen scavenging system consisting of 3-hydroxyphenol (resorcinol-RC) and potassium carbonate (PC) was developed and activated with the help of moisture. Different proportions, such as control, RC/PC 1:0.25, RC/PC 1:0.5, and RC/PC 1:1 (%w/w), were prepared to determine the optimal quantities of active compounds. Their oxygen scavenging capacities and rates were measured over 48-264 hr at different storage temperatures (5, 25, and 45℃) and humidity (11%, 75%, and 99% RH). Assessments of oxygen scavenging capacities indicated that an optimum formulation of resorcinol and potassium carbonate was achieved at RC/PC 1:1 (%w/w). Further, colorimetry and infrared spectroscopy were carried out before, and following oxygen scavenging, a visible color change from whitish to red with a brownish tinge was observed. The developed system for scavenging oxygen displayed a capability of 290 mL O2/g and 366 mL O2/g at 5⁰C (75% RH and 99% RH, respectively) and 1716 mL O2/g. at 25⁰C and 11% RH, the remaining demonstrated 2090 mL O2/g at 25⁰C (75% RH and 99% RH), and all three humidities at 45⁰C in 48 h. The rate constant values were observed to be increased by 2.66 times and 4.43 times when temperatures increased from 5℃-25℃ 5℃-45℃, respectively. Hence, results demonstrated that a 3-hydroxyphenol-based moisture-activated oxygen scavenging system could efficiently replace commercially available metallic oxygen scavengers.