Modified atmosphere packaging (MAPmay be defined as the enclosure of food products in gas-barrier materials in which the gaseous environment has been changed'(Young et al., 1988 Because of its substantial shelf-life extending effect, MAP has been one of the most significant and innovative growth areas in retail food packaging. The potential advantages and disadvantages of MAP have been presented by Farber (1991), Parry(1993) and Davies (1995). Whilst there is considerable information available regarding suitable gas mixtures for different food products, there is still a lack of scientific detail regarding many aspects relating to MAP. These include:

During recent years there has been an explosive growth in the market for fresh prepared fruit and vegetable (i.e. produceproducts. The main driving force for this market growth is the increasing consumer demand for fresh, healthy, convenient and additive-free prepared product items. However, fresh prepared produce items are highly perishable and prone to the major spoilage mechanisms of enzymic discoloration, moisture loss and microbial growth. Good manufacturing and handling practices along with the appropriate use of modified atmosphere packaging(mp)are relatively effective at inhibiting

9.1 Introduction Drying is probably the oldest form of preservation Wrapping things that have been dried to protect them from moisture may well have been the earliest form of packaging. Even today a lot of technological development resources are expended to find new ways to package things to keep them dry. Some of the oldest materials used to control moisture are still used today: clay, salt, minerals and plant extracts that have a greater affinity for water than the material being protected. Clay has been used for centuries; moist clay to keep things moist and dried clay to keep things dry. Likewise the importance of salt is legendary

Interactions within a package system refer to the exchange of mass and energy between the packaged food, the packaging material and the external environment. Food-packaging interactions can be defined as an interplay between food, packaging, and the environment, which produces an effect on the food, and/or package (Hotchkiss, 1997). Mass transfer processes in packaging systems are normally referred to as permeation, migration and absorption(fig8.1). Permeation is the process resulting from two basic mechanisms

As we know from the definition, intelligent or smart packaging monitors and gives information about the quality of the packed food. According to Huis in't give Veld (1996) the changes taking place in the fresh food product can be categorised as (i) microbiological growth and metabolism resulting in pH- changes, formation of toxic compounds off-odours, gas and slime formation

6.1 Introduction The modern food industry is called on to deliver seemingly contradictory market demands. On the one hand consumers want improved safety and sensory quality, together with increased nutritional properties, extended shelf-life and convenience in preparation and use. On the other they want food with a traditional, wholesome image, with less processing and fewer additives

5.1 Introduction Non-migratory bioactive polymers (NMBP)are a class of polymers that possess biological activity without the active components migrating from the polymer to the substrate. This concept has existed for some time (Bachler et al., 1970; Brody and Budny, 1995; Katchalski-Katzir 1993) and has been applied primarily to immobilised enzyme

Antimicrobial packaging is one of many applications of active packaging (Floros et al., 1997). Active packaging is the packaging system which possesses attributes beyond basic barrier properties which are achieved by adding active ingredients in the packaging system and/or using actively functional polymers (Han and Rooney, 2002). Antimicrobial packaging is the packaging system that is able to kill or inhibit spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms that are contaminating foods

The best known and most widely used active packaging technologies for foods today are those engineered to remove undesirable substances from the headspace of a package through absorption, adsorption or scavenging. To achieve this goal a physical or chemical absorbent or adsorbent is incorporated in the packaging material or added to the package by means of a sachet. In most publications

2.1 Introduction: the role of packaging in the food chain Packaging has a significant role in the food supply chain and it is an integral part both of the food processes and the whole food supply chain. Food packaging has to perform several tasks as well as fulfilling many demands and requirements. Traditionally, a food package makes distribution easier. It has protected food from environmental conditions, such as light, oxygen, moisture, microbes, mechanical stresses and dust. Other basic tasks have been to ensure adequate labelling for providing information e.g., to the customer, and a proper convenience to the consumer, e.g., easy opening, reclosable lids and a suitable dosing mechanism. Basic requirements are good marketing properties