Food vacuum packaging and vacuum inflatable flexible packaging

Vacuum Inflatable Packaging: The food is packed into the packaging bag, and the air in the packaging bag is drawn to a predetermined degree of vacuum, then filled with nitrogen or other mixed gas, and then the sealing process is completed.

1, the mechanism of action

The main role of vacuum packaging is to remove oxygen, so as to help prevent food spoilage, and the principle is relatively simple. The deterioration of food is mainly caused by the activity of microorganisms, and the survival of most microorganisms (such as molds and yeasts) requires oxygen. , and vacuum packaging is the use of this principle, the oxygen inside the packaging bag and food cells removed, so that microorganisms lose the "survival environment" Experiments show that: When the oxygen concentration in the bag is ≤ 1%, the growth of microorganisms and The rate of reproduction declines sharply. When the oxygen concentration is ≤0.5%, most microorganisms will be inhibited and stop breeding. (Note: Vacuum packaging does not inhibit the growth of anaerobic bacteria and the deterioration and discoloration of foods caused by enzyme reactions. Therefore, it must be combined with other auxiliary methods such as cold storage, quick freezing, dehydration, high temperature sterilization, radiation sterilization, microwave sterilization, and salt. Marinated etc.

In addition to inhibiting the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, vacuum deoxidation is another important function to prevent food oxidation. Because oils and fats contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, they are oxidized by the action of oxygen, which causes foods to taste and deteriorate. In addition, oxidation also causes Loss of vitamins A and C. Unstable substances in food pigments are affected by oxygen and darken the color. Therefore, oxygen removal can effectively prevent food spoilage and maintain its color, aroma, taste and nutritional value.

The main role of vacuum inflatable packaging, in addition to the vacuum packaging has the function of oxygen and quality, there are mainly pressure, gas barrier, preservation and other effects, can more effectively maintain the original color, flavor, shape and nutritional value of food for a long time . In addition, many foods are not suitable for vacuum packaging and must be vacuum-packed. Such as crispy fragile foods, easy to block foods, easily deformed to go oil foods, there are sharp corners or high hardness will pierce the bag of food. After the food is inflated and packed in vacuum, the inflation pressure in the bag is stronger than the atmospheric pressure outside the bag, which can effectively prevent the food from being crushed and deformed without affecting the appearance and printing decoration of the bag.

The vacuum inflated package is filled with nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a single oxygen gas, or a mixture of 2-3 gases after vacuum. Its nitrogen is an inert gas that acts as a filling to maintain a positive pressure inside the bag to prevent the air outside the bag from entering the bag and provide a protective effect on the food. Its carbon dioxide can be concentrated in various types of fats or water, leading to weaker acidity of the carbonic acid and inhibiting the activity of microorganisms such as mold and spoilage bacteria. Its oxygen inhibits the growth and reproduction of anaerobic bacteria, maintains the freshness and color of fruits and vegetables, and high concentration of oxygen keeps fresh meat fresh and red.

2, the scope of application

Vacuum packaging

Curing products: sausage, ham, bacon, duck, etc.

Pickles: mustard, dried radish, kohlrabi, pickles, etc.

Soy products: dried bean curd, vegetarian chicken, bean paste, etc.

Cooked food products: roast chicken, roast duck, beef sauce, etc.

Convenient foods: rice, instant wet noodles, cooked dishes, etc.

Soft cans: water bamboo shoots, sugar water fruit, rice porridge, etc.

Vacuum inflatable packaging

Tea, nuts, melon seeds, floss, etc.

Fried potato chips, puffed food, fruit and vegetable chips, etc.

Cakes, moon cakes, etc.

Various powders, food additives

A variety of valuable natural Chinese medicinal materials

Various dehydrated vegetables

3, flexible packaging materials

Vacuum packaging or vacuum inflatable packaging commonly used double-layer composite film or three-layer aluminum thin composite film made of three-side sealing bags, composite film thickness is generally between 60-96UM, in which the inner layer is a heat seal layer, need to have a good Heat sealability, thickness between 50-80um, outer layer is a sealing layer, need good airtightness and printability, certain strength, thickness between 10-16UM. Composite film inner layer base material commonly used polyethylene (PE), such as high temperature cooking bag with high temperature polypropylene (CPP), outer layer base material commonly used for stretching polypropylene (OPP), polyester resin (PET), nylon (PA )Wait. Some foods such as tea, milk powder, etc., and some high-oil foods need to use light-blocking packaging to prevent the food from changing its color, smell and taste under the influence of light. The method is to laminate a thin layer of aluminum foil between the inner and outer layers of the substrate. (AL), its airtightness has also been strengthened

4, packaging machine

Vacuum or vacuum inflatable packaging machine commonly used cavity type and external pumping two kinds of models. Chamber packaging machine is divided into vacuum packaging machine and vacuum inflator. The external pumping packaging machine has several functions such as vacuum packaging and vacuum inflation packaging, so it is also called multifunctional modified atmosphere packaging machine. According to the combination of factors such as the form of the packaged goods, the size of the packaging capacity, the production volume, and the packaging method, it is best to purchase the packaging machine before consulting.

Food vacuum and vacuum inflatable soft packaging technology occupy a certain position in food packaging technology, and some functions and functions cannot be easily replaced by other packaging technologies. China's vacuum packaging technology was developed in the early 1980s, and vacuum inflatable packaging technology has just started to be used in small quantities in the early 1990s. With the promotion of small packaging and the development of supermarkets, its application scope will become more and more extensive. Some will gradually replace hard packaging and the outlook will be very promising.