JPH04349843A - Method and apparatus for preservation of edible raw meat, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extend the shelf life of a raw edible meat, vegetables, etc., as the main objects without reducing freshness and taste thereof longer than in simple low-temperature preservation in the conventional refrigerator. CONSTITUTION:A method characterized by support of preserved materials in an atmosphere of refrigeration temperature by a preserved material-supporting unit composed of an electrically conductive material, support of the above- mentioned supporting unit at an electrically insulating state and application of a high-voltage superimposed wave voltage through the above-mentioned supporting unit to the above-mentioned preserved material. An equipment characterized by a structure composed of a refrigeration chamber 1, electrically conductive shelves 3 for supporting the preserved materials, arranged in the refrigeration chamber through electric insulators 2 and a high-voltage superimposed wave voltage generator 4 capable of application of a high-voltage superimposed wave voltage to the supporting shelves.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates primarily to a method and apparatus for preserving edible raw fish, vegetables, meat, etc.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, edible raw fish, vegetables, livestock meat, etc.
A common method for preserving raw meat (hereinafter referred to as raw meat, etc.) is to use a refrigerator. Food stored in a refrigerator is kept at a low temperature to prevent moisture from freezing, thereby significantly suppressing deterioration of freshness and deterioration of taste (tastiness) due to temperature changes, enzymatic decomposition, bacteria, etc. Another method of preservation is freezing.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional methods using refrigerators have a problem in that the period for maintaining good freshness and taste and the period during which food can be eaten is short, that is, the storage period is short. On the other hand, frozen preservation is extremely advantageous in that it extends the edible period, but there is a problem in that the freshness and taste often deteriorate due to the freezing and thawing processes.

[0004] The technical object of the present invention is to extend the storage period in a method using a refrigerator that maintains freshness and taste well, albeit for a short period of time.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The method of the present invention includes supporting an object to be stored with an article support made of a conductive material in a refrigeration temperature atmosphere, supporting the article support in an electrically insulated state, and The present invention is characterized in that a high-voltage superimposed wave potential is applied to the stored object via the object support section.

[0006] The device of the present invention has a refrigerating room maintained at a refrigerating temperature atmosphere, such as a normal refrigerator or the inside of a trailer or container having a refrigerating function, and a refrigerating room installed through an electrical insulator in the refrigerating room. It is characterized by comprising an electrically conductive preservation item support shelf and a high voltage superimposed wave potential generator provided to apply a high voltage superimposed wave potential to the support shelf.

[0007]

[Function] In the method of the present invention, the preservation effect is maintained in a refrigeration temperature atmosphere to utilize the preservation effect of the conventional method using a refrigerator. Applying a high-voltage superimposed wave potential to preserved items uses the electrical action to adjust the molecular structures of water, proteins, and carbohydrates that make up the preserved items, thereby deteriorating the freshness of the stored items. This is to prevent

The prevention of freshness deterioration of preserved products by applying this high-voltage superimposed wave potential has been experimentally confirmed, and is thought to be as follows. That is,
For example, taking a protein as an example, the water surrounding a protein can be divided into A layer, B layer, and C layer depending on its bonding form.The innermost A layer is called bound water, and the protein surface and electrostatic force It is a layer that is relatively strongly bound by hydrogen bonds and maintains a constant arrangement for a long time.The outer B layer is called semi-bonded water and is in contact with the A layer.
The water molecules in the layer are influenced by the A layer and become difficult to move due to the force that tries to align them in a certain direction, but they are not as constrained as the A layer, and the C layer outside of the A layer is called free water.
It can move in and out of cells relatively freely. In this way, proteins are surrounded by a hard water shell and an outer elastic water armor, and the A and B layers in particular play a role in protecting proteins from temperature changes, enzymatic decomposition, bacteria, etc. doing. In general, biopolymers are protected with a similar structure.

[0009] When the structure of the water that protects biopolymers such as proteins weakens and becomes unbalanced, deterioration of freshness and taste occur. This structured state of water persists for a longer time when a high-voltage superimposed wave potential is applied than when it is not applied. The structure of the surrounding water collapses more slowly at low temperatures, such as inside a refrigerator, than at room temperature, and applying high-pressure superimposed waves has the effect of adjusting the molecular structure, causing the structure of the water to collapse. This prevents it from occurring and makes it even slower. The applied high voltage superimposed wave potential is usually several thousand to tens of thousands of volts.

[0010] In the apparatus of the present invention, the superimposed wave potential generator used is a known one as seen in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-81939 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-6673. One terminal on the secondary side is connected to the stored item via the stored item support shelf, and the other terminal on the secondary side is insulated and sealed, so that a high-voltage superimposed wave potential is applied to the stored item. At this time, the voltage to ground is equal to zero and no current flows.

[0011]

[Example] An example of the present invention will be explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for preserving meat, etc. used in the method of the example is as shown in FIG. A high-voltage superimposed wave generator 4 is installed outside the refrigerator in an electrically insulated state.
is arranged, and one terminal on the secondary side of the superimposed wave generator 4 is connected to the storage object support shelf 3 by a conductive wire 5. In the figure,
6 is a conductor insertion hole that penetrates the refrigerator wall and has an outer diameter of 20 mm.
It is formed by installing an insulating pipe, and after the conductor is inserted, the gap is closed with putty. 7 is the base of the superimposed wave generator made of insulator.

[0012] Using the above-mentioned meat preservation device, the temperature inside the refrigerator 1 was maintained at 1°C, one chicken was divided into two on the left and right, and one of the pieces was placed on the preserves support shelf 3 as Example 1. A high-voltage superimposed wave is applied, and the other one is placed on a preservation support shelf in the same refrigerator as Comparative Example 1, in which no superimposed waves are applied, and after 4 days in that state, the VBN is taken out at the same time and is usually used as a measure of freshness. The amount of (volatile base nitrogen) was investigated by microdiffusion method.

The results were 7.6 mg% for Example 1 and 12.7 mg% for Comparative Example 1.

[0014] Separately, using the above-mentioned meat etc. preservation device,
The temperature inside the refrigerator 1 was maintained at 1° C., one block of beef (Japanese beef) was divided into approximately two equal parts, one of which was placed on the storage support shelf 3 as in Example 2, and a high-pressure superimposed wave was applied to the other half. As Comparative Example 2, the samples were placed on a storage support shelf in the same refrigerator in which no superimposed waves were applied, and after 5 days had elapsed in that state, they were taken out at the same time and the amount of VBN was examined by the microdiffusion method in the same manner as above.

The results were 4.4 mg% for Example 2 and 11.2 mg% for Comparative Example 2.

[0016] In addition, when we investigated the difference in the preservation effect between applying superimposed waves and not applying superimposed waves using the above-mentioned meat preservation device, we found that the number of days of preservation when superimposed waves was applied was longer than that of application. Compared to the case without it, it was extended as follows. In other words, for chicken, vegetables (green onions) are eaten from 3-4 days to 6-7 days.
2-3 days to 5-6 days for fish (for processing), and 2-3 days for fish (for processing).
For fresh fish, it increased from 1 to 2 days to 3 to 4 days.

[0017]

According to the present invention, the storage period of edible raw materials in a conventional refrigerator can be approximately doubled based on a predetermined level of freshness.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an apparatus used to carry out the method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Refrigerator (cold room) 2 Insulator 3 Preserved object support shelf 4 High voltage superimposed wave generator 5 Conductor wire

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: An article to be stored is supported by an article support made of a conductive material in a refrigeration temperature atmosphere, the article support is supported in an electrically insulated state, and the article is connected to the article through the article support. A method for preserving edible raw meat, etc., characterized by applying a high voltage superimposed wave potential. [Claim 2] A refrigerating room maintained at a refrigerating temperature atmosphere;
Consisting of a conductive storage support shelf installed in the refrigerator compartment via an electrical insulator, and a high-voltage superimposed wave potential generator installed to apply a high voltage superimposed wave potential to the support shelf. A preservation device for edible raw meat, etc., characterized by: