Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23B—PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
  • A23B4/00—Preservation of meat, sausages, fish or fish products
  • A23B4/14—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12
  • A23B4/16—Preserving with chemicals not covered by groups A23B4/02 or A23B4/12 in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L13/00—Meat products; Meat meal; Preparation or treatment thereof
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
  • A23V2002/00—Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
  • B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
  • B65B25/065—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of meat
  • B65B25/067—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of meat combined with its conservation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D37/00—Portable flexible containers not otherwise provided for
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
  • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
  • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/90—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation
  • Y02A40/924—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation using renewable energies

Definitions

• This invention relates to systems and methods for stabilizing oxygen-dependent and oxygen-labile pigments from being damaged by the elevated carbon dioxide levels necessary to inhibit spoilage of fresh muscle foods, preserving the freshness and preventing discoloration of foodstuffs comprising said pigments.
• Modified atmosphere packaging has been used to improve storage-life and safety of stored foods by inhibition of spoilage microorganisms and pathogens.
• MAP is the replacement of most of the normal atmospheric environment in a food storage pack with a single inert gas or a mixture of inert gases.
• the resulting gas in a MAP mixture is most often combinations of nitrogen (N 2 ) and carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) with a small amount of oxygen (0 2 ).
• N 2 nitrogen
• C0 2 carbon dioxide
• the bacteriostatic effect is obtained by a combination of decreased 0 2 and increased C0 2 concentrations.
• myoglobin is an iron- and oxygen- binding protein that provides the desirable red color of most meats when the myoglobin protein in the muscle is fully oxygenated.
• the color of consumable red meat will change to an unappealing darkish brown when left in air for too long a period of time. This is caused by denaturation of the myoglobin protein by spoilage organisms, desiccation and other deteriorative processes that render the myoglobin incapable of sufficiently reacting with oxygen to provide the desirable bright red pigment.
• This invention is predicated in part on the discovery of deoxygenation pretreatment methods, for preserving the color of foodstuffs comprising oxygen-dependent and/or oxygen- labile pigments, such as myoglobin, prior to the introduction of COi-
• deoxygenation pretreatment methods for preserving the color of foodstuffs comprising oxygen-dependent and/or oxygen- labile pigments, such as myoglobin, prior to the introduction of COi-
• current MAP procedures employing an initial CO 2 flush with no deoxygenation pretreatment to maintain freshness of foodstuffs contribute to irreversible damage to the pigments.
• residual oxygen interacts with the C0 2 and pigment structure and chemistry in a manner that prevents the pigment from fully reoxygenating upon return to ambient air.
• a method to stabilize an oxygen-dependent and/or oxygen-labile pigment from losing its ability to fully reoxygenate for a predictable period of time in a sealed container which method comprises
• a method to stabilize myoglobin pigment of a foodstuff containing myoglobin pigment during transportation and/or storage of the foodstuff in a sealed container to maintain the freshness and prevent discoloration of the foodstuff when returned to air comprises
• FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 used to transport or store a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment wherein the container is connected to an external oxygen remover 6 which removes oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container through outlet 4 and inlet 5.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 used to transport or store a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment wherein the container is connected to an internal oxygen remover 6' which removes oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 used to transport or store a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen -dependent or oxygen-labile pigment wherein the container is connected to more than one external oxygen removers 7, 8 and 9 which remove oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container, and wherein the oxygen removers are in a parallel configuration.
• the three oxygen removers are for illustration purposes only.
• the number of oxygen removers can be one, two or more.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 used to transport or store a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment wherein the container is connected to more than one external oxygen removers 7. 8 and 9 which remove oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container, and wherein the oxygen removers are in a sequential configuration.
• the three oxygen removers are for illustration purposes only.
• the number of oxygen removers can be one, two or more.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 used to transport or store a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment wherein the container is connected to one or more external oxygen removers which remove oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container and wherein at least a portion of the gas is released before treatment with the oxygen removers.
• the container further comprises a sensor 1 , which comprises an oxygen sensor and/or a temperature sensor.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a container 1 used to transport or store a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment wherein the container is connected to external oxygen removers which remove oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container and wherein at least a portion of the gas is released after treatment with the oxygen removers.
• the container further comprises a sensor 10, which comprises an oxygen sensor and/or a temperature sensor.
• oxygen-labile pigment refers to naturally occurring pigments which are susceptible to discoloration upon storage in the presence of oxygen or an oxidative condition. Examples of such pigments include carmine, beta carotene, carotenoids and paprika.
• oxygen-dependent pigment refers to naturally occurring pigments which are dependent on oxygen to express fresh color. Examples of such pigments include myoglobin and hemoglobin.
• Myoglobin is an iron- and oxygen-binding protein found in animal muscle tissues, and provides a bright red color to a foodstuff comprising myoglobin, such as red meat and tilapia. Its color depends on the state of the iron atom present in the myoglobin molecule. When the iron atom is present as Fe 2+ and associated with an oxygen molecule, the myoglobin, which is referred to as oxymyoglobin (0 2 Mb), shows the bright red color that consumers associate with fresh meat.
• the myoglobin which is referred to as myoglobin (Mb)
• myoglobin shows a purple color
• the myoglobin which is referred to as metmyoglobin (MetMb)
• Both 0 2 Mb and Mb are referred to as reduced forms of myoglobin.
• Meat products having either a purple or a brown color are not appealing to the consumers.
• the three states of myoglobin, and thus the colors, are reversible if MetMb can be reduced to Mb. In fresh meat, MetMb is reduced to Mb by enzymes.
• Mb is oxygenated to 0 2 Mb to give the bright red color when the oxygen concentration is high.
• 0 2 Mb is deoxygenated to Mb.
• Both ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4Mb and Mb can be oxidized to MetMb.
• a meat product will irreversibly lose its bright red color if the meat loses its ability to reduce MetMb to Mb.
• red meat refers to a meat product comprising myoglobin pigment.
• red meat examples include beef, pork, and lamb.
• discoloration refers to an irreversible loss of the color of a pigment that indicates the apparent freshness of a foodstuff comprising the pigment.
• the bright red color of myoglobin pigment is an indication to many consumers that a red meat is fresh.
• a red meat product that partially or completely loses the bright red color is often perceived by consumers as loss of freshness.
• an irreversible loss of the bright red color of the myoglobin pigment is referred to as discoloration.
• freshness refers to a state of a foodstuff that displays characteristics, such as a color, texture and smell, as if it is just produced.
• inert gas refers to a gas that is non-toxic and does not react with the foodstuff.
• inert gas include nitrogen, argon, krypton, helium, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and xenon.
• sealed container refers to a container whose interior is isolated from ambient atmosphere without uncontrolled introduction and/or emission of gas, except gas that may diffuse into and/or out of the container through its wall material.
• a sealed container may comprise inlets and/or outlets which, when opened, allow controlled introduction and/or emission of gas to or from the container.
• a container is considered sealed for the purpose of this invention, if the architecture of the container controls the gas content within the container.
• the architecture employs only the gas inside the container without the introduction of any further exogenous gases. That is to say that once flushing is completed, the atmosphere content is in a closed system such as depicted in FIGs. 1 -4.
• the sealed container also encompasses architecture where gas can be introduced or released under controlled conditions.
• the architecture only permits additional gas intake. This is particularly important in situations where the foodstuff absorbs gas, such as carbon dioxide.
• the intake of additional gas allows controlled gas intake into the headspace of the container.
• the architecture permits both releasing a portion of the gas outside the container and introducing a different gas into the container. Such a system permits a more rapid deoxygenating process.
• the container is considered sealed as the gaseous contents in the container are controlled and are independent of the atmosphere.
• a sealed container is a container designed to prevent ambient atmospheric gas from entering into the container except by diffusion through the container (e.g. diffusion through a flexible plastic sheet).
• "Ambient atmosphere gas" or “ambient air” refers to gas in the general atmosphere typically comprising about 78 % of nitrogen and about 21 % of oxygen.
• deoxygenation of a foodstuff or “deoxygenate of a foodstuff refers to reduction of the oxygen contained in and around the foodstuff.
• the color of a foodstuff or beverage is an important factor in whether the consumers accept or reject the product. For example, consumers usually associate the loss of the bright red color of red meat, known as loss of "bloom" in the food industry, with loss of freshness and bacterial growth. Therefore, it is important to preserve the color of a foodstuff.
• methods useful for stabilizing an oxygen-dependent or oxygen- labile pigment from discoloration, and transporting and storing foodstuffs comprising the pigment for an extended period of time are provided herein.
• a method to stabilize an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment from discoloration for a predictable period of time in a sealed container which method comprises
• a method to stabi lize an oxygen dependent or oxygen-labile pigment from discoloration for a predictable period of time in a sealed container which method comprises
• a method to stabilize myoglobin pigment of a foodstuff containing myoglobin pigment during transportation and/or storage of the foodstuff in a sealed container to maintain the freshness and prevent discoloration of the foodstuff comprises
• reduction of oxygen concentration is achieved without reducing of the internal gaseous pressure of the container by more than 50 %. In some embodiments, reduction of oxygen concentration is achieved without reducing the internal gaseous pressure by more than 25 %. In some embodiments, reduction of oxygen concentration is achieved without reducing the internal gaseous pressure by more than 5 %. In some embodiments, reduction of oxygen concentration is achieved without reducing the internal gaseous pressure. This avoids excessive pressure differentiation between inside and outside of the container.
• the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the container is reduced by operation of an oxygen removers, such as a fuel cell, which removes oxygen, and are in gaseous communication with the container.
• an oxygen removers such as a fuel cell, which removes oxygen, and are in gaseous communication with the container.
• One or more fuel cells may be contained internal or external to the container.
• the fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into water.
• the container further optionally comprises a hydrogen source internal or external to the container.
• the container further optionally comprises a holding element suitable for maintaining a hydrogen source internal or external to the container.
• the holding element for the hydrogen source in the container preferably is a box or bladder configured to hold the hydrogen source and, in some embodiments, the fuel cell.
• the hydrogen source is one or more cylinders comprising compressed hydrogen.
• the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the container is reduced by replacing the oxygen with an inert gas.
• the inert gas comprises argon, helium, and/or nitrogen, and comprises no more than 1 % of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the inert gas comprises no carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, helium and argon. In some embodiments, the inert gas is nitrogen.
• the container comprises plumbing valves and fittings for use to flush the container with the inert gas to replace the oxygen in step (1 ) and/or to flush the container with carbon dioxide to replace the inert gas in step (2).
• the inert gas or carbon dioxide used to flush the container is introduced from an inlet, the gas in the container that is replaced by the inert gas or carbon dioxide flush is released through an outlet. After the flush, the inlet and outlet are closed to maintain the atmosphere obtained by the flush.
• Gas flush and oxygen remover, such as fuel cell, operation can be done
• the container is flushed prior to turning on the oxygen remover, such as fuel cell.
• the container is flushed while the oxygen remover, such as fuel cell is in operation to remove oxygen.
• the oxygen remover, such as fuel cell may continue to remove oxygen during the transportation and/or storage.
• the oxygen remover independently removes oxygen with no introduction of gas until deoxygenation is accomplished.
• a method to stabilize myoglobin pigment of a foodstuff comprising myoglobin pigment during transportation and/or storage of the foodstuff in a sealed container to maintain the freshness and prevent discoloration of the foodstuff, which method comprises
• a method to stabilize myoglobin pigment of a foodstuff comprising myoglobin pigment during transportation and/or storage of the foodstuff in a sealed container to maintain the freshness and prevent discoloration of the foodstuff, which method comprises
• the foodstuff is added to the container before step (1 ) of the methods disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the foodstuff is added to the container after the oxygen concentration is reduced or the portion of the atmosphere of the container is replaced with a nitrogen flush step (1) of the methods disclosed herein.
• the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the sealed container is reduced to less than about 5 %, 4 %, 3 %, 2 % or 1 %, In some embodiments, the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the sealed container is reduced to less than 0.1 %. In some embodiments, the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the sealed container is reduced to less than 0.01 %.
• the foodstuff is incubated in the atmosphere of step (1) for at least about 1 hour before step (2) when the portion of the atmosphere is replaced with carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the foodstuff is incubated in the atmosphere of step (1) for at least 2 hours, 5 hours, 7 hours or at least 12 hours before step (2) when the portion of the atmosphere is replaced with carbon dioxide. 1004 1 In some embodiments of the methods, in step (2). the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the sealed container is further reduced to less than 1500 ppm, by for example, replacing the oxygen with carbon dioxide and/or operation of the fuel cell.
• step (2) at least about 60 vol. percent of the atmosphere in the container is replaced with carbon dioxide or a low oxygen gas comprising carbon dioxide.
• the low oxygen gas is a mixture of C0 2 and nitrogen or other inert gas, for example, a mixture of 60 % C0 2 and 40 % nitrogen.
• the carbon dioxide or the low oxygen gas contains less than 100, or 10 ppm oxygen.
• step (2) at least 90 vol. percent of the atmosphere in the container is replaced with carbon dioxide.
• the atmosphere of the container comprises at least 60 vol. percent carbon dioxide after completion of step (2).
• the atmosphere of the container comprises at least 90 vol. percent carbon dioxide after completion of step (2).
• the gas used is acceptable by the relevant regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "GRAS” (Generally Recognized as Safe) food grade carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
• FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• GRAS Generally Recognized as Safe
• the container is a tote comprising a flexible, collapsible or expandable material with limited oxygen permeability which does not puncture when collapsing or expanding.
• the tote can withstand or volumetrically compensate for, the internal pressure loss such as carbon dioxide absorption by the foodstuff, or pressure gain, such as reduction of barometric pressure during transport and/or shipment.
• the tote comprises an initial headspace that compensates for such absorption permitting the oxygen concentration in the tote to be maintained at a desired level and/or without creating a vacuum condition.
• the initial headspace occupies at least 30 or at least 40 volume percent of the tote.
• the initial headspace occupies about 50 volume percent of the tote. In one embodiment, the headspace is about or at least 69 vol. percent of the tote. In some embodiments, the initial headspace is from about 30% to about 95 % the internal volume of the tote. In other embodiments, the initial headspace is from about 35 % to about 40 % of the internal volume of the tote, or alternatively, the initial headspace is about 30 % to about 35 % of the internal volume of the tote, or alternatively, the initial headspace is about 35 % of the internal volume of the tote.
• the vertical architecture of the tote facilitates minimizing horizontal space requirements for shipping the maximum number of pallets side-by-side. Embodiments that spread the headspace out horizontally may not be as economically viable at a large scale in addition to not enjoying the leak resistance as long as the headspace remains positive.
• no more than about 20 % of the expansion of the tote is in the horizontal direction, with the remainder of the gaseous expansion being in the vertical direction thus creating the "head pressure" and head space height of the tote.
• the tote is configured to expand in a vertical manner creating an initial "head pressure" after the carbon dioxide flush. Initial tote head pressures can range from about 0.1 to about 1.0 inches of water column or more above atmospheric pressure.
• the flexible tote can be made more flexible in the vertical direction than in the horizontal by conventional methods, such as using more flexible material in the vertical direction.
• the totes are able to accommodate a sufficient headspace such that the tote would require no continuous oxygen monitoring and/ further periodic gas flushing after the atmosphere of the tote is replaced with a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide in step (2).
• the gas flushes with carbon dioxide in step (2) can proceed periodically for up to 72 hours, for example, 60 hours, or alternatively, 48 hours, or alternatively, 24 hours, after step (1 ).
• the initial gas flushes can proceed during the first 72 hours or less, or alternatively, the first 60 hours, or alternatively, the first 48 hours, or alternati vely, the first 24 hours, after start of step (2).
• the container is a rigid room or container.
• an inert gas such as nitrogen, or carbon dioxide can be introduced continuously or intermittently as needed to the room or container to compensate for gas absorption by the foodstuff and keep the oxygen concentration at a desired low level until the foodstuff is released for distribution.
• an oxygen remover may be operated continuously or intermittently to keep the oxygen concentration at a desired low level.
• the foodstuff is red meat. In some embodiments of the methods, the foodstuff is red meat.
• the foodstuff is beef, lamb or pork. In some embodiments, the foodstuff is fish comprising the myoglobin pigment or hemoglobin pigment. In some embodiments, the foodstuff is tilapia. In some embodiments, the foodstuff is tuna, mackerel and other seafoods.
• the methods can be used in the transporting or storing the foodstuff for a time periods in excess of 100 days.
• the transportation and/or storage is for a time period of at least 3 days.
• the transportation and/or storage is for a time period of at least 3 days.
• transportation and/or storage is for a time period of at least 5, 10, 15, 30, or 45 days.
• Oxygen may accumulate in the container during transportation and/or storage by, for example, diffusion into the container through the material of limited oxygen permeability or at the seal of the container. Oxygen may also be released by the foodstuff within the container or from containers in which the foodstuff is packaged.
• the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere of the containers is maintained at or below 1500 ppm during the transportation and/or storage by, for example, operation of the one or more fuel cells or additional flushes with a gas comprising an inert gas and/or carbon dioxide.
• the removal of oxygen can be performed continuous or periodically. If performed periodically, the removal of oxy gen can be pre-programmed according to a schedule or triggered by a preset oxygen concentration in the container.
• oxygen in the atmosphere of the container may also be removed in step (1 ) and/or step (2) by other processes, such as chemical catalytic processes.
• a device to remove oxygen such as a fuel cell or oxygen absorber, is referred to as "oxygen remover.”
• oxygen absorbers include iron containing absorbers and oxygen adsorbers, which are known in the art and are commercially available.
• Oxygen removers also include removers utilizing pressure swing adsorption methods (PSA) and membrane separation methods,
• Catalytic systems such as those utilizing elemental metal such as platinum or palladium catalysts, can be used as oxygen removers but the use of powders necessary to provide high catalytic surface area runs the risk of contamination. Nevertheless, when appropriate safeguards are used, these can be employed. Such safeguards include embedding the metal catal sts into a membrane electrode assembly such as present in PEM fuel cells.
• a system useful in transporting and/or storing of a foodstuff comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment which method comprises one or more sealable containers comprising the foodstuff.
• the system further comprises one or more fuel cells.
• the containers are in gaseous communication with one or more of fuel cells internal or external to the containers.
• One fuel cell may be in gaseous communication with one or multiple containers. Multiple containers may share one or more fuel cells external to the containers.
• the system optionally further comprises one or more hydrogen sources for operation of the fuel cells to remove oxygen.
• the system further comprises a fan. In some embodiments, the fan is powered by the fuel cell. In some embodiments, the fan is powered by another power source.
• the system further comprises an inert gas source for providing the inert gas to replace the oxygen in the container in step (1 ) of the methods provided herein.
• the inert gas comprises argon, helium, and/or nitrogen, and comprises no more than 1 %, or no more than 0.1 % of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the inert gas comprises no carbon dioxide.
• the system optionally further comprises a carbon dioxide source (including a gas source providing a low oxygen gas as described which comprises an inert gas and carbon dioxide, such as a gas comprising at least 60 % carbon dioxide and remainder is an inert gas, such as nitrogen) for providing carbon dioxide to replace at least a portion of the atmosphere in the container in step (2) of the methods provided herein.
• a carbon dioxide source including a gas source providing a low oxygen gas as described which comprises an inert gas and carbon dioxide, such as a gas comprising at least 60 % carbon dioxide and remainder is an inert gas, such as nitrogen
• the container may contain at least one inlet controlled by a valve.
• the inlet may be connected to a source of an inert gas and allows the inert gas to enter into the container to replace at least a portion of the atmosphere of the container that contains oxygen.
• the inlet is connected to a carbon dioxide source and allows carbon dioxide to enter into the container to replace at least a portion of atmosphere of the container containing a reduced concentration of oxygen.
• the inert gas source and the carbon dioxide source can be any gas source that can provide to the inlet the inert gas or carbon dioxide, respectively, such as a gas cylinder or bladder containing the gas.
• the inlet is closed when the carbon dioxide concentration in the container is sufficient to preserve the foodstuff contained in the container for a desired amount of time so as to maintain the atmosphere of the sealed container.
• the inlet used in step (1) and step (2) may be the same or different.
• the container may further comprise at least one outlet controlled by a valve which allows the gas inside the container to escape when the inert gas or carbon dioxide is introduced to the container in step (1 ) or step (2), respectively.
• the outlet is connected to one or more fuel cells and then to one or more of the inlets.
• the gas inside the container flushed out by the inert gas is passed through the one or more fuel cells to remove the oxygen from the gas.
• the gas with oxygen removed can be an inert gas source and is then reintroduced to the container through the inlet that is connected to the one or more fuel cells. Other oxygen removers can be used to replace the fuel cell.
• container 1 containing a foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment is connected to an external oxygen remover 6 via outlet 4 and inlet 5.
• Gas inside the container is released through outlet 4 and treated with oxygen remover 6 which removes oxygen from the gas.
• the resulting gas with reduced oxygen concentration is reintroduced into container 1 through inlet 5.
• container 1 comprises an internal oxygen remover 6' which removes oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of the container.
• oxygen remover 6' is a hydrogen fuel cell
• the hydrogen source 11 can be either internal or external to the container.
• container 1 containing foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment is connected to more than one external oxygen removers 7, 8 and 9.
• the oxygen removers are in a parallel configuration, each treating a portion of the gas released from outlet 4 to remove the oxygen.
• the resulting gas is combined and reintroduced into container 1 through inlet 5.
• container 1 containing foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment is connected to more than one external oxygen removers 7. 8 and 9.
• the oxygen removers are in a sequential configuration, so that oxygen remover 7 removes a portion of the oxygen, oxygen removers 8 further removes additional oxygen, and so forth. After treatment with the last oxygen remover in the series, the resulting gas is reintroduced into container 1 through inlet 5.
• container 1 containing foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen-dependent or oxygen-labile pigment is connected to external oxygen removers which remove oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of container 1. After the gas is treated with the oxygen removers, at least a portion of the gas is released though opening 12.
• container 1 containing foodstuff 2 comprising an oxygen dependent or oxygen-labile pigment is connected to externa] oxygen removers which remove oxygen from the atmosphere 3 of container 1. Before the gas is treated with the oxygen removers, at least a portion of the gas is released though opening 12.
• the fuel cell is a hydrogen fuel cell.
• a ''hydrogen fuel cell is any device capable of converting oxygen and hydrogen into water.
• the complete fuel cell is internal to the tote. This can be achieved by having a hydrogen source internal or external to the container.
• the anode of the fuel cell is in communication with the hydrogen source. This hydrogen source permits generation of protons and electrons.
• the cathode of the fuel cell is in communication with the environment in the container (the oxygen source). In the presence of oxygen, the protons and electrons generated by the anode interact with the oxygen present at the cathode to generate water.
• the hydrogen source for the fuel cell is either a bladder hydrogen source, a rigid container hydrogen source, or a gaseous mixture comprising carbon dioxide and less than 5% by volume hydrogen.
• the hydrogen source is contained within a rigid container, such as a gas cylinder.
• the hydrogen source is a compressed or uncompressed hydrogen source.
• the hydrogen source is uncompressed, which, for example, has a pressure of not greater than 40 psia. Compressed hydrogen sources are preferably maintained at a pressure of no greater than 10,000 psia.
• the hydrogen source is in direct communication with the anode of the hydrogen fuel cell in such a manner as to provide hydrogen for the duration of the transporting or storage time.
• the hydrogen source is generated by a chemical reaction.
• methods of chemically generating hydrogen are well known in the art and include generation of hydrogen by an electrolytic process, including methods using PEM electrolyzers, alkaline electrolyzers using sodium or potassium hydroxide, solid oxide electrolyzers, and generation of hydrogen from sodium borohydride.
• the hydrogen is generated so that the hydrogen is made available to the anode of the fuel cell.
• the hydrogen source is a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen present in the environment of the container.
• the gaseous mixture preferably comprises carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
• the gaseous mixture comprises nitrogen and hydrogen.
• the gaseous mixture comprises hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. It is contemplated that other inert gases can be present in the gaseous mixture.
• the amount of hydrogen present in the gaseous mixture is less than 10% hydrogen by volume, less than 5% hydrogen by volume, or less than 2% hydrogen by volume.
• the fuel cell comprises a carbon dioxide remover in direct communication with the sealed anode component of the fuel cell.
• Carbon dioxide has the potential to permeate across the PEM to anode plate, thereby interfering with hydrogen access to the anode plate. Removal of some or all of the carbon dioxide from the anode plate of the fuel cell by the carbon dioxide remover allows increased access to the fuel cell by hydrogen and thus increasing the fuel cells ability to remove oxygen from the container environment.
• the carbon dioxide remover comprises hydrated lime.
• the hydrated lime is contained in a filter cartridge that is in vapor communication with the fuel cell anode so that the carbon dioxide present at anode plate of the fuel cell comes into contact and with and is absorbed to the hydrated lime.
• a particular embodiment comprises two hydrated lime filter cartridges, each in vapor communication with an anode outlet. The hydrated lime filters facilitate removal of carbon dioxide from the anode plate of the fuel cell.
• the container or the system optionally further comprises a holding element suitable for maintaining the hydrogen source so as the hydrogen source is held stably within the container or the system.
• the holding element is a box configured to stably hold the hydrogen source, and optionally the fuel cell.
• the holding element is a sleeve affixed to an internal wall of the container. This sleeve is capable of holding a bladder-containing hydrogen source or rigid container hydrogen source as well as other containers suitable for containing a hydrogen source. In either event, the hydrogen source is in direct communication with the anode of the fuel cell.
• Water generated by a hydrogen fuel cell may be released into the container, for example, to a water-holding apparatus, such as a tray or tank, configured to collect the water as it is generated by the fuel cell.
• the container may contain desiccant or absorbent material that is used to absorb and contain the water. Suitable desiccants and absorbent materials are well known in the art.
• the water may alternatively be vented outside of the container, thus providing a suitable environment for the storage and transportation of goods that are optimally stored in dr environments.
• the container further comprises a fan.
• the fan is powered by the fuel cell. In some embodiments, the fan is powered by another power source.
• the system may also contain other oxygen removers.
• the container is a rigid room or container described herein. [0084] In some embodiments, the container is a tote described herein.
• the flexible, collapsible or expandable tote materials for use in this invention are those having limited oxygen permeability.
• Materials of limited oxygen permeability preferably have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of less than 10 cubic centimeters/ 100 square inch/24 hours/atm, more preferable materials of limited oxygen permeability are materials having an OTR of less than 5 cubic centimeters/100 square inch/24 hours/atm, even more preferably materials of limited oxygen permeability materials having an OTR of less than 2 cubic centimeters/ 100 square inch/24 hours/atm; most preferably materials of limited oxygen pemieability are materials having an OTR of less than 1 cubic centimeters/100 square inch/24 hours/atm.
• OTR oxygen transmission rate
• the container and/or the system may further comprise a temperature control system.
• a temperature control system such as cooling system, for maintaining a temperature of the container sufficient to preserve the color of the pigment and freshness of the foodstuff.
• Such temperatures would depend on the nature of the pigment and/or the foodstuff, and can be determined by one of skill in the art.
• the temperature is generally maintained in a range of about 32-38 °F, a range of 32-35 °F, or a range of 32-33°F or 28-32°F. Variation in the temperature is allowed as long as the 54480
• temperature is maintained within a range to preserve the foodstuff and the color of the pigment.
• the container optionally contains monitors to monitor and/or record oxygen levels, hydrogen levels, fuel cell operation, and temperature, etc.
• an oxygen sensor for example, a trace oxygen sensor (Tcledyne)
• the oxygen monitor may trigger operation of the oxygen remover and/or provide an alert when the oxygen level in the container exceeds a predetermined level.
• the container further comprises a box comprising one or more of these monitors.
• the box further optionally comprises a visible indicator, such as an LED light, which indicates problems of the devices in the box so that the problematic device or the box can be immediately replaced before sealing the tote.
• the box also alerts users on arrival of system if oxygen or temperature (time and temperature) limits are exceeded, for example, using wireless communication, such as radio frequency transmission, along with a visible indicator, such as a red LED light.
• the container or system is configured to minimize the exposure of the foodstuff to hydrogen present in the environment. This can be achieved by removing the excess hydrogen in the container or system by mechanical methods, such as shut off valves or flow restrictors to modulate, chemical methods, or combinations thereof. Examples of chemical methods of removing hydrogen include the use of a hydrogen sink comprised of polymers or other compounds that absorb hydrogen.
• the compounds can be present in the container or can be in direct communication with the cathode of the fuel cell.
• Flo of hydrogen can be controlled by using an oxygen sensor connected to the hydrogen source such that hydrogen flow is minimized or eliminated when the level of oxygen falls below a minimum set point.
• the system or containers are configured so as to be suitable for transporting and/or storing in a shipping freighter.
• a shipping freighter means any vehicle that can be used to transport and/or store the system including, but not limited to.
• One or more containers can be used in a single shipping freighter and each can be configured to have a different gaseous environment as well as a different foodstuff.
• the containers can be delivered to the same or different site(s).
• the size of each container can be different.
• the containers may hold as little as a few ounces of foodstuff to as much as, or greater than, 50,000 pounds, or tons of foodstuff. In some embodiments, the container can hold about 500 pounds, about 1000 pounds, or about 2000 pounds of foodstuff.
• the number of packaging modules per system depends both on the size of the shipping freighter used to transport and/or store the foodstuff and the size of the containers.
• Tilapia fillets were stored in the following example. Tilapia fillets contain "blood lines" with a bright red color due to the presence of myoglobin pigment. If upon storage, the myoglobin becomes irreversibly discolored, the blood lines of the tilapia fillets would lose the bright red color and the fish would not appear fresh.
• Container 1 and Container 2 were placed about 1 metric ton of fresh chilled tilapia fillets packaged in 60 boxes per container (and average of 1 12 fillets per box) at about 32 °F (0 °C) in Canas, Costa Rica.
• Container 2 was initially flushed with nitrogen with simultaneous fuel cell operation to remove oxygen.
• Container 1 was initially flushed with carbon dioxide with simultaneous fuel cell operation to remove oxygen.
• the oxygen concentration in both containers reached below 0.5 % at the end of the initial flush.
• the containers were kept for 1 1 to 12 hours at which time the oxygen concentration rose to just under about 1 % in both containers. Both containers were then flushed with carbon dioxide until the oxygen concentration was below 0.1 %.
• the containers were held for 30 days.
• the containers were opened and the tilapia fillets inside the containers were observed for freshness.
• the tilapia fillets in Container 2 had bright red blood lines and were indistinguishable in all aspects from tilapia fillets that were just prepared.
• the blood lines of the tilapia fillets in Container 1 became a brown color which made the fish look unfresh.

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• 2012
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