Abstract

Providing a package that can actively participate in prolonging the product shelf life of orange juice adds value, both financially and nutritionally, to the product and to the package. The code date and shelf life of orange juice is in part determined by the ability of the product to maintain the level of vitamin C as stated on the nutritional label. Vitamin C deteriorates in the presence of oxygen; therefore, removal of oxygen from the package will decelerate the process of oxidation thereby diminishing the loss of vitamin C and prolonging the quality of the orange juice. The refrigerated shelf life of orange juice packaged in a polyethylene-coated paperboard gable top carton generally has a limited shelf life of three weeks. The addition of an oxygen barrier layer, such as nylon, on the inside structure of the carton can extend the shelf life of orange juice to 6 weeks. It has been our finding that at eight weeks orange juice packaged in a gable top carton with an Oxygen Scavenger (OSPTM) lining maintained 35% more vitamin C than the standard barrier carton. This is a significant packaging improvement and indicates that extending shelf stability beyond the eight week test period is possible by incorporating the OSPTM system.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Cartons--Design and construction; Orange juice--Packaging; Food--Shelf-life dating

Publication Date

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Packaging Science(MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Packaging Science (CAST)

Advisor

Thomas P. Commeau

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at TS1200 .C48 2005

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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