product surface due to the screening effect of the packaging material,
pineapple sticks packaging before exposure to UV-C light did
not impair the decontamination efficacy of the treatment. Samples
were submitted to analyses of colour, off-odours perception and
consumer preference. No significant differences in the evolution of
these properties were detected in the samples packaged in PA/PE
pouches before UV-C light treatment as compared to those
observed in the samples exposed to UV-C light before packaging in
both trays and in pouches.
4. Conclusions
UV-C light treatments were shown to exert a high potential for
shelf life extension by decreasing microbial growth during storage.
The treatment resulted efficacious even when the product was
packaged before exposure to light, potentially allowing to prevent
post-treatment contaminations during processing. However, it is
evident that this goal requires packaging single fruit sticks to avoid
shadowing effects among food items. In addition, it is necessary to
adopt unprinted packaging materials allowing transmittance of
UV-C light and consider the application of a label or a secondary
printable package to provide the consumer with the necessary
information.
Acknowledgement
This research was supported by Ministero dell’Istruzione,
dell’Universita e della Ricerca (Prot. 957/ric 28/12/2012) “Long Life,
High Sustainability”. Project 2012ZN3KJL.