2.1. Sample and packaging
Raw poultry meat sausages in natural casing of 15 mm diameter,
packed into PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) trays conditioned under
modified atmosphere (selected gas mixture 50%/50% (CO2/N2)) were
purchased from a local producer, and used as experimental material.
Poultry sausages contained poultry meat (78%), pork fat,water, glucose,
acidifying agents and antioxidants, nitrite salt, and a mixture of spices
and natural aromas with a shelf-life of fifteen days. One hundred and
forty four trays with sausages from the same batch were unpacked
and divided into two equal groups of 72 trays and re-packed into
PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) trays. Seventy-two trays were
conditioned under modified atmosphere composed of a selected
gas mixture 50%/50% (CO2/N2). The other 72 trays were packed
under air. PET trays with sausages were wrapped by heat-sealing in
a thin high barrier polyester-based film (PET/EVOH (Co-polymer of
Ethylene and Vinyl alcohol)/PE (PolyEthylene)). The physical properties
of the packaging were as follows: oxygen transmission
rate b5 cm3/m2·24 h−1·bar−1, CO2 transmission rate b25 cm3/m2·