2.5. Antioxidant packaging
An alternative to oxygen scavenging to prevent food oxidation by
active packaging is the inclusion of antioxidants in packaging materials.
Oxidative processes are one of the primary mechanisms of quality
deterioration in meat and meat products (Liu, Dai, Zhu, & Li, 2010).
Thus, different antioxidants have been used successfully to inhibit
oxidation in muscle foods (Mitsumoto, O'Grad, Kerry, & Buckley,
2005). However, the incorporation of antioxidants in food formulations
may affect food quality parameters such as colour or taste and there is
a consumer preference for exclusion of additives in foods. Active packaging
represents an innovative strategy to incorporate antioxidants in
a polymer to prevent oxidative processes and extend the shelf life of
food products. Bolumar, Andersen, and Orlien (2011) identified several
advantages of this technology compared with direct addition of
antioxidants such as lower amounts of active substances required,
localized activity, controlled release of antioxidants, and elimination of
processing steps such as mixing, immersion or spraying. Antioxidant
agents can be applied into the packaging systems in different forms