A.I. Peter- Ikechukwu
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
N.C. Ihediohanma
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
E.N. Bede
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
J.C. Ibeabuchi
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
U.O. Abaleke
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The effects of the physical characteristics of polyethylene packaging materials on the storage stability (keeping quality) of preservative-free plantain chips at ambient temperature (30-37°C) were studied. Physical characteristics and proximate composition of the raw unripe horn plantain were determined to assess the suitability of the plantain in chips making and yield. The plantains were sliced to 2 mm thickness, blanched with hot water at 60°C, drained and salted to taste. The slices were fried to chips with an unbranded vegetable oil (commonly used by local producers) at 160-170°C for 3-5 min, drained, cooled and packaged in five different polyethylene bags labeled "A to E", sealed, respectively and kept on the shelve. Proximate analysis, microbial and sensory evaluations were carried out on the chips at intervals of two weeks for five weeks. Results showed that polyethylene bag C" (6.0 μm thick, hazy and of high density) retained the sensory attributes, nutrient composition and had lower total viable, mould and yeast counts, followed by polyethylene "A" (4 μm thick, very transparent and of low density) while "E" (1.1 μm, very transparent and low density) was the least in all the parameters analyzed.
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How to cite this article
A.I. Peter- Ikechukwu, N.C. Ihediohanma, E.N. Bede, J.C. Ibeabuchi and U.O. Abaleke, 2014. Effects of Physical Characteristics of Polyethylene Packaging Materials on Storage Stability of Preservative Free Plantain Chips. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 13: 716-721.
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2014.716.721
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2014.716.721
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2014.716.721
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2014.716.721
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