The preservation of packaged food against oxidative degradation is essential to establish and improve food shelf life, customer acceptability, and increase food security. Oxygen absorbers have an important role in the removal of dissolved oxygen, preserving the color, texture and aroma of different food products, and importantly inhibition of food spoilage microbes.
oxygen absorbers remain a staple product for the preservation of food and pharmaceutical products to reduce food wastage in developed nations and increased food security in the developing & third world.
How does Oxygen Absorber Work?
 Oxygen absorbers are small packets that contain an iron powder. The packets are made of a material that allows oxygen and moisture to enter but does not allow the iron powder to leak out. The Oxygen Absorbers are safe to place on top of the food. The iron powder is coated with chemical and it reacts with the oxygen in the air which cause the iron powder to rust. The absorbing process stops when all the iron powder has oxidized, this is when the oxygen absorbers are “loaded”. They become warm to the touch when they are working. Minimum of 4 hours is required to achieve its rated maximum absorption.
There are various applications of oxygen absorbers:
- Preserves food
It is the most common application of oxygen absorber. It used by many food industries to cut down the oxygen in packed or sealed products. As a result, it doesn’t allow the bacteria to grow in this environment. It removes oxygen more effectively than the vacuum packaging.
- Extends the life of pharmaceuticals
The little bag of oxygen absorber has many applications in pharmaceuticals. The oxygen absorber helps medicines to last long by reducing the oxygen level in the pack.
- Medical diagnostic kits and devices
It is widely used in medical diagnostic kits and devices. The reason is that it keeps away the oxygen which creates a healthy environment for bacteria to grow. Also using it in medical kits helps them from rusting.
- Artwork preservation
Keeping oxygen away helps to maintain a pest-free environment. When it comes to preserving the artwork especially in museums the oxygen absorber plays an important role.
- For Freeze Dried Products
In the process of Freeze-drying or low-temperature dehydration process, there are chances of microbial growth in the product. Though it is restrained by the low moisture conditions, but if the product is not properly packaged or stored, the product can absorb moisture, allowing the once inhibited pathogens to grow. So to prevent such situation the oxygen absorbers are used.
HENCE EXCELLENT QUALITY IRON IS NEED TO MAKE THE HIGH-QUALITY OXYGEN ABSORBERS.
When it comes with iron that would use for certain food and pharma products, it is necessity to use the food and pharma grade iron form to get the safe quality of oxygen absorbers for any type risk to the packed products. For this the most preferable form of iron is available with the world best and largest manufacturer of food and pharma grades of iron powders produced by Industrial Metal Powders (I) Pvt Ltd, Pune, India.
We make the special grades for oxygen absorbers considering the particle size, its chemistry, GMP & HACCP practices to get the right product to get better performance.
Due to its 40 plus years experienced, highly technical expertise team, only ISO 22000 certified company, excellent quality control set up, capacity to provide bulk quantity, IMP has the potential to fulfill the requirement for supplying the safe product for the applications.
Conclusion:
One of the main ingredients in oxygen absorbers is Iron powder. Hence, it is very important to get stable source of iron for manufacturing oxygen absorbers for various packed products to increase shelf life, avoid contamination etc. In the last one to two decades, the use of iron powder as an oxygen absorber has been widely accepted by the customers as they are natural and do not harm the quality of the product. IMP produces the most stable form of high purity iron specifically for oxygen absorbers.
For your requirement for high purity iron, please do visit IMP @ CPHI, Grater Noida on 26-28th Nov 19 @ HALL 2A-10 or contact on marketing@imp-india.com
