Question:
Which of the following gases used in modified atmosphere packaging is an inert filler gas being more soluble and denser than nitrogen and is able to remove \(O_2\) from the reactive sites more efficiently?
Which of the following gases used in modified atmosphere packaging is an inert filler gas being more soluble and denser than nitrogen and is able to remove \(O_2\) from the reactive sites more efficiently?
Show Hint
Argon is used in premium MAP applications because its high density and solubility allow it to displace oxygen from micro-pores and active enzymatic sites on food surfaces more effectively than nitrogen.
Updated On: Jul 23, 2026
- Carbon dioxide
- Argon
- Carbon monoxide
- Ozone
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) involves replacing the air inside a food package with a gas mixture designed to slow down chemical deterioration and microbial growth.
The gases most commonly used in MAP are carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen, but noble gases are also utilized for specific high-performance applications.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the properties of the gases used in MAP:
- Carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)): Acts as a direct antimicrobial agent, but is highly soluble in water and can cause package collapse if used alone.
- Nitrogen (\(\text{N}_2\)): Acts as an inert filler gas to prevent package collapse, but has low density and solubility in water.
- Argon (\(\text{Ar}\)): This is an inert noble gas.
- It is heavier/denser than nitrogen and has a higher density than oxygen.
- It is also more soluble in water and fats than nitrogen.
- Because of these physical properties, argon is highly effective at displacing oxygen from food surfaces, pores, and micro-reactive sites.
- This allows it to blanket the food product more effectively, suppressing enzymatic oxidation and oxidative spoilage.
Therefore, argon is the inert filler gas described.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The gas used in MAP that is denser and more soluble than nitrogen is argon. Hence, the correct option is (B).
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) involves replacing the air inside a food package with a gas mixture designed to slow down chemical deterioration and microbial growth.
The gases most commonly used in MAP are carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen, but noble gases are also utilized for specific high-performance applications.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the properties of the gases used in MAP:
- Carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)): Acts as a direct antimicrobial agent, but is highly soluble in water and can cause package collapse if used alone.
- Nitrogen (\(\text{N}_2\)): Acts as an inert filler gas to prevent package collapse, but has low density and solubility in water.
- Argon (\(\text{Ar}\)): This is an inert noble gas.
- It is heavier/denser than nitrogen and has a higher density than oxygen.
- It is also more soluble in water and fats than nitrogen.
- Because of these physical properties, argon is highly effective at displacing oxygen from food surfaces, pores, and micro-reactive sites.
- This allows it to blanket the food product more effectively, suppressing enzymatic oxidation and oxidative spoilage.
Therefore, argon is the inert filler gas described.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The gas used in MAP that is denser and more soluble than nitrogen is argon. Hence, the correct option is (B).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top ICAR AIEEA Dairy Technology Questions
- As per legal standards (FSSR, 2011), the acidity (%LA) of chakka should not be more than:
- Which of the following food additive is permitted as preservative in paneer?
- Given below are four statements:
Statement (I) : Homogenisation breaks down fat globules in milk into smaller entities.
Statement (II) : Homogenisation breaks down fat globules and casein micelles in milk into smaller entities.
Statement (III) : Homogenisation slightly increases viscosity of milk.
Statement (IV) : Homogenisation improves the appearance of milk.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below. - With regard to temperature of operation, place the following unit operations in sequence in an increasing order of temperature:
(i) Sterilisation
(ii) Thermisation
(iii) Homogenisation
(iv) Bactofugation and
(v) HTST pasteurization.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below : - “Narampak” and “karapak” refer to varieties of sandesh with reference to which of the following parameters ?
View More Questions
Top ICAR AIEEA Food Safety Questions
- Which of the following is not used as sterilants for membranes ?
- Which of the following is the system that relies on process controls to minimize food safety risks in the dairy processing industry?
- Which of the following is a correct abbreviation for SCADA?
- Which of the following is a correct abbreviation for OPRP?
- Which of the following packaging forms is referred to as "3D packaging and food service article that is manufactured from an aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibres and formed into discrete products on screened moulds"?
View More Questions
Top ICAR AIEEA Questions
- Which of the following statements is false?
- Which of the following is an example of an inventory?
- According to Adam Smith, productivity gains could be brought about through .
- The supply curve for an artificially scarce good is .
- Which of the following would not be considered an opportunity cost of paid employment?
View More Questions