Application of fluorescence in measuring oxygen concentration in packages
KOZAK W.

Please cite as: CHEMIK 2011, 65, 7, 627-632

The surplus of oxygen content in the package is a serious problem considering the quality of packed products, in particular food products. In the majority of cases, oxygen is a factor stimulating unfavourable changes which are manifested by deterioration of sensory properties, reduction of nutritional value, and even reduction of health safety of food products. Thus, the possibility to control oxygen content in the package in order to assess conditions and indirectly the state of packed product is important. This paper presents one of brand new methods of oxygen measurements in the package involving the fluorescence phenomenon. The principle of operation of an exemplary system consisted of a photoactive sensor placed inside the package and the measurement probe exciting this sensor, and simultaneously enabling the measurement of the fluorescence intensity of the sensor depending on oxygen content in its surrounding, will be explained. Also, the potential applications of this system which are far beyond the possibilities of previously applied methods of oxygen concentration measurements will be presented.

Keywords: quenching time of fluorescence, optic sensor, packaging, modified atmosphere packaging MAP, measurement of oxygen content, oxygen permeabilit