Preserving Food with Desiccants and Oxygen Absorbers

Understanding Desiccants

Desiccants are substances used to absorb moisture from the surrounding environment. They are made of silica gel, activated charcoal, molecular sieves, or activated clay. By absorbing excess moisture, desiccants create a dry environment, which helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould, and other microorganisms responsible for food spoilage.

Silica gel, one of the most widely used desiccants, is composed of small, porous beads that can absorb up to 40% of their weight in moisture. It is non-toxic, chemically stable, and easily available, making it a popular choice for preserving food.

Preserving Food with Desiccants

1. Extending Shelf Life: Desiccants are useful for preserving perishable food items such as dried fruits, nuts, jerky, and spices. By reducing moisture levels in the packaging, desiccants help prevent the growth of bacteria and mould, effectively extending the shelf life of these products.
2. Retaining Flavor and Texture: Moisture can adversely affect various food items’ flavour, texture, and overall quality. When exposed to excess humidity, products like biscuits, cookies, and bread become stale or lose their crispness. Incorporating desiccants in the packaging can minimise these moisture-related issues, ensuring that snacks and baked goods retain their desired characteristics for longer.
3. Protecting Pharmaceuticals and Supplements: Desiccants also play a vital role in preserving pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Many medications and vitamins are sensitive to moisture, which can degrade their potency. Storing these products with desiccants prevents moisture absorption, helping maintain their effectiveness and shelf life.
4. Preventing Clumping: Food items such as powdered spices, sugar, and salt are prone to clumping when exposed to moisture. These clumps affect the texture and make it difficult to measure and use the ingredients accurately. Including desiccants in the packaging can help prevent clumping, ensuring that these essential kitchen staples remain free-flowing and easily usable.

Proper Usage of Desiccants

While desiccants are highly effective at preserving food, they must be used correctly to achieve optimal results. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Choose the Right Type and Quantity: Different desiccants have varying moisture absorption capacities. It is essential to select the appropriate type and quantity based on the specific needs of the preserved food item. Desiccant manufacturers often provide guidelines on their products’ suitable desiccant type and quantity.
2. Packaging Considerations: Desiccants work best when used in airtight containers or packaging that limits the entry of moisture. Ensure that the packaging is clean, dry, and properly sealed to maximize the effectiveness of the desiccant.
3. Placement and Renewal: Place the desiccant in an enclosed packaging. Depending on the moisture content of the environment and the product being preserved, desiccants may need to be replaced periodically to maintain their moisture-absorbing capacity.

Preserving food with desiccants offers a simple yet effective method to extend shelf life, maintain freshness, and protect the quality of various food items.

By absorbing excess moisture, desiccants inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, prevent clumping, and retain flavour and texture.  When used correctly, desiccants can reduce food waste and ensure that snacks, spices, and perishable products stay fresh for longer periods.

Understanding Oxygen Absorbers

Oxygen absorbers are packets filled with iron powder, sodium, and activated charcoal. The iron powder reacts with oxygen when exposed to air, causing it to oxidize and form rust.

This chemical process effectively reduces the oxygen levels within the packaging, creating an unfavourable environment for aerobic microorganisms, such as bacteria, mould, and yeast growth. By removing oxygen, oxygen absorbers help preserve food items’ quality, taste, and nutritional value.

Preserving Food with Oxygen Absorbers

1. Extending Shelf Life: One of the primary benefits of using oxygen absorbers is their ability to extend the shelf life of various food products. Oxygen is a critical factor in the deterioration of food, as it promotes the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms and accelerates the oxidation of fats and oils. By creating a low-oxygen environment, oxygen absorbers effectively slow down these processes, allowing food items like grains, dried fruits, pasta, and snacks to stay fresh and edible for longer.
2. Maintaining Flavor and Quality: Oxidation not only affects the shelf life of food but also impacts its taste, aroma, and overall quality. Fats and oils can become rancid, causing an unpleasant taste and odour. Oxygen absorbers help prevent this oxidation process by reducing the oxygen levels in the packaging, thereby maintaining the preserved food’s natural flavours and sensory attributes. Whether it’s spices, coffee beans, or dehydrated foods, oxygen absorbers help retain the desired taste and quality.
3. Preventing Color Changes: Exposure to oxygen can lead to discolouration in certain food products. For example, dried fruits and vegetables may lose their vibrant colours and turn brown when oxidized. By eliminating oxygen, oxygen absorbers inhibit the enzymatic reactions responsible for these colour changes, helping the preserved food retain its visual appeal and marketability.
4. Inhibiting Insect Infestation: Insects and pests often find their way into stored food, causing contamination and spoilage. Oxygen absorbers act as a deterrent to insects, as many pests require oxygen to survive. By reducing the oxygen levels, these absorbers create an unfavourable environment for insects, helping to protect the integrity and safety of the stored food.

Proper Usage of Oxygen Absorbers

To ensure the effective use of oxygen absorbers, consider the following guidelines:

1. Selecting the Correct Absorber: Different types of oxygen absorbers are available in the market, each with a specific capacity to absorb oxygen. Choosing the right size and type of absorber is crucial based on the volume and oxygen requirements of the food item being preserved. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the appropriate absorber for specific products.
2. Packaging Considerations: To maximize the efficiency of oxygen absorbers, it is essential to use proper packaging. Oxygen absorbers work best in airtight containers that prevent the re-entry of oxygen. Choose packaging materials such as Mylar bags, vacuum-sealed bags, or glass jars that provide a tight seal to keep the low-oxygen environment intact.
3. Handling and Storage: When using oxygen absorbers, ensure the area is clean and dry to prevent contamination. Unused oxygen absorbers should be stored in airtight containers away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. This helps preserve their effectiveness for future use.

Oxygen absorbers are a remarkable tool in food preservation, providing an effective and reliable method to extend the shelf life of various food items.

By reducing oxygen levels within the packaging, oxygen absorbers inhibit the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms, prevent oxidation, and maintain preserved foods’ flavour, quality, and appearance. Incorporating oxygen absorbers into your food storage routine can significantly reduce waste and ensure fresh, nutritious food is available for an extended period.