Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 15/10/2013 20:30:02

Title: What can be put in packets of salad so they keep longer?
Post by: thedoc on 15/10/2013 20:30:02

Roger Hartley  asked the Naked Scientists:
   I hope in the near future to start growing  salads using hydroponics and marketing prepared green salads. We live at Hopefield on the West Coast in RSA and it can get hot.

Is there anything that I can add to the sealed packet in which the salad is contained to preserve it longer ? Perhaps CO2? And how would I produce it ?

Cheers

Roger

What do you think?

Title: Re: What can be put in packets of salad so they keep longer?
Post by: chiralSPO on 16/10/2013 02:54:45

I would not recommend CO2, as it dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, which can catalyze some of the reactions that cause food to go off. If you used any gas that is very dry (I mean no water) your salad will wilt very quickly. An inert gas like argon might do the trick (as long is it's wet enough to keep the salad crisp), but honestly, good old fashioned air is probably fine--you just need to eat those greens soon enough!

Title: Re: What can be put in packets of salad so they keep longer?
Post by: RD on 16/10/2013 03:25:34

Nitrogen is used ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_atmosphere

Title: Re: What can be put in packets of salad so they keep longer?
Post by: CliffordK on 16/10/2013 04:39:11

I was going to suggest Nitrogen, and make sure you get a good seal. 

How much are you doing?  For commercial or personal use?

Can one use a medical oxygen concentrator backwards to concentrate Nitrogen?