El Helio En Atmosferas Modificadas

Helium in Modified Atmospheres

Helium (He) is a gas extremely lightweight and is the smaller in molecular size, between the noble gases. Its reduced dimensions allow it to leave the interior ofpackages through very small holes. The Helium serves as a gas tracer in the detection of micro leaks in packaging in modified protective atmosphere.

The atmosphere may contain only a gas or amixture of several of them. It's the same gases present in the air (table 1) although they are combined in a different proportion for use in packaging. The choice of one or another supply system variesdepending on the type of food, the volume of gas consumed for packaging, used machinery, the use of gas elsewhere in the line of production (freezing), the logistics of the enterprise, etc.

Table N1Helium | Physics properties | VENTAJAS | DESVENTAJAS |
| Uncolored | Inert | It promotes the growth of anaerobes microorganisms |
| Inodorous | Moves the oxygen | |
| Insipid | Inhibitaerobes | |
| Insoluble | It prevents the oxidation of fats | |
| | Avoid the collapse of the packaging | |

The noble gases, notably helium, are characterized by their non-existentreactivity; they are neither flammable nor explosive. Its handling is simple and Spanish legislation authorizes the use of some of them (argon and helium) as additives. They are used as substitutes for thenitrogen packaging in protective atmosphere of meat products, fruit and vegetables minimally processed beverages, fresh pasta, nuts and snacks. It is an inert compound i.e. that does not reactchemically with other substances and is also a very low solubility. Taking advantage of his little reactive nature this gas is used as a substitute for oxygen. Shift to the O2 in the head of the packagingspace in order to avoid the development of aerobic microorganisms and oxidation problems. It also acts as protective padding atmosphere gas that prevents the collapse of the container where takes place...