Biogenic amine absorber

Abstract

The invention relates to a package for protein containing foods comprising a sealable food covering and, in the interior of the covering, a permeable container wherein an absorbent is in the permeable container and the absorbent comprises an acid that substantially irreversibly reacts with biogenic amines within the covering to form a salt or an amide that is without objectionable odor or toxicity.

1 . A package for protein containing foods comprising a sealable food covering and, in the interior of the covering, a permeable container wherein an absorbent is in the permeable container and the absorbent comprises an acid that substantially irreversibly reacts with biogenic amines within the covering to form a salt or an amide that is without objectionable odor or toxicity. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the biogenic amine in the covering consists of at least one member selected from the group of trimethylamine, tyramine, tryptamine, phenylamine, histamine, tryptamine, phenylamine, putrescine, phenylethylamine, agmatine, spermidine, spermine, and cadaverine. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the acid comprises hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the acid consists of at least one member selected from the group of citric acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, and sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent is sufficient to reduce biogenic amines to less than 10 ppb when a closely wrapped 4 ounce piece of fish is stored at 40° for seven days. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent is sufficient to reduce biogenic amines to less than 5 ppb when a closely wrapped 4 ounce piece of fish is stored at 40° for seven days. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the acid is absorbed onto a carrier consisting of at least one of activated carbon, silica gel, feldspar and molecular sieve. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the food covering comprises a moisture impermeable polymer sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The Package of  claim 1  wherein the permeable container is a gas permeable but water impermeable container. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 9  wherein the permeable container is a sachet. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the acid is absorbed onto a carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the permeable container is adhered to the inside of the food covering. 
     
     
         13 . A food package comprising a sealed food covering, a protein containing food in the covering, and a permeable container in the covering, wherein an absorbent is in the permeable container and the absorbent comprises an acid that substantially irreversibly reacts with biogenic amines to form a salt or an amide that is without objectionable odor or toxicity. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the biogenic amine in the covering consists of at least one member selected from the group of trimethylamine, tyramine, tryptamine, phenylamine, histamine, tryptamine, phenylamine, putrescine, phenylethylamine, agmatine, spermidine, spermine, and cadaverine. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the acid comprises hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the acid consists of at least one member selected from the group of citric acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, and sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the absorbent is sufficient to reduce biogenic amines to less than 10 ppb when a 4 ounce piece of fish is stored at 40° for seven days. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the absorbent is sufficient to reduce biogenic amines to less than 5 ppb when a 4 ounce piece of fish is stored at 40° for seven days. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the acid is absorbed onto a carrier consisting of at least one of activated carbon, silica gel, feldspar and molecular sieve. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the food covering comprises a moisture impermeable polymer sheet. 
     
     
         21 . The Package of  claim 13  wherein the permeable container is gas permeable but water impermeable container. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 21  wherein the permeable container is a sachet. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the acid is absorbed onto a carrier. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the permeable container is adhered to the inside of the food covering.