Activated carbon removes ethylene and preserves food
As a porous material, activated carbon is widely used in various fields due to its huge specific surface area and strong adsorption capacity, one of which is food preservation. Ethylene (C2H4) is a plant hormone that can accelerate the ripening and aging process of fruits and vegetables. By using activated carbon to remove ethylene gas in the storage environment, the shelf life of fruits and veget
1. Basic principles of activated carbon Activated carbon is a carbon material treated by a special process with a developed pore structure and a huge specific surface area. Its main adsorption effect comes from its microporous structure, which can effectively capture and adsorb gas molecules, solutes in liquids and suspended solids. The adsorption capacity of activated carbon is closely related to its specific surface area, pore size distribution, surface chemical properties, etc. In the field of gas adsorption, activated carbon is usually used to remove toxic gases, odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Its adsorption mechanism mainly includes two forms: physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. Physical adsorption is the adsorption of gas molecules on the surface of activated carbon by van der Waals forces, while chemical adsorption involves chemical reactions between chemical groups on the surface of activated carbon and adsorbate molecules. Due to its excellent adsorption properties, activated carbon has been widely used in food preservation, air purification, and water treatment.
2. The role of ethylene in food Ethylene is a gas naturally present in fruits and vegetables, known as the "ripening hormone". It has a wide range of physiological effects in plants, especially in the ripening and aging of fruits. Many fruits release ethylene gas during the ripening process, such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, etc. These fruits will accelerate their respiration rate under the action of ethylene, promote peel discoloration, softening of the flesh, and increase in sweetness. However, for some fruits and vegetables that need to be stored or transported for a long time, the presence of ethylene will accelerate their aging and decay, thereby shortening their shelf life. Therefore, during storage and transportation, how to effectively remove or control the concentration of ethylene becomes the key to extending the shelf life of food.
3. The mechanism of activated carbon removing ethylene The removal of ethylene by activated carbon mainly depends on its strong physical adsorption capacity. Ethylene molecules can diffuse into the pore structure of activated carbon and be adsorbed on its surface. This adsorption process is mainly physical adsorption, which relies on the van der Waals force between activated carbon and ethylene molecules. Due to the small size of ethylene molecules, the microporous structure of activated carbon is very suitable for adsorbing ethylene. In addition, the surface chemical properties of activated carbon also have a certain effect on its adsorption of ethylene. If the surface of activated carbon contains specific functional groups, these groups can react weakly with ethylene molecules, thereby further enhancing the adsorption effect of ethylene.
4. Application of activated carbon in food preservation Storage of fruits and vegetables: During the storage of fruits and vegetables, activated carbon can be placed in the storage environment to adsorb ethylene gas, thereby delaying the ripening and aging of food. This method is particularly suitable for fruits with high ethylene production rates such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, and vegetables that are sensitive to ethylene, such as lettuce and carrots. Application in transportation: During long-distance transportation, fruits and vegetables often mature or rot prematurely due to the accumulation of ethylene. Activated carbon can be used as part of the packaging material, or designed as a specific adsorption device and placed in the transport box to adsorb ethylene and prolong the freshness of food. Home preservation devices: In the home, activated carbon can be used in refrigerators or lockers as a natural ethylene adsorbent to help extend the shelf life of household food. These home preservation devices are usually small in size and easy to use, becoming the choice of more and more families.
Activated carbon has shown great potential in removing ethylene and extending the shelf life of food due to its unique pore structure and strong adsorption capacity. Through the rational design and application of activated carbon, the concentration of ethylene can be effectively controlled, the ripening and aging process of fruits and vegetables can be delayed, thereby improving the shelf life and quality of food. However, in order to further improve the application effect of activated carbon in food preservation, it is necessary to overcome challenges such as limited adsorption capacity and difficult regeneration treatment, and optimize performance for different application environments. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the application prospects of activated carbon in the field of food preservation will be broader.
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