250+ TOP MCQs on Active Packaging in Food and Answers

Food Packaging Technology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) on “Active Packaging in Food”.

1. In Active Packaging, the atmosphere inside the package remains constant.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The given statement is false. In Active Packaging, the atmosphere inside the package keeps changing. This type of packaging usually involves an interaction between the packaging components and the food product beyond the inert passive barrier function of the packaging material.

2. Intelligent Packaging is the same as Active packaging.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The given statement is false. Intelligent Packaging systems monitor the condition of the packaged foods to give information about the quality of the packaged food during transport and storage. Whereas, active packaging changes the condition of the packed food to extend shelf-life or to improve safety or sensory properties, while maintaining the quality of the packaged food.

3. Iron acts as _______ scavenger system.
a) oxygen
b) carbon dioxide
c) ethylene
d) moisture
Answer: a
Clarification: Iron acts as oxygen scavenger system. 1 gram Iron can absorb upto 300 mL O₂. Within 36 hours, Oxygen levels falls down to zero. The disadvantage of this system is that it will not pass through metal detector.

4. ________ enzyme acts as an oxygen scavenging system.
a) lipase
b) catalase
c) kinase
d) amylase
Answer: b
Clarification: Catalase enzyme acts as an oxygen scavenging system. It prevents mould, yeast and aerobic bacteria growth and also prevents oxidation of fats, oils, vitamins and preserves the color.

5. Ca(OH)₂ and NaOH acts as _______ scavenging system.
a) oxygen
b) carbon Dioxide
c) ethylene
d) moisture
Answer: b
Clarification: Ca(OH)₂ and NaOH acts as carbon dioxide scavenging system. Potassium hydroxide, calcium oxide and silica gel also serves as CO₂ scavengers. It is generally used in dehydrated poultry products, roasted coffee, beef jerky, etc.

6. CO₂ emitter sachets includes ascorbic acid, sodium hydrogen carbonate and ascorbate.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The given statement is true. It is generally used in vegetables and fruits, fish, meat, poultry, to inhibit growth of gram-negative bacteria and moulds.

7. Potassium permanganate acts as _______ scavenging system.
a) oxygen
b) carbon dioxide
c) ethylene
d) moisture
Answer: c
Clarification: Potassium permanganate acts as ethylene scavenging system. It is the most common agent of ethylene removal, which oxidizes ethylene to acetate and ethanol. Ethylene is a natural plant hormone produced by ripening produce. It accelerates respiration, resulting in maturity and senescence. Removing ethylene from a package environment helps extend the shelf life of fresh produce.

8. Polyacrylates (sheets), propylene glycol (film), silica gel (sachet) acts as _______ scavenging system.
a) oxygen
b) carbon dioxide
c) ethylene
d) moisture
Answer: d
Clarification: Polyacrylates (sheets), propylene glycol (film), silica gel (sachet) acts as moisture scavenging system. Lower the water activity of the product, lower is the microbial growth. This system consists of a super absorbent polymer located between two layers of a micro-porous or non-woven polymer. This results in enhanced product appearance and freshness.

9. _______ is used as a preservative in active packaging.
a) Isoamyl acetate
b) Niacin
c) Ethylene
d) Ethanol
Answer: d
Clarification: Ethanol is used as a preservative in active packaging. At high concentration, ethanol denatures the protein of mould and yeast. It can be used by spraying ethanol/water mixture absorbed onto silicon dioxide powder generating ethanol vapors. It is generally used for higher moisture bakery & fish products. Its disadvantage includes- off odour & off flavor.

10. ____________ is a common example of an odor absorber.
a) Ethene
b) Peroxidase
c) Cyclodextrin
d) Dextrin
Answer: c
Clarification: Cyclodextrin is a common example of an odor absorber. Undesirable flavor scalping by the packaging material can result in the loss of desirable food flavors, while foods can pick up undesirable odors or flavors from the package or the surrounding environment. Cyclodextrin is grafted to a PE layer to absorb accumulated odor from food decomposition.

11. CaO (quicklime) is an example of _____________
a) ethylene scavengers
b) moisture absorbers
c) flavor and odor absorbers
d) temperature-controlled packages
Answer: d
Clarification: CaO (quicklime) is an example of temperature-controlled packages. Temperature-controlled active packages generally include self-heating and self-cooling systems. An exothermic chemical reaction between CaO (quicklime) and a water based solution generates heat. Self- heating packages are commercially available for coffee, tea, and ready-to-eat meals.

12. Self-cooling cans use endothermic chemical reactions.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The given statement is true. Self-cooling cans use endothermic chemical reactions; the latent heat of evaporating water is often used to produce the cooling effect. One example is dissolution of ammonium nitrate and chloride in water to cool the product. Self-cooling packages are commercially available for cooling of food materials e.g., non gas drinks.

13. Films containing BHT is an example of __________
a) antioxidant releaser
b) CO₂ releaser
c) flavour enhancer
d) aroma enhancer
Answer: a
Clarification: Films containing BHT is an example of Antioxidant releaser. Also films containing BHT, BHA, tocopherol, maillard reaction volatiles are antioxidant releaser. It helps in inhibition of oxidation of fat and oil. These films are generally used in dried foods and fat containing foodstuffs.

14. Inner/outer layer of packaging material containing Imazalil is ________ emitters.
a) carbon dioxide
b) ethylene
c) pesticide
d) oxidant
Answer: c
Clarification: Inner/outer layer of packaging material containing Imazalil is pesticide emitter. It helps in the prevention of growth of spoilage bacteria Fungicidal or pest control. It is generally used in dried, sacked foodstuffs e.g., flour, rice, grains.

15. Silver ion-based film is an example of _______
a) oxygen scavenger
b) antimicrobial agent releaser
c) carbon dioxide emitter
d) carbon dioxide adsorbent
Answer: b
Clarification: Silver ion-based film is an example of antimicrobial agent releaser. This film is an effective antimicrobial agent with very low human toxicity and it has been used in food containers. There are two mechanisms for antimicrobial action: one is controlling microbial growth by slow and controlled release (or migration) of the antimicrobial agents over the product shelf life. The other type is controlling microbial growth by contact without release of the antimicrobial agents, which are immobilized on the surface of the package.