Bio treatment of sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds preservation is related to the successful stabilization of oil, moisture and free fatty acids contents. Sunflower seeds conservation is also linked to a good prevention policy from insect outbreaks, which may cause depreciation and weight losses.
In like manner sunflower seeds are sensitive to exceptional levels of moisture, because fat-cleaving enzymes are activated by water. By the same token, the hydrolytic/enzymatic fat cleavage promoted by exceeded moisture will potentiate respiration and consequent self-heating.
So, for either storage or transportation purposes, sunflower seeds must be packaged in watertight containers, for protection against rain, see water and condensation.
It’s packaging should also don’t activate the senses of insects to come around and constitute an effective physical barrier for their penetration in the cargo. VacQPack liner corresponds to such parameters and assures a preventive tool against merchant grain beetles, peanut weevils, sawtoothed beetles, meal moths, dried fruit moths and mites. Likewise this same system is prepared to fight a spotted insect infestation or cross infestation, using flushes of Carbon Dioxide CO2 alternated with low pressure by vacuum.
Lastly, sunflower seeds are sensible to atmospheric Oxygen O2, which will react with the unsaturated fatty acids and cause rancidity. In fact, oxidative fat cleavage is common on shelled sunflower seeds, because the shelling stresses the kernels by contact with atmospheric oxygen.
On the other hand, sunflower seeds metabolic activity is strong even after harvest, absorbing Oxygen O2 and expelling Carbon Dioxide CO2. Explicitly those CO2 concentrations can be at a very dangerous rate for human heath (TLV: 0.49 vol.%), which will require ventilation and gas measurement.
Helianthus annuus
Resuming, exceeded moisture level, insect presence and oxidation phenomena must be kept at bay. In the event of extended time storage or cargo care, the opted packaging solution must be not only airtight and watertight, but also fully palletized for easy maneuverability.
VacQPack container solution is an hermetic flexible bulk package, under controlled atmospheric conditions and designed for the common standard pallets dimensions. Besides there’s no presence of metals that may catalyze oxidation on sunflower seeds.
In the same way, VacQPack liners are composed of 7 layers with EVOH gas barrier and a thickness of 200 microns. Meaning that inner content moisture gets stable and that the desired level of residual Oxygen is achieved. This will allow the seed to keep breathing in a very low activity and will manage at the same time the release of Carbon Dioxide CO2.
Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant. Besides, they contain a high level of phytosterols, selenim and it’s a potent source of magnesium.
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