Importance of Nitrogen in Food Processing and Packaging

Nitrogen gas is a vital naturally occurring resource used in diverse commercial and industrial applications, including food and beverage manufacturing. Packing foods with nitrogen has been proven to be an effective method of prolonging their shelf lives. In this article, we will discuss nitrogen food preservation methods, as well as the benefits of nitrogen gas generators for food.

Nitrogen’s Impact on the Food and Beverage Industry

The use of nitrogen in commercial food and beverage manufacturing has revolutionized food preservation. Due to its chemical property of inertness, gaseous nitrogen can slow oxidative processes that lead to food spoilage.

Longer shelf lives as a result of food packaging items with gaseous nitrogen have limited wastages saving costs for retailers. Shop owners can display items that remain fresher for longer, while end consumers can store and consume their purchases long after buying them.

Common Uses of Nitrogen in the Food Industry

Food-grade nitrogen gas can be used in diverse applications across various manufacturing industries. Some of the most popular applications for gaseous nitrogen in commercial food and beverage production are outlined below.

Food Processing Techniques

Nitrogen plays an important role in food processing, where it is used to create desirable textures and extend the freshness of various products.

• Aerated Confections: Food-grade nitrogen is introduced into chocolate to create a micro-aerated, light texture found in specialty chocolate bars with aeration.
• Snack Foods and Chips: Used during processing to help prevent staleness and retain crispness.
• Dough and Bakery Products: Assists in oxidation control during mixing, resulting in improved texture and longer shelf life.

Beverage Processing

Beverage production is another area where the use of food grade nitrogen is beneficial. For alcoholic beverages, gaseous nitrogen can be used to carefully regulate the fermentation process resulting in high-quality wines and beers with great aromas and flavors.

Further, several non-alcoholic beverages prepared from fruits and vegetables undergo finely regulated processes with high purity nitrogen. Often industrial grade nitrogen with purity ratings of 99% or higher is used in these applications.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), where nitrogen is used to displace oxygen from packed foods, is a great example of the effectiveness of food packaging with nitrogen. In addition to longer shelf lives, other benefits of MAP include the preservation of freshness, aromas, tastes, and flavors.

Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide

Nitrogen often works alongside CO2 to create an optimal protective atmosphere:

• Nitrogen displaces oxygen, preventing oxidation in snacks, oils, and dry goods.
• Carbon Dioxide adds antimicrobial properties, inhibiting microbial growth in meats, dairy, and ready-to-eat meals.

Example: Packaged deli meats often use a 70% nitrogen and 30% CO2 mix to balance freshness and food safety.

Cryogenic Freezing and Food Waste Reduction

Beyond food packaging, nitrogen is heavily used in cryogenic freezing, where its ultra-low temperatures rapidly freeze foods, locking in texture, taste, and nutrients. These innovations help reduce food waste across the supply chain – a key concern for both industry and public health advocates.

Nitrogen Gas Generation vs. Traditional Gas Supply

Both traditional bulk supply and on-site generation have distinct advantages, but the choice often depends on factors (like production scale, flexibility needs, and long-term operational goals). Below is a comparison highlighting the key considerations for both approaches.

Aspect	On-Site Nitrogen Generation	Traditional Gas Supply (Vendor Supplied)
Source	Extracts nitrogen from ambient air	Delivered in cylinders or tanks
Availability	Always on-demand	Based on delivery schedules
Safety	Lower risks, no high-pressure storage	Higher risks with cylinder storage
Space & Logistics	Frees up floor space, no transport	Needs storage space, depends on logistics
Environmental Impact	Lower emissions, efficient usage	Higher emissions from transport
Cost Over Time	Lower long-term operational costs	Higher ongoing vendor costs

How Does On-site Nitrogen Generation Benefit the Food and Beverage Industry?

Useful quantities of nitrogen required for food and beverage manufacturing can either be sourced in cylinders supplied by a vendor or generated on-site within the manufacturing site.

While both gas sourcing methods will provide the necessary quantities of gas, on-site nitrogen generation possesses some significant benefits.

1. Access to Reliable Nitrogen Generation Technologies

Industrial operators who opt for on-site nitrogen generation can benefit from highly efficient nitrogen generation technologies, including PSA and membrane nitrogen generators. These technologies are guaranteed to produce a steady stream of high purity nitrogen gas whenever it is required without the risk of delayed production from breaks in the supply chain commonly associated with vendor-supplied gas.

2. Improved Overall Industrial Safety

Utilizing on-site nitrogen gas generators eliminates the need to store large volumes of the gas for future use as the required quantities are simply generated at the point of need. Consequently, the industrial safety hazards associated with nitrogen gas storage are avoided completely.

3. Savings on Industrial Floor Space

Using food-grade nitrogen generators instead of vendor-supplied gas will allow operators to achieve significant saving on industrial floor spaces that would have otherwise been occupied by bulky gas cylinders. In addition, vital floor space freed up can be used to house other equipment critical to the manufacturing process.

4. Lower Long-term Operating Costs

After the initial purchase and installation costs, on-site nitrogen gas generators for food and beverage manufacturing are more cost-effective than vendor-supplied gas cylinders. In the long-term, operators who integrate nitrogen gas generators in their processes will note significant savings compared to gas sourced from vendors.

Shop On-site Nitrogen Generators from NiGen Today!

NiGen offers advanced, reliable nitrogen generation services designed specifically for the food and beverage industry. Our on-site nitrogen generators can help your operation improve efficiency and reduce costs.

By partnering with NiGen, you can expect:

• Custom nitrogen generation systems tailored to your process needs
• Expert consultation and support from our experienced engineering team
• Long-term savings on gas costs and reduced reliance on external suppliers
• Improved safety and sustainability across your operations

Let NiGen help you improve your nitrogen supply, ensure food safety, and stay competitive in today’s demanding food and beverage market.

To learn more about our cost-effective nitrogen generation solutions, please contact us today!