Question:

Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Why?

Updated On: Sep 26, 2024
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Solution and Explanation

Nitrogen is an inert gas and does not easily react with these substances. On the other hand, oxygen reacts with food substances and makes them rancid. Thus, bags used in packing food items are flushed with nitrogen gas to remove oxygen inside the pack. When oxygen is not present inside the pack, rancidity of oil and fat containing food items is avoided. 

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Concepts Used:

Chemistry in Everyday Life

The scientific study of matter’s properties and behaviour is known as chemistry. It is a natural science that studies the elements that makeup matter, as well as the compounds, made up of atoms, molecules, and ions: their composition, structure, qualities, and behaviour, as well as the changes that occur when they mix with other things.

  • Importance of Chemistry in Food - Chemicals are the fundamental components of everything. Chemical molecules make up all food, including carbs, vitamins, lipids, proteins, and fibre, which are all safe and often desirable.
  • Importance of Chemistry in Medicines - Medicines or pharmaceuticals are chemical substances that are used to treat diseases and relieve pain. Chemistry has made significant contributions to health care. Chemistry, for example, aids in the manufacture and application of surgical materials.
  • Importance of Chemistry in Cosmetics - In our daily lives, we use lotions, fragrances, talcum powder, and a variety of other cosmetic goods. All of these items are developed in laboratories using chemicals for our health and skin.
  • Importance of Chemistry in Soaps and Detergents - Soaps are sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids with greater molecular weights, such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. Sodium salts of long-chain alkyl hydrogen sulphates or sodium salts of long-chain alkyl benzene sulphonic acids are commonly used as detergents.