RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS OF FULL-HISTORY TIME-TEMPERATURE INDICATORS SUITABLE FOR PERISHABLE FOOD HANDLING

Abstract

Time-temperature indicators manufactured by LifeLines Technologies (models 21, 34, and 57) and I-POINT Biotechnologies (models 2140, 2180 and 2220) were stored at 0.degree., 5.degree., 10.degree., 15.degree., 20.degree., 25.degree., and 37.degree. C. The response of the LifeLines model 57 and I-POINT model 2180 indicators were compared to the manufacturers data and found to be in good agreement. Indicator responses were documented for the constant temperature exposures, and modeled with a first-order kinetic equation. The effect of temperature on indicator response was described according to the Arrhenius relationship, and the activation energies for the LifeLines indicators were found to range from 17.8 to 21.3 kcal/g-mole, and from 14.0 to 14.3 kcal/g-mole for the I-POINT indicators.