An oxygen scavenging composition for use with foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals comprising a combination of a metal that can exist in two redox states at ambient conditions, and a radical oxygen scavenger. The oxygen scavenging system is also effective in inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and most aerobic bacteria.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/279,604, filed Dec. 5, 1988, now abandoned, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/100,97l, filed Sep. 25, 1987, now abandoned.
A method and device (10) for removing oxygen using a reduced oxidase enzyme and for providing a calorimetrically detectable signal of the presence of the oxygen. A reduced laccase or ascorbate oxidase is preferably provided with a substrate which reduces the oxidase. Color is generated which can be detected visually or by other means such as a spectrophotometer. The method and device are particularly useful in the food, pharmaceutical and biological industries.
An oxygen scavenging composition of a carrier, such as a polymer, which is permeable to both oxygen and water or water vapor and an oxygen scavenging compound of an organic compound or salt thereof dispersed relatively uniformly throughout the polymer in an amount effective to act as an oxygen scavenger. The oxygen scavenging compound is activated for scavenging oxygen by contact with water or water vapor which permeates into or through the carrier. Also, a catalyzing agent is included in an amount sufficient to increase the rate of oxygen scavenging by the organic compound. The organic compound and catalyzing agent are preferably maintained in a dry state by freeze drying or microencapsulation until the organic compound is activated for oxygen scavenging by contact with water or water vapor.
A method for degassing ink, and resulting degassed ink includes the addition of at least two enzymes to ink containing a donor substrate specific to each enzyme, wherein one of the enzymes catalyzes a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen peroxide upon exposure to a gaseous acceptor substrate, and another enzyme subsequently catalyzes a reaction to convert the hydrogen peroxide into water.
An oxygen scavenging composition or concentrate of a carrier, such as a polymer, which is permeable to both oxygen and water or water vapor and an oxygen scavenging compound of an organic compound or salt thereof dispersed relatively uniformly throughout the polymer in an amount effective to act as an oxygen scavenger. The oxygen scavenging compound may be an ascorbate compound or a polycarboxylic or salicylic acid chelate or complex of a transition metal or a salt thereof. The oxygen scavenging composition is activated for scavenging oxygen by contact with water or water vapor which permeates into or through the carrier. A catalyzing agent is included in an amount sufficient to increase the rate of oxygen scavenging by the ascorbate compound. The oxygen scavenging compound may be added to the composition in a dry state, and is inactive until activated by contact with water or water vapor.
An oxygen scavenger characterized in that the effective component thereof consists of a heterocyclic compound with N--N bond in a ring thereof. An oxygen scavenger characterized in that the effective component thereof consists of a heterocyclic compound with N-substituted amino group. An oxygen scavenger characterized in that the effective component thereof consists of a heterocyclic compound represented by the following formula: ##STR1## (wherein a, b are integers between 0 and 5 to satisfy a relation "2.ltoreq.a+b.ltoreq.5"). ##STR2## An oxygen scavenger characterized in that the effective component thereof consists of azodicarbonamide. An oxygen scavenger characterized by including a heterocyclic compound with N-substituted amino group, or the salt thereof, and a hydroxybenzene derivative. Those may contain further neutral amine, alkalic agent and/or water soluble polymer.
