Nitrogen is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas, it is inert, which means it does not react with other gases or liquids, and is a non flammable –non-toxic gas.
All these properties make it ideal for use in the food industry.
Indeed, nitrogen gas and liquid nitrogen are taking on an increasingly prominent role in the beverage industry, from wine bottling to water and beverage production. It is used for preservation of loss of some of the organoleptic characteristics of non-carbonated beverages and mineral waters, fruit juices and other food liquids.
Here are some details about the properties of gaseous and liquid nitrogen, the benefits of its use in beverages, and the specifics of its use in some of the most common manufacturing processes.
Putting nitrogen into beverages as a substitute for air prevents organoleptic degradation, because by eliminating or reducing the amount of air in the packaging of these products, better preservation is ensured, while also avoiding altering the taste and the smell of the beverages.
But that’s not all: the addition of nitrogen gas also gives beverages a better visible texture and discernible taste with a very fine and uniform fizz, easily distinguishable from that produced by carbonization using carbon dioxide alone.
This can reduce costs, improve production efficiency, and enable a product to be qualitatively excellent and offer a unique taste experience.
Here are some of the applications in more detail.
Inerting with nitrogen is an economical, safe and flexible choice for beverage protection. It consists of replacing the air present in the head spaces of storage containers in favor, precisely, of nitrogen: this counteracts rancidity, preserving the aroma of products and lengthening shelf-life.
This is similar to inerting, but unlike inerting, nitrogen pneumonization requires a more modest and more constant gas input over time.
Stripping removes dissolved gases (such as oxygen) and unwanted volatiles in food liquids. Using a special device, the line stripper, nitrogen gas in the form of micro bubbles can be introduced. These bind to molecules of oxygen and the other volatile contaminants and, literally, tear them out of the liquid, purifying it completely.
This is an all-natural purification operation that does not involve the introduction of chemical additives and leads to a number of advantages: longer shelf life of stored food products; the best qualities obtainable for oils and fats; as well as the elimination of oxygen-related problems in the plants.
Food gases are playing an increasingly important role in the world of modern enology, in particular the application of liquid nitrogen to wine production is instrumental in proper storage and improving various processing steps, particularly with the use of the liquid nitrogen dripper in bottling.
Learn more in the dedicated Matter Of Gas Wine section.
Even the production of excellent beer involves the use of food gas. Specific examples involving nitrogen are the stripping process on the concentrate from beer fermentation, which needs to be diluted with oxygen-free water, and the sterilization of barrels, carried out by inerting, to avoid the increase of pH inside the kegs and oxidative phenomena.
Important benefits are also involve nitrogen in coffee production, and particularly in the following processes:
Thanks to this inert gas, it is also possible to optimize different stages of oil production, eliminating common problems such as rancidity, again through pulmoning, and the presence of undesirable volatiles through stripping, with the objective of obtaining a high-quality product, but also preserving plants and ensuring optimal working conditions.
Our Group has extensive experience in manufacturing and supplying nitrogen-related products and services in the beverage industry.
We have automated the Air separation process for nitrogen production, guaranteeing maximum efficiency. Above all, our constant commitment is to work closely with partners who decide to start the collaboration in order to ensure strategic and operational assistance, to optimize thenitrogen utilization and facilities connected and especially work safely.
Colorless, odorless, tasteless, and inert: because of this property, nitrogen is used to preserve beverages and non-carbonated mineral waters, juices, and other food liquids from losing some of their organoleptic characteristics.
Nitrogen ensures proper storage of beverages by reducing or eliminating the presence of air
Organoleptic degradation is prevented through the introduction of nitrogen in place of air.
Inert gas pneumonization consists of replacing the oxygen in the head spaces of storage vessels with nitrogen. This technology enables it to counteract rancidity, preserve the aroma of products and increase the useful life of products.
Stripping removes dissolved gases (such as oxygen) and unwanted volatiles in food liquids.
Using a special device, the line stripper, it is possible to introduce gas in the form of micro bubbles. These bind to the molecules of oxygen and other volatile contaminants and, literally, tear them out of the liquid, purifying it completely.
This is an all-natural purification operation that does not involve the introduction of chemical additives and leads to a number of advantages: the longer shelf life of stored food products, the best qualities obtainable for oils and fats, as well as the elimination of oxygen-related problems in the plants.
Nitrogen, one of the most widely used industrial gases, is produced industrially through the fractionation of air. This process involves the separation of the various components from which it is made. SIAD’s current air fractionation plants have achieved a high level of automation, and are computer controlled; the control system manages the entire production cycle and the subsequent stage of product distribution to storage or use.
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SIAD Group, a century of history in gas production
Among Italy’s leading chemical groups, SIAD is a leader in the production and commercialization of the full range of industrial, specialty, and medicinal gases and related services. The business extends to sectors in synergy with that of gases, including Wine, Food and Beverage.
