Effect of Carbon Dioxide Modified Atmosphere on the Compressibility of Stored Baked Goods

Whole wheat flour breads, white breads and biscuits were stored in flexible packages flushed with either air, 100% nitrogen or 100% carbon dioxide. Compressibility tests were performed during a storage time of 13 ‐ 15 days for bread and 7 ‐ 15 days for biscuits. Significantly lower regression coefficients (P < 0.01) were found for white and whole wheat breads and biscuits stored in carbon dioxide modified atmosphere than for the air stored samples. No significant differences were found between regression coefficients of air and nitrogen stored bread samples. Mold growth was inhibited on breads and biscuits by carbon dioxide atmosphere during 13 ‐ 15 days of storage, but occured between the 5th and 7th day of storage on the air packaged samples.