In this paper it was evaluated the effect of the barrier properties of packaging materials and filling conditions in vertical flow pack equipment (without and with nitrogen injection), on the shelf-life of roasted and ground coffee. Three types of packaging materials made by s laminate of metallized polyester (PETmet) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), that had a different metallization layer (OTR of 0.5; 2.9 and 5.5 cm³(STP)/m²/day at 25ºC, 1 atm in dry conditions) were evaluated. After formation, filling and heatsealing of the packages, the samples were stored at 25±2ºC/65±3%RH. A decrease of the residual oxygen concentration of the headspace was observed during the storage, probably caused by consumption of that gas in oxidation reactions. It caused sensorial changes in the product and limited its shelf-life. The results indicated that the shelf-life to the coffee was at least 6 months at 25ºC/65%RH in nitrogen gas flushing packages (2 to 3% of residual oxygen in a headspace average of 680mL at 25ºC and 0.92atm), while in the system without nitrogen injection the shelf-life was 3 months. It was observed that packaging materials with oxygen transmission rates closer to the tested ones offer the same protection to roasted and ground coffee until 6 months of storage in nitrogen gas flushing packages.
roasted and ground coffee; nitrogen gas flushing package; shelf-life
