The effectiveness of oxygen absorbers in preserving a wide array of products stems from a simple yet powerful chemical principle: oxidation. At our company, we leverage this science to provide superior preservation solutions. As a leading oxygen absorber manufacturer wholesale, understanding the underlying mechanism helps our clients appreciate the value of these packets. Let's explore how they work.

The Core Component: Iron Powder

The primary active ingredient in most oxygen absorbers is finely powdered iron. This iron powder is specially treated to react readily with oxygen in the presence of a small amount of moisture, which is usually absorbed from the surrounding atmosphere or included in the packet's composition. This process is akin to how iron rusts, but it's carefully controlled within the packet.

The Chemical Reaction: Oxidation

The fundamental reaction is:

2Fe (s) + O₂ (g) → 2FeO (s)

In simple terms, the iron (Fe) reacts with oxygen (O₂) to form iron(II) oxide (FeO). This reaction effectively scavenges or 'absorbs' oxygen from the enclosed space. As the process continues, the iron further oxidizes:

4FeO (s) + O₂ (g) → 2Fe₂O₃ (s)

This converts the iron oxide into a more stable form, iron(III) oxide (rust). The critical aspect here is that for every molecule of oxygen that reacts with the iron, it is permanently bound into a solid compound, thus removing it from the air within the package. This dramatically lowers the oxygen concentration, often to levels below 0.1%, creating a deoxidized environment.

Why is a Deoxidized Environment Important?

A low-oxygen environment is crucial for preventing several types of product degradation:

  • Prevents Oxidation: This is key for foods containing fats and oils, which can become rancid when exposed to oxygen. It also preserves the color and nutritional value of vitamins.
  • Inhibits Aerobic Microorganisms: Many bacteria, yeasts, and molds require oxygen to grow. Removing oxygen starves these organisms, preventing spoilage.
  • Slows Enzymatic Browning: For some produce, oxygen can accelerate enzymatic browning reactions.

Practical Applications and Selection

Understanding this science helps in choosing the right absorbers. Whether you need 100cc oxygen absorbers for food storage or larger capacity packets, the principle remains the same. As a reliable oxygen absorber supplier China, we offer a range of sizes to match your container volumes. When you buy oxygen absorbers online from us, you're investing in proven preservation technology.

Handling and Usage Tips

It's vital to remember that oxygen absorbers start working immediately upon exposure to air. Therefore, they should be introduced into sealed packaging just before sealing. Unused packets must be resealed airtight to maintain their efficacy. For precise instructions on how to use oxygen absorbers for dry food or other products, consult our detailed guides.

Your Partner in Preservation

As a dedicated oxygen absorber manufacturer wholesale, we ensure our products are manufactured to the highest standards, using quality iron powder for optimal performance. We provide food grade oxygen absorbers for sale and offer custom oxygen absorber packaging to meet specific industry needs. Trust us for a superior long shelf life food packaging solution.

By understanding the science, you can make informed decisions about how to best protect your products with our high-quality oxygen absorbers.