Il calcolo della data di scadenza degli alimenti: La funzione shelf life e la propagazione degli errori sperimentali

The aim of this work was to discuss the calculus of foods Shelf Life on the basis of a new mathematical approach (Parisi, 2002a-2003b). The Authors mean to define a correct study about the foods Shelf Life like a mathematical function: the final goal is to understand the time-based development of this equation and the exact nature of the dependence on the storage temperature. A linear approach for calculating a correct durability on the basis of temperature values was previously suggested (Parisi, 2002a) through the so-called "Degradation Speed". Nevertheless, some subsequent assays demonstrated that final results are always incorrect (Parisi, 2003b). In fact the Shelf Life, exponentially depends on the storage temperature, even though related mathematical function is not equal to that about Degradation Speed; every simplification is then incorrect and possibly dangerous (possible overestimated values).