Investigating the effect of acoustic waves on spoilage fungal growth and shelf life of strawberry fruit.

The effects of acoustic waves on growth inhibition of food spoilage fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and Botrytis cinerea) on the medium and strawberry surfaces were investigated. Firstly, single-frequency sound waves (250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, 12,000 and 16,000 Hz) were induced on inoculated medium with fungi spores for 24 h and growth diameter of each mold was evaluated during the incubation period. In the second stage, the sound waves with two frequencies of 250 Hz and 16,000 Hz were induced on inoculated strawberries with fungi spores at 5 °C for different times (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days). The results from the first stage indicated that the sound waves inhibited the growth of A. niger (20.02%) at 250 Hz and B. cinerea (4/64%) at 4000 Hz on potato dextrose agar (PDA) surface. Also, comparison of the growth diameter of some species of Aspergillus revealed various responses in presence of 250 Hz frequency. In the second stage, applying a frequency of 250 Hz over a period of 10 days proved to be more effective in inhibiting the growth of A. niger and B. cinerea on strawberries inoculated with fungal spores. Consequently, the shelf lives of the strawberries significantly increased to 26 days and 18 days, respectively, under this treatment. Based on the findings, it is concluded that sounding with acoustic waves can be used as a green and cheap technology along with other technologies to improve food safety.

Recent progress in polymeric non-invasive insulin delivery.

The design of carriers for insulin delivery has recently attracted major research attentions in the biomedical field. In general, the release of drug from polymers is driven via a variety of polymers. Several mechanisms such as matrix release, leaching of drug, swelling, and diffusion are usually adopted for the release of drug through polymers. Insulin is one of the most predominant therapeutic drugs for the treatment of both diabetes mellitus; type-I (insulin-dependent) and type II (insulin-independent). Currently, insulin is administered subcutaneously, which makes the patient feel discomfort, pain, hyperinsulinemia, allergic responses, lipodystrophy surrounding the injection area, and occurrence of miscarried glycemic control. Therefore, significant research interest has been focused on designing and developing new insulin delivery technologies to control blood glucose levels and time, which can enhance the patient compliance simultaneously through alternative routes as non-invasive insulin delivery. The aim of this review is to emphasize various non-invasive insulin delivery mechanisms including oral, transdermal, rectal, vaginal, ocular, and nasal. In addition, this review highlights different smart stimuli-responsive insulin delivery systems including glucose, pH, enzymes, near-infrared, ultrasound, magnetic and electric fields, and the application of various polymers as insulin carriers. Finally, the advantages, limitations, and the effect of each non-invasive route on insulin delivery are discussed in detail.

Structure-function relationship of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract-xanthan/guar gum mixture in a high sugar content system.

BACKGROUND: Foam-gels are one of the most important multicomponent-model systems in aerated confectionery, and an investigation of their microstructure is desirable. In this research, the structure-function relationship of xanthan gum/guar gum (XG/GG) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract powder (LEP) was investigated in a high-sugar medium. Foam-gel systems were prepared at 4:10% to 8:20% ratios of LEP to biopolymer. RESULTS: The results show that increasing the LEP content reduced both the melting point and enthalpy, probably due to higher overrun and weaker junctions. Boosting the XG/GG ratio led the enhancement of mechanical properties, whereas increasing the LEP concentration weakened all textural parameters, which could be due to the poor structure of the network in the presence of the foaming agent, increased moisture content and overrun. In the whipped mixture samples containing 10 g kg-1 XG/GG, higher foaming capacity was observed. By increasing the level of biopolymers, smaller and more uniform air cells were formed according to a scanning electron microscopical study. At higher concentration of LEP, smaller bubbles and increased porosity were seen, which could be attributed to the availability of surfactant in the interfacial layer. CONCLUSION: Maximum structural strength was achieved at a 4:20 ratio of LEP to XG/GG. In rheological experiments, pseudoplastic behavior was seen in all samples. Generally, this model system can be simulated for other herbal extracts containing natural surfactants such as saponins. Achieving a more detailed understanding of these structures and their interactions could help in formulating novel food products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ferula asafoetida: chemical composition, thermal behavior, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and gum hydroalcoholic extracts.

This is the first original study on chemical, thermal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity of the leaf and gum hydroethanolic (20:80 v/v) extracts of Ferula asafoetida endemic for Iran. The ratio of solvent to the dried matters was 3:1 (w/w) and after filtering, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum (at 40 °C). Leaf extract contained greater phenolic and flavonoid compounds and thus higher DPPH scavenging and ferric reducing power. Leaf extract constituted high levels of carvacrol (15.40%) and α-bisabolol (9.75%) while in gum extract contained high levels of (Z)-b-ocimene (20.91%) and (E)-1-propenyl-sec-butyl-disulfide (17.62%). Umbelliprenin and ferulic acid were the major phenolic compounds in both extracts. Results of TGA and DSC revealed temperatures below and upper 100 °C and 160 °C as dominant regions of weight loss for gum and leaf extracts, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentration for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth were 62.5, 62.5, 125, 125 mg/l and 400, 300, 50, 300 mg/l of leaf and gum extracts, respectively. Ferula asafoetida extracts can have particular applications in the food industry due to beneficial biological activity.

Application of mucilaginous seeds (Alyssum homolocarpum and Salvia macrosiphon Boiss) and wheat bran in improving technological and nutritional properties of pasta.

In recent years, dietary fibers have attracted a lot of attention as they reduce calories and witness the glycemic index. In this study, wheat bran (WB) and mucilaginous seeds flour (Qodume Shirazi seeds [QSS], wild sage seeds [WSS]) as sources of insoluble and soluble dietary fiber were used for pasta enrichment (50% WB, 45% WB-5% seed flour, and 40% WB-10% seed flour). The cooking properties, microstructural, textural, glycemic index, and sensory properties of pasta samples were evaluated. Fiber ingredients increased moisture content, cooking loss, and ash of pasta samples. In contrast, swelling indexing, optimum cooking time, and water absorption decreased. The samples containing high fiber had a darker appearance with a stiffer structure. Microstructure confirmed the presence of a developed protein matrix in the witness sample. But by substitution of the WB, a heterogeneous and dense network with small and large cells formed. The mucilaginous seed flours (WB-QSS and WB-WSS samples) improved the uniformity of pasta microstructure in comparison with WB sample. WB pasta samples reduced all sensory scores, but adding seed flours had a more noticeable influence on increasing the sensory properties. The presence of QSS and WSS resulted in more starchy and elastic texture. By using mucilaginous seeds flour in the production of high-fiber pasta, the glycemic index decreased more noticeably. This investigation indicates the positive impact of mucilaginous seeds, especially WSS, on pasta sensorial properties, in line with a strong influence on technological characteristics and decreasing the glycemic index. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study determined a practical approach to produce high-fiber pasta by applying mucilaginous seeds with the improvement of technological and sensory properties.

Characterization of polyamide-6/ propolis blended electrospun fibers.

Polyamide-6 (PA-6) nanofibers and PA-6/propolis ethanolic extract (EEP) blended fibers were prepared having electrospun their solutions in formic acid as solvent. The effect of concentrations of PA-6 and also EEP in polymer solutions on the morphology and physicochemical characteristics of their electrospun fibers was investigated. The analysis of FESEM images showed the mean diameter of fibers increased from 487- 682 nm with increasing PA-6 concentration in the range of 25-40 % w/v. While, increasing EEP concentration (20-50% (w/w)) in PA-6/EEP system caused the increasing fiber mean diameters from 943- 1773 nm. Partially high aspect ratio nanofibers were observed only in the PA-6 systems. Antioxidant activity of the fibers enhanced with increasing EEP concentration in the fiber mats. FTIR spectrums and thermal properties of electrospun fibers exhibited the simple mixtures of PA-6 and EEP in blend fibers which did not contain very complex interactions.

Extraction of phytosterols and tocopherols from rapeseed oil waste by supercritical CO2 plus co-solvent: A comparison with conventional solvent extraction.

In the present study, modified extraction methods using supercritical CO2 were investigated in order to obtain high-added value compounds from rapeseed oil deodorizer distillate and comparisons were done with modified Soxhlet extraction (solvent extraction + silica). For supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), the optimal extraction parameters were temperature of 40 °C, pressure of 350 bar (for phytosterols), 400 bar (for tocopherol), 5 wt% ethanol as co-solvent, and saponification pretreatment. The optimized SFE procedure led to the recovery of three main phytosterols (50 wt % ß-sitosterol, 23.91 wt % Brassicasterol, and 36.25 wt % Campesterol) and only α-tocopherol. Moreover, there was no synergistic effect with saponification pretreatment + co-solvent and the efficiency and concentration of target compounds were less than supercritical CO2 + co-solvent. Also, comparative Data showed that the efficiency of phytosterols and tocopherols was approximately three times higher (p < 0.05) in SFE relative to modified Soxhlet extraction. Furthermore, the use of ethanol (5 wt %) as co-solvent, improved phytosterols and tocopherol efficiency and purity. The SFE technique offers various advantages over the modified Soxhlet extraction technique, including increasing the solubility of tocopherols and sterols by using CO2+ co-solvent, minimized usage of toxic organic solvents and increased purity of extracted products.

Microencapsulation of Saffron Petal Phenolic Extract: Their Characterization, In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion, and Storage Stability.

Saffron petal, as a byproduct of saffron processing, contains a considerable amount of antioxidant compounds. In the present study, the effect of drying methods (spray and freeze) and different wall structures (maltodextrin and pectin) was investigated on the physicochemical characteristics of microcapsules of saffron petal extracts. Results showed that the increase of the pectin ratio in wall composition leads to the increase of polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of microcapsules. Microencapsulation efficiency and loading capacity in pectin-contained samples were higher than pure maltodextrin samples. Moreover, microcapsules obtained from spray drying method had higher microencapsulation efficiency and loading capacity in comparison with microcapsules obtained from freeze drying method. Also, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry have been shown to be useful tools for establishing the difference between produced microcapsules. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to evaluate the polyphenolic compounds of the microsphere. The chromatograms obtained from both encapsulation methods indicated high levels of routine in microcapsules of saffron petal extract. In addition, the release of polyphenols from microcapsules of saffron petal extract was evaluated under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results indicated that the release behavior of the microcapsules varied according to the type of drying method and wall composition. To assess the shelf life, the microcapsules were kept at different temperatures and relative humidities for 16 weeks. The microcapsules produced by freeze drying and containing high levels of pectin in wall composition had the highest antioxidant activity when kept in relative humidity of 11% and temperature of 4 °C. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Saffron petal is the huge amount of saffron by-product and contains a number of various antioxidant compounds. Microencapsulation of its valuable compounds results in preventing the destruction of these compounds by environmental factors and their increased bioavailability. Indeed, this paper focuses on the release of microencapsulated powder in the simulated system of the digestive system that helps us to improve the shelf life of the final product during the process and controlled release of compounds in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Treatment of olive processing wastewater by electrocoagulation: An effectiveness and economic assessment.

In the present study, the technique of electrocoagulation (EC) followed by filtration was explored at the laboratory scale for the removal of organic compounds from olive debittering wastewater (ODW). Different parameters such as electrode type and distance as well as sample pH, current density, and electrolysis time were investigated in batch experiments with identical electrode geometries. Our results showed that highest pollutant removal efficiency and lowest operational cost were achieved using two Al electrodes at a distance of 1 cm apart with a sample pH of 4.0. Moreover, rises in the electrolysis time and current density (up to 60 min and 15 mA cm-2, respectively) led to improvements in the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total polyphenolic compounds (TPC), and turbidity. Under optimized conditions, the removal of COD, TPC and turbidity reached 78.51, 90.44 and 97.92%, respectively; the values of 1.01 g m-3, 12.0 kWh cm-3 and 0.12 USD m-3 were calculated as the electrode consumption, electrical energy consumption and operating cost, respectively. Chromatography results revealed tyrosol and catechin as the main phenolic compounds present in both the initial effluent and the generated sludge.

Effects of high amylose corn starch and microbial transglutaminase on the textural and microstructural properties of wheat flour composite gels at high temperatures.

Textural and microstructural properties of composite gels (CGs), along with wheat flour and high amylose corn starch (Hylon VII) mixed with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) at different levels and temperatures were investigated. The results showed by increasing Hylon starch content, the firmness increased and adhesiveness decreased. Indeed, high level of amylose and cross-linking formed by MTGase enhanced the gel elasticity and reduced adhesiveness. Moreover, MTGase had more effect on the firmness and provided more cross-linked intermolecular gel structures at high temperatures. By adding MTGase to the CG, the lowest peak viscosity and final viscosity were found for 15% of Hylon starch. As the more Hylon content in the CG, the more water solubility index was particularly obtained at high temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that MTGase and Hylon starch addition enhanced the structure. The differences in SEM of CG were reflected the pasting properties of the gels. Consequently, MTGase treated gels can withstand high temperature as well as maintain the overall structure of the samples gels. Therefore, the increment of Hylon to the CG gels supplied tighter, stronger, and denser protein network which were formed by MTGase cross-linking within the network of starch and proteins. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Although, transglutaminase was practically used in the production of noodles and pasta in Japan, but there is little academic and industrial knowledge concerning its utilization in the pasta or noodles. Moreover, long shelf-life noodle/pasta products have become popular in the Japanese market and in the emergency conditions like as floods or earthquake, but they can be stored for at least 5 months by applying heat treatment at 95C. Here, high amylose corn starch as a resistant starch, wheat flour, and microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) were selected as the main components in the composite gel (CG) systems to elucidate the effects of MTGase and Hylon on the texture, microstructure, and pasting behavior of CGs at high temperatures to produce long-life noodle/pasta products (about 2 years) through retort processing.

Development of antioxidant active films containing sodium ascorbate (SA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) to extend the shelf life of peanut.

In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing oxygen scavenger based on sodium ascorbate (SA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) at 5, 10 and 15 % concentrations were produced through extrusion method. In addition, the effect of size of SA, thickness LDPE (7.5, 15, 30 and 45 µm), and number of layers (monolayer, two-layers, three-layers and four-layers) were investigated. Oxygen and water vapor permeability, tensile stress, SA migration and antioxidant activity, thermal stability, scan electron microscopy (SEM), and FT-IR of the films were measured. Moreover, the performance of produced films to prevent of oxidation of packaged peanuts during storage at 40 °C was studied. The results revealed that the active films containing SA (especially at 10 % SA) present suitable performance and features to increase the shelf-life of peanuts.