Development of ternary polymeric films based on cassava starch, pea flour and green banana flour for food packaging.

The development of alternative materials to replace plastics used in food packaging is an important approach to reducing environmental pollution and minimizing harmful impacts on ecosystems. In this study, biopolymeric films were formulated using cassava starch (Manihot esculenta Crantz), pea flour (Pisum sativum) and green banana flour (Musa sp.) to obtain a material for application in food packaging. The influence of a plasticizer on the optical and physicochemical properties of the films was analyzed and the synergy between higher concentrations of starch and plasticizer resulted in films with low opacity. In addition, the morphology, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties were examined. The film with the best formulation (p < 0.05) contained 12 g cassava starch, 3.6 g pea flour and 30 % glycerol (the maximum levels of the experiment). This film presented average values of thickness, moisture, solubility, opacity, maximum strength (F), maximum tensile stress (σ), elongation at break (ε) and elasticity (E) of 0.47 mm, 19.95 %, 87.45 %, 20.93 %, 9.30 N, 1.75 MPa, 30.10 % and 5.93 %, respectively. This research demonstrates the potential application of films obtained by combining starches from different sources. The sustainable production of environmentally-friendly packaging provides an alternative to fossil-based plastics, which have well-documented adverse effects on the environment.

Applications of Electronic Nose, Electronic Eye and Electronic Tongue in Quality, Safety and Shelf Life of Meat and Meat Products: A Review.

The quality and shelf life of meat and meat products are key factors that are usually evaluated by complex and laborious protocols and intricate sensory methods. Devices with attractive characteristics (fast reading, portability, and relatively low operational costs) that facilitate the measurement of meat and meat products characteristics are of great value. This review aims to provide an overview of the fundamentals of electronic nose (E-nose), eye (E-eye), and tongue (E-tongue), data preprocessing, chemometrics, the application in the evaluation of quality and shelf life of meat and meat products, and advantages and disadvantages related to these electronic systems. E-nose is the most versatile technology among all three electronic systems and comprises applications to distinguish the application of different preservation methods (chilling vs. frozen, for instance), processing conditions (especially temperature and time), detect adulteration (meat from different species), and the monitoring of shelf life. Emerging applications include the detection of pathogenic microorganisms using E-nose. E-tongue is another relevant technology to determine adulteration, processing conditions, and to monitor shelf life. Finally, E-eye has been providing accurate measuring of color evaluation and grade marbling levels in fresh meat. However, advances are necessary to obtain information that are more related to industrial conditions. Advances to include industrial scenarios (cut sorting in continuous processing, for instance) are of great value.

Intelligent pH-sensing film based on jaboticaba peels extract incorporated on a biopolymeric matrix.

Food spoilage is associated with pH change. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a pH-sensing film based on the addition of anthocyanin extracted from jaboticaba peel to a biopolymeric matrix. UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis of the anthocyanin extract was performed to detect the color change in a broad pH range (1-11). Also, the thermal properties, morphology, moisture content (MC), water solubility (WS), water vapor permeability (WVP) and release test results were examined. The applicability of the pH-sensing film as intelligent packaging was tested by monitoring milk spoilage. Results showed that the film developed has satisfactory thermal stability up to 200 °C. Also, the MC and WVP properties of the film were reduced when the anthocyanin extract was present, 11.5% and 6.5 × 10-10 g H2O Pa- 1 s-1 m-1, respectively, while the WS showed an increase (54.33%). Release tests showed remarkable performance in simulated alcoholic and fatty aqueous foods. The food application test demonstrated the potential use of the anthocyanin-based film as a food quality indicator due to film visual color change ( Δ E >10, after 8 days of milk spoilage monitoring).

Physical and nutritional conditions for optimized production of bacteriocins by lactic acid bacteria - A review.

There has been an increasing debate about the use of synthetic chemical compounds and the consequences of their use in food preservation. In this context, the utilization of some natural compounds produced by bacteria, showing an inhibitory effect against microorganisms associated with food contamination, have gained attention as preservation technology. In order to improve the production and yield costs of bacteriocins, detailed studies are necessary to determine the conditions that allow an optimized production and extraction of bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this context, this article aims to discuss the information regarding the main factors that influence bacteriocin production by LAB. The biosynthesis of bacteriocins can be influenced by various culture conditions, such as the composition of the medium, pH, temperature and growth kinetics of the microorganisms. One of the limiting factors for the use of bacteriocins on a large scale in food preservation is the economic factor. In order for the production costs of bacteriocins to be reduced, making them attractive, it is necessary to know the optimum parameters of production, thus maximizing productivity and making costs more attractive.

Absorção química de dióxido de nitrogênio (NO2) / Chemical absorption of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

A absorção gasosa é comumente utilizada, nas indústrias de processos, para recuperar/obter compostos com alto valor agregado, bem como para a minimização de poluentes em ambientes aéreos contaminados. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a influência dos parâmetros de processo para recuperação do NO2, utilizando-se o simulador comercial Process Provision (PRO II®). Com os resultados obtidos observou-se que a fração molar de NO2 no topo da coluna de absorção é praticamente nula. Fato, que levou a estabelecer uma relação entre as taxas de absorção, com reação química, e a capacidade de transferência de massa ao longo da coluna de absorção com pratos. O HNO3 formado pode ser recuperado, podendo vir a ser matéria-prima na fabricação de fertilizantes inorgânicos.