Determination of some organochlorine pesticide residues in honeys from Konya, Turkey.

In this study, 24 organochlorine pesticide residues in 109 different honey samples collected from stores and open markets in Konya, Turkey were analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detection. Aldrin, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, oxy-chlordane, 2,4(')-DDE, and 4,4(')-DDE were found in all honey samples. The mean value was 0.0540 microg g(-1) for oxy-chlordane. In the 55 samples of 109, levels of organochlorine pesticide residues of oxy-chlordane were determined as higher than those of Turkish Alimentarius Codex maximum residual limits (MRLs). Other organochlorine pesticide residues also exceeded MRLs except for cis-heptachlor epoxide and alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane. Since all of the honey samples are found contaminated and most of these samples exceeded MRLs, a control of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey is necessary for consumer health.

Supplementing capsaicin with chitosan-based films enhanced the anti-quorum sensing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, transparency, elasticity and hydrophobicity.

In the current study, capsaicin, a plant alkaloid with high antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anticancer and analgesic properties, was used in the film technology for the first time. In the same regard, chitosan (as a versatile animal-based polymer) was blended with capsaicin at three different concentrations to obtain edible films. The produced films were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and DSC. Mechanical, transmittance, hydrophobicity, anti-quorum sensing, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties were also examined. Incorporation of 0.6 mg of capsaicin into the chitosan matrix (200 mg dissolved in 1% acetic acid solution) was observed as an optimal concentration for boosting up three film properties including mechanical, optical and surface morphology. A continuous improvement was recorded in anti-quorum sensing and antimicrobial activities, antioxidative and hydrophobicity with increasing concentration of capsaicin in the film. In further studies, chitosan-capsaicin blend films can be used as a food packaging material as well dermal and wound healing patches.

False flax (Camelina sativa) seed oil as suitable ingredient for the enhancement of physicochemical and biological properties of chitosan films.

To overcome the drawbacks of synthetic films in food packaging industry, researchers are turned to natural bio-based edible films enriched with various plant additives. In current study chitosan blend films were produced by incorporating Camelina sativa seed oil at varying concentrations to chitosan matrix. The chitosan blend films were characterized both physicochemically (structural, morphological, thermal, optical and mechanical) and biologically (antimicrobial and antioxidant activity). The incorporation of C. sativa seed oil notably enhanced thermal stability, antioxidative, anti-quorum sensing and antimicrobial activity. Except elongation at break, other mechanical properties of the blend films were not affected by incorporation of C. sativa seed oil. The surface morphology of blend films was recorded as slightly rough, non-porous and fibre-free surface. As it was expected the optical transmittance in visible region was gradually decreased with increasing fraction of seed oil. Interestingly the hydrophilicity of the blend films revealed a swift increase which can be explained by the formation of micelle between glycerol and Tween 40 in blend films. This study provides valuable information for C. sativa seed oil to be used as a blending ingredient in chitosan film technology.