Food applications of active packaging EVOH films containing cyclodextrins for the preferential scavenging of undesirable compounds

Novel ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) films containing beta-cyclodextrins (βCD) with potential application in active food packaging have been tested as materials for the preferential retention of undesired food components. The films were immersed on pasteurized milk and UHT milk and stored at 4 and 23 °C, respectively. The films containing βCD presented a significant reduction in cholesterol concentration, achieving a 23% reduction in UHT milk exposed to EVOH films containing 30% βCD. Despite the immobilization of the βCD and the large molecular size of cholesterol, 15% of the βCD molecules added to the films were involved in the formation of βCD/cholesterol inclusion complexes. In another set of experiments, the films were used to reduce the presence of aldehydes (substances which develop as a result of oxidative processes) in packaged fried peanuts. The films containing βCD brought a significant reduction in hexanal, reaching a 50% decrease over short periods (1-5 weeks). At longer storage times (10 weeks) the retention capacity of the developed films was exhausted and no differences were observed between the samples.     

Development of new active packaging films coated with natural phenolic compounds to improve the oxidative stability of beef

The aim is to develop active packaging films containing natural antioxidants and to evaluate their capacity to enhance the oxidative stability of beef during refrigeration. The antioxidant activity of a natural extract obtained from a brewery residual waste was evaluated and compared with that of a commercial rosemary extract and two synthetic antioxidants (BHT and propyl gallate). Different concentrations of each antioxidant were also added directly to beef samples, resulting in a reduction in lipid oxidation of up to 70–80% relative to the control. Active antioxidant films coated with PVPP-WS extract reduced lipid oxidation by up to 80%, relative to the control, during cold storage. The use of active packaging films containing natural extracts could improve the oxidative stability of meat products and should therefore be of great interest in the food industry.     

The combined effect of antioxidants and modified atmosphere packaging on protein and lipid oxidation in beef patties during chill storage

Effect of rosemary extract and ascorbate/citrate (1:1) in combination with modified atmosphere packaging (100% N(2), 80% O(2)/20% N(2)) on protein and lipid oxidation in minced beef patties during storage in the dark for up to 6 days at 4°C was investigated. A high level of oxygen in the packaging atmosphere was found to increase both lipid and protein oxidation during storage as evaluated by TBARS analysis of secondary lipid oxidation products and by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatization of protein carbonyls. Both antioxidant systems tested were found to inhibit lipid oxidation but not protein oxidation. In contrast, ascorbate/citrate was found to promote protein oxidation. Rosemary extract was found to regenerate or protect α-tocopherol whereas the packaging atmospheres had no effect on α-tocopherol stability. In high oxygen atmospheres both antioxidants protected the fresh red meat colour with ascorbate/citrate being more efficient than the rosemary extract, whereas no effect of antioxidant on meat colour was found in beef patties stored in 100% nitrogen.     

Development of antioxidant food packaging materials with controlled release properties

In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) films with different morphological features were prepared in order to control the release rates of low molecular weight natural antioxidants, L-ascorbic acid and L-tyrosine. Increasing CA content in the casting solution decreased the average pore size and porosity of the films, thus, reduced the diffusion rates of both antioxidants through the films. Although both antioxidants have similar molecular weights, L-tyrosine released into water much more slowly than L-ascorbic acid. The highest antioxidant activity in release test solutions was observed with highly porous L-tyrosine containing films. However, when the porosity of the films reduced, the antioxidant activity of L-ascorbic acid released into solution was found to be higher due to trapping of significant amount of L-tyrosine in dense films. The use of different antioxidants caused different changes in morphological and mechanical properties of the CA films. Varying the structural features of the films with the preparation conditions or using different surfaces of the films allowed the controlled release of each antioxidant.     

Effect of an active packaging with citrus extract on lipid oxidation and sensory quality of cooked turkey meat

An antioxidant active packaging was prepared by coating a citrus extract, consisting of a mixture of carboxylic acids and flavanones, on polyethylene terephthalate trays. The effect of the packaging in reducing lipid oxidation in cooked turkey meat and on meat pH, colour characteristics and sensorial parameters was investigated. An untrained sensory panel evaluated the odour, taste, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability of the meat, using triangle, paired preference and quantitative response scale tests. A comparison between the antioxidant effects of the different components of the extract was also carried out. The packaging led to a significant reduction in lipid oxidation. After 2 days of refrigerated storage the sensory panel detected differences in odour and, after 4 days, rated the meat stored in the active packaging higher for tenderness and overall acceptability. Citric acid appeared to be the most important component of the extract with regard to its antioxidant potency.     

Release and antioxidant activity of carvacrol and thymol from polypropylene active packaging films

The migration of antioxidant (AO) agents, carvacrol and thymol, from polypropylene (PP) packaging films containing the studied compounds at 80 g/kg separately and an equimolar mixture of them into food simulants was investigated. Fast and reliable analytical procedures were developed and validated for the analysis of the studied AOs in food simulants. For aqueous food simulants, solid phase extraction followed by GC–MS analysis was performed. Fatty food simulants were directly analysed by GC–MS and HPLC-UV for isooctane and ethanol 950 mL/L, respectively. The release of AOs from the films was dependent on the type of food stimulant and AO incorporated. In particular, high levels of migration were obtained for both AOs into isooctane, showing thymol higher migration. The release kinetics of AOs from PP films showed a Fichian behaviour with diffusion coefficients ranging from 1 to 2 × 10⁻¹⁴ m²/s; except for the diffusion into isooctane where 4-6 higher values were obtained. The antioxidant activity of migration extracts was confirmed by the DPPH method, showing thymol a higher antioxidant capacity especially into isooctane with a 42.2% of inhibition. The obtained results suggest that carvacrol and thymol show a potential use as AOs for active packaging for extending the shelf-life of food products.     

Effect of antioxidant on the fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation of intramuscular lipid in pressurized pork

To investigate the effect of antioxidants on lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition in pressurized pork, minced pork with or without 1% Na(2)EDTA was pressurized at 500MPa before 7days storage at 4°C. TBARS value, lipid content and fatty acid composition in untreated and high-pressure (HP) treated samples were analyzed. HP treatment induced marked increases in TBARS values and lipolysis of partial phospholipids causing an increase of free fatty acid content. Preferential hydrolysis for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in phospholipids resulted in the percentage of PUFA in phospholipids decreasing markedly and thereby that in free fatty acids increasing significantly. Addition of 1% Na(2)EDTA to minced pork before HP significantly decreased the TBARS values in pressurized samples, but did not inhibit the lipolysis of phospholipids, causing the fatty acid composition of phospholipids and free fatty acids to change similarly to those samples without Na(2)EDTA.     

Antioxidant active packaging for chicken meat processed by high pressure treatment

Patties made of minced chicken breast and thigh packed in standard vacuum-packaging (C) or in antioxidant active packaging (AP) were subjected to high pressure treatment (800 MPa, 10 min, 5 °C) and subsequently stored for 25 days at 5 °C. Lipid oxidation was studied at the surface (S) and the inner (I) parts of the meat patties. The lipid oxidation was higher in the surface part and the active packaging was able to delay it up to 25 days. The lipid oxidation was limited in the inner part of the meat patties and restrained at the surface of the active packaging. It was found that the effect on lipid oxidation by high pressure may not be explained solely by cell membrane damage, as radicals were formed in the meat during the pressure treatment.     

Antioxidant effects of soy sauce on color stability and lipid oxidation of raw beef patties during cold storage

This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant effects of soy sauce on lipid oxidation and color stability of raw beef patties. Raw beef patties were formulated with four solutions such as NaCl (sodium chloride solution), NaCl/SS (1:1 ratio of sodium chloride and soy sauce solution), SS (soy sauce solution), or SS/A (soy sauce solution combined with 0.05% ascorbic acid) in the same salt concentration. Addition of soy sauce resulted in the decreased pH, lightness, and increased yellowness. Treatment SS/A had the lowest percent of metmyoglobin during storage (P < 0.05). A reduction (P < 0.05) in the 2-thiobarbituric acid, peroxide, and conjugated diene concentration as result of soy sauce addition were observed in treatments SS and SS/A at the end of the storage period. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in free fatty acid concentration at the end of storage. The combined addition of soy sauce and ascorbic acid greatly improved (P < 0.05) color stability and retarded lipid oxidation.     

Effect of grape antioxidant dietary fibre on the prevention of lipid oxidation in minced fish: Evaluation by different methodologies

The effect of grape antioxidant dietary fibre (GADF) addition to minced fish muscle (MFM) on lipid stability during frozen storage (6 months) was studied. Concentrations of 0%, 2%, and 4% GADF were added to MFM samples. Analyses were carried out immediately after preparation of samples and during and after storage at −20 °C. GADF was characterized in terms of dietary fibre, total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity, and multifunctional antioxidant assays were carried out on all the MFM samples. The addition of red grape fibre considerably delayed lipid oxidation in minced horse mackerel muscle during the first 3 months of frozen storage.     

Lipid damage during frozen storage of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in active packaging film containing antioxidants

The use of peroxide value (PV), free fatty acids (FFA), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and p-anisidine value (PA) proved suitable for studying lipid hydrolysis and primary and secondary lipid oxidation in samples of Atlantic halibut throughout frozen storage. After twelve months, the FFA values in the samples packaged with the film containing natural antioxidants (extracted from barley husks) were similar to the FFA value in the control sample after 9 months. Maximum peroxide value in the samples packaged with the antioxidant-containing film was found one month after the maximum value observed in the control sample. After six months, the concentration of malondialdehyde in the control sample was approximately 30–50% higher than in samples packaged in film containing antioxidants. The results confirm the efficacy of natural antioxidants derived from barley husks and antioxidant active packaging film in slowing down lipid hydrolysis and increasing the oxidative stability of Atlantic halibut flesh.     

Packaging-specific influence of chitosan on color stability and lipid oxidation in refrigerated ground beef

We examined the influence of chitosan on lipid oxidation and color stability of ground beef stored in different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems. Ground beef patties with chitosan (1%) or without chitosan (control) were packaged either in high-oxygen MAP (HIOX; 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), carbon monoxide MAP (CO; 0.4% CO + 19.6% CO₂ + 80% N₂), vacuum (VP), or aerobic packaging (PVC) and stored at 1 °C. Chitosan increased (P < 0.05) redness of patties stored in PVC and CO, whereas it had no effect (P > 0.05) in HIOX. Chitosan patties demonstrated lower (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than controls in all packaging. Control patties in PVC and HIOX exhibited greater (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than those in VP and CO, whereas chitosan patties in different packaging systems were not different (P > 0.05) from each other. Our findings suggested that antioxidant effects of chitosan on ground beef are packaging-specific.     

Effects of novel modified atmosphere packaging on lipid quality and stability of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) fillets

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is an efficient method to increase shelf-life of fishery products by inhibiting bacterial growth and oxidative reactions. Beside the traditional gases used for MAP, novel gases such as argon (Ar) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) were approved for food use in the European Union. The present research investigates the effect of MAP with unconventional gas mixtures, that previously positively affected microbial shelf-life, on colour, lipid oxidation and sensorial characteristics of sardine fillets during storage. Four atmosphere conditions were tested: Air (20.8% O₂/79.2% N₂), N₂ (30% CO₂/70% N₂), N₂O (30% CO₂/70% N₂O) and Ar (30% CO₂/70% Ar). Samples were stored for 12 days at 3 °C. Results showed that the removal of oxygen significantly inhibited the oxidation process; however, most of the investigated parameters related to fat oxidation did not show any improvement, except for a slight decrease in lipid hydrolysis and improvement in sensory properties in the packaging containing Ar.     

The effect of ginger on diabetic nephropathy,plasma antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in rats

Oxidative stress is a major factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. We studied the effects of ginger powder on nephropathy induced by diabetes, and measured changes in plasma antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation.     

Incorporation of yellow onion peel extract into the funoran-based biodegradable films as an antioxidant packaging material

This study was conducted to develop a biodegradable antioxidant film using yellow onion peel extract (YOPE) and funoran extracted from Gloiopeltis furcata. The mechanical, optical and antioxidant properties of the funoran films containing various amounts of YOPE (0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0%) were examined. YOPE dose-dependently increased the flexibility as well as the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities of the funoran films. Additionally, the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the funoran films increased from 31.92 to 61.31 mg gallic acid equivalent g⁻¹ film and from 21.80 to 79.22 mg quercetin equivalent g⁻¹ film after the incorporation of YOPE, respectively. These results suggest that the funoran-based film incorporated with YOPE, which was prepared from underutilised red alga and discarded onion peel, can be used as an antioxidant biodegradable packaging material.     

Use of proteases to improve oxidative stability of fermented sausages by increasing low molecular weight compounds with antioxidant activity

Forty fermented sausages from Iberian pigs were manufactured using 3 different proteases with a potential antioxidant activity (batch 1: without proteases, batch 2: neutral bacterial protease, batch 3: fungal protease and batch 4: fungal protease concentrate). The antioxidant properties of extracts (< 3 kDa) from Iberian dry-cured sausages were assessed using four different methods: (i) 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), (ii) metal chelating assay (MQA), (iii) reducing power (RP) and (iv) inhibition of linoleic acid autoxidation (ILAA). Dry-cured sausage extracts from of all the manufactured batches showed antioxidant activity as indicated by RSA, MQA and ILAA. Manufacturing sausages with the used proteases increased the antioxidant activity of the sausage extracts, except for the MQA. Moreover, extracts from dry-cured sausages which were manufactured without proteases showed the highest levels of both thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and hexanal content.     

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of biocompatible low density polyethylene/polyaniline blends

Melt processed blends of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and polyaniline, in nanorod form, synthesized via the “falling pH” method (NR-PANI), with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% NR-PANI loading, were evaluated for active packaging applications. The oxygen permeability decreased as the amount of NR-PANI in the blends increased. The blends films also exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities. The oxidation of fish oil was delayed in the presence of the NR-PANI/LLDPE blends, and there was a negative correlation between oxidation and the NR-PANI content in the films. Moreover, the blends films were biocompatible to mammalian cells, meaning that NR-PANI/LLDPE films can potentially be utilized for a range of active packaging applications.     

The effects of brined onion extracts on lipid oxidation and sensory quality in refrigerated cooked turkey breast rolls during storage

The effects of brined onion extracts on selected aspects of quality in cooked encased turkey breast rolls were evaluated during refrigerated storage over 7 days. Using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay, a 50% strength juice gave a significant reduction (P < 0.0001) in lipid oxidation in both 100 g and 1 kg rolls relative to controls. Quercetin, the main onion juice antioxidant, was reduced by 65% in freshly cooked 1 kg rolls compared with raw rolls but changed little thereafter in storage. Cook yields were significantly higher for rolls containing added onion extracts than for controls (P < 0.05) but no colour differences were detected using Hunter Lab values (P ? 0.05). A 30-member untrained sensory panel expressed no preference for freshly opened 4 day-stored control or onion extract-supplemented rolls packed in plastic casings but there was a significant preference (P < 0.05) for the onion extract product when 4 mm thick meat slices were stored in air for an additional 24 h.     

Extension of the display life of lamb with an antioxidant active packaging

Fresh lamb steaks were treated with three different preparations of natural antioxidants: one group was packaged with a rosemary active film, the second group was packaged with an oregano active film, and the third group was sprayed on the meat surface with a rosemary extract before packaging in a high-oxygen atmosphere. Samples were stored under illumination at 1 ± 1 °C for 13 days. Metmyoglobin formation, lipid oxidation (TBARS), instrumental colour (CIE a^*), psychrotrophic bacterial counts (PCA), sensory discolouration and off-odour were determined. The use of a rosemary extract, a rosemary active film or an oregano active film resulted in enhanced oxidative stability of lamb steaks. Active films with oregano were significantly more efficient than those with rosemary, exerting an effect similar to that of direct addition of the rosemary extract; in fact, they extended fresh odour and colour from 8 to 13 days compared to the control.     

Active packaging of ground beef patties by edible zein films incorporated with partially purified lysozyme and Na2EDTA

In this study, antimicrobial activity of zein films incorporated with partially purified lysozyme and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na₂EDTA) has been tested on selected pathogenic bacteria and refrigerated ground beef patties. The developed films containing 700 μg cm^?2 lysozyme and 300 μg cm^?2 Na₂EDTA showed antimicrobial activity on Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella typhimurium. The application of lysozyme and Na₂EDTA incorporated zein films on beef patties significantly decreased total viable counts (TVC) and total coliform counts after 5 days of storage compared to those of control patties (P < 0.05). Zein films incorporated with lysozyme and Na₂EDTA or Na₂EDTA alone significantly slowed down the oxidative changes in patties during storage (P < 0.05). Redness indices of patties coated with zein films were significantly lower than those of uncoated control patties during storage (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated the potential usage of zein films containing lysozyme and Na₂EDTA for active packaging of refrigerated meat products.