Development and characterization of a novel biodegradable edible film obtained from psyllium seed (Plantago ovata Forsk)

In this study, the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of a novel edible film based on psyllium hydrocolloid (PH) were investigated. PH films were prepared by incorporation of three levels of glycerol (15%, 25%, and 35% w/w). As glycerol concentration increased, water vapor permeability (WVP), percent of elongation (E%) and water solubility of PH films increased whilst, tensile strength (TS), surface hydrophobicity and glass transition point (T_g) decreased significantly. At the level of 15% (W/W) of glycerol, PH films showed the lowest WVP values (1.16 × 10⁻¹⁰ g H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ MPa⁻¹), E% (24.57%) and water solubility (47.69%) and the highest values for TS (14.31 MPa), water contact angle (84.47°) and T_g (175.2 °C). By increasing glycerol concentration, PH films became slightly greenish and yellowish in color but still transparent in appearance. This study revealed that the psyllium hydrocolloid had a good potential to be used in producing edible films with interesting specifications.     

Mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of extruded and heat-pressed gelatin films

Gelatin-based edible films were produced by extruding hot melt of gelatin-based resins through a die with slot orifice and followed by heat-pressed method. The resins were plasticized with glycerol, sorbitol and the mixture of glycerol and sorbitol (MGS). The effect of type of plasticizer on extruded and heat-pressed (EHP) film-forming capacity was studied, and the mechanical and water barrier properties of resulting EHP gelatin films were compared with those of gelatin films prepared by solution casting method. Stretchable films were formed when glycerol or MGS were used as plasticizer, whereas resins plasticized with sorbitol were extruded in non-stretchable sheets. Glycerol plasticized gelatin film showed the highest flexibility and transparency among the EHP films tested. Tensile strength (TS), elongation (E) and water vapor permeability (WVP) of glycerol plasticized EHP gelatin films were 17.3 MPa, 215.9% and 2.46 ng m/m² s Pa, respectively, and EHP gelatin films had higher E values, lower TS values and higher WVP values compared to the glycerol plasticized cast gelatin films.     

Effects of partial hydrolysis and plasticizer content on the properties of film from cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) skin gelatin

Properties of film from cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) ventral skin gelatin with different degree of hydrolysis (DH: 0.40, 0.80 and 1.20%) added with glycerol as plasticizer at various levels (10, 15 and 20%, based on protein) were investigated. Films prepared from gelatin with all DH had the lower tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB) but higher water vapor permeability (WVP), compared with the control film (without hydrolysis) (p < 0.05). At the same glycerol content, both TS and EAB decreased, while WVP increased (p < 0.05) with increasing %DH. At the same DH, TS generally decreased as glycerol content increased (p < 0.05), however glycerol content had no effect on EAB when gelatins with 0.80 and 1.20% DH were used (p > 0.05). DH and glycerol content had no marked impact on color and the difference in color (ΔE^∗) of resulting films. Electrophoretic study revealed that degradation of gelatin and their corresponding films was more pronounced with increased %DH, resulting in the lower mechanical properties of films. Based on FTIR spectra, with the increasing %DH as well as glycerol content, higher amplitudes for amide-A and amide-B peaks were observed, compared with film from gelatin without hydrolysis (control film) due to the increased –NH₂ group caused by hydrolysis and the lower interaction of –NH₂ group in the presence of higher glycerol. Thermo-gravimetric analysis indicated that film prepared from gelatin with 1.20% DH exhibited the higher heat susceptibility and weight loss in the temperature range of 50–600 °C, compared with control film. Thus, both chain length of gelatin and glycerol content directly affected the properties of cuttlefish skin gelatin films.     

C NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric study of sucrose aqueous solutions at high pH: NMR measurement of sucrose dissociation constant

The ¹³C NMR technique is used for the measurement of the first dissociation constant of sucrose (HL) in highly alkaline solutions. In 1.0 M NaCl/NaOH medium and for 25 °C, the concentration dissociation constant (pK₁) was 13.1 ± 0.3; and, for 60 °C, pK₁ = 12.30 ± 0.05. The β-d-fructofuranosyl ring was found to be responsible for dissociation. The NMR data reveal no clear evidence of the second dissociation step below pH 14, either at 25 °C or at 60 °C. In the solutions with 4–10 mol dm⁻³ NaOH content the ¹³C NMR technique indicated the chemical shift changes, treated as the second dissociation step of sucrose and a sodium complex formation. A very rough estimation, for variable ionic strength, gives the value: pK₂ ∼ 15.8 ± 0.8. The anionic species L⁻ and NaH₋₁L⁻ have been registered by electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-ToF MS) for 0.01 M sucrose solutions with initial pH 13.     

Effect of heat treatment of film-forming solution on the properties of film from cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) skin gelatin

Effects of heat treatment at different temperatures (40–90 °C) of film-forming solution (FFS) containing 3% gelatin from cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) ventral skin and 25% glycerol (based on protein) on properties and molecular characteristics of resulting films were investigated. The film prepared from FFS heated at 60 and 70 °C showed the highest tensile strength (TS) with the highest melting transition temperature (T_max) (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, film from FFS heated at 90 °C had the highest elongation at break (EAB) with the highest glass transition temperature (T_g) (p < 0.05). With increasing heating temperatures, water vapor permeability (WVP) of films decreased (p < 0.05), but no differences in L*-value and transparency value were observed (p > 0.05). Based on FTIR spectra, the lower formation of hydrogen bonding was found in film prepared from FFS with heat treatment. Electrophoretic study revealed that degradation of gelatin was more pronounced in FFS and resulting film when heat treatment was conducted at temperature above 70 °C. Thus, heat treatment of FFS directly affected the properties of resulting films.     

Functional properties of gelatin-based films containing Yucca schidigera extract produced via casting,extrusion and blown extrusion processes: A preliminary study

Gelatin-based films containing both Yucca schidigera extract and low concentrations of glycerol (0.25–8.75 g per 100 g protein) were produced by extrusion (EF) and characterized in relation to their mechanical properties and moisture content. The formulations that resulted in either larger or smaller elongation values were used to produce films via both blown extrusion (EBF) and casting (CF) and were characterized with respect to their mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, moisture content, solubility, morphology and infrared spectroscopy. The elongation of the EF films was significantly higher than that of the CF and EBF films. The transversal section possessed a compact, homogeneous structure for all of the films studied. The solubility of the films (36–40%) did not differ significantly between the different processes evaluated. The EBF films demonstrated lower water vapor permeability (0.12 g mm m⁻² h⁻¹ kPa⁻¹) than the CF and EF films. The infrared spectra did not indicate any strong interactions between the added compounds. Thermoplastic processing of the gelatin films can significantly increase their elongation; however, a more detailed assessment and optimization of the extrusion conditions is necessary, along with the addition of partially hydrophobic compounds, such as surfactants.     

Thermal properties and resistant starch content of green banana flour (Musa cavendishii) produced at different drying conditions

The objective of this research was to verify the effect of drying conditions on thermal properties and resistant starch content of green banana flour (Musa cavendishii). The green banana flour is a complex-carbohydrates source, mainly of resistant starch, and quantifying its gelatinization is important to understand how it affects food processing and the functional properties of the flour. The green banana flour was obtained by drying unripe peeled bananas (first stage of ripening) in a dryer tunnel at 52 °C, 55 °C and 58 °C and air velocity at 0.6 m s⁻¹, 1.0 m s⁻¹ and 1.4 m s⁻¹. The results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves show a single endothermic transition and a flow of maximum heating at peak temperatures from (67.95 ± 0.31) °C to (68.63 ± 0.28) °C. ANOVA shows that only drying temperature influenced significantly (P < 0.05) the gelatinization peak temperature (Tp). Gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH) varied from 9.04 J g⁻¹ to 11.63 J g⁻¹ and no significant difference was observed for either temperature or air velocity. The resistant starch content of the flour produced varied from (40.9 ± 0.4) g/100 g to (58.5 ± 5.4) g/100 g, on dry basis (d. b.), and was influenced by the combination of drying conditions: flour produced at 55 °C/1.4 m s⁻¹ and 55 °C/1.0 m s⁻¹ presented higher content of resistant starch.     

Effects of ageing and low internal temperature of grilling on the formation of heterocyclic amines in beef Longissimus dorsi muscle

The mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) originate in processed proteinaceous food. The effects of ageing (non-aged - i.e. 24 h post mortem vs. 14 and 28 days post mortem kept at 1 °C) and final internal temperature on cooking (T_i, 65 and 80 °C) on the content of HAs in grilled steaks (two-plated grill, temperature of 220 °C) were studied. HA precursors (creatine, creatinine, and free amino acids) and ageing indicators, such as instrumentally measured colour values, pH_ultimate values and length of myofibrilar fragments on raw and cutting values on grilled beef Longissimus dorsi muscles were determined. The muscles originated from eight commercially slaughtered Simmental bulls, 19-20 months old. The content of HAs was determined by a solid-phase extraction procedure. Meat ageing is accompanied by large changes in the chemical composition and structure of muscle tissues. In general, all the ageing indicators and precursors of HAs were influenced by ageing time at the 5% level or less. Creatine content declined significantly (non-aged: 6.00 mg g⁻¹, 14 days: 5.82 mg g⁻¹, and 28 days: 5.55 mg g⁻¹) and creatinine increased with days of ageing (non-aged: 0.19 mg g⁻¹, 14 days: 0.24 mg g⁻¹, and 28 days: 0.26 mg g⁻¹). Higher contents of total free amino acids were determined after 14 and 28 days of storage (28.18 μmol g⁻¹ and 37.59 μmol g⁻¹) than in non-aged beef (19.00 μmol g⁻¹). In this study, two HAs were determined: MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) and PhIP (2—amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine). The content of HAs increases with ageing. At lower T_i, more MeIQx was formed; at higher T_i, more PhIP was formed. MeIQx was present in all samples while PhIP was found only in samples grilled to higher T_i. Samples treated to T_i = 80 °C generally contained less HAs (non-aged meat: 0.20 ng g⁻¹, 14 days: 0.26 ng g⁻¹, and 28 days: 0.28 ng g⁻¹) than samples treated to T_i = 65 °C (non-aged meat: 0.19 ng g⁻¹, 14 days: 0.36 ng g⁻¹, and 28 days: 0.39 ng g⁻¹) on account of MeIQx thermolability.     

Processing optimization and characterization of gelatin from lizardfish (Saurida spp.) scales

Response surface methodology (RSM) with a 4-factor, 5-level central composite design (CCD) was conducted to ascertain the optimum gelatin extraction conditions from lizardfish scales. The effects of concentration of NaOH (%, X₁), treatment time (h, X₂), extraction temperature (°C, X₃) and extraction time (h, X₄) were determined. The responses included extraction yield (%), gel strength (g) at 9-10 °C and viscosity (cP) at 25 °C. The results showed the optimum conditions for the highest values of the three responses when a concentration of NaOH at 0.51%, a treatment time at 3.10 h, an extraction temperature at 78.5 °C and an extraction time at 3.02 h. The predicted responses were 10.7% extraction yield, 240 g gel strength and 5.61 cP viscosity. The experimental values were 10.6 ± 0.82% extraction yield, 252 ± 1.21 g gel strength and 7.50 ± 0.28 cP viscosity. The physicochemical properties of the lizardfish scales gelatin were characterized and the results indicated high protein and low ash content. Texture profile analysis (TPA) with compression was carried out at 30% deformation. The lizardfish scales gelatin was found to contain 20.4% imino acids (proline and hydroxyproline). Furthermore, slightly loose strands of the gel microstructure were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Polymer films releasing nisin and/or natamycin from polyvinyldichloride lacquer coating: Nisin and natamycin migration,efficiency in cheese packaging

Polyethylene films coated by commercially available polyvinyldichloride (PVdC) as well as nitrocellulose (NC) lacquer with addition of natamycin preparation Delvocid® (16.7% w/w of natamycin in lacquer) were studied at 6 and 23 °C to determine the preservative migration into distilled water. The films released natamycin at maximal level 2.34 ± 0.32 mg/dm². The diffusion coefficient of 0.79 × 10⁻¹⁰ ± 0.29 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s and 1.03 × 10⁻¹⁰ ± 0.17 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s was determined for natamycin transport in PVdC lacquer layer at 6 and 23 °C, respectively. For nitrocellulose lacquer the diffusion coefficient of 0.89 × 10⁻¹⁰ ± 0.16 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s was found at 23 °C. The coextruded polyamide/polyethylene film coated with the PVdC lacquer containing both nisin (16.7% w/w of preparation Nisaplin®) and natamycin (see above) provided inhibitory effect against selected indicator microorganisms (Penicillium expansum, Fusarium culmorum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Listeria ivanovií). This film was unsuitable for the packaging of the surface ripened cheese Olomoucké tvar??ky. On the other hand, it was able to prevent the growth of spoilage microorganisms on the surface of the packaged soft cheese Bla?ácké zlato.     

Effect of flaxseed meal on the dynamic mechanical properties of starch-based films

Starch (S)–flaxseed meal (FM) biofilms were prepared from potato and maize starch by incorporating FM up to 15% (dry solid basis) and using glycerol as plasticizer. The dynamic mechanical properties, tensile properties and water vapor permeability (WVP) of these films were measured. The storage modulus of both the starch (control) and starch–FM films decreased as temperature increased. Tan δ increased initially in all the films with increase in temperature until a peak value was reached which allowed the determination of glass transition temperature (T_g). Both tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the starch–FM films increased with increase in the FM content. The WVP of the potato starch–FM films first increased to 2.261 (×10⁵ g m⁻² h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) when FM content increased to 5% and decreased down to 1.832 (×10⁵ g m⁻² h⁻¹ Pa⁻¹) with further increase in the FM content to 15%. While the WVP values of the cornstarch and corn starch–FM films were not significantly (p > 0.05) different. The incorporation of FM increased the tensile strength, decreased the % elongation at break and increased the T_g.     

Optimisation of the aqueous extraction conditions of phenols from meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.) for incorporation into beverages

Meadowsweet was extracted in water at a range of temperatures (60–100 °C), and the total phenols, tannins, quercetin, salicylic acid content and colour were analysed. The extraction of total phenols followed pseudo first-order kinetics, the rate constant (k) increased from 0.09 ± 0.02 min⁻¹ to 0.44 ± 0.09 min⁻¹, as the temperature increased from 60 to 100 °C. An increase in temperature from 60 to 100 °C increased the concentration of total phenols extracted from 39 ± 2 to 63 ± 3 mg g⁻¹ gallic acid equivalents, although it did not significantly affect the proportion of tannin and non-tannin fractions. The extraction of quercetin and salicyclic acid from meadowsweet also followed pseudo first-order kinetics, the rate constant of both compounds increasing with an increase in temperature up until 90 °C. Therefore, the aqueous extraction of meadowsweet at temperatures at or above 90 °C for 15 min yields extracts high in phenols, which may be added to beverages.     

Physico-chemical properties of potato starches

Starches were isolated and characterised from 10 potato cultivars grown under the same conditions (with a commercial starch for reference). The chemical composition revealed some differences amongst the starches with protein ranging from 0.30% to 0.34%, amylose 25.2% to 29.1% and phosphorus 52.6–66.2 mg 100 g⁻¹. High performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) fractionation of isoamylase debranched amylopectin showed that the amylopectin molecules were less branched and consisted of more B1, but less A-chains, than cereal starches. Gelatinisation onset (T_o), peak (T_p) and conclusion (T_c) temperatures of the native potato starches ranged from 58.7 to 62.5 °C, 62.5 to 66.1 °C and 68.7 to 72.3 °C, respectively, whilst the gelatinisation enthalpies ranged from 15.1 to 18.4 J g⁻¹. The gelatinisation temperatures of the starches increased in common with the amounts of short and intermediate sized amylopectin chains. The ¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CP-MAS NMR) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) data (30.6% ± 0.22% crystallinity on average) showed little variance amongst the samples. Particle sizing results, however, revealed more variance (20.6–30.9 μm mean diameter). Overall, these data reveal the subtleties of cultivar specific variation against a background of constant environmental conditions.     

Release of α-Tocopherol from Poly(lactic acid) films, and its effect on the oxidative stability of soybean oil

Poly(94% l-lactic acid) (PLA) films (PT0) and PLA films containing 2.58% wt. α-Tocopherol (PT2.5) were extruded in a pilot-plant size blown-extrusion machine. PT2.5 films were obtained with a slightly yellowish color and absorption of UV-visible light at 320-260 nm. The kinetics of release of α-Tocopherol from the PT2.5 films to ethanol and vegetable oil at temperatures between 13 and 43 °C was evaluated. Diffusion of the α-Tocopherol from the PT2.5 films to ethanol showed a Fick’s behavior with diffusion coefficients (D) at levels between 10⁻¹¹ and 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s and with 26.9-99% of release. Diffusion of α-Tocopherol to oil was slower than to ethanol with 5.1-12.9% of release. However, it was enough to delay the induction of the oxidation of soybean oil stored in contact with the PT2.5 film at 20 and 30 °C, compared with that of oil in contact with the PT0 film. The processing conditions and the temperature of diffusion process had an effect on the reduction of the weight average molecular weight (M_W) of PLA. PLA packaging added with α-Tocopherol could be used for protection of oily foods stored at room temperature.     

Heterocyclic amines in aged and thermally treated pork longissimus dorsi muscle of normal and PSE quality

Here we have studied the effects of ageing time (as non-aged, 24 h post mortem vs. aged, 3, 6 and 10 days post mortem, kept at 2 °C), muscle quality (normal vs. pale, soft and exudative [PSE]) and internal cooking temperature (T_i, 70 and 95 °C) on the content of HAs in grilled steaks. HA precursors (creatine, creatinine, free amino acids, monosaccharides), ageing, and the muscle quality indicators of drip loss, instrumentally measured colour, pH, non-protein nitrogen, and grilled-meat WBSF of the pork longissimus dorsi muscle were determined. In general, all of the ageing and muscle quality indicators and precursors of the HAs were influenced by ageing time. Creatine content decreased significantly, and creatinine increased with days of ageing, dependent on muscle quality. There was higher content of total free amino acids after 10 days of storage, as compared to non-aged pork. A higher level of free amino acids was seen in normal as compared to PSE pork muscle. The glucose content increased with ageing, and there was a higher glucose content in PSE as compared to normal muscle. Five specific HAs were measured: PhIP, MeIQx, DiMeIQx, Harman and Norharman. The total HA content increased with ageing (non-aged and normal pork HA content, 1.35 ng g⁻¹; after 3 days, 1.38 ng g⁻¹; after 6 days, 1.77 ng g⁻¹; and after 10 days, 3.49 ng g⁻¹) and it was dependent on the internal temperature; greater amounts of HAs were formed in samples grilled to T_i = 95 °C, than in samples grilled to T_i = 70 °C (8.34 vs. 2.36 ng g⁻¹). No marked differences due to muscle quality were seen in HA content at T_i = 70 °C (with the exception of MeIQx). The mean HA content of PSE samples grilled to T_i = 95 °C was 22% more than for the normal samples.     

Tungsten permanent chemical modifier with co-injection of Pd(NO3)2 + Mg(NO3)2 for direct determination of Pb in vinegar by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten carbide coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA^®) used together with Pd(NO₃)₂ + Mg(NO₃)₂ as modifier is proposed for the direct determination of lead in vinegar by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimized heating program (temperature, ramp time, hold time) of atomizer involved drying stage (110 °C, 5 s, 30 s; 130 °C, 5 s, 30 s), pyrolysis stage (1000 °C, 15 s, 30 s), atomization stage (1800 °C, 0 s, 5 s) and clean-out stage (2450 °C, 1 s, 3 s). For 10 μL of vinegar delivered into the atomizer and calibration using working standard solutions (2.5–20.0 μg L⁻¹ Pb) in 0.2% (v/v) HNO₃, analytical curve with good linear correlation (r = 0.9992) was established. The characteristic mass was 40 pg Pb and the lifetime of the tube was around 730 firings. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4 μg L⁻¹ and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically <8% for a sample containing 25 μg L⁻¹ Pb. Accuracy of the proposed method was checked after direct analysis of 23 vinegar samples. A paired t-test showed that results were in agreement at 95% confidence level with those obtained for acid-digested vinegar samples. The Pb levels varied from 2.8 to 32.4 μg L⁻¹. Accuracy was also checked by means of addition/recovery tests and recovered values varied from 90% to 110%. Additionally, two certified reference materials were analyzed and results were in agreement with certified values at a 95% confidence level.     

Manufacture and characterization of gelatin films derived from beef,pork and fish sources using twin screw extrusion

Gelatin films derived from beef, pork and fish sources were manufactured by twin-screw, co-rotating extrusion. The effect of extrusion processing parameters, namely; screw speed (100–400 rpm) and temperature (90, 90, 90, 90 °C and 90, 120, 90, 90 °C) on the mechanical and barrier properties of gelatin films were studied. Increasing screw speed up to 300 rpm improved (P < 0.05) tensile strength (TS) and reduced (non-significantly) water vapour permeability (WVP) values for all manufactured gelatin films. However, the WVP of various gelatin film types was reduced (P < 0.05) when a screw speed of 400 rpm was employed. Increasing the speed of extrusion promoted (P < 0.05) increased solubility of films in water. Manufacture of films using a higher temperature profile resulted in films possessing higher puncture strengths (PS), increased water barrier properties with higher water solubility.     

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy predicts the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and biohydrogenation products in the subcutaneous fat of beef cows fed flaxseed

This study examined the ability of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to estimate the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their biohydrogenation products in the subcutaneous fat of beef cows fed flaxseed. Subcutaneous fat samples at the 12th rib of 62 cows were stored at − 80 °C, thawed, scanned over a NIR spectral range from 400 to 2498 nm at 31 °C and 2 °C, and subsequently analysed for fatty acid composition. Best NIRS calibrations were with samples at 31 °C, showing high predictability for most of the n−3 (R²: 0.81-0.86; RMSECV: 0.11-1.56 mg g^− 1 fat) and linolenic acid biohydrogenation products such as conjugated linolenic acids, conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), non-CLA dienes and trans-monounsaturated fatty acids with R² (RMSECV_, mg g^− 1 fat) of 0.85-0.85 (0.16-0.37), 0.84-0.90 (0.21-2.58), 0.90 (5.49) and 0.84-0.90 (4.24-8.83), respectively. NIRS could discriminate 100% of subcutaneous fat samples from beef cows fed diets with and without flaxseed.     

Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from butter lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was isolated from butter lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.) grown in Poland and its biochemical characteristic were studied. PPO from butter lettuce showed a higher affinity to 4-methylcatechol than to catechol. The K_M and V_max values were: 3.20 ± 0.01 mM and 4081 ± 8 U/ml min⁻¹ for catechol and 1.00 ± 0.09 mM and 5405 ± 3 U/ml min⁻¹ for 4-methylcatechol. The optimum pHs of the enzyme were found to be 5.5 using catechol and 6.8 using 4-methylcatechol as substrate. The enzyme had a temperature optimum of 35 °C. The enzyme was relatively stable at 30 °C and 40 °C. The times required for 50% inactivation of activity at 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C were found to be about 30, 20 and 5 min, respectively. Inhibitors used for investigation in this study were placed in relative order of inhibition: p-hydroxybenzoic acid > glutathione ≈ ascorbic acid > l-cysteine > EDTA > citric acid. The enzyme eluted in the chromatographic separations was analyzed electrophoretically under denaturating conditions. The analysis revealed a single band on the SDS–PAGE which corresponded to a molecular weight of 60 kDa.     

Effect of nanoclay-type and PLA optical purity on the characteristics of PLA-based nanocomposite films

Nanocomposite films were produced by blending semicrystalline PLA with different types of OMMTs using extrusion. In order to study their effect on optical, structural, and thermal properties, they were added at a fixed nominal concentration of 5% w/w and compared with pure PLA films. The XRD measurements showed that the incorporation of small amounts of nanoclays resulted in a formation of nanocomposites, with the C30B demonstrating the greatest compatibility with PLA. An increase in UV barrier properties was observed in nanocomposites, with Closite® C20A showing the best performance. The content of L-isomer in PLA significantly affected the thermal properties of the films, with a decrease in T_m of about 14 °C and increase in T_c of about 20 °C when the matrix, possessing a higher D-isomer content, was used. FTIR results showed a strong interaction between the nanoclays and the two different PLA matrices, due to the appearance of new peaks in nanocomposites films at around 520 and 627 cm⁻¹.