Extractability and chemical and enzymic degradation of psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) seed husk arabinoxylans

To assess the potential of arabinoxylan (AX)-rich psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) seed husk (PSH) as a source for production of arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS), the parameters determining PSH AX extraction yield and the chemical and enzymic hydrolysis of PSH AX were investigated. The seed husk material had a high content of AX (62.5%) with an arabinose to xylose ratio of 0.41. The water extractability of PSH AX was affected by suspension concentration rather than by temperature. Maximally, 27% of all AX could be extracted, even when using very dilute suspensions (0.1% w/v). When subjected to alkaline conditions, a pH of at least 12 was needed to significantly increase extractability (up to 77% of all AX). The extractability-increasing effect of alkali was, however, reversible, as extractability decreased again when lowering the pH. Acid hydrolysis at high temperature drastically increased AX extraction yields (up to 97% of all AX), released monomeric arabinose (up to 38%), and lowered the average degree of polymerisation (DP_avg) of the AX (down to 31). The presence of substituents (arabinose, xylose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid) on the xylan backbone was an important factor limiting degradation by xylanases. Enzyme preparations containing substituent-removing enzymes were far better for enhancing the extractability of a large portion of the AX population (up to 82%) and for degrading the extracted fragments (down to DP_avg 14) than preparations lacking such activities. The above results show that PSH is a good source for the production of AXOS, since both chemical and enzymic treatments significantly increase the extractability of PSH AX and convert PSH AX molecules into small fragments.     

Development and characterisation of a new biodegradable edible film made from kefiran,an exopolysaccharide obtained from kefir grains

This study examined the feasibility of using kefiran, an exopolysaccharide obtained from kefir grains, as a new film-forming material. Kefiran-based films, with and without glycerol as plasticizer, were prepared by a casting and solvent-evaporation method. To study the impact of the incorporation of glycerol into the film matrix, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the films were investigated. As expected, the increase of glycerol concentration from 15% to 35% w/w increased extensibility but decreased tensile strength, implying higher mobility of polymer chains by the plasticizing effect of glycerol. Water vapour permeability of films was found to increase as the plasticizer content increased. Glass transition temperatures decreased as a result of plasticization as glycerol content increased. The properties of the films were related to their microstructure, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Thus, it was observed that plasticizer is a significant factor in the properties of these films and their food technology applications.     

Effect of pH on the formation of edible films made from the muscle proteins of Blue marlin (Makaira mazara)

Whole meat of Blue marlin (Makaira mazara) was used to prepare edible films. Protein solubility in film-forming solutions was high at acidic and alkaline pHs, while that at neutral pH was close to zero. Acidic and alkaline pHs improved the tensile strength while the effects of pH, on elongation at break, water vapour permeability and light transmission of the films, were not significant. From the film solubility in various protein denaturants it was revealed that the main interaction responsible for the formation of acidic and alkaline pH films was hydrophobic interaction, while that for neutral pH films was ionic bonding.     

Development and characterization of novel probiotic-residing pullulan/starch edible films

An innovative approach was performed to prepare novel pullulan/starch blended edible films by direct incorporation of multiple probiotic bacterial strains. Various starches different in origin were blended into the pullulan solutions with different ratios. The physical and mechanical properties of the films were investigated in the presence and absence of probiotic cells. An increase in the starch content of pullulan films resulted in a substantial decrease in relative cell viabilities and mechanical properties. Moreover, slight changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the films were observed with the addition of probiotic strains. Pullulan and pullulan/potato starch films were found to be the most suitable carrier matrices, with a maximum relative cell viability of 70–80% after 2 months of storage at 4 °C. The results suggest that pullulan and pullulan/starch films can be used as effective delivery and carrier systems for probiotics.     

Edible film from squid (Todarodes pacificus) mantle muscle

Mantle muscle meat of Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus) was used to produce edible films in this study. The solubility of squid mantle muscle proteins increased upon addition of NaCl and organic salts (Na-citrate, Na-benzoate, Na-acetate and Na-tartrate). At concentrations below 2%, among organic salts, Na-citrate appeared to have the highest ability to dissolve proteins. Film-forming solutions were prepared by dissolving squid mantle meat in 0.5% or 1% salt solutions at neutral pH. Physical properties and SDS–PAGE of the films were determined. The film-forming solution prepared with 0.5% Na-citrate gave the transparent film with the highest tensile strength and least degradation of myosin heavy chain. Organic salt type at the same concentration had no significant effects (p ? 0.05) on water vapour permeability (WVP) of the films. The films showed excellent UV barrier properties. In addition, organic salts gave no significant effects (p ? 0.05) on light barrier properties and transparency of the films except for NaCl and Na-tartrate which were crystallised during the drying process. These results suggested that Na-citrate is the most useful for producing the edible films from squid mantle muscle among the organic salts examined in this study.     

对以甘油为增塑剂所制小麦面筋蛋白膜特性的研究

以小麦面筋蛋白(W G)为原料,研究了各因素对以甘油为增塑剂所制小麦面筋蛋白膜的各项性能(通透性、机械性能)的影响。基于本课题研究的重点,仅以面筋蛋白膜透水率为指标进行正交实验,最终得到最佳成膜条件分别为:谷朊粉/甘油4:1、乙醇浓度50%、反应温度50℃、透水率1.795×10-10g.m-1.s-1.Pa-1。     

Development of bioactive edible film from turmeric dye solvent extraction residue

We developed and characterized turmeric flour films using the turmeric dye solvent extraction residue. We evaluated how the heating temperature and pH affected film properties using a 2² central composite design. Multi-response analysis furnished the film formulation that offered larger resistance to break, as well as lower water solubility, WVP, and opacity. The heating temperature and pH affected the mechanical properties, solubility, moisture content, WVP, and opacity of the resulting film. High heating temperature promoted more interactions between the polymers present in the turmeric flour (starch, protein, lipid, and fiber), affording a more resistant polymeric structure with lower WVP, moisture content, and opacity. Higher pH values also favored a more mechanically resistant and dense matrix with lower water solubility and WVP. The optimized conditions were: T = 86.7 °C and pH = 8.5. The films produced under these conditions displayed high mechanical strength (18 MPa), low solubility (36%), and low WVP (0.167 g mm h⁻¹ m⁻² kPa⁻¹). However, because these films contained lignocellulosic fibers, they presented low elongation at break (1.8%), which elicited a non-continuous structure. HPLC and DPPH assays showed that the turmeric dye solvent extraction residue can be a promising source to develop films with antioxidant activity.     

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.     

Development and characterization of composite edible films based on sodium alginate and pectin

The objective of this study was to characterize physical properties including thickness, colour, water vapour sorption kinetics and isotherms, water vapour permeability, tensile strength, elongation at break, and microstructure of composite films prepared by casting sodium alginate and low methoxy pectin at proportions of: 100–0%, 75–25%, 50–50%, 25–75%, and 0–100%. Combination of both polysaccharides gave continuous, homogenous and transparent films. All of analyzed films reached their state of equilibrium within the 24 h of adsorption time. Water sorption isotherms for all films had a sigmoidal shape and were not influenced by the film composition. Sorption kinetics and isotherms indicated hydrophilic character of investigated films. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) correlations were found between colour, water vapour permeability, tensile strength, elongation at break, and chemical composition (alginate and pectin) of composite films. A different internal arrangement was observed as a function of film composition.     

Films based on kefiran,an exopolysaccharide obtained from kefir grain: Development and characterization

Kefiran, an exopolysaccharide produced by microorganisms present in the kefir grains, is a glucogalactan that has several health promoting properties. In the present work, the ability of kefiran to form films and the effect of glycerol addition at different concentrations on film properties was evaluated. Kefiran was able to form films at concentrations ranging from 5 to 10 g/kg. The concentration 10 g/kg was selected because the films were easily removed from the plate. All film-forming solutions exhibited a pseudoplastic behavior; glycerol addition did not modify the solution rheological properties.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial and physical properties of edible film based on carboxymethyl cellulose containing potassium sorbate on some mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species in fresh pistachios

Active packaging is a relatively novel concept of packaging that changes the conditions of the packaged food to extend its shelf-life and improve its safety. In this study, antimicrobial effects of carboxymethyl cellulose based-edible film containing potassium sorbate as an antimicrobial agent were studied against Aspergillus flavus (PTCC-5004), Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC-5286) and A. parasiticus (PTCC-5018) by using agar diffusion assay. Results showed suitable inhibition effects against A. parasiticus (PTCC-5286) and A. flavus (PTCC-5004) in comparison with A. parasiticus (PTCC-5018). Pistachios were coated with this edible antimicrobial film containing three concentrations of sorbate (1, 0.5 and 0.25 g/100 mL film solution); all concentrations showed no growth of molds. Tensile strength values of films with potassium sorbate, decreased when compared to control, and film’s flexibility, was 28.82 percent for 3 g/100 mL sorbate, while higher concentration of sorbate, decreased the flexibility. The water vapor permeability values (WVP) of films were determined to be 1.18 (g mm/m² day kPa) for films plasticized with glycerol, without sorbate while WVP values for the films containing 1 and 2 g/100 mL sorbate increased to 3.77 and 15.5 (g mm/m² day kPa), respectively. The observed glass transition temperature (T_G) depression for these polymer blends was related to the plasticizer content (water, polyethylene, and glycerol), especially water.     

Development and evaluation of a novel biodegradable film made from chitosan and cinnamon essential oil with low affinity toward water

Combining antimicrobial agents such as plant essential oils directly into a food packaging is a form of active packaging. In this work chitosan-based films containing cinnamon essential oil (CEO) at level of 0.4%, .0.8%, and 1.5% and 2% (v/v) were prepared to examine their antibacterial, physical and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to explain structure–property relationships. Incorporating CEO into chitosan-based films increased antimicrobial activity. CEO decreased moisture content, solubility in water, water vapour permeability and elongation at break of chitosan films. It is postulated that the unique properties of the CEO added films could suggest the cross-linking effect of CEO components within the chitosan matrix. Electron microscopy images confirmed the results obtained in this study.     

Evaluation of edible film-forming ability of pumpkin oil cake; effect of pH and temperature

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of pumpkin oil cake (PuOC) to form biodegradable films. The effect of heating treatment and pH of film solutions on films properties was determined. Film with the highest tensile strength (TS) (68.08 MPa) and elongation to break (EB) (36.62%) was produced when pH was 12 and heating T 90 °C. The same showed the best permeability properties. The total soluble matter and soluble protein reached the highest value, when the film was prepared at pH = 12 and T = 50 °C. ABTS test indicated that the film produced at pH = 10 and T = 60 °C was the best regarding the radical scavenging activity. Moisture content had not been significantly affected by the pH and heating temperature, whereas swelling capacity could be measured only for film prepared at T = 80 and 90 °C. To affirm and explain the influence of pH and T, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used.     

Effect of edible coatings on enzymes,cell-membrane integrity,and cell-wall constituents in relation to brittleness and firmness of Huanghua pears (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai,cv. Huanghua) during storage

To investigate the effects of edible coatings, such as shellac and Semperfresh™ (sucrose-polyester based coating) on the brittleness and firmness of Huanghua pears (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai, cv. Huanghua), the changes in the cell-membrane permeability and cell-wall constituents, such as total pectin (TP), Na₂CO₃-soluble pectin (NSP), CDTA-soluble pectin (CSP), water-soluble pectin (WSP), hemicellulose and cellulose were periodically measured, for up to 60 days of cold storage (4 °C) after harvesting. The activities of peroxidase (POD), pectinesterase (PE), polygalacturonase (PG), and cellulose were also assayed. The data suggested that high POD activity and low activity of cell-wall-degrading enzymes, such as PE, PG, and cellulase in the coated pears were associated with a high integrity of the cell membrane and few changes in the cell-wall constituents, which contributed to high levels of brittleness and firmness in the pears during storage; further, the shellac coating provided a better effect than Semperfresh coating.     

Physico-chemical and film forming properties of giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) gelatin

Giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) inner and outer tunics were subjected to hydrolysis with pepsin prior to gelatin extraction (G1 gelatin) by a mild-acid procedure. Furthermore, a second gelatin extraction (G2 gelatin) was done using the collagenous residues that remained from the first extraction. Pepsin allows the collagen solubilisation and the extraction yield to increase by yielding extracts high in α-chains. G1 exhibited good gel forming ability but G2 showed poor viscoelastic behaviour and low gel strength, in agreement with the results for the molecular weight distribution, which showed a considerably higher content of low molecular weight components. In spite of these differences, both G1 and G2 showed good filmogenic ability and similar properties were found including the absence of colour, opacity, low water vapour permeability and high puncture deformation. Nevertheless, films made from G1 had a higher puncture force than films made from G2 as a result of the different molecular weight distribution.     

Effect of different protein extracts from Dosidicus gigas muscle co-products on edible films development

The co-products produced in the processing industry of Dosidicus gigas muscle, is a good source of polymeric material for film developing. The objective of this work was to compare different ways of protein recovery to find the best conditions of material for edible film developing. The proteins were recovered by water, salt, alkaline and acidic solubilisation. The highest protein solubilisation was obtained at alkaline conditions (≥70%) and DSC confirmed a partial denaturalization in saline and alkaline solution and total at acidic conditions, while SDS-PAGE confirmed a hydrolysis effect at pH 3. According to FTIR, the loss of secondary structure at pH 10 led to a stronger bonding film network and the hydrolysis at pH 3 resulted in more protein-plasticizer and protein–water interactions. Both alkaline and acidic conditions led to transparent and microbiologically stable films, the alkaline-film being more water resistant and with less protein release in water contact. Both alkaline- and acidic-films resulted in the more flexible and more resistant, especially at alkaline conditions. While salt-extract did not improve any mechanical property of the corresponding film compared with water-film, both films presented the lower solubility and the more water resistance but were not microbiologically stable and had poorer mechanical properties.     

Properties and antimicrobial activity of edible films incorporated with kiam wood (Cotyleobium lanceotatum) extract

The antimicrobial properties of wood extracts are well known; however their application to edible films is limited. In this study, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of kiam wood extract was established as 300 mg/L at which bacterial growth was completely inhibited. The antimicrobial properties of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films containing 1-5 fold of MBC of kiam wood extract were tested against Escherichia coli O175:H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The edible films containing kiam wood extract exhibited more effective impact on the growth reduction of L. monocytogenes than S. aureus and E. coli (p < 0.05). The use of kiam wood extract at 1 and 2 fold of MBC incorporated into edible HPMC films did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity. However, the inhibitory effect of edible HPMC films containing kiam wood extract was observed at 3, 4 and 5 fold of MBC. The greatest zone of inhibition was observed at 5 fold of MBC incorporated in edible HPMC films. Tensile strength and elongation at break significantly decreased with the incorporation of kiam wood extract, whereas water vapor permeability and film solubility increased. The color of edible films became darker and more reddish-yellowish as well as having a lower transparency as the level of kiam wood extract was increased. Kiam wood extract incorporated in edible film provided the films with a rougher surface than pure edible film. Our results pointed out that the incorporation of kiam wood extract as a natural antibacterial agent has potential for use in extending the shelf life of food products.     

Preparation and properties of dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose crosslinked gelatin edible films

Glycerol-plasticized gelatin edible films with a new kind of dialdehyde polysaccharide, dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) as crosslinking agent are successful prepared using casting techniques. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, light barrier properties, swelling behavior as well as water vapor permeability (WVP) of the gelatin-DCMC films are investigated. The results indicate that the addition of DCMC causes tensile strength (TS) and thermal stability to increase and elongation at break (EB) to decrease, suggesting the occurrence of crosslinking between gelatin and DCMC. The light barrier measurements present high values of transparency at 280 nm and low values of transparency at 600 nm of the gelatin-DCMC films, indicating that gelatin-DCMC films are very transparent (lower in transparency value) while they have excellent barrier properties against UV light. Moreover, the values of transparency at 280 nm increase with the increased DCMC and glycerol content, suggesting the potential preventive effect of gelatin-DCMC films on the retardation of product oxidation induced by UV light. Furthermore, the addition of DCMC can greatly decrease the water vapor permeability (WVP) and equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) down to values about 1.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ g m/m² s Pa and 150%, revealing the potential of DCMC in reducing the water sensitivity of gelatin-based films. In common for hygroscopic plasticizer in edible films, the addition of glycerol gives increase of EB and WVP and decrease of thermal stabilities and ESR of the gelatin-DCMC films.     

Physical properties of edible coatings and films made with a polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L.

The effect of the concentrations of the polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. (Policaju) and a surfactant (Tween 80) on relevant properties of edible coatings/films, in view of their application on apples (cv. Golden) was evaluated. The influence of the interactions between those two constituents on apples’ surface properties and on the coating/film’s wettability, water vapor permeability, opacity and mechanical properties was evaluated. The effects of the studied variables (polysaccharide and surfactant concentrations) were analyzed according to a 2² factorial design. Pareto bar charts were used to understand the most significant factors on the studied properties. The addition of surfactant reduced the cohesion forces, therefore reducing the surface tension and increasing the wettability; this resulted in an improved compatibility between the solution and the fruit skin surface. The opacity was also reduced. The results of each of the analyzed properties were adjusted to a polynomial, multifactor model, which provided a good fitting accuracy. This model is important once it will reduce the characterization work needed in subsequent applications of these coatings/films on foods.