Effect of plasticizing sugars on water vapor permeability, surface energy and microstructure properties of zein films

Sugars are natural plasticizers for food biopolymers and zein is the most important protein of corn. In this research, sugars (fructose, galactose and glucose) were used as plasticizers and the water vapor permeability (WVP), contact angle and microstructure of the zein films were studied. The pure zein film had high WVP and adding of sugars to 0.7 g/g zein caused to decrease of WVP. Films containing galactose had the lowest WVP.All samples had the lowest contact angle with ethanol and the highest contact angle with water. The zein films containing galactose had the highest water contact angle within the plasticized films. The pure zein films and the films containing fructose had higher critical surface tension of wetting (γ_c) than the films containing glucose and galactose. Adding sugar plasticizer to zein films increased the surface tension of zein films. In the unplasticized zein films, loose structures with a lot of cavities and voids were observed. The films plasticized by fructose had smooth surface and plasticizer particles distributed throughout of the films.     

Water vapour barrier and tensile properties of composite caseinate-pullulan films: Biopolymer composition effects and impact of beeswax lamination

The water sorption, water barrier properties and mechanical behaviour of pullulan (P) and sodium caseinate (SC), as well as their blend and bilayer films plasticized with sorbitol (25% dry basis), were investigated as a function of weight polymer ratio, water content and beeswax lamination. Very similar moisture sorption isotherms were obtained for blend and bilayer films with P/SC weight ratio of 1/3 and 3/1. Neither the type of film (blend or bilayer) nor the different P/SC ratio affected significantly (P > 0.05) the water vapour permeability (WVP) of the films. A mixture-process variable experimental design was applied to evaluate the effect of the proportion of the two polymers in relation with the relative humidity (RH, 53% and 75%) on the mechanical properties of the films. Increasing the P/SC ratio decreased the Young’s modulus (E), the tensile strength (σ_max) and increased the % elongation at break (% EB), suggesting that P imparts flexibility and SC stiffness to the composite films. With moisture content increase from 5% to 8% most of the films exhibited an increase in E and σ_max, whereas a sharp decline in both parameters and an increase in % EB were observed above this moisture level. The brittle to ductile transition of P coincided with its glass to rubber transition, whereas SC exhibited a ductile behaviour within the glassy state. The tensile characteristics of bilayer films at moisture content greater than 8% were dominated by the component present in higher proportion, while films made with the biopolymer blends showed mechanical behaviour closer to that of plain P films. Beeswax lamination of plain, bilayer and blend films resulted in a drastic decrease in water vapour permeance, whereas its effect on E and σ_max and in % EB was related to the mechanical properties of the hydrocolloid layers used and varied according to the moisture content of the films.     

Thermal and mechanical behavior of laminated protein films

The whey protein and zein films plasticized by glycerol and olive oil were prepared by casting method and then were laminated. The thermal behavior of the whey protein, zein and whey protein-zein laminated films was investigated by the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Both techniques showed that the films containing olive oil had higher glass transition temperature (T_g) than the films containing glycerol (e.g.115 and 88 °C in the zein-olive oil and zein-glycerol films, respectively). As well as, the laminated films had higher T_g than the whey protein films (e.g.82 and 31 °C in the whey-zein-glycerol and whey-glycerol films, respectively). The T_g values obtained from two different methods were close. The results showed that the T_gs of the zein-glycerol films predicted by Couchman and Karasz equation were very close to the values obtained by DSC experiments. The tensile tests showed that the laminated films had higher tensile strength than the single whey protein films and the single zein films plasticized by olive oil (260% and 200% in the whey-zein-glycerol and whey zein-olive oil films in comparison to single whey-glycerol films, respectively).     

谷朊粉与玉米醇溶蛋白可食性复合膜的研究

研究了谷阮粉和玉米醇溶蛋白可食性复合膜的成膜条件及复合膜的特性。结果表明:复合膜中玉米醇溶蛋白的适宜添加量为25%。在各自最佳成膜条件下,复合膜的水蒸气透过率为5.97g·mm/m2·d·kPa,比对照降低了12.1%;拉伸强度为3.45MPa,比对照提高了22.6%。综合考虑水蒸气透过率与拉伸强度两项指标,确定适宜的成膜条件为:pH12、热处理温度70℃、乙醇浓度55%、甘油浓度10%,此条件下复合膜的水蒸气透过率为6.01g·mm/m2·d·kPa,比对照降低11.5%;拉伸强度为3.39MPa,比对照提高20.7%。该复合膜同时具有良好的热封性。     

In vitro release kinetics of nisin as affected by Tween 20 and glycerol co-encapsulated in spray-dried zein capsules

Delivery systems with sustained release of antimicrobials have been proposed to improve long-term effectiveness of antimicrobials in foods. In this work, we studied the effect of Tween 20 and glycerol in spray-drying formulations on resultant microstructures of zein capsules and release profiles of encapsulated nisin. Tween 20 and glycerol changed capsules from a continuous matrix to shell-type structures. All samples showed complete release of nisin in 30 min at pH 2.0. Capsules with a higher amount of Tween 20 showed more complete release of nisin at pH 8.0, in contrast to no apparent impact by glycerol. Addition of 0.05% Tween 20 or glycerol in the feed both reduced the burst release of nisin at pH 6.0, but no conclusive trends were observed for the impact of their usage levels. Our work showed that an appropriate formulation is needed to obtain desirable delivery systems of antimicrobials such as nisin.     

Microencapsulation of flax oil with zein using spray and freeze drying

Microencapsulation of flax oil was investigated using zein as the coating material. Central Composite Design - Face Centered was used to optimize the microencapsulation with respect to zein concentration (x₁) and flax oil concentration (x₂) using spray drying. Also, freeze drying was carried out at two zein:oil ratios. The quality of microcapsules was evaluated by determining encapsulation efficiency, flowing properties (Hausner ratio), and evaluating the morphology with scanning electron microscopy. The response surface model for microencapsulation efficiency showed a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.992) and a non-significant lack of fit (p = 0.256). The maximum microencapsulation efficiencies were 93.26 ± 0.95 and 59.63 ± 0.36% for spray drying and freeze drying, respectively. However, microcapsules prepared by spray and freeze drying had very poor handling properties based on the Hausner ratio. The bulk density decreased with an increase in zein concentration at the same flax oil concentration. The morphology of the flax oil microcapsules depended on the zein:flax oil ratio and the process used for microencapsulation. Flax oil microcapsules prepared by spray drying appeared to be composed of heterogeneous spheres of various sizes at high zein:flax oil ratios. Microcapsules prepared by freeze drying resulted in agglomerated small spheres. These microcapsules might find a niche as functional food ingredients.     

Effects of plasticizers and nano-clay content on the physical properties of chicken feather protein composite films

To prepare chicken feather protein (CFP)/nano-clay composite films and to evaluate the effects of various plasticizers and nano-clay concentrations on the mechanical properties of the films, CFP composite films with various concentrations of Cloisite Na⁺ were prepared, and their physical properties such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), and water vapor permeability (WVP) were investigated. Optimal CFP films were formed with 5 g of CFP, 0.5 g of glycerol, and 1.5 g of sorbitol in 100 mL of film-forming solution; the TS, E, and WVP of the film were 4.74 MPa, 10.08%, and 3.11 × 10⁻⁹ g m/m² s Pa, respectively. After the nano-clay was incorporated into the CFP film-forming solution, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies were conducted to examine the structural characteristics of the CFP/nano-clay composite films. The incorporation of nano-clay improved the physical properties of the CFP films. The TS of the CFP/nano-clay composite film containing 7% Cloisite Na⁺ increased by 1.21 MPa, and the WVP of the composite film decreased by 1.15 × 10⁻⁹ g m/m² s Pa compared to the CFP film. Therefore, these results suggest that CFP composite films can be prepared with improved mechanical property by the addition of nano-clay and used as a food packaging material in the food industry.     

Properties of wheat starch film-forming dispersions and films as affected by chitosan addition

In order to evaluate the impact of chitosan on the physical properties of wheat starch–glycerol films, part of the wheat starch was replaced by chitosan, and the effect of composition on the properties of both the films and the film-forming dispersions was studied. The latter became more stable and viscous as the chitosan proportion was increased in the mixture. Both polymers appeared to integrate homogeneously in the film matrix. The combined effect of the glycerol and chitosan proportions affected the mechanical and barrier properties of the films. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the films were improved as chitosan ratio increased. The oxygen and water vapor permeability slightly increased in line with the amount of chitosan in the blend although the induced differences were very small. Chitosan ratio directly affected the antimicrobial properties of the films, which showed a significant bactericide activity when the chitosan–starch ratio in the film was 50%. Nevertheless, at a starch:chitosan ratio of 80:20, counts of coliforms did not exceed the initial value in the meat after 7 storage days.     

Influence of solution and processing parameters towards the fabrication of electrospun zein fibers with sub-micron diameter

The effects of processing and solution parameters on the morphology of food grade electrospun fibers were investigated. The relationship of entanglement concentration (C_e) of zein solution and its electrospinnability was inspected to determine the correlation of fiber morphology with the rheology of solutions. Bead-free and uniform zein electrospun fibers were successfully constructed. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to facilitate a more systematic understanding of the electrospinning parameters of zein solutions. The electrospinning parameters studied were concentration of zein solution, solution feed rate, applied voltage and distance between needle tip and collector. The individual and interaction effects between the parameters on average diameter of the electrospun fibers were determined using Box and Behnken factorial design. The interaction effect between feed rate and voltage, the quadratic coefficients of the applied voltage as well as linear coefficients of the solution concentration, voltage and feed rate were found statistically significant in the fabrication of sub-micron fibers. Hence, this work provides an overview on the impact of solution and processing parameters to the fabrication of zein electrospun fibers which may find uses as nanostructured materials in food industry.     

山梨酸钾对魔芋葡甘聚糖/玉米醇溶蛋白复合膜的性能和抑菌效果的影响

本文以魔芋葡甘聚糖和玉米醇溶蛋白为基材,制备了不同山梨酸钾添加量的复合膜,研究了复合膜的理化性能和抑菌效果。结果表明,添加不同含量山梨酸钾对复合膜的膜厚没有显著影响(p>0.05),复合膜的水蒸气透过率和透光性随着山梨酸钾添加量的增加而降低。复合膜的断裂伸长率随着山梨酸钾添加量的增加而显著增大(p<0.05),当其含量为12%时,复合膜的断裂伸长率为36.02%,是未添加山梨酸钾复合膜的1倍;当添加6%的山梨酸钾时,复合膜的拉伸强度最大,为58.78 MPa。随着山梨酸钾添加量的增加,复合膜对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和蜡样芽孢杆菌的抑菌效果明显增强。当山梨酸钾添加量为12%时,鱼肉在4℃储藏时的货架期可延长4 d。复合膜适合应用在食品保鲜包装。      

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.     

食品接触材料及制品中邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂的风险管控

综述邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂的毒理评价和暴露评估,食品和食品接触材料及制品相关法规要求和国内外监测信息,并分析评价塑料、纸张、橡胶、涂层、热塑性弹性体等各类食品接触材料中邻苯二甲酸酯类物质的风险,建议企业警惕迁移风险为高、中的材料和制品,用于接触高油脂、酒精食品或高温、长时间使用的情况,为相关行业有效管控邻苯二甲酸酯类塑化剂风险提供依据。     

Preparation and characterization of composite sodium caseinate edible films incorporating naturally emulsified oil bodies

Oil bodies in the form of a naturally emulsified emulsion were recovered from maize germ by applying aqueous extraction and were then exploited in the preparation of composite sodium caseinate-based films. Following equilibration of the initial film-forming dispersion, the caseinate molecules appeared to adsorb to the oil droplet surface facilitating thus the dispersion of the latter in the protein solution. During the course of film formation partial destabilization of oil body dispersion took place as a result of depletion by non-adsorbed caseinate. The finally formed composite films differed from the control, both in their surface characteristics as well in physicochemical and tensile properties. The oil-incorporating films were less transparent, less hydrophilic and, as a result, more resistant to water sorption and vapor permeation than the oil-free caseinate films. In addition, the composite films exhibited higher flexibility and lower stiffness. These findings are discussed in terms of the formation during the drying step of a composite caseinate-based phase separated structure embedded with oil bodies having their surface in intimate association with the protein molecules of the continuous protein matrix.     

Properties of and mechanisms of protein interactions in films formed from different proportions of heated and unheated whey protein solutions

A range of films were formed using different proportions of heated (80°C for 30 min) and unheated whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions. The films, with lower proportions of heated WPI solution had lower percentage elongation, tensile strength and Young's modulus, higher solubility and, in general, similar water vapour permeability, compared with a film formed from a heated WPI solution. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding dominated in the formation of the films with lower proportions of heated WPI solution, whereas disulphide bonding played a more important role in the formation of films with higher proportions of heated WPI solution.     

Influence of calcium on tensile, optical and water vapour permeability properties of sodium caseinate edible films

The influence of calcium on sodium caseinate edible films with and without lipid addition (oleic acid (OA)–beeswax (BW) mixtures) was investigated through the analysis of tensile, optical and water vapour barrier properties. Calcium was added by substitution of sodium caseinate by calcium caseinate. Calcium caseinate films have less transparency and more rigidity but they have lower water vapour permeability values than sodium caseinate films. The effect of substitution was different for films with and without lipids. Calcium caseinate increased tensile strength and decreased elongation of films, depending on the level of substitution and lipid presence. Among control films (without lipid), water vapour permeability was reduced when calcium caseinate was present, reaching values of 3.9 (±0.2) g mm kPa⁻¹ h⁻¹ m⁻². Nevertheless, in the films containing lipids, this reduction was inhibited when the level of sodium caseinate substitution exceeded 50%. Film transparency and gloss was reduced by calcium caseinate and lipid presence, although pure calcium caseinate films were glossier. When taking all the studied variables into account, the films prepared with 2:1 NaCas:CaCas ratio and 70:30 OA:BW ratio showed the most adequate properties.     

Characterisation of composite films made of konjac glucomannan (KGM), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and lipid

Emulsion films prepared from konjac glucomannan (KGM), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), with and without alkali (KOH), were characterised for selected properties such as morphological characteristics, water vapour permeability (WVP), water sorptive capacity and tensile properties. It was found that smaller lipid globules, with a homogeneous distribution, increased the apparent hydrophobicity and “tortuosity” of an emulsion film for water molecule transmission, thereby resulting in reduced WVP. This was achieved when alkaline deacetylated KGM and CMC were served as the base polymers for the emulsion, with the latter functioning as an emulsifier. Interactions between deacetylated KGM and CMC resulted in a stable emulsion.     

Characteristics of edible films made from dairy proteins and zein hydrolysate cross-linked with transglutaminase

The main objectives of this research were to develop whey protein or casein films incorporating zein hydrolysate and also cross‐linked by transglutaminase as to well as characterize the physical and mechanical properties of the film. Zein hydrolysate decreased the solubility of the whey protein film (P < 0.05), while treatment with transglutaminase did not change the solubility of the film significantly. Electrophoresis patterns demonstrated that casein molecules were cross‐linked by transglutaminase and the extent of this cross‐linkage was further increased when zein hydrolysate was added. In addition, the use of zein hydrolysate decreased the tensile strength of the whey protein film by 35–45%. The elongation of the casein film was increased by 41% because of the action of transglutaminase and zein hydrolysate (P < 0.05). The water vapour permeability of the films was not significantly different. As the addition of zein hydrolysate and treatment with transglutaminase improved the flexibility of the films, the level of plasticizer required to maintain film flexibility could be reduced without sacrificing their water vapour permeability.     

In situ characterization and analysis of Salmonella biofilm formation under meat processing environments using a combined microscopic and spectroscopic approach

Salmonella biofilm on food-contact surfaces present on food processing facilities may serve as a source of cross-contamination. In our work, biofilm formation by multi-strains of meat-borne Salmonella incubated at 20 °C, as well as the composition and distribution of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), were investigated in situ by combining confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. A standard laboratory culture medium (tryptic soy broth, TSB) was used and compared with an actual meat substrate (meat thawing-loss broth, MTLB). The results indicated that Salmonella grown in both media were able to form biofilms on stainless steel surfaces via building a three-dimensional structure with multilayers of cells. Although the number of biofilm cells grown in MTLB was less than that in TSB, the cell numbers in MTLB was adequate to form a steady and mature biofilm. Salmonella grown in MTLB showed “cloud-shaped” morphology in the mature biofilm, whereas when grown in TSB appeared “reticular-shaped”. The ATR-FTIR and Raman analysis revealed a completely different chemical composition between biofilms and the corresponding planktonic cells, and some important differences in biofilms grown in MTLB and in TSB. Importantly, our findings suggested that the progress towards a mature Salmonella biofilm on stainless steel surfaces may be associated with the production of the EPS matrix, mainly consisting of polysaccharides and proteins, which may serve as useful markers of biofilm formation. Our work indicated that a combination of these non-destructive techniques provided new insights into the formation of Salmonella biofilm matrix.     

可食性膜在果蔬贮藏保鲜中的应用

主要介绍可食性膜的概念、特点、类型及其在果蔬保鲜中的应用。     

可食性膜在果蔬贮藏保鲜中的应用

主要介绍可食性膜的概念、特点、类型及其在果蔬保鲜中的应用。