Effects of nisin concentration on properties of gelatin film-forming solutions and their films

The addition of nisin into a gelatin matrix can change properties of the film. The aim of this work was to develop gelatin-based films containing different nisin concentrations in order to study their influence on the film's antimicrobial and physical properties and their rheological properties as a film-forming solution (FFS). The FFS was characterised by rheological assays, and the gelatin-based active films were characterised and assessed by the effects of nisin concentrations on their various properties, including antimicrobial activity. Nisin's concentration affected not only its viscoelastic properties of FFS but also its film solubility in water, film surface roughness and light barrier. The addition of nisin also slightly modified the water contact angle and the mechanical properties of the gelatin films. Finally, the films demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes at concentrations above 56 mg of nisin g⁻¹ of gelatin.     

Plant oil bioconversion into increase biological activity through lipases derived from wastes

The aim of this study was to show that abundant and inexpensive plant oils can be biotransformed to increase biological activity (antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity) through hydrolysis reaction catalysed by lipases. We tested homemade and commercial lipases through the biotransformation of nine different plant oils in forty different combinations. First, the chemical composition of the samples was investigated. Thereafter, biological tests were conducted to assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the sampled biotransformation products, as well as analyzed their influence on the viability of healthy and cancer cells. Summarising, sunflower, corn and olive oils modified by orange waste-obtained lipases presented the most promising results, reaching up to 90% of antioxidant activity increase and significant growth inhibition of bacteria colonies belonging to genera Escherichia, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Salmonella. In addition, those compounds affected human oral squamous carcinoma cells. The bioconversion of plant oils through lipases improves their biological properties and might be an option for biotechnological application.     

Physical and chemical properties of ultrasonically, spray-dried green banana (Musa cavendish) starch

Ultrasonic wave propagation and the spray dryer technique were applied to study their effect on the physical and chemical properties of green banana starch. The results showed high resistant starch content, which was reduced by ultrasound treatment and also by spray drying. Both techniques increased the solubility, swelling power and water absorption capacity. The gels exhibited non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior, since flow behavior index was less than one (n < 1). Ultrasound wave propagation reduced yield stress and consistency coefficient in starch gels. Under oscillatory shear, all gels exhibited solid-like viscoelastic behavior, storage modulus was higher than loss modulus to entire frequency range (G′ > G′′), which was confirmed by the Cox-Merz experiment that showed that the complex dynamic viscosity was greater than the apparent viscosity in all samples. The gelatinization temperature was mainly influenced by drying technique and ultrasound treatment reduced the amount of energy required to gelatinize the starch.     

Analysis of phenolic compounds in cork from Quercus suber L. by HPLC–DAD/ESI–MS

The aim of the present work was to identify the extractable phenolic compounds present in cork from Quercus suber L. The structures of thirty three compounds were tentatively identified by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD/ESI–MS). The majority of those compounds were gallic acid derivatives, in the form of either galloyl esters of glucose (gallotannins), combinations of galloyl and hexahydroxydiphenoyl esters of glucose (ellagitannins), dehydrated tergallic-C-glucosides or ellagic acid derivatives. Others were found to correspond to low molecular weight phenolic compounds, like acids and aldehydes. Mongolicain, a flavanoellagitannin in which hydrolysable tannin and flavan-3-ol moieties are connected through a carbon–carbon linkage, was also detected in cork from Q. suber L. The results illustrate the rich array of phenolic compounds present in cork.     

Prevalence and dissemination of Salmonella serotypes along the slaughtering process in Brazilian small poultry slaughterhouses

Salmonella is the leading cause of human foodborne infections in Latin America, and poultry meat is one of the main vehicles. Small poultry slaughterhouses (fewer than 200 birds slaughtered per day) represent an important economic activity in certain regions. The slaughtering process in these abattoirs is manual and rudimentary, and frequently the hygienic conditions are poor. This study reports results of a detailed evaluation of the prevalence of Salmonella serotypes in carcasses, utensils, and environmental samples collected in 60 small Brazilian slaughterhouses. In the second step of the study, one of these slaughterhouses was selected to monitor the dissemination of Salmonella along the slaughtering process. For testing, conventional procedures were used: preenrichment in buffered peptone water (35 degrees C for 24 h), selective enrichment in Selenite-cystine (35 degrees C for 24 h), tetrathionate and Rappaport-Vassiliadis broths (42 degrees C for 24 h), plating on bismuth-sulfite and brilliant green agars (35 degrees C for 24 h), proper biochemical testing, and complete serotyping. Forty-one percent of samples harbored Salmonella spp., including 42% of carcasses, 23.1% of utensils, 71.4% of water, and 71.4% of freezers and refrigerators. Seventeen serotypes were detected. Salmonella Enteritidis predominated (30%), followed by Salmonella Albany (12%), Salmonella Hadar (12%), Salmonella Indiana (10%), and I 4,12:z:- (8%). All samples collected along the slaughtering process in the selected slaughterhouse were Salmonella positive. Five serotypes were detected, including Salmonella Albany, Salmonella Hadar, Salmonella Agona, Salmonella Emek, and Salmonella Indiana. More than 30% of the samples contained more than one serotype, and 12.5% presented three serotypes. The widespread occurrence of Salmonella in small slaughterhouses reinforces the need for implementation of effective control measures.     

Modeling and Optimization of Lactic Acid Production using Cashew Apple Juice as Substrate

The production of lactic acid by Lactobacillus casei B-442 was studied and modeled. Sugar feedstock was provided using cashew apple juice, an alternative glucose and fructose feedstock that proved to yield high concentrations of lactic acid. The fermentations were carried out in a 1-L fermenter under constant agitation (150 rpm) and controlled pH (6.5). Lactic acid production was evaluated through a dynamic study, varying the initial concentration of sugar in the range of 20 to 60 g/L. Biomass, reducing sugars, and lactic acid concentration were measured throughout the experiments. The highest production of lactic acid (59.3 g/L) was obtained operating the fermentation with 60 g/L of reducing sugar from the cashew apple juice. A rigorous kinetic model was developed for batch fermentation of cashew apple juice for lactic acid production by L. casei B-442. The growth of biomass and lactic acid production were affected by substrate limitation, substrate inhibition and lactic acid inhibition. The model assumed growth- and non-growth-associated lactic acid production and a term for microorganism death was also included in the model. Parameters of the kinetic model were determined based on experimental data by using the least mean squares method and Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The model validation was performed and the model was statistically able to fit the profiles for growth of biomass, sugar consumption and lactic acid production. The optimization of the process, using the model, was carried out and the optimum operating conditions aiming highest productivity, lowest production cost and highest gross profit are presented.     

Cashew Apple Juice as Substrate for Lactic Acid Production

The aim of the present work was to investigate the use of cashew apple juice as a low cost substrate for Lactobacillus casei B-442 cultivation and lactic acid production. Ammonium sulfate was employed as the only exogenous nitrogen source. The effect of cashew apple juice reducing sugars and ammonium sulfate concentration and the fermentation pH and temperature on biomass formation, lactic acid production, and productivity were evaluated. The highest productivity (2.36 g/L.h) was obtained applying 50 g/L of reducing sugar from the cashew apple juice supplemented with 6 g/L of ammonium sulfate. The process yield was about 95% when fermentation was carried out at 37 °C with pH controlled at pH 6.5 using NaOH (120 g/L).