Alumina porous nanomaterials obtained by colloidal processing using d-fructose as dispersant and porosity promoter

Recently, great effort has been devoted to obtain porous materials with customized pore size distribution, high surface area and submicrometer sized microstructures or nanostructures. In this work, the viability of colloidal processing routes to obtain porous bulk ceramics using alumina nanopowders and d-fructose as a dispersant and a porosity former has been explored.The rheological behaviour of nanosuspensions was studied in order to assure their stability and to analyse the influence of different parameters (solids loading, fructose content, pH, sonication time). Mesoporous green bodies were obtained by slip casting with d-fructose in concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 wt%. The drying and burning-out conditions were determined by DTA-TG measurements and the sintering cycles were selected from the dynamic sintering curve. Sintered alumina materials with high porosity (>60%), open microstructures, submicrometer sized porosity (d_p = 140–210 nm) and grain size lower than 500 nm, were obtained for pieces sintered at temperatures of 1300 and 1400 °C. The influence of different processing parameters on the porosity and the microstructure of the sintered materials is discussed.     

Role of sepiolite in the release of active compounds from gelatin–egg white films

Nanosized material fillers are widely used to enhance certain properties of polymers. Moreover, the use of nanoclays as a delivery host in pharmaceutical fields has gained a great interest. Sepiolite was incorporated to gelatin–egg white films containing clove essential oil. The effect of the incorporation of both sepiolite and clove essential oil on the physical properties of the resultant films was evaluated. Special attention was given to the role of this nanoclay in the release of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from the film matrix. Sepiolite showed a reinforcement effect of Young’s modulus and tensile strength, meanwhile the clove essential oil had a certain plasticizing effect by increasing the elongation at break and water vapour permeability (WVP). When both compounds were added together, a noticeable loss of mechanical properties was observed, related to the loss of gelling capacity (G′), protein self-aggregation and α-helix structure decrease (FTIR). However, the WPV increased, probably due to the presence of cavities in the matrix observed by SEM. The incorporation of sepiolite in these films containing clove essential oil increased the release of both protein components and eugenol from the film matrix, leading to a controlled release of the antioxidant activity measured by ferric reducing ability and radical scavenging capacity, as well as a higher antimicrobial effect.     

Jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) myofibrillar protein concentrate for edible packaging films and storage stability

Properties and storage stability of two different jumbo squid myofibrillar protein-based films were investigated. Myofibrillar proteins were extracted by isoelectric precipitation after acidic and alkaline solubilization, obtaining the same extraction yield. During extraction the edible fraction, which was discarded during mantle skinning, was recovered, and the fishy flavour produced by nitrogen and other undesirable compounds was removed, although some sarcoplasmic proteins were lost simultaneously. In alkaline-Concentrate (C), myosin unfolding led to water resistant films, less water vapour permeable and more mechanically resistant than acidic–Films (F); whereas acidic-C protein hydrolysis resulted in more transparent and soluble films, with higher protein release (∼80 g/L). During 4 months of storage some structure reorganization occurred, and both films incremented their yellowish tendency, especially the acidic-F, being this attributed to a Maillard reaction with plasticizers. After storage time, water solubility increased in C-films. While acidic-F aggregation led to a protein release reduction and tensile strength improvement, alkali-F became weak and brittle, loosing transparency. C-films offered different filmogenic properties, proving to be promising biodegradable packaging materials.     

Behaviour of egg white and starch in gelation of sardine muscle (Sardina pilchardus)

Response surface methodology was used to determine the role played by egg white and starch in gelation of minced and washed sardine muscle. There was no detectable interaction, either positive or negative, between the effects of the two ingredients. Both egg white and starch significantly affected gel strength. Egg white had a direct, positive influence on hardness and adhesiveness. Starch had a direct, positive influence on cohesiveness and the ability to retain water.     

A 4-Hexylresorcinol-based Formulation to Prevent Melanosis and Microbial Growth in Chilled Tiger Prawns (Marsupenaeus japonicus) from Aquaculture

ABSTRACT: A study was made of the effect on melanosis, biochemical indexes, and microbial growth in tiger prawns ( Marsupenaeus japonicus ) from aquaculture, using a formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol (0.1% and 0.05%) in combination with organic acids (citric, ascorbic, and acetic) and chelating agents (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] and disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate [PPi]). In vivo and postmortem application of treatment was evaluated. Prawns with no additives or treated with 4% of a commercial formula based on sulfites were used to compare with 4-hexylresorcinol. The formulations based on 4-hexylresorcinol or sulfites inhibited the polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity under 0.2 (Δoptical density [OD]/min/mL), instead of 1 (ΔOD/min/mL) achieved by prawns without additives, with the consequent delay in the appearance of melanosis during the 1st wk of storage. Prawns treated with sulfites showed initially better protection; however 4-hexylresorcinol proved to be more effective at the end of storage. The formulation based on 4-hexylresorcinol at 0.1% concentration, provided in vivo, inhibited the microbial growth (total bacteria count, H₂S-producer microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, enterobacteria, and pseudomonads), whereas the commercial sulfites inhibited the luminescent bacteria growth.     

Frozen storage of high-pressure- and heat-induced gels of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) muscle: rheological, chemical and ultrastructure studies

This paper examines the influence of frozen storage over 34 weeks on the rheological properties as well as the chemical and microstructural characteristics of gels made from muscle of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) subjected to different gelling treatments entailing three combinations of pressure, temperature and time: 200 MPa, <10°C, 10 min (lot L), 375 MPa, 38°C, 20 min (lot H) and atmospheric pressure, 37°C, 30 min and then 90°C, 50 min (lot T). Freezing at –40°C caused certain changes in rheological parameters. In heat-induced gels, breaking deformation, elasticity and cohesiveness increased. Of the high-pressure-induced gels, breaking force increased and cohesiveness decreased in the gel formed at lower pressures, while the only change in the gel formed at higher pressure was some loss of elasticity. There was a general fall in water holding capacity (WHC) values. Lightness remained stable. In terms of protein solubility, there was an increase in covalent bonds in lot L. As for the ultrastructure, all gels matrixes were more disorganized as a result of freezing. In the course of frozen storage, the greatest changes in rheological parameters generally took place during the first 8 weeks, and in all the gels there was a decrease in WHC. In the heat-induced gel the changes were less marked over the storage period compared with those in the high-pressure-induced gels, but the heat-induced gel was more brittle and did not maintain maximum folding test scores. Covalent bonds increased and hydrophobic interactions decreased in all lots. The general appearance of the structure of gel T remained more homogeneous, while the pressurized gels exhibited more and larger cavities.     

Distribution and hardness of muscle connective tissue in hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) and trout (Salmo irideus gibb)

Summary The amount of connective tissue and its main protein, collagen, were related to connective tissue shear strength, in order to furnish data on the distribution and physiochemical characteristics of connective tissue in hake and trout. Collagen solubility and the proportions of the a,, and components were also determined, in order to ascertain the degree of aggregation in the muscle collagen and to explain the above relationships. Connective tissue distribution along the length of the fillets was more uneven in the hake than in the trout, with higher levels in the tail. The degree of collagen aggregation was similar in the connective tissue taken from different locations in the hake fillets. However, in the trout fillets, aggregation was higher in the connective tissue taken from near the tail. As a consequence, the amount of connective tissue was significantly correlated to shear strength in the hake but not in the trout.

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Verteilung und Härte des Bindegewebes im Muskel von Seehecht (Merluccius merluccius L.) und Forelle (Salmo irideus Gibb)

Zusammenfassung Die Menge des Bindegewebes und seiner Hauptproteine wurden auf dessen Schnittfestigkeit bezogen, um aus dieser Beziehung und den physikochemischen Daten bei Hecht und Forelle Schlüsse ziehen zu können. Weiterhin wird die Löslichkeit des Kollagens und das Verhältnis der-, - und-Komponenten bestimmt, um den Aggregationsgrad des Muskelkollagens zu ermitteln und auf diese Weise die oben erwähnten Zusammenhänge erklären zu können. Es wird festgestellt, daß das Bindegewebe über die Länge des Seehechtfilets unregelmäßiger verteilt ist als bei der Forelle, wobei ein höherer Anteil im Schwanz beobachtet wird. Der Grad der Kollagenaggregation ist im Bindegewebe an verschiedenen Stellen des Seehechtfilets gleich, jedoch nicht bei der Forelle, wo das näher am Schwanz liegende Gewebe einen höheren Aggregationsgrad aufweist. Das führt dazu, daß beim Seehecht eine signifikante Beziehung zwischen der Bindegewebsmenge und der Schnittfestigkeit besteht, bei der Forelle allerdings nicht.

     

A Novel Functional Wrapping Design by Complexation of ε-Polylysine with Liposomes Entrapping Bioactive Peptides

An innovative edible wrapping with potential use for designing functional foods with antimicrobial capacity was developed by complexation of ε-polylysine with peptide-loaded liposomes. Unmarketable long-term frozen cooked shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) muscle was used as a source of both bioactive peptides and complex liposomal suspension carrier, producing a sustainable value-added protein wrapping material with desirable sensory properties. A <10-kDa peptide fraction (SH) with antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory capacity was encapsulated in partially purified phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes (LSH) with an entrapment efficiency of 85 %. The average size and zeta potential of LSH were 164?±?2 nm and –37.0?±?1.7 mV, respectively. The LSH surface changed from electronegative to electropositive upon adsorption of ε-polylysine (PL) with an optimal concentration of 0.5 %. The average diameter and zeta potential of the resulting complex ε-polylysine-adsorbed liposomes containing the peptide hydrolysate (PL-LSH) were 216?±?5 nm and +51.1?±?1.1 mV, respectively. The ε-PL proved to be effective as liposome stabilizing and antimicrobial agent. The PL-LSH suspension was incorporated in the formulation of the protein wrapping to provide it with both bioactive and antimicrobial properties. The wrapping showed low water solubility (≈30 %) and low mechanical resistance (tensile strength?=?0.23?±?0.06 MPa; elongation at break?=?0.91?±?0.19 %) properties that allowed it to be very versatile for varied food design and was effective against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica.