Zein-based anti-browning cling wraps for fresh-cut apple slices

The usage of cling wraps is emerging as an easy and cost-effective approach to protect fresh-cut fruits and vegetables from dust, whilst improving visual appeal on retail counters. This study focused on developing an alternate, protein-based packaging material as a food grade cling wrap for food packaging applications. Zein-based cling wraps were produced, and their physical and mechanical characteristics were evaluated and compared with conventionally used chitosan biopolymer films and commercial synthetic polymer films. Antioxidant potential of the prepared films was studied, and the effectiveness of the developed films as anti-browning cling wraps was evaluated using studies conducted on fresh-cut apple slices at ambient conditions. Anti-browning effects were in par with polymeric counterparts; however, zein cling wraps could better prevent weight loss in apple slices. Zein-based films can be adopted as biodegradable food grade cling wraps as an alternative to chitosan and synthetic polymeric materials.     

Shelf Life of Minimally Processed Honeydew, Kiwifruit, Papaya, Pineapple and Cantaloupe

This study was to determine the shelf life of minimally processed honeydew melon, kiwifruit, papaya, pineapple, and cantaloupe stored at 4°C. Sensory assessments were carried out at 3-day intervals by highly trained panels until the end of shelf life. Microbiological counts were made immediately after dicing fruit and at the end of shelf life. Results indicated that both the length of shelf life and type of spoilage were related to fruit species. Minimally processed fruit had longer shelf life at 4°than at temperatures recommended for whole fruit when these were greater than 4°C. Spoilage of 4°C-stored kiwifruit, papaya and pineapple pieces was not a consequence of microbial growth.     

Effect of Calcium Lactate, 4-Hexyl Resorcinol and Vacuum Packing on Physico-chemical, Sensory and Microbiological Qualities of Minimally Processed Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits are very susceptible to pericarp browning which adversely affects consumer acceptability even though the aril portion remains in excellent condition. Litchi arils (litchis) were treated with a solution containing 0–2% (w/v) calcium lactate (CL), 0–0.02% (w/v) 4‐hexyl resorcinol (4‐HR) and 1% potassium sorbate. The pH of solution was adjusted to 4.0 with citric acid. Treated litchis were packed in polystyrene trays, over‐wrapped with polypropylene film, vacuum‐packed (0, 47409.3, 94831.9 Pa) and stored at 4 ± 2 °C. Drip losses, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), sensory attributes and microbiological quality of stored samples were estimated. A four‐factor, three‐level experimental design (D₆ Hokes design) with 19 experiments was chosen. Mathematical models were developed to analyse and predict the effect of CL, 4‐HR, in‐package vacuum and storage time on the responses. TSS, pH and sensory scores decreased significantly (P 0.01), whereas drip losses and microbial count increased significantly (P 0.01) with time. Drip loss was significantly (P 0.1) reduced by addition of CL. 4‐HR prevented browning and changes in colour score during storage were significantly less. Vacuum in packages exerted significant (P 0.01) effect over pH, TSS, sensory and microbiological qualities of minimally processed litchis.     

3种花卉在山区及平原越夏的效果评价

通过对金宝剑（Vrieseamarjolcin）、安祖花（Anthuriumandraeanum）和一品红（Euphorbiapulcherrima）3种花卉在萧山区海拔500m山区越夏与海拔9m平原越夏的比较试验,结果显示：山区越夏后,金宝剑的叶片数、叶片长度、叶宽、株高和冠径分别比平原越夏后增长了6．9％,28．6％,7．1％,7．5％和9．7％,叶色较深,生长好又快;安祖花的植株高,花蕾多,叶片深绿、有光泽,其平均株高和单株花蕾数分别比平原越夏后高3．2cm和多0．8个;一品红的平均株高55．8cm,每株最大苞片平均7．8cm,且完全转红,达到市场销售的要求,而平原越夏后则出现下部叶片掉落的现象（平均株高57．1cm,每株最大苞片平均7．2cm）,不完全转红,不能形成成品,达不到市场销售的要求。表明这三种花卉在山区越夏的生长情况都要好于平原越夏。     

迭香精油活性贴对鲜切猪肉保鲜效果的研究

目的 为了提高迷迭香精油(REO)的稳定性,开发出一种安全、便捷的实用型活性包装。方法 以迷迭香精油为活性成分,采用三步法(乳化、包埋、多层复合)制备出精油缓释活性贴,并验证其对鲜切猪肉的保鲜效果。结果 在4 ℃下,不同比例的迷迭香精油活性贴均可在一定程度上抑制鲜切猪肉的腐败变质,最佳处理效果的体积比为4∶6,贮藏至第6天时,猪肉的pH值、挥发性盐基氮(TVB–N)含量、硫代巴比妥酸(TBARS)值较空白对照(CK)分别降低了0.7 mg/g、0.073 1 mg/g、0.63 mg/kg;延缓了猪肉色度、汁液流失率、菌落总数(TVC)、感官品质的变化,可延长鲜切猪肉货架期2 d左右。结论 制备的缓释型活性贴具有稳定性好、操作简单易行的优势。作为绿色、可生物降解的包装材料,在食品保鲜领域具有潜在的应用价值。     

超高氧高阻隔膜气调包装对鲜切胡萝卜品质的影响

高氧气调包装是近年来研究较多的气调包装方式之一.研究了在不同储藏温度（4,15,25℃）下,高阻隔膜超高氧气调包装的鲜切胡萝卜品质变化规律（对照空气包装）.结果表明,超高氧气调包装显著增加了鲜切胡萝卜的失重率、呼吸强度,同时加速了维生素C、总胡萝卜素含量的损失,但能提高多酚类物质含量.总之,高阻隔膜超氧气调包装不能有效地维持鲜切胡萝卜的品质.     

Effects of pineapple pomace fibre on physicochemical properties of composite flour and dough,and consumer acceptance of fibre‐enriched wheat bread

Pineapple pomace fibre (PF, containing 70.2% total dietary fibre) can be added to increase dietary fibre of wheat bread. This study was performed to evaluate effects of PF added at 0, 5 or 10% (wheat flour‐basis) on physicochemical properties of the composite flour (wheat flour as the control, CPF‐5 and CPF‐10, respectively) and its dough, to evaluate consumer acceptance of CPF breads and to identify factors affecting willingness to purchase of CPF breads. Incorporating PF affected rheological and pasting properties of CPF. Water‐ and oil‐holding capacity of CPF increased (P < 0.05) as PF levels increased. Bread made with CPF‐5 was more acceptable than that with CPF‐10; however, it was not significantly different from the control, having similar specific volume and texture, but having about three times higher total dietary fibre than the control (4.4% vs. 1.5%). Product label and health benefit information potentially affected consumers' willingness to purchase of fibre‐enriched bread.     

Food uses of pineapple waste and by-products: a review

Waste from fruits and vegetable processing industry is produced in large quantities worldwide and it contains high levels of lignocellulose, fibre, sugar, bioactive and functional compounds. Their utilisation has become one of the main important and challengeable aspects due to the generation of large quantities of by-products including peels, seeds, leaves and unused flesh in different steps of processing chain. Many researches have validated the waste utilisation as novel, low-cost, economical and natural sources of dietary fibre, antioxidants, pectin, enzymes, organic acids, food additives, essential oils, etc. through different methods of extractions, purifications and fermentations. Though, obtaining these by-products from such a variable substrate requires an understanding of the composition of the polysaccharides and their associations within the overall substrate. Focus on the pineapple fruit, scientific and technological studies have already highlighted and confirmed the potential of better and more profitable markets for pineapple wastes. This review is first of all the collection of previous reports about valorisation of food processing waste, deepening the possibilities of pineapple waste utilisation and to promote the integral exploitation of the by-products rich in bioactive compounds, even as multifunctional food ingredients. More in detail, this review aims at identifying those processes that can be implemented even in disadvantaged areas by means of technologies that allow recovering waste directly on site, thus reducing pollution and providing ingredients/food products with high nutritional values that could be integrated into the diet.     

Efficacy of thyme oil-alginate-based coating in reducing foodborne pathogens on fresh-cut apples

In this study, the inhibition of an alginate-based edible coating (EC) containing thyme oil (0.05%, 0.35% and 0.65%) was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto fresh-cut apples. To investigate the antibacterial mechanism of thyme oil, the constituent compounds of that were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the cellular damage of pathogens was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that alginate-based EC containing thyme oil effectively inhibited the growth of pathogens on fresh-cut apples. GC-MS analysis revealed thymol (47.23%) as the major compounds in thyme oil. SEM showed that the cell membrane of foodborne pathogens was damaged by thyme oil, causing their inactivation. Treatment with alginate-based EC containing 0.05% thyme oil preserved the sensory characteristics of fresh-cut apples. Therefore, using alginate-based EC with thyme oil may represent a potential approach to preserve and enhance the safety of fresh-cut apples.