Application of Films Based on Chitosan and Xanthan Gum in Refrigerated Fish Conservation

Abstract This research aims to determine the efficiency of chitosan and xanthan gum films in conservation of croaker fillets kept in refrigeration for 9 days. Proximal composition, loss of mass, color, pH, TVB-N (Total Volatile Bases) and microbiological profile were assessed. The films were prepared with chitosan and xanthan gum in varying mass proportions 100:0, m:m (C100XG0); 60:40, m:m (C60XG40); 50:50, m:m (C50XG50). They presented the respective values for moisture content, water solubility, thickness and water vapor permeability: 24.59%, 19.50%, 0.086 mm and 11.45gm-1.s-1.Pa-1for C100XG0; 24.58%; 20.27%, 0.091 mm and 10.41 gm-1.s-1.Pa-1for C60XG40; 22.11%, 22.06%, 0.089 mm and 10.68 gm-1.s-1.Pa-1 forC50XG50.The films were made in small bags format capable to hold about 20 g of fish fillets. A control sample was prepared in parallel, using polyethylene bags under the same storage conditions. The results showed that the chitosan films combined with xanthan gum had excellent antimicrobial properties, capable of preserving the quality of chilled fish fillets during the studied period, since it inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, Salmonella spp and coliforms at 45 ° C. Mass loss of the croaker fillets was not significantly affected by xanthan gum addition to the films. On the other hand, xanthan gum addition affected pH and color parameters of the corvina fillets. It was also verified that the combination of these two polymers promoted the reduction of N-BVT, being the C50XG50 film that presented the best response.

Avaliação de laudos insatisfatórios de derivados de frutas do Programa de Monitoramento da Qualidade dos Alimentos do estado de Minas Gerais (Progvisa/MG) no período de 2013­2015 / Evaluation of unsatisfactory reports of fruit derivatives of the Program of Monitoring Quality of Foods of the state of Minas Gerais (Progvisa/MG), from 2013­2015

Introdução: Frutas são altamente perecíveis e de fácil deterioração, assim, a produção de seus derivados, sob variadas formas, como polpas, geleias e frutas em calda é uma alternativa de conservação. Estes derivados devem ser elaborados de acordo com os parâmetros e padrões estabelecidos nas legislações. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados das análises de laudos insatisfatórios da Vigilância Sanitária de Minas Gerais (VISA/MG) de derivados de frutas (polpas, geleias e frutas em calda) encaminhados para a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), no período de 2013 a 2015, a fim de se identificar as principais irregularidades. Resultados: Foram avaliados 25 laudos (nove de doces em calda, oito de polpas de frutas e oito de geleias). Dos laudos analisados, 100,0% apresentaram conclusão insatisfatória para a análise de rotulagem: uma amostra de geleia (12,5%) apresentou corante artificial não permitido; em duas amostras de figo em calda (29,0%) havia teor de cobre em desacordo com a legislação e, em uma destas (14,0%), teor de carboidratos menor do que o descrito na rotulagem, indicando fraude ao consumidor. As polpas de frutas apresentaram resultados satisfatórios para as análises de histologia e matérias estranhas. Conclusões: As irregularidades constatadas indicam que há necessidade de adoção de medidas para que as empresas adequem seus produtos aos requisitos da legislação.

Introduction: Fruits are highly perishable and easily deteriorated, so the production of derivatives in various forms such as pulps, jellies and fruit in syrup is a conservation alternative. These derivatives must be prepared in accordance with the legislation requirements. Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the results of the unsatisfactory reports of the Minas Gerais Sanitary Surveillance (VISA/MG) of fruit derivatives (pulps, jellies and fruit in syrup) sent to the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa) in the period from 2013 to 2015, in order to identify the main irregularities. Results: We evaluated 25 reports (nine of jams in syrup, eight of fruit pulp and eight of jellies). From the analyzed reports, 100% presented an unsatisfactory conclusion for the labeling analysis; a jelly sample (12.5%) had artificial coloring not allowed; two samples of fig in syrup (29%) presented a copper content that did not comply with the legislation, and one of them (14%) had a lower carbohydrate content than that described in the labeling, indicating consumer fraud. Fruit pulps presented satisfactory results for analyses of histology and foreign matters. Conclusions: The irregularities found indicate that there is a need to adopt measures for companies to adapt their products to the requirements of the legislation.