Fabrication of double layer nanoparticle infused starch-based thermoplastic food packaging system for meat preservation.

The current work aims to produce nanoparticle-infused starch-based bioactive thermoplastic packaging films. The FeO and ZnO nanoparticles were examined to be potential active ingredients for the production of nanoparticle-infused bioactive thermoplastic packaging films. The bio-thermoplastic films infused with FeO and ZnO nanoparticles showed high oxygen scavenging and antimicrobial activity, respectively. Consecutively, both films were combined to form a double-layer Nano-Biothermoplastic packaging system for food preservation. The distribution and diffusion of nanoparticles in starch-based films were examined to be influenced by the amorphous character of starch and the swelling index of the film, respectively. The amorphous property of starch molecules showed a masking effect on the crystalline characteristics of nanoparticles in Nano-Biothermoplastic films. The diffusion of nanoparticles from the Nano-Biothermoplastic packaging system was found to influence the microbial, chemical, and color characteristics of mutton and chicken meat stored at 4 °C.

Effect of in-vitro digestion on the bio active compounds and biological activities of fruit pomaces.

The effect of gastro intestinal digestion on total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), radical scavenging activity (RSA) and vitamin C levels of apple (Malus domestica) pomace and a local variety of jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) pomace was evaluated after drying at 110 °C for 3 h in a hot air oven. The physicochemical properties and functional properties of apple and jujube pomaces were also assessed. Prior to digestion, apple pomace displayed greater levels of TPC, RSA and vitamin C (17.30 ± 0.59 GAE/g DW, 81.16 ± 3.27%, 0.078 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively) in comparison with jujube pomace (16.90 ± 0.66 GAE/g DW, 54.65 ± 2.09%, 0.069 ± 0.01 g/L, respectively), whereas, TFC level was found to be higher in jujube pomace (19.22 ± 0.87 QE/g DW). After digestion, both samples showed an increase in TPC (56.17 ± 2.14 and 52.01 ± 2.18 GAE/g DW for apple and jujube pomaces) and TFC levels (48.45 ± 1.87 and 53.82 ± 2.34 QE/g DW for apple and jujube pomaces) and it was perceived almost 3 to 4 times higher than the TPC and TFC of the samples before digestion. But, RSA of the fruit pomaces were found to be affected by the in vitro digestion which was observed as 54.65 ± 2.09 and 81.16 ± 3.27% respectively for apple and jujube pomaces. It may be suggested that the fruit powders may be incorporated in developing new functional foods rich in bio active compounds and thus can be utilized in different food applications.

Effect of spice-incorporated starch edible film wrapping on shelf life of white shrimps stored at different temperatures.

BACKGROUND: White shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) are a major aquaculture product in the world fishery market. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of clove- and cinnamon-assimilated starch edible films on the shelf life of white shrimps in terms of maintaining their freshness and other organoleptic properties. Physical, chemical, microbial and sensory qualities of edible film-wrapped white shrimps were studied until they reached their limit of acceptability during storage at different temperatures (10 and 4 °C). RESULTS: Shrimp samples wrapped with spice-assimilated edible films showed lower bacterial counts. Shelf life extension of edible film-wrapped white shrimps was estimated to be 14 and 12 days for storage at 10 and 4 °C respectively. Reduced lipid oxidation and release of nitrogen base compounds were noted for edible film-wrapped shrimp samples. Good consumer acceptance was noted for edible film-wrapped shrimp samples through sensory evaluation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that spice-fused edible films were effective in inhibiting the growth of microbial populations. Reductions in lipid oxidation and total volatile base nitrogen were also achieved through edible film wrapping of shrimps, which increased their consumer acceptance during sensory evaluation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.