Metal-Organic Framework-Based Antimicrobial Touch Surfaces to Prevent Cross-Contamination.

Infection diseases are a major threat to global public health, with nosocomial infections being of particular concern. In this context, antimicrobial coatings emerge as a promising prophylactic strategy to reduce the transmission of pathogens and control infections. Here, antimicrobial door handle covers to prevent cross-contamination are prepared by incorporating iodine-loaded UiO-66 microparticles into a potentially biodegradable polyurethane polymer (Baycusan eco E 1000). These covers incorporate MOF particles that serve as both storage reservoirs and delivery systems for the biocidal iodine. Under realistic touching conditions, the door handle covers completely inhibit the transmission of Gram-positive bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis), Gram-negative bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii), and fungi (Candida albicans). The covers remain effective even after undergoing multiple contamination cycles, after being cleaned, and when tinted to improve discretion and usability. Furthermore, as the release of iodine from the door handle covers follow hindered Fickian diffusion, their antimicrobial lifetime is calculated to be as long as approximately two years. Together, these results demonstrate the potential of these antimicrobial door handle covers to prevent cross-contamination, and underline the efficacy of integrating MOFs into innovative technologies.

Validation of a Portable Fluorescence Spectroscopy System to Monitor Heat Damage in Industrially Processed Milk.

Heat treatments play a critical role in ensuring the safety and preservation of milk, but it can affect its nutritional and sensory properties. The present paper proposes the use of a portable system based on fluorescence spectroscopy as an alternative method for the quantification of four thermal damage markers at once (hydroxymethylfurfural, sulfhydryl groups, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin). The obtained prediction models using autofluorescent compounds (tryptophan, dityrosine, Maillard compounds, and riboflavin), validated with skimmed milk processed under several industrial conditions, granted the development of a portable and/or online system, allowing for the real-time monitoring of thermal damage and control of the heat treatment process. The results of this study will certainly contribute to the development of new process analytical technologies for the dairy industry, enabling quality control and adjustment of the manufacturing process to ensure safe and high-quality products.

Preparing a Personalized Meal by Using Soy, Cricket, and Egg Albumin Protein Based on 3D Printing.

Recently, personalized meals and customized food design by means of 3D printing technology have been considered over traditional food manufacturing methods. This study examined the effects of different proteins (soy, cricket, and egg albumin protein) in two concentrations (3% and 5%) on rheological, textural, and 3D printing characteristics. The textural and microstructural properties of different formulations were evaluated and compared. The addition of soy and cricket protein induced an increase in yield stress (τ0), storage modulus (G'), and loss modulus (G″) while egg albumin protein decreased these parameters. The textural analysis (back extrusion and force of extrusion) demonstrated the relationship between increasing the amount of protein in the formula with an improvement in consistency and index of viscosity. These values showed a straight correlation with the printability of fortified formulas. 3D printing of the different formulas revealed that soy and cricket proteins allow the targeting of complex geometry with multilayers.

Recent Advances and Trends in the Dairy Field.

Dairy products have been an important part of the human diet for most societies since the Neolithic period [...].

Rapid Quantification of Riboflavin in Milk by Front-Face Fluorescence Spectroscopy: A Preliminary Study.

The front-face fluorescence spectroscopy technique was used to establish a rapid prediction model of riboflavin concentration in milk without prior sample preparation. The prediction model developed was then compared with two conventional high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based quantification methods. The method of standard addition allowed detecting a linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and riboflavin concentration in 12% (w/w) reconstituted low-heat milk powder. Validation of the model yielded an R2 of 0.99 with a standard error of prediction of 0.13 mg/L. The results suggest a potential use of front-face fluorescence spectroscopy as a simple method for off- and in-line determinations of riboflavin in milk.

Factors Affecting Bacterial Inactivation during High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing of Foods: A Review.

Although, the High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) technology has been gaining gradual popularity in food industry since last two decades, intensive research is needed to explore the missing information. Bacterial inactivation in food by using HHP applications can be enhanced by getting deeper insights of the process. Some of these aspects have been already studied in detail (like pressure, time, and temperature, etc.), while some others still need to be investigated in more details (like pH, rates of compression, and decompression, etc.). Selection of process parameters is mainly dependent on type of matrix and target bacteria. This intensive review provides comprehensive information about the variety of aspects that can determine the bacterial inactivation potential of HHP process indicating the fields of future research on this subject including pH shifts of the pressure treated samples and critical limits of compression and decompression rates to accelerate the process efficacy.

Influence of ultra-high pressure homogenisation on antioxidant capacity, polyphenol and vitamin content of clear apple juice.

Ultra-high pressure homogenisation (UHPH) is a recently developed technology and is still under study to evaluate its effect on different aspects of its application to food products. The aim of this research work was to evaluate the effect of UHPH treatments on quality characteristics of apple juice such as antioxidant capacity, polyphenol composition, vitamin C and provitamin A contents, in comparison with raw (R) and pasteurised (PA) apple juice. Several UHPH treatments that include combinations of pressure (100, 200 and 300MPa) and inlet temperatures (4 and 20°C) were assayed. Apple juice was pasteurised at 90°C for 4min. Antioxidant capacity was analysed using the oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay while total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay. According to the FRAP and DPPH assays, UHPH processing did not change apple juice antioxidant capacity. However, significant differences were detected between samples analysed by TEAC and ORAC assays. In spite of these differences, high correlation values were found between the four antioxidant capacity assays, and also with total polyphenol content. The analysis and quantification of individual phenols by HPLC/DAD analytical technique reflects that UHPH-treatment prevented degradation of these compounds. Vitamin C concentrations did not change in UHPH treated samples, retaining the same value as in raw juice. However, significant losses were observed for provitamin A content, but lower than in PA samples. UHPH-treatments at 300MPa can be an alternative to thermal treatment in order to preserve apple juice quality.

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure treatments on biogenic amine contents in goat cheeses during ripening.

The application of high-pressure treatment to accelerate cheese ripening may influence the occurrence and profile of biogenic amines. In some cases, high-pressure treatment could yield high amine content, whereas in others the amine concentrations were comparable with those in nontreated ones. Tyramine was the most affected amine. However, the influence of high pressure depended on the treatment applied. The highest amine concentrations were observed when 50 MPa for 72 h was applied, and in which, the content of tyramine was almost three times higher than in the untreated samples. On the contrary, when 400 MPa for 5 min or 400 MPa for 5 min plus 50 MPa for 72 h were applied contents of this amine were similar or lower than those found in control cheeses showing similar degrees of proteolysis. The higher proteolysis, induced by the pressurization treatments, was not correlated with the higher amine production.