Development of active edible films made from banana starch and curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions.

Active packaging that can be used to release active molecules food products during storage has been a central part in food science research over the last decades. This paper presents the development of an active film made from banana starch incorporated with curcumin-loaded orange oil nanoemulsion. Results showed that inclusion of the curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions reduced water vapor permeability, given the hydrophobic nature of curcumin. Likewise, elongation at break was also increased due to the plasticizing effect of the nanoemulsion. Finally, this paper reports the release profiles of curcumin from the active film into different food simulants. Results showed that curcumin release is diffusion driven in both aqueous and non-aqueous food simulants, however it seems that while the complete nanoemulsion droplets are released in the aqueous simulant, in non-aqueous simulant only curcumin molecules are released.

Data from the synthesis and characterization of banana starch nanoparticles from different botanical varieties.

In this work, we present data related to the structural features and thermal characteristics of starches from four varieties banana, likewise, we present the synthesis and characterization of starch nanoparticles from those starches. Data shows the structure of the starch granule and the nanoparticles are formed through XRD spectroscopy.

Chemical, structural, and thermal characterization of starches from four yellow Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorriza) roots produced in Colombia.

In recent years, interest has increased in the search for new starch sources, especially among Andean tubers, such as Arracacha (or Peruvian Carrot). This work studied the chemical composition, structural features, and thermal and adsorption properties of four sub-varieties of yellow Arracacha grown in Colombia: comun (Com), cartagenera (Car), yema de huevo (YH) and clon 22 (C22). Starches from the Com, Car and YH sub varieties presented similar properties, amylose content around 30%, relative crystallinity around 31% and gelatinization temperature around 60 °C. On the other hand, starch from the Clon 22 (C22) variety presented the highest amylose content, leading to an increase in gelatinization temperature (63 °C), and lower relative crystallinity (24%). Furthermore, digestibility studies show that C22 presented a higher resistant starch content. Our results show that Arracacha is a very interesting starch source, despite few studies on the properties of the different sub-varieties.

Citric-acid modified banana starch nanoparticles as a novel vehicle for ß-carotene delivery.

BACKGROUND: Starch nanoparticles have become among the most interesting nanovehicles for drug delivery because of their relatively easy synthesis, biocompatibility, and numerous botanical sources. Starch nanoparticles obtained from green bananas were cross-linked with citric acid and loaded with ß-carotene. RESULTS: Mean particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and ß-carotene release in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids and food simulants were studied. Cross-linked nanoparticles showed higher loading efficiency and encapsulation capacity, indicating that they can accommodate more molecules than their unmodified counterparts, while mathematical models showed a diffusion of released ß-carotene into food simulant media. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-linked nanoparticles showed more controlled release under gastric conditions, mainly in the simulated intestinal fluid, indicating that they are suitable as vehicles for intestine-specific targeting. This controlled released was also observed in food simulants, with lower release values in the more aqueous simulants. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Catanionic Reverse Micelles as an Optimal Microenvironment To Alter the Water Electron Donor Capacity in a SN2 Reaction.

The effect of interfacial water entrapped in two types of catanionic reverse micelles (RMs) on the kinetic parameters of the SN2 reaction between dimethyl-4-nitrophenylsulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate (S+) and n-butylamine (BuNH2) was explored. Two catanionic surfactants, composed of a mixture of oppositely charged ionic surfactants without their original counterions, were used to create the RMs. Thus, benzyl- n-hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (BHD-AOT) and cetyltrimethylammonium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (CTA-AOT) were formed. Also, the well-known anionic surfactant sodium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (Na-AOT) was employed as a comparison. Our results showed an important catalytic-like effect of all RMs investigated in comparison with a water-benzene mixture, and the rate constant values depend on the type of surfactant used. Faster reaction in BHD-AOT RMs than in CTA-AOT and Na-AOT RMs was observed. This behavior was attributed to the strong interaction (by hydrogen bonding with AOT anion and ion-dipole interaction with BHD+) between the entrapped water and the BHD-AOT interface, which reduces the solvation capacity of water on S+. In CTA-AOT (and Na-AOT) RMs, the water-interface interaction is weaker and the electron pairs of water can solvate S+ ions. In summary, the chemical structure of the counterion on the catanionic surfactant alters the interfacial region, allowing the progress of a reaction inside the RMs to be controlled.

Physicochemical and rheological properties of purees based on Mafafa (Xanthosoma robustum) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) with the addition of cryoprotectants.

Growing interest in processed frozen products with similar characteristics to natural products has generated the study of new products in the food industry field. The characteristics of each matrix, the process of elaboration, composition, and structure of the additives and the interactions amongst these modify the food's texture, structure, physical and sensory properties and, hence, interfere directly with consumer acceptance. This research studied the effect of adding cryoprotectors during frozen storage on the rheological, physicochemical, structural, and microbiological properties in a Mafafa-quinoa-olive oil puree. To carry out the study, the rheological properties were determined through dynamic oscillatory tests and in steady state; likewise, the physicochemical properties (humidity, color, pH, and syneresis) were analyzed. Regarding physicochemical properties, the humidity content in the purees formulated varied between 57 and 74%, without important variation (p > .05) with respect to the formulation, however, in the storage during the freezing/thawing process, this parameter diminished in greater proportion in those purees containing carrageenan as cryoconservant. Both the addition of cryoconservants and the storage time affected significantly (p < .05) the puree's syneresis, with the degree of exudation being lower in the formulation containing xanthan gum at 1% w/w. During the freezing/thawing process, decreased apparent viscosity was noted. Additionally, the analysis of the viscoelastic properties of the purees evidences that already described, given that a significant effect (p < .05) was observed of the formulation of purees in the elastic component G', in contrast with a notable decrease in the viscous component G″.

Mechanical, barrier, and color properties of banana starch edible films incorporated with nanoemulsions of lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus) and rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oils.

Edible films are among the most promising fields in food science over the last decade due to their versatility (they can be made from a wide array of materials) and because they can be used as carriers of different active substances, like antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, and essential oils from plants. In the case of the essential oils, their inclusion in edible films is limited by their low water solubility. Nanoemulsions are thermodynamically stable and transparent systems that can be used as a way of incorporating essential oils into edible film matrices. In this paper, we developed lemongrass and rosemary essential oil nanoemulsions by using a low-energy method, observing the effect of the surfactant/oil ratio in their physicochemical properties. Then we studied the effect of the nanoemulsions concentration incorporated into banana starch edible films. We observed that essential oils' nanoemulsions have a plasticizing effect increasing the film's water vapor permeability, transparency, and elongation at break, while the hydrophobic nature of the essential oils lead to a decrease in their water solubility.

The influence of Aloe vera gel incorporation on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of banana starch-chitosan edible films.

BACKGROUND: Aloe vera (AV) gel is a promising material in food conservation, given its widely reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activity; however, its application in the formation of edible films and coatings has been small owing its low film-forming capability. The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of film-forming solutions and films prepared using unripe banana starch-chitosan and AV gel at different AV gel concentrations. RESULTS: Our results showed that AV gel considerably affected the rheological and optical properties of the edible coatings, mainly due to increased amounts of solids brought by the AV gel. Film-forming capacity and physicochemical properties were also studied; most of the film properties were affected by the inclusion of AV gel, with decreased water vapor permeability, tensile strength and elongation at break. Fourier transform infrared studies showed that the inclusion of AV gel disrupts the interaction between starch and chitosan molecules; however, further studies are needed to fully understand the specific interactions between the components of AV gel and both starch and chitosan molecules. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the addition of AV gel creates a crosslinking effect between the phenolic compounds in AV gel and starch molecules, which disrupts the starch-chitosan interaction and greatly affects the properties of both the film-forming solution and edible films. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Development of native and modified banana starch nanoparticles as vehicles for curcumin.

In recent years, starch nanoparticles have been of great interest for drug delivery due to their relatively easy synthesis, biocompatibility, and vast amount of botanical sources. Native and acetylated starch obtained from green bananas were used for synthesis of curcumin-loaded starch nanoparticles. Mean particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and curcumin release in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids were studied. Both nanosystems showed sizes lower than 250 nm and encapsulation efficiency above 80%, with acetylated banana starch nanoparticles having the capacity to encapsulate more curcumin molecules. Both FTIR and XRD analyses showed that starch acetylation allows stronger hydrogen bond interaction between curcumin and the starch matrix, thus, higher encapsulation efficiency. Finally, curcumin release studies showed that acetylated banana starch nanoparticles allowed more controlled release, probably due to their stronger hydrogen bond interaction with curcumin.

Subtleties of catanionic surfactant reverse micelle assemblies revealed by a fluorescent molecular probe.

In this work, the absorption and emission behavior of the cationic hemicyanine trans-4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]-N-methylpyridinium iodide (HC) in reverse micelles (RMs) formed by the catanionic surfactants benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium-1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT-BHD) and cetyltrimethylammonium-1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT-CTA) have been investigated. Our results show that the spectroscopic behavior of HC changes when the dye is dissolved in AOT-BHD or in AOT-CTA RMs. While HC undergoes an intramolecular charge-transfer process upon excitation in AOT-CTA RMs, in AOT-BHD RMs this process is inhibited due to a specific interaction between HC and the polar head group of the BHD+ cation. This implies that the chemical structure of CTA+ and BHD+ cations has a large impact on the excited stated from which HC emission occurs. Additionally, the structural difference between the two cations impacts on the water-RM interface interaction, which provides a way of controlling the solvation process in these RMs. Furthermore, differences in the interfacial fluidity between the two catanionic RMs is observed, a result that is particularly interesting with regard to these systems being used as nanoreactors.

Singularities in the physicochemical properties of spontaneous AOT-BHD unilamellar vesicles in comparison with DOPC vesicles.

In the present work, we study different physicochemical properties of the spontaneous unilamellar vesicles created by the catanionic ionic liquid-like surfactant benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT-BHD), using two different fluorescent probes: 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylaminonaphthalene), PRODAN and trans-4-[4-(dimethylamino)-styryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide, HC. Steady-state and time resolved fluorescence emission spectroscopy allowed us to find the unique properties of the AOT-BHD bilayer in comparison with vesicles formed using the traditional phospholipid 1,2-di-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine, DOPC. From the emission results, we observed that the region of the bilayer close to the polar head of AOT-BHD is a powerful electron donor environment, even larger than DOPC. Additionally, the AOT-BHD bilayer offers a less polar and slightly more viscous zone than DOPC. Thus, this particular bilayer is able to produce large incorporation of ionic and nonionic molecules and is very promising to be used as a nanocarrier in pharmacological, cosmetic and food fields.

Effect of the cationic surfactant moiety on the structure of water entrapped in two catanionic reverse micelles created from ionic liquid-like surfactants.

The behavior of water entrapped in reverse micelles (RMs) formed by two catanionic ionic liquid-like surfactants, benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT-BHD) and cetyltrimethylammonium 1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT-CTA), was investigated by using dynamic (DLS) and static (SLS) light scattering, FTIR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy techniques. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which AOT-CTA has been used to create RMs and encapsulate water. DLS and SLS results revealed the formation of RMs in benzene and the interaction of water with the RM interface. From FTIR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy data, a difference in the magnitude of the water-catanionic surfactant interaction at the interface is observed. For the AOT-BHD RMs, a strong water-surfactant interaction can be invoked whereas for AOT-CTA this interaction seems to be weaker. Consequently, more water molecules interact with the interface in AOT-BHD RMs with a completely disrupted hydrogen-bond network, than in AOT-CTA RMs in which the water structure is partially preserved. We suggest that the benzyl group present in the BHD(+) moiety in AOT-BHD is responsible for the behavior of the catanionic interface in comparison with the interface created in AOT-CTA. These results show that a simple change in the cationic component in the catanionic surfactant promotes remarkable changes in the RMs interface with interesting consequences, in particular when using the systems as nanoreactors.

A unique ionic liquid with amphiphilic properties that can form reverse micelles and spontaneous unilamellar vesicles.

Catanionic surfactants: the synthesis of a new surfactant ionic liquid with unique properties is described. The formation of reverse micelles in benzene and large unilamellar vesicles, formed spontaneously without the help of any mechanical of chemistry methods, in water is demonstrated by using dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques.