Research Publications (Food Safety)

The study presents chitosan nanoemulsion encapsulating Cinnamomum glaucescens essential oil (CGEO) as a novel green preservative against food born fungi and aflatoxin B1 production in food system. GC–MS analysis suggested 1,8-cineole (46.56%), safrole (17.64%) as major and terpineol (5.88%), 4-terpineol (4.68%), β-pinene (2.08%), β-thujene (2.03%), and linalool (2.02%) as minor components of CGEO.

The study presents chitosan nanoemulsion encapsulating Cinnamomum glaucescens essential oil (CGEO) as a novel green preservative against food born fungi and aflatoxin B1 production in food system. GC–MS analysis suggested 1,8-cineole (46.56%), safrole (17.64%) as major and terpineol (5.88%), 4-terpineol (4.68%), β-pinene (2.08%), β-thujene (2.03%), and linalool (2.02%) as minor components of CGEO.

Fruit and vegetable natural beverage market is growing around the world, but their intrinsic characteristics lead to a high microbial and enzymatic activity, showing a short shelf life when not treated. The present work aims to evaluate the effect of ultrasound (US) treatments on the main spoilage factors and some quality indicators of a mixed fruit and vegetable smoothie (F&VS).

The effectiveness of a UV-A light emitting diode system (LED) to reduce the concentrations of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 (AFB1, AFM1) in whole milk (WM) was investigated. Irradiation experiments were conducted using an LED system operating at 365 nm. Known concentrations of aflatoxins were spiked in WM and irradiated at quantified UV doses, which was calculated based on the average volumetric intensity.

The aim of this research was to investigate the potential of tomato seed mucilage (TSM) as a new source for preparation of biodegradable films.

Abstract Extending the shelf-life and ensuring microbiological safety of food products while preserving the nutritional properties are key aspects that must be addressed. Heat processing of food matrices has been the golden standard during the last decades, while certain non-thermal processing options have recently gained ground. In the present study, experimental pulsed light (PL) surface inactivation treatments of Salmonella enteritidis on almonds kernels are performed.

The aim of this study was to prepare Plantago major seed gum (PMSG)-based nanocomposite active films by the addition of fennel essential oil (FEO) as active agent and nanoclay as reinforcing additive. The effect of FEO (0–8%) and nanoclay (0–5%) on the properties of PMSG films was evaluated using the response surface methodology. Moisture absorption, water vapor permeability, and water contact angle of films decreased by increasing FEO content.

Foodborne pathogens present in food and agricultural systems are recognized as a considerable burden for human health and socioeconomic development. Mānuka essential oil (MEO) exhibits antimicrobial, antiparasitic, photo-protective, and some medicinal effects.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin that contaminates cereals and grains. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a novel non-thermal technology that has the potential to degrade mycotoxins. This study evaluated the potential of ACP and the influence of some of the important product and process factors on the degradation of ZEA. The efficacy of 30 s dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) ACP treatment to degrade ZEA in solution and dry condition was 100% and 66.8%, respectively.

Postharvest losses and quality changes of fruit and vegetables, along the value chain, are a result of microbial activity and negative impacts of ethylene. It has become important to develop technologies that can remove ethylene while simultaneously resisting bacteria to reduce postharvest losses.

In the present study, the antimicrobial efficiency of thymol and thymol-nanoemulsion (NE) was investigated against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. perfringens on a sausage product during 4 weeks. The droplets size of the thymol-NE was 86.39 nm with the zeta potential of −0.86 mV. The MIC and MBC values for thymol were approximately twice that of NE, indicating that NE was more effective in inhibiting the growth of three tested bacteria.

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth-inhibitory effects of X-ray irradiation against gram-negative (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium) and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) in apple, orange, and tomato juices. Additionally, the effects of X-ray irradiation on juice quality attributes were examined. Upon irradiation with 0.8 kGy X-ray, the counts of E.

This study innovatively produced polymeric active antibacterial films by incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) into linear low-density polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (LLDPE-MA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using polymer melting and coating of ZnO-NP.

The increase in consumer requirements for safe and high-quality food has promoted the development of active and edible packaging materials based on biopolymers. In this study, composite tapioca starch films by addition of processed rice bran (PRB) microparticles, containing or not the natural antimicrobials natamycin and nisin, were studied in relation to their physicochemical properties and antimicrobial activity.

Surfactant-free Pickering emulsion has been considered as a promising carrier to load oil-soluble active agents for preparation of active edible films to keep food quality and safety. Herein, dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystals (DCNC) were obtained by the periodate oxidation. Then, the DCNC-stabilized Pickering emulsion loaded with dihydromyricetin was prepared and incorporated into gelatin matrix to fabricate gelatin-based active edible films.

This study aimed to produce wheat flour and poly (butylene co-terephthalate adipate) films with the addition of free and microencapsulated oregano essential oil by blown extrusion and to evaluate its applicability as an active packaging in the preservation of the Brazilian fresh pastry, known as Pastel. The oregano essential oil microparticles were produced by spray drying and characterized in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and mean diameter.

This study was conducted to decipher the mechanism of emulsion-based food stabilization by fish-derived collagen hydrolysate. Collagen type I was isolated from seven fish processing by-products with yields ranging from 9.15 to 92.38%. The isolated samples had a mass of 110–120kDa and eluted at 30.44% NaCl in ion-exchange chromatography. The collagen samples were enzymatically digested to obtain collagen hydrolysate (CH) with mass <6kDa.

In this study, zein/polylactic acid (PLA)/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) nanofibers (NFs) were fabricated to the incorporation of Zenian (Carum copticum) essential oil (ZO) using the electrospinning method for employing in food packaging for the first time. The SEM images of optimal zein/PLA/HPMC/ZO NFs displayed homogeneous morphology. The average diameter of NFs ranged between 718 ± 186 nm and 335 ± 112 nm. Antioxidant activity of ZO-loaded NFs was 68.83 ± 0.1%.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of beef patty formulations and pressure levels on the inactivation of spoilage microbiota and native Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7. Beef patties were made with different salt and fat content (A: 1% NaCl – 10% fat, B: 2% NaCl – 10% fat, C: 1% NaCl – 20% fat and D: 2% NaCl – 20% fat) and treated at 400 and 600 MPa. STEC reductions after 400 and 600 MPa were 2 and 4 log CFU/g, respectively.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful technique to characterization of taste profile based on organic compounds from foods. Likely, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) enables the detection of aroma profile of foodstuff.

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is widely used for the preservation of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. But many commercial polymeric films are limited to MAP applicability due to a low gas permeability of these films. Laser perforation is a novel method to provide micropores that raises gas permeability.

In the present study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of passion fruit peel extract (PPE) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The application of PPE using an electrostatic spraying system for the disinfection of fresh-cut Lollo Rossa and beetroot leaves was also examined and compared with conventional PPE washing.

Cold plasma (CP) treatment for enhancing functional and cooking properties has been investigated on less rice varieties and delays the industrial adoption of this technology.

Abstract

In the present manuscript, we fabricated screen-printed electrode based biosensor and enzymatic optical biosensor for detection of carcinogenic formaldehyde. The biosensor strip using cyclic voltammetry technique exhibited high sensitivity of 352 μA mg−1 L cm−2 with detection limit of 0.03 mg/L, and sensitivity of 0.186 Abs (mg/L)−1 with detection limit of 0.02 mg/L was obtained with optical biosensor over the concentration range of 0.01–0.5 mg/L.