Food Biotechnology
Dina Shahrampour; Morteza Khomeiri; Seyed Mohammad Ali Razavi; Mahboobeh Kashiri
Abstract
IntroductionIncreasing public awareness of the impact of diet on health has increased the demand for healthy food products, especially probiotics. Probiotics are living and non-pathogenic microorganisms with beneficial effects on the host when consumed on a regular basis and sufficient amounts ...
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IntroductionIncreasing public awareness of the impact of diet on health has increased the demand for healthy food products, especially probiotics. Probiotics are living and non-pathogenic microorganisms with beneficial effects on the host when consumed on a regular basis and sufficient amounts (106 cfu/gr or ml). A significant number of probiotics become inactive during various food processes (thermal, mechanical and osmotic stress), storage condition (exposure to oxygen, UV light and low or high temperature) or during interaction with food ingredients. In addition, the breakdown and passage of food through the digestive system can also affect the survival and ability of probiotics to form colony in the intestine. Therefore, it is a challenge for food manufacturers to maintain and deliver live probiotic cells in sufficient quantities via food product. On the other hand, the variety of probiotic food products in the market, especially in Iran, is low and is mainly limited to dairy products, fermented drinks and pickles. Bioactive edible films and coatings are defined as biopolymer-based structures that carry bioactive components such as vitamins, enzymes, peptides, etc, and slowly release them on the food surface during storage. Biopolymers such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids are used in the preparation of edible films and coatings. Trapping probiotic bacteria in the structure of edible films and coatings is a new approach that has been proposed to increase the survival of these microorganisms and to develop new probiotic products in the food industry. Materials and MethodsIn this study, an alginate-based probiotic bioactive film containing L. plantarum was fabricated after centrifuging of overnight culture of probiotic bacterium from MRS medium and adding the bacterial cells into film forming solution. The effect of bacterial addition on physical, mechanical and prevention properties of alginate film was evaluated. In addition, the effect of two temperatures 4 °C and 25 °C on the survival of embedded probiotic bacterium in the film structure during one month of storage was also investigated by microbial count assay on MRS agar medium. Then, the model food was covered with probiotic film and the survival of probiotic bacterium during storage at 4 °C was determined. Results and DiscussionThe results showed that the population of probiotic bacterium declined about 4.61% after drying of alginate film solution. Addition of probiotic bacterium to the alginate film increased the thickness, turbidity, and tensile strength of the film, while had no significant effect on solubility, water activity, Elongation (%) and microstructure of alginate film. In addition, the probiotic film containing bacteria had less Lightness (L*), and moisture content than the control film. Also, the incorporation of L. plantarum in alginate film could decrease the water vapor permeability (WVP) from 0.755 to 4.51 (×10-10 g m-1s-1pa-1). The total color difference (ΔE) of alginate film containing probiotic bacteria compared to control film without probiotic bacteria was 1.1. The SEM images were confirmed the proper and uniform distribution of probiotic L. plantarum cells on the surface of alginate film. The survival percentage of L. plantarum in alginate film after one month of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C was 96.84 and 47.29%, respectively. Also, the population of embedded bacteria in the film structure on the food model (sausage) surface after three weeks storage in refrigerator was in desired level of probiotic products (> 106 cfu / gr). Conclusion The viability of probiotic bacteria after the application of alginate film containing L. plantarum on the surface of food model (sausage) during cold storage remained at the optimal recommended level for three weeks. Therefore, alginate film is recommended as a suitable carrier for probiotic microorganisms to produce new functional products.
Seyed Amir Oleyaei; Babak Ghanbarzadeh; Ali Akbar Moayedi; Parisa Poursani; Fateme Mousavi Baygi; Mohammad Reza Bakhsh Amin
Abstract
Introduction: Biopolymers are a class of polymer, which are disintegrated by an enzymatic or bio-path and the products disseminated to the surroundings do not induce negative effects. Nowadays, non-degradable polymers are quid pro quo with biodegradable ones particularly in agricultural applications, ...
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Introduction: Biopolymers are a class of polymer, which are disintegrated by an enzymatic or bio-path and the products disseminated to the surroundings do not induce negative effects. Nowadays, non-degradable polymers are quid pro quo with biodegradable ones particularly in agricultural applications, environmental and food industry use. Starch is an example of natural biopolymers, biocompatible, which is completely biodegradable in environment. It has been considered as one of the best candidates for oil based polymer substitution due to its low cost, availability and processbility. The main disadvantages of starch based polymers are their high hydrophilic nature therefore; they have poor mechanical properties and are permeable to water vapor. However, these aspects could be considerably reclaimed by shuffling it with nanodimension materials such as itanium dioxide (TiO2) and Montmorillonite (MMT). The main reason for this improvement in comparison with conventional composites is the large surface area of these nanomaterials which results in high interactions between the nanofillers and starch. The functional behaviors of nanocomposite films have been depended to the compatibility and degree of nanoparticles dispersion in the biopolymer matrix. TiO2 is a 3D nanosphere has been perused widely because it is inexpensive, chemical inert and, has a high refractive index with visible and UV shielding potential. MMT as a 1D, platelet is the most commonly used layered silicates. The investigation of biodegradable films containing two different nanofillers simultaneously has been rarely done. TiO2 and MMT as two different inorganic nanofillers have different physical and chemical structures, so simultaneously use of TiO2 and MMT clearly had a new effect on the nanoparticle distribution and functional properties of starch films. The aim of this study was investigate the synergistic or antagonistic effect of combination of TiO2 nanoparticles and MMT platelets on the functional properties such as surface hydrophobicity, water vapor permeability (WVP), moisture uptake (MU), Water Solubility (WS) and mechanical properties of plasticized starch-MMT-TiO2 nanocomposites.
Materials and methods: 100 ml of potato starch solution with a concentration of 4% (w/v) was prepared by dispersion of starch in distilled water. It was gelatinized at 80 ºC for 15 min. Different amount of TiO2 (0.5, 1 and 2% w/w starch) and MMT (3 and 5% w/w starch) were dissolved in distilled water and added to the gelatinized starch after treatment with ultrasound for 30 min. Glycerol with concentration of 50% (w/w starch) was added to the starch-nanofillers filmogenic solution. Bionanocomposite plasticized starch (PS) films were produced by casting and were dried in an oven at 45 °C for 15 hours. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were performed for MMT and TiO2 powder and starch-MMT and –TiO2 nanocomposite films. The methodology of WVP measurements was based on the ASTM E96-05 (ASTM, 2005). Mechanical properties of the films were determined according to ASTM standard method D882-10 (ASTM, 2010). With some modifications, the methods described by Tunc et al., (2007) and Rhim et al., (2006) were used to determine MU and WS, respectively. Water contact angle (WCA) measurements were performed by the sessile drop procedure. The statistical analyses on a completely randomized design and were carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Duncan’s multiple range test (p < 0.05) was used to detect differences among the mean values of the functional properties.
Results and discussion: XRD demonstrated the change of MMT layers dispersion pattern from exfoliation in binary PS-5%MMT films to exfoliation-intercalation in ternary PS-5MMT-TiO2 films. These results showed that TiO2 agglomerates are formed in the starch matrix with MMT level more than 3% wt. This could be due to the interaction between starch and MMT tends to be more favorable than TiO2. Good dispersion of TiO2, high miscibility of with clay, and continuous phase can be obtained when the content of MMT discs is low. Due to the strong interfacial interaction between the starch and MMT, the tensile strength (TS) increased considerably from4.86 to 5.24 MPa, while the elongation at break (EB) decreased significantly from 78.23 to 71.93%, As the MMT concentration varied from 3 to 5%. The TS of nanocomposite films were further improved after the incorporation of TiO2. Suitable dispersal of TiO2, and creation of new interactions in the PS-MMT network, causes to increase the tensile strength of nanocomposites. The TS and EB values of PS-3MMT-1TiO2 nanocomposite film was higher than that of the other films. This is indicative of a synergistic effect between TiO2 and MMT which increases the tensile strength and does not decrease the EB. In the PS-5% MMT films, both mechanical characteristics were reduced. WVP shows more evidences of synergistic effect of combination of 1D MMT and 3D TiO2 on starch films. WVP reduction by MMT has been attributed to tortuous pathway which created by clay layers in the starch matrix. MMT platelets are water vapor impermeable, thus exfoliation of MMT reduce the voids in starch matrix. The PS-3MMT-2TiO2 nanocomposite showed the lowest WVP as compared to other PS films. WVP was reduced significantly from 5.84 × 10-7 g/m.h.Pa in the PS-3%MMT binary film to 3.04 × 10-7 g/m.h.Pa in the PS-3%MMT-2%TiO2 ternary film. TiO2 have low water solubility and hydrophobicity compared with starch and MMT. Thus, significant decrement of WVP in the prophase of TiO2 connoted that TiO2 was obstructing the nano- and micro-pathways in the PS films network. With addition of MMT and TiO2 content the water solubility and moisture absorption were reduced significantly. Results of water contact angle test confirmed the results of moisture absorption, solubility in water and water vapor permeability and showed that the addition of TiO2 increased the surface hydrophobicity of starch-MMT films as with addition of 2% titanium dioxide in PS-3% MMT and PS-5% MMT films, the contact angle after 60 seconds increased 4 and 15 degree respectively. As a result, 1% wt TiO2 nanoparticles (FDA maximum allowable) can be regarded as the optimum concentration and the developed starch based nanocomposite films can enable undertaking applications as appropriate candidates in food packaging systems.
Ronak Gholami; Jalal Dehghan nia; Babak Ghanbarzadeh
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, demand for edible and biodegradable films has increased. One reason for this increase is the pollution caused by synthetic polymers. Edible films are produced from different biopolymers such as lipids, polysaccharides and proteins. Starch is a common polysaccharide in the ...
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Introduction: In recent years, demand for edible and biodegradable films has increased. One reason for this increase is the pollution caused by synthetic polymers. Edible films are produced from different biopolymers such as lipids, polysaccharides and proteins. Starch is a common polysaccharide in the preparation of edible films which is taken into consideration because of its low price and easy access. Structure and composition of starch-based films affects the resulting film properties such as moisture sorption, gas permeability, plasticizer crystallization, glass transition temperature and its mechanical properties. Starch films have usually poor mechanical properties and are permeable to water vapor. The use of nanofillers such as cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) in the structure of starch films and production of nanocomposite films is one way to modify properties of the films. The most important purpose of the application of edible films is to prevent moisture or other compounds such as carbon dioxide or volatile components transfer between the product and the environment or between different layers of the product. Modeling mass transfer and moisture permeability of edible films can be effective in predicting film properties and packaged product during storage. For example, it can be predicted that at a certain temperature, relative humidity and time, how much moisture packaging material will absorb. Therefore, before using edible film as a protective coating for food, calculation of the amount of moisture sorption and permeability to water vapor is essential. The purpose of this study was to investigate mass transfer in starch - CNC nanocomposite films. The effect of adding different percentages of CNC on the water vapor permeability and moisture sorption kinetics of nanocomposite films was studiedMaterials and Methods: First, 100 ml of potato starch solution with a concentration of 4% (w/v) was prepared by dispersion of the starch in distilled water and was gelatinized at 90ºC for 5 min. Different levels of CNC (0, 3, 5, 7 and 9% w/w) were dissolved in distilled water and were added to the gelatinized starch after treatment with ultrasound for 10 min. Then, glycerol, as a plasticizer, with concentrations of 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4% (w/w) were added to the solution. The film solutions were distributed on polystyrene surfaces and the resulting films were dried in an oven at 40°C for 24 hours. The Fickʹs second law and four empirical equations were used for moisture sorption modeling of samples. The effect of glycerol concentration on water vapor permeability was investigated and the experimental data were fitted with an exponential model.Results and Discussion: By increasing the concentration of CNC, moisture content of the nanocomposite films declined. Effective moisture diffusion coefficient values for nanocomposite samples were higher than the pure starch film. The coefficient increased from 0.293×10-13 to 0.547×10-13 m2/s by increasing CNC concentration from 0 to 9%. This result can be attributed to the influence of cellulose nanofibers on the polymer matrix and gaps creation in the polymer amorphous regions. This, in turn, would facilitate moisture diffusivity into the polymer structure. It should be noted that plasticizer presence in the nanocomposite structure can be an important factor. Regarding that plasticizer lead to increase in polymer chain mobility, simultaneous presence of CNC and plasticizer could lead to create gaps in the structure of nonocompositefim. As expected, in the absence of plasticizer, the effective moisture diffusion coefficient in nanocomposite samples decreased by increasing the concentration of nanoparticles due to high immobility of polymer chains. In addition, the initial stages of moisture sorption were well described by the Fickʹs law but due to the polymer relaxation between 2.5 - 9 h interval, its behavior was deviated from this law. Finally, after about 9 hours, it was observed that the equilibrium moisture content of the nanocomposite samples were consistent with the values predicted by the Fickʹs model. Equilibrium moisture content depends on the hydrophilic locations of the nanocomposite structure. These locations have the ability to absorb moisture and this ability is not influenced by changes in the structure of the polymer during the moisture sorption process. Despite higher levels of effective moisture diffusion coefficients in starch-nanocrystalline cellulose nanocomposites compared to pure starch film, moisture content was lower in nanocomposite films. These results are probably due to the nature of nanocrystalline cellulose which is resistant to water and is compatible with the starch polymer. Nanocrystalline cellulose has the ability to make many hydrogen bonds with the hydrophilic polymer matrix. This results in decreasing hydrophilic property of starch. On the other hand, in all samples, the permeability to water vapor reduced with increasing nanoparticles concentration. For example, in the starch film which contained 0.4% glycerol, water vapor permeability was 2.62×10-7g.m/m2.h.Pa; with the addition of nanocrystalline cellulose to 9%, its value was decreased to 1.8×10-7g.m/m2.h.Pa. Moreover, the permeability to water vapor in all cases increased by increasing the concentration of plasticizer. Results also showed that there is an exponential relationship between the water vapor permeability and plasticizer content.Conclusion: By increasing the concentration of CNC, moisture content of the nanocomposite films declined. Effective moisture diffusion coefficient values for nanocomposite samples were higher than the pure starch film. The coefficient increased by increasing CNC concentration. The initial stages of moisture sorption were well described by the Fickʹs law but due to the polymer relaxation, its behavior was deviated from this law. Finally, after about 9 hours, it was observed that the equilibrium moisture content of the nanocomposite samples were consistent with the values predicted by the Fickʹs model. In addition, in all samples, the permeability to water vapor reduced with increasing nanoparticles concentration. However, the permeability to water vapor increased by increasing the concentration of plasticizer. Results also showed that there is an exponential relationship between the water vapor permeability and plasticizer content
