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Biopolymer-based materials present good alternatives for synthetic materials. However, their high water sensitivity may limit their usage for food products packaging. Addition of hydrophobic components into the material formulation could improve this property. In this work 3, 4 and 5 % (v/v) of Satureja montana or Ocimum basilicum essential oil was incorporated into biopolymer films based on pumpkin oil cake. The obtained materials were analyzed regarding mechanical, physicochemical, barrier and structural properties. Incorporation of the essential oils increased the thickness of the pumpkin oil cake film. Significant reductions in moisture sensitivity, related to physicochemical properties and water vapor transmission rate (almost for 30 %), were observed (p < 0.05). Improvement of light barrier properties was also observed so that the visible light transmission was decreased for around 50 % while the UV light transmission was lower than 1 %. The obtained FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of added essential oils in pumpkin oil cake films, as well as their influence on the reduction in the film surface hydrophilicity. However, mechanical properties, tensile strength and elongation at break, decreased significantly (p < 0.05). These results suggest that incorporation of Satureja montana or Ocimum basilicum essential oil improved barrier properties of pumpkin oil cake-based films and reduced the film affinity toward water.

In this work, pumpkin seed oil cake that remains after process of cold pressed oil extraction, was used for the production of composite biopolymer based packaging films. During the production of films, four degrees of filtration were applied. The obtained composite biopolymer films were analyzed for antioxidant activity using three different antioxidant activity assays: the ability to capture free radicals, including •DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical, •OH, as well as reduction power assay of the analyzed films. By comparing the antioxidant activity of the films obtained with different degrees of filtration, it can be concluded that the films obtained by finer filtration (smaller diameter of the filter pore) exhibit greater ability to capture •DPPH radicals, as well as higher reducing power, while the ability to capture hydroxyl radicals showed different trend. Films obtained from the coarser filtered fractions (higher diameter of the filtrate medium) showed greater •OH scavenging ability.

Biopolymer films can be used as packaging materials in the food industry, when they contribute to a better mechanical integrity of packaged foods and act as barrier to various environmental agents. The greatest disadvantage regarding biopolymer films application are poor barrier characteristic, which is a consequence of their high hydrophilicity; their mechanical and physico-chemical properties are considered to be a moderate disadvantage. This paper presents the effects of chemical modifications, such as the addition of hydrophobic components (essential oils), to the properties of biopolymer films. Except that the addition of essential oils significantly affects the mechanical, barrier and physico-chemical properties of biopolymer films, in this way, biopolymer films become active and exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant action. Changes in the mechanical and barrier properties of various biopolymer films have been observed in particular, with and without the addition of oil in different concentrations.

Active films based on pumpkin oil cake, with 1 % and 2 % of winter savory and basil essential oil, were synthesized in the paper, and the antioxidant activity of the films obtained was subsequently examined. A biopolymer film based on pumpkin oil cake without the addition of essential oils was used as a control. The following methods were used for determining the antioxidant activity of the films: the DPPH radical scavenging activity, the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and the reducing power assay. The control film showed some antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity = 61 %, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity = 33 %, reducing power = 0.534). However, the addition of essential oils increased the antioxidant activity of the films, especially their reducing power, where as the film with 2 % of winter savory essential oil exhibited the highest activity. A slight increase in the DPPH radical and the hydroxyl radical scavenging activities was also observed with the incorporation of essential oils into the experimental films.

Packaging is inseparable retainer of almost all food products. However, most of produced packaging ends as packaging waste after consumption of the product. Increasing amounts of packaging waste that should be managed represents serious challenge of every modern society. There are many different approaches to address this subject, amongst which biodegradable, natural biopolymer-based or even edible packaging holds considerable potential. In this paper, a by-product of edible oil industry, left after completed extraction by cold pressing of oil from hulls of pumpkin seeds, was used to produce biopolymer packaging films. Pumpkin oil cake was used to produce composite bio-based films. Different filtration of film forming suspension was applied in order to test composite film production using different filtration fractions, leading to higher process yield and minimizing waste. In addition, films were casted on surface, about ten times larger comparing to the cast surface typically reported for these types of films in the literature, in order to test the possibility for commercial production and scale up process. Also, casted mass of film forming suspension was varied in order to define minimal casting mass per unit area. Presented results showed that biopolymer films based on the pumpkin oil cake can be successfully produced in sheets (50x35 cm), compared to films earlier produced in the form of discs with diameter 12 cm. Different filtration fractions from initial film forming suspension can be used for film formation, leading to increased production yield. Different filtration fractions lead to different film properties that should be adjusted according to selected application. Casted mass of film forming suspension was successfully decreased (comparing to earlier literature data) without compromising film functional properties and minimal casting mass was defined as 26 g/m2.

In this paper, the application of a biopolymer coating based on chitosan was tested. The optimized coating was formed as a two-layer coating, wherein the first layer (which is in contact with the product) was formed of chitosan with emulsified caraway essential oil as an active component, whereas the second layer was formed of chitosan with the addition of beeswax to optimize the moisture barrier of the coating. As a substrate, the traditional dry fermented sausage Petrovská klobása was selected. The coating was applied to the sausage after drying. During two months of storage under controlled conditions, the influence of the coating on the loss of moisture, the oxidative stability and the sensory characteristic of aroma of the control sausage (without the coating) and sausage with the coating was monitored. The results obtained indicate a significant contribution of the applied dual layer chitosan-based coating to the preservation of the sausage quality parameters analyzed.

The purpose of this paper is the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable composite films based on whole sunflower oil cake, as well as the effect of process parameters (pH and temperature)on the film properties obtained. Films were synthesized at different temperatures (room temperature, 60 °C and 90 °C) and pH values (10 and 12). The film samples obtained were characterized by the mechanical, barrier and physicochemical properties determination. The experimental results showed that the tensile strength values increased with temperature and pH value increments, whereas the sample with the highest elongation at break value was 60 °C/pH12. The water vapour permeability values were uniform (8.62 g/m2h - 11.63 g/m2h), and lower values were recorded in samples synthesized at higher temperatures. The results obtained relative to light transmission were uniform, and the maximum transmission value was reached at 800 nm (24.1- 35.7 %). The values obtained for swelling and solubility parameters are characteristic of the nature of biopolymer films.

Fatty acid composition of Ricotta cheese filled bakery product was examined using a GC-MS method immediately after production and packaging in the case of a control sample, and after production, packaging under air atmosphere in a seven-layer packaging material consisting of PE/Ad/PA/Ad/PE/Ad/PET, and storing during a four weeks period at room temperature, in the case of the experimental samples. The statistical significance of the fatty acid profile change was examined using ANOVA method. The results of this research showed that there are no significant changes of fatty acids composition and content after defined storing period, with the exception of diunsaturated cis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoic (linoleic) acid, whose average content was reduced by 83.705%. However, a small amount of linoleic acid was converted to cis,trans-9,11-octadecadienoic (conjugated linoleic) acid. Therefore, it could be considered as appropriate to pack and storage Ricotta-filled pastry for the period of four weeks, considering the insignificant changes of fatty acid composition and content.

In this study, three biopolymer films were synthesized: zein (protein), gelatin (protein), and starch (polysaccharide) films and characterized by determining mechanical and physico-chemical properties. Gelatin films proved to be the strongest (tensile strength 84 N/15 mm), while the zein were most flexible (elongation at break 41.6 %). Moisture content was higher in starch films, which is a result of the hydrophilic nature of the polysaccharide films. Swelling degree was 22.5 % for zein, 90.9 % for gelatin, while the highest average value was recorded in starch film samples (840.6 %). Starch films had highest value of solubility degree (36.5 %), while zein film had 27.9 % and gelatin film had 11.85 %.Obtained characterization results are consequences of the different structure of the raw materials and synthesis routes. All undesirable characteristics could be improved by optimizing the composition of the film, as well as synthesis of composite/laminated films.

In this paper, influence of increasing concentrations of beeswax on the antimicrobial activity of chitosan-caraway essential oil biofilm was investigated. Selected microorganisms for the test were Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes. Reduction of S. Typhimurium and L. monocythogenes viable counts in bacterial suspension in the presence of chitosan films with or without added beeswax amounted over 80 % after 24 h contact time, and over 95 % after 3 h of contact time, respectively and influence of added beeswax on growth reduction was not detected. However, when number of S. Typhimurium viable cells was analyzed (log CFU/ml), it was shown that addition of beeswax led to increased activity of films, especially for the films with 36 kg/m3 and 54 kg/m3of beeswax. When films were transferred, after 24 h in bacterial suspension, onto Petri dishes with nutrient agar and incubated for 24 h on 37°C, results also showed beeswax contribution to growth inhibition of S. Typhimurium.

The purpose of this paper is to improve the properties of biopolymer protein monofilms and produce a novel bilayer biopolymer film on the basis of the monofilms analyzed. Biopolymer monolayer films, based on pumpkin oil cake (PuOC) and zein, and a bilayer film, based on PuOC and zein (PuOC/Zein), were produced as a result of the study. The visual, mechanical, physicochemical and structural properties of the films were evaluated. The results obtained showed that the PuOC film exhibited the highest elongation at break, followed by the bilayer film, whereas the zein film showed the lowest elongation at break. However, the zein film showed the highest tensile strength, followed by the PuOC film. The tensile strength of the bilayer PuOC/Zein film was almost 3 times lower than that of the PuOC film, and almost 4 times lower than that of the zein film. The physicochemical properties recorded indicate that the hydrophobic zein film is the least sensitive to moisture, affecting the moisture sensitivity of PuOC film by reducing the moisture content, swelling and total soluble mater of the bilayer PuOC/Zein film. Based on the FTIR spectra, it could be concluded that there are no significant differences between the two sides of the bilayer PuOC/Zein film. Both sides of the bilayer film examined indicated characteristic peaks for protein biopolymer films in the FTIR spectrum.

Bilayer biodegradable films based on pumpkin oil cake (PuOC) and zein, as well as pouches made from these materials, were prepared, and the changes of their mechanical, physicochemical and barrier properties were analyzed during four weeks of storage. Heat seal quality of formed pouches and composition of the gas atmosphere in the pouches were also monitored. The results showed that the bilayer film had a thickness of 300 ± 10 (μm), and no its changes were observed during the storage time. The tensile strength of the tested film increased slightly in the third week, but the elongation at break showed a decreasing trend during the whole storage period. The decreases in the moisture content, total soluble matter and swelling of the obtained film, were also observed. After one month of storage, the O2 transmission rate of tested films, increased from 27 to 64 (ml/m2 24h 1 bar), and the CO2 gas transmission rate from 147 to 188 (ml/m2 24h 1 bar). The heat seal strength of the PuOC/Zein pouches decreased during the whole storage period. The percentage of O2 in PuOC/Zein pouches increased up to 7 times during the storage period; however, the percentage of CO2 decreased up to 18 times already after one week, and then remained stable in the rest of the storage period. These results are, to a smaller extent, due to the gas transmission rate through the material, especially for CO2 , and to a greater extent, due to the low heat seal strength, which decreased through the storage period, and probably influenced the content of the gases in the pouches.[Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 46010]

Functional food is positioned above the traditional, with the potential to improve human health. Thanks to very good physico-mechanical and barrier properties polymers became very popular in food industry as a packaging materials. Wild range of fermented dairy products could be packed in this packaging materials according to their’s inertness as well. Functional milk beverage was obtained from milk with 0,9% milk fat content by applying 10% v/v of kombucha’s inoculum cultivated on a black tea sweetened with sucrose. The beverage was packed in a different packaging materials: polyamid-polyethylen (PA/PE) coextruded foil bags and polyprophylen (PP) cups closed with aluminium (Al) foil lids under atmospheric conditions (ATM). Beverages were storaged for 15 days at 4°C. The quality of kombucha inoculum, milk and obtained kombucha fermented milk beverage were analysed. Characterization of the packaging materials was done by investigating physico-mechanical, barrier and structural properties. The composition and changes in the headspace atmosphere, after production and during the storage, were analysed. The influence of packaging material properties and packaging conditions on the biochemical transformations of the milk’s components (the content of: lactose, L-lactic acid, D-galactose, ethanol, B1 and B2 vitamins) influenced by kombucha starter were analysed as well. On the bases of the obtained results of characterisation of packaging materials, it can be concluded that PA/PE and PP materials are proper to be used for analysed beverage’s packaging. Also, there is no significant difference in content of components which were quantified, between analysed materials in correlation with the packed fermented milk beverage. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III-46009]

The objective of this study was to examine influence of glycerol and guar-xanthan in different concentrations on bi-layer film based on pumpkin oil cake (PuOC) and corn zein, and to find optimal concentrations of these additives which result in film with optimal mechanical and barrier characteristics. Different concentrations of glycerol (30%, 40%, and 50%) as plasticizer and guar-xanthan (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) as a stabilizer were added in PuOC layer, while zein layer stayed unchanged in all film compositions. Obtained results showed that the optimal mechanical properties had film with the lowest concentration of glycerol (30%) and the highest concentration of guar-xanthan (0.5%). Films showed poor barrier for water vapour, typical for biopolymer-based films. However, all tested films were very good barrier to O2 (transmission rate lower than 50 ml/m2/day at 1 bar). On the other hand, with increase of concentration of added substances, transmission rate of CO2 increased.

Growing consumer demand for the food without chemical preservatives focused significant extent of research in the direction of finding natural compounds that can be used in food preservation. In this context, natural substances with strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, like essential oils, as well as natural biopolymers, particularly draw attention. Natural biopolymers can serve as carriers of the active components, such as essential oils in order of their sustained release to the food during storage, and may themselves exhibit activity in protecting foods from oxidation and/or microbial spoilage. Chitosan has been extensively studied as semi-natural polymer with expressed bioactive properties. While antimicrobial activity of chitosan solution in different acids has been confirmed towards different bacteria, yeasts and moulds, reports concerning intensity, underlying machanism and different factors afecting antioxidant activity of chitosan vary through the available literature. This paper presents a review in the field of antioxidative activity of chitosan with different properties, as well as chitosan based biopolymer films in order to clarify this aspect of chitosan bioactivity and confront different reports found in the literature.

This study investigated properties of starch-based edible films with oregano and black cumin essential oil addition. Essential oils addition positively affected film swelling (decreased due to essential oil addition), mechanical properties (tensile strength decreased while elongation at break increased), and water vapor barrier properties (decreased along with essential oils addition). Control film did not have any biological activity, which proves the need for essential oils addition in order to obtain active packaging. Oregano oil was more effective in terms of biological activity. Endothermal peak, above 200°C, represents total thermal degradation of edible films. Diffraction pattern of control film showed significant destruction of A-type crystal structure. Addition of essential oils resulted in peak shape change: diffraction peaks became narrower. Principal Component Analysis has been used to assess the effect of essential oils addition on final starch-based edible films characteristics with the aim to reveal directions for the film characteristics improvement, since the next phase will be optimal film application for food packaging.

Properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and its nanocomposites, with silica nanoparticles (SiO2), as filler were investigated. Neat PLA films and PLA films with different percentage of hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 wt. %) were prepared by solution casting method. Several tools were used to characterize the influence of different silica content on crystalline behavior, and thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA/SiO2 nanocomposites. Results from scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the nanocomposite preparation and selection of specific hydrophobic spherical nano filler provide a good dispersion of the silica nanoparticles in the PLA matrix. Addition of silica nanoparticles improved mechanical properties, the most significant improvement being observed for lowest silica content (0.2wt.%). Barrier properties were improved for all measured gases at all loadings of silica nanoparticles. The degree of crystallinity for PLA slightly increased by adding 0.2 and 0.5 wt. % of nano filler. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III46001]

The aim of this work was to evaluate the simultaneous effect of glycerol (30%, 40%, 50%) and guar-xanthan gum addition (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%) effect on starch based edible film mechanical and barrier properties. According to Response Surface Methodology, the most influential parameter in the second order polynomial models calculation was the percentage of glycerol, while the linear term of guar-xanthan content was important only for second order polynomial model calculation for tensile strength and water vapor permeability. According to Principal Component Analysis, samples grouping along the first component are primarily due to the content of glycerol, which is also confirmed by ANOVA analysis. According Cluster Analysis, two separate clusters are observed on the dendrogram, which includes the right (with the increased value of tensile strength) and the left cluster (with the increased value of elongation break and water vapor permeability). The observed distance the two clusters is considerable (approx. 80). [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31055: Osmotic dehydration of food - energy and environmental aspects of sustainable production]

The aim of this study was to investigate starch and starch based edible films with and without oregano essential oil addition in terms of crystallinity by using X-ray diffractometry. Starch crystallinity is related to amylopectin linear chains which may give different X-ray diffraction patterns, described as A, B and C chains. Diffraction pattern of starch based edible film without essential oil addition showed broad diffraction peak in 15-20° 2θ region, indicating destruction of A-type crystal structure due to experimental conditions of casting procedure used in this work. Diffraction peaks of samples with 0.5 %, 1 % and 2 % oregano essential oil, whose shapes are to some extent retained after oregano oil addition, were centered at 20.8°, 20.1° and 21.6° 2θ respectively, while pattern of sample with 2% oregano essential oil showed additional diffraction peaks at 31.1°, 35.1°, 38.3°, 44.5° and 64.9° 2θ. X-ray diffraction patterns showed polymorphous nature of investigated starch samples with essential oils addition.

The application of biopolymer films and coating to food products represents a new approach to reduce r migration of moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, aromas, and oil in or out of food. Also, biopolymer films, as packaging materials, need to enhance appearance of food and to improve mechanical integrity. In order to facilitate handling and application films must be strong, but flexible enough. Addition of plasticizer could modify the flexibility of biopolymer films. It is known that guar-xanthan can improve the flexibility of polysaccharides films. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the influence of guar-xanthan on characteristics of pumpkin oil cake (PuOC) films, with emphasis on the flexibility of the film. Two approaches of guar-xanthan addition in the pumpkin oil cake were applied - stirring with laboratory stirrer and using of ultra turrax homogenizer. The results showed that guar-xanthan improved physical and mechanical properties of PuOC films, but only if film-forming solution was homogenized by ultra turrax. The films with guar-xanthan slightly improved mechanical properties - tensile strength and elongation at break, water content, solubility and swelling properties, but were much easier for handling.

The aim of this study was to evaluate bioactivity of chitosan film with incorporated caraway essential oil by measuring antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the potential interaction of functional groups of chitosan film and incorporated caraway essential oil. New detected peaks and main shifts in the peaks of chitosan spectra are attributed mainly to presence of s-(+)-carvone and limonene, the main components of caraway essential oil. The antioxidant activity of chitosan film was analyzed by DPPH method. Chitosan film without incorporated caraway essential oil showed the lowest scavenging ability (29.95%, after 24 h). The addition of different concentrations of caraway essential oil into chitosan film significantly enhanced antioxidant activity of pure chitosan film, reaching the maximum of 95%. ASTM E 2149 - 01 method was performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chitosan films. The reduction of bacteria cell number in contact with examined films was tested on Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. The most sensitive bacteria was Staphylococcus aureus and the most resistant bacteria was Salmonella Typhimurium for all tested films. These results suggested that incorporation of caraway essential oil into chitosan film significantly improved its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The film showed a great potential to be used as an active packaging material.

In order to extend product shelf life while preserving the quality scientific attention focused to biopolymers research that are base for edible films and coatings production. Another major advantage of this kind of food packaging is their eco-friendly status because biopolymers do not cause environmental problems as packaging materials derived from non-renewable energy sources do. Objective of this work was to review recently studied edible films and coatings - their sources, properties and possible application. As sources for edible biopolymers were highlighted polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. The most characteristic subgroups from each large group of compounds were selected and described regarding possible physical and mechanical protection; migration, permeation, and barrier functions. The most important biopolymers characteristic is possibility to act as active substance carriers and to provide controlled release. In order to achieve active packaging functions emulsifiers, antioxidants and antimicrobial agents can also be incorporated into film-forming solutions in order to protect food products from oxidation and microbial spoilage, resulting in quality improvement and enhanced safety. The specific application where edible films and coatings have potential to replace some traditional polymer packaging are explained. It can be concluded that edible films and coatings must be chosen for food packaging purpose according to specific applications, the types of food products, and the major mechanisms of quality deterioration.

The aim of this work was to study the changes in osmotically treated pork meat during rehydration. Meat samples were osmotically treated in sugar beet molasses solution, at temperature of (23±2)°C for 5 hours. After being osmotically treated, meat samples were rehydrated at constant temperature (20- 40°C) during different times (15-60 min) in distilled water. The effective diffusivity were between 8.35 and 9.11•10-10 (m2•s-1) for moisture, 6.30-6.94 • 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Na, 5.73-7.46 10-10 (m2•s-1), for K, 4.43-6.25 • 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Ca, 5.35-6.25 • 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Mg, 4.67-6.78 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Cu, 4.68-5.33 • 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Fe, 4.21-5.04 • 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Zn and 5.44-7.16 10-10 (m2•s-1), for Mn. Zugarramurdi and Lupin’s model was used to predict the equilibrium condition, which was shown to be appropriate for moisture uptake and solute loss during rehydration. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31055: Osmotic dehydration of food - energy and environmental aspects of sustainable production]

This study was carried out on 15 castrated male purebred Swallow-belly Mangulica pigs. The Swallow-belly Mangulica pigs were free-range reared on the territory of natural protected area 'Zasavica', Sremska Mitrovica. After chilling, back fat (lard) and leaf fat were excised from the right side of each carcass. Physical properties of adipose tissue were examined by determining the pH and colour (CIEL*a*b* values), while composition was examined by determination of the moisture, protein, total fat, total ash and mineral (phosphorous, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese) contents. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between back fat and leaffat for any examined property, except for lightness (CIEL* value, P

The main goal in this work was to investigate the structure of starch based edible films with essential oil addition. Films were obtained from water solution containing starch, polyol, guar-xantan gum modified mixture and essential oil by casting it on a Petri dish. Black cumin essential oil was added in three different concentrations. Starch based edible film without essential oil was used as a control. Physical, mechanical and structural properties are determined: thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break and film structure. FTIR results pointed to quantitative law dependency between amount of essential oil and spectra absorption values. Based on dependency coefficient of correlation was calculated (R2=0.99483).

In this paper, beeswax and caraway essential oil were added as hydrophobic compounds to chitosan film after synthesizing, to improve its water vapor resistance. Influence of these two hydrophobic compounds on visual properties, structure and water content of chitosan film was investigated. Results showed that addition of 1 % of caraway oil, as well as beeswax affected visual properties of the chitosan film, which became yellowish, opaque and turbid. Addition of caraway essential oil did not alter original structure of chitosan film (FTIR ATR technique), while addition of beeswax affected chitosan film structure. Water content in the films decreased with the addition of beeswax. This is a very important change that could be used in chitosan film functionality improvement for packaging application.

In this work, caraway or oregano essential oils were added to the cast chitosan film in an attempt to design a natural, biodegradable, bioactive (antioxidant and antimicrobial) packaging film. When the structure of the tested films was analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, no significant differences were found between the chitosan film with and without essential oils of caraway or oregano. The lowest antioxidant activity, based on the scavenging of the stable DPPH• free radical, was detected for the chitosan film without oil addition, going from 11.64%, after 2.5 h to 28.96%, after 24 h. When the caraway essential oil was added to the chitosan film, the antioxidant activity was increased (p

The influence of protective properties of packaging materials and modified atmosphere on quality changes of dried apricot is shown in this paper. In our investigation, we used four different characteristic combinations of packaging materials with different barrier properties for packaging of dried apricot: polyester-polyethylene (PET/PE), paper-polyethylene (PAP/PE), paper-aluminum-polyethylene (PAP/Al/PE), polyester-aluminum-polyethylene (PET/Al/PE) and two different atmospheric conditions: normal and modified. Modified atmosphere was made in laboratory conditions: CO2 about 30%, N2 about 60%, and the rest is O2. Over the 12-month storage period, the changes in the water content, water activity (aw) and overall polyphenol content were monitored in the packed product.

Present study investigated effects of plasticizer contribution on structural, barrier and mechanical properties of corn starch based edible films. Films were obtained from solutions (containing gelatinized starch, polyol, guar-xantan gum modified mixture and water) by casting it on a Petri dish. Sorbitol acted as a plasticizer and guar-xantan modified mixture had role to enable better film folding and handling. Sorbitol was used in concentrations: 100, 130 and 160% (dry starch basis). The film proved to be strong, moderately flexible with good barrier properties to oxygen and water vapor. It was estimated that oxygen and water vapor permeability increases as plasticizer content in the film increases. Mechanical strength of films decreases due to plasticizer addition.

After functional phase, packaging becomes waste that is recycled or disposed of in landfills. Recently, numerus packages have been developed for assessing the packaging risk on the environment. We applied Gabi 4 Education software on polymer product packaging for meat products. The objective of first part of the paper was characterization of materials used for meat and meat products packaging in terms of mechanical and barrier properties. Results show that tested materials are able to keep protective atmosphere and contribute to the quality and sustainability of the product. Air permeability was 3.60 and 26.60 ml/m224h, and water vapor was 6.90 and 9.50 ml/m224h, respectively, for foils 1 and 2, as a result of different film composition. In second part, based on real data, Gabi 4 Education software is applied. The obtained results showed that organic compounds emissions have the highest impact on human health and the most damaging environmental impact observed was the emission of CO2.

Chitosan, the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature, after cellulose, has been tested for numerous applications, among which for edible film and coating. Chitosan-based coating showed positive results for shelf life prolongation of meet products. In this paper, dry fermented sausage (Petrovská klobása) was coated with chitosan-caraway film. The effect of coating on the moisture content, color and lipid oxidation was investigated during a fivemonth period of storage. The moisture content decreased rapidly during the storage and the coating did not slow down the loss of moisture. The Lightness (L*) of the sausage surface increased by the coating application, while the redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) did not change. The coated sausages showed a better color stability of the sausage core through the storage time. Also, coated sausage showed a better oxidative stability till the 60th day of storage, while this difference was not detected at the end of the storage period. Apart from slowing down sausage drying during the storage, chitosan-caraway coating was effective in preserving the sausage quality. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31032]

When deciding what packaging is the most appropriate for a product there are many factors to be considered. One of them is the impact of the packaging on environment. In this work, life cycle inventory and life cycle assessment of two different volume packagings were compared. The data were collected on the types and amounts of materials and energy consumption in the process of packaging and distribution of hand cream packed in polypropylene jars of 200 and 350 mL. Life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle impact assessment (LCA) were calculated. It was found that the total mass flow was higher for the jars of 350 mL. After analyzing individual flows, it was found that in both cycles (polypropylene jars of 200 and 350 mL),the consumption of fresh water was a dominant flow. This fresh water flow is mostly (95%) consumed in the injection molding process of manufacturing jars from polypropylene granules. The LCA analysis showed no significant difference in global warming potential between different volume jars. The process that mostly affected global warming was the production of polypropylene jars from polypropylene granules by injection molding for both jar volumes. Judging by the global warming potential, there is no difference of the environmental impact between investigated jars, but considering the mass flow and water consumption, more environmental friendly were the 200 mL jars.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has in the last several years become the main packaging material for many food products, particularly carbonated beverages and bottled water, as well as for products of chemical industry (packaging of various hygiene maintenance agents, pesticides, solvents, etc.). The strength and permeability properties of PET are very good for packaging of beverages, its resistance to chemicals is high and it has a high degree of transparency. Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are formed during the thermoforming of PET containers. After cooling, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde remain trapped in the walls of a PET bottle and may migrate into the water after filling and storage. Since there are no migration tests in Serbia prescribed for the determination of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, the purpose of the paper is to test the quantitative contents of carbonyl compounds (acetaldehyde and formaldehyde) in PET containers of different volumes, made by various manufacturers of bottled mineral carbonated and noncarbonated water, and exposed to different temperatures. In this study, the migration of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde from PET bottles into mineral carbonated and noncarbonated water was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Taking into consideration that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde have no UV active or fluorescent group, the chromatography shall be preceded by derivatization in a closed system (due to a low boiling point of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde), which shall transform carbonyl compounds into UV active compounds.

In this work, effect of adding essential oil of oregano (OEO) into chitosan edible film was studied. Different amount of OEO, from 0.2 to 0.8%v/v was added to the film forming solution containing 0.4%w/v of chitosan. Control sample was produced without oil. Effect of growing oil content on film water sensibility was investigated. Pure chitosan film is hydrophilic and sensitive to water. It swells and partially dissolves in water. Addition of hydrophobic OEO lowered film water sensitivity, regarding film water content and swelling property. Film dissolution in water wasn't reduced, probably because OEO molecules diffused from chitosan film into water. Color change of chitosan film with addition of OEO was also investigated. Film greenness and lightness decreased until film yellowness and redness increased. Seen by naked eye, films became milky, opaque and whitish to yellowish.

Used and discarded packaging represents a significant environmental problem. In addition to the impact of used and discarded packaging, the entire lifecycle of packaging can affect the environmental disruption. Llifecycle begins with the production of packaging materials and packaging, continues throw the packing process, after which packaging protects product to consumption, and then continues its lifecycle as discarded packaging… In all stages of its lifecycle packaging has an impact on the environment, through the exhaustion of natural resources, energy consumption and pollution of air, water and land. To evaluate environmental suitability of each packaging material, balanced approach is required. Definitions and different models of lifecycle analysis as well as the procedure of evaluating the obtained data are given in the paper.

The contemporary technological developments involving the use of modified atmosphere make it possible to preserve and prolong the nutritive quality of food products produced by different technological procedures. Depending on the barrier characteristics of the packaging materials, an adequately prepared combination of the modified atmosphere allows the controlled permeability of the molecules of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, thus providing the optimal protection and long-term viability of the packaged products. The paper provides the results of the packaging material quality analysis, the production and hermetic quality of the food product packaging, as well as the stability of the applied modified atmosphere.

The work is concerned with the effects of glycerol content and pH value of film forming solution on the functional properties of protein-based films. The films were produced of chicken breast proteins, dissolved under either acidic (pH 3) or alkaline (pH 11) conditions, with different concentrations of glycerol (35%, 50% and 65% w/w of protein content). Glycerol content affected significantly mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, color at pH 3 and film solubility (p

Dried fruits are very delicate to biochemical changes during storage, due to low water content, as well as low aw value. The shelf life of these products depends on aw value. Materials for dry fruits packaging are necessary to have appropriate barrier characteristics for water, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide molecules, as well as for electromagnetic rays, especially those with low wavelengths in UV region. During storage of packed dry fruits, qualitative changes, influenced by different packaging materials, may occur. The results of tested characteristics of different packaging materials, combination and their barrier features, as well as the qualitative changes of packaged dried apples are presented in this paper. The qualitative changes of color and sensory characteristics of packaged dried apples point out to influence of the type, combination as well as the barrier features of used packaging materials. .

In this paper, environmental impact of polyethylene tubes of different volumes: 30 mL and 100 mL was assessed using the life cycle assessment. The data were collected on the types and amounts of the materials and energy consumption in the process of packaging and distribution and inserted in the software GaBi 5. Total mass life cycle inventory was considerably lower for the smaller volume packaging. Breaking the inventory to the single flows, it was found that in both life cycles (polyethylene tubes of 30 mL and 100 mL) the highest contribution had the flows of fresh water consumption, emission of inorganic elements to the air and fresh water pollution with waste water flows. The highest contribution to all of these flows was shown to be production and consumption of diesel fuel. The results of this paper show that in analised case, more environmental friendly is the larger volume packaging.

This paper investigates the intensity of the influence which poly (ethylene oxide) and poly(ethylene glycol) additions have on the mechanical and structural properties of chitosan films. The films based on highly viscous and medium viscous chitosan were produced under laboratory conditions. Poly(ethylene oxide), with the average molecular weight of 100 000, and poly (ethylene glycol), with the average molecular weight of 400, were added to the films. The infrared spectrums of produced films were obtained on the FT-IR spectrometer and mechanical properties including: tensile strength (MPa) and elongation at break (%) were tested. The results show that the addition of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(ethylene glycol) significantly affect the mechanical properties of chitosan films. The flexibility (expressed as the elongation at break) has increased more than five times, but there was a parallel decrease in film strength (expressed as tensile strength). The film based on highly viscous chitosan and poly(ethylene glycol) shows the best mechanical properties.