Use of Sodium Lactate and Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Extending the Shelf Life of Ready‐to‐Cook Fresh Meal

In this work, the combined effects of sodium lactate and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in extending the shelf life of a ready‐to‐cook fresh skewer, made up of raw pork chops and semi‐dried vegetable mix (i.e. zucchini, peppers and tomatoes), were investigated. In the first experimental step, a sodium lactate solution was used to dip pork chops at three different concentrations: 20, 40 and 60% w/w. The second part of the work was focused on the use of MAP. In particular, the following MAPs were tested: MA1 (50%O₂/30%CO₂/20%N₂), MA2 (70%O₂/30%CO₂), MA3 (30%O₂/70%CO₂) and MA4 (30%O₂/30%CO₂/40%N₂). Finally, the optimal concentration of sodium lactate and the best gas composition were combined. The samples were stored at 4 °C; their microbial and sensory qualities were monitored along the entire observation period. The results indicate that the shelf life of the investigated ready‐to‐cook meal can be extended by approximately 83%, if compared with the control skewer packaged in air. The best preservation strategy is the combination of dipping of meat pieces in 40% sodium lactate solution and packaging under MA1. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

以牡蛎壳为原料制备食品级乳酸钙

用废弃的牡蛎壳生产食品级乳酸钙,是一种变废为宝的方法。通过单因素和正交实验分析探讨了壳粉粒径、壳酸比、水壳比、反应时间对乳酸钙产品收率的作用规律和影响大小,并借助正交实验对其工艺条件进行了系统优化。结果表明,壳酸比、水壳比和反应时间这3个关键因素对该反应的影响最为显著,生产乳酸钙的最适宜条件为:壳酸比为1.1,水壳比为15,反应时间为150 min,此条件下的乳酸钙收率可达98.28%。     

Evaluation of the corrosion inhibition of salts of organic acids in alkaline solutions and chloride contaminated concrete

This paper summarizes the results of testing on salts of organic acids for evaluating their use as inhibitors of rebar corrosion in chloride‐contaminated concrete. Initially a screening based on electrochemical tests in alkalinized calcium hydroxide solutions was performed on a number of carboxylic acid salts with different number of carbon atoms in the chain and carboxylic groups, also covering substances with hydroxyl and amine group substituents. The screening was completed by testing on carbon steel rebars in concretes with chlorides and substances added at 1:1 molar ratio, focused on sodium lactate, sodium oxalate and sodium borate for comparison. The monitoring of free corrosion potential and linear polarization resistance of steel bars have confirmed significant inhibition only for lactate. Corrosion was only restricted to occluded zones where the access of substance was limited by disadvantageous geometry, producing shallow attacks. Results of further tests in saturated calcium hydroxide solution are reported in order to assess the inhibition ability of lactate as a function of its content, chloride content and pH.     

Effect of extraction parameters on the carotenoid recovery from tomato waste

Tomato waste is an important source of natural carotenoids. This study was carried out to assess the extractability of tomato waste carotenoids in different organic solvents and to optimise the extraction parameters (type of solvent, extraction time, temperature and extraction steps) for maximum yield. Among other solvents, we tested a new environmentally friendly one, ethyl lactate, which gave the highest carotenoid yield (243.00 mg kg^?1 dry tomato waste) at 70 °C, compared to acetone (51.90 mg kg^?1), ethyl acetate (46.21 mg kg^?1), hexane (34.45 mg kg^?1) and ethanol (17.57 mg kg^?1). The carotenoid recovery was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the number of extraction steps and temperature in all solvents. Mathematic equations predicted rather satisfactorily (R² = 0.89–0.93) the rate of carotenoid extraction in the above‐mentioned solvents. Carotenoid concentration increased with time, approaching a quasi‐saturated condition at approximately 30 min of extraction.     

The methionine precursor dl-2-hydroxy-(4-methylthio)butanoic acid protects intestinal epithelial barrier function

dl-2-hydroxy-(4-methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) is a source of dietary methionine (Met) that is widely used in poultry nutrition. We have previously shown that HMTBA is preferentially diverted to the transsulfuration pathway, which gives antioxidant metabolites such as taurine and glutathione. Therefore, here we hypothesize that this Met source can protect epithelial barrier function in an in vitro model of intestinal inflammation of Caco-2 cells. The results show that HMTBA prevents the increase in paracellular permeability induced by H₂O₂ or tumour necrosis factor-α. This effect can be attributed to the increased production of taurine and reduced glutathione. Similar results were obtained for dl-Met, although the protective role of the amino acid was less pronounced than that of the hydroxy analogue. In conclusion, the diversion to the transsulfuration pathway means that this Met precursor is of greater value than previously thought, due to its capacity to improve intestinal homeostasis and the quality of poultry products destined for human consumption.     

Effect of solvent and impurity on synthesis of ethyl lactate from fermentation-derived ammonium lactate

Fermentation-derived ammonium lactate was converted into ethyl lactate by decomposition in various organic solvents followed by esterification with ethanol over Amberlyst catalyst. The ammonium lactate was decomposed more efficiently in an organic solvent with high boiling point, where the produced lactic acid was stabilized well as a monomer without oligomerization. However, only the nonreactive phosphate-type solvent such as triethyl phosphate and tributyl phosphate showed a notable ethyl lactate yield in the subsequent esterification reaction compared with dimethyl sulfoxide and N-methyl pyrolidine. The lactic acid yield in ammonium lactate decomposition and the subsequent ethyl lactate yield were also highly dependent on solvent ratio to ammonium lactate, temperature and pressure in ammonium lactate decomposition reaction. The amino acid impurity contained in the fermented ammonium lactate as well as the unreacted ammonium lactate reduced the acid strength of Amberlyst-36, which resulted in the final ethyl lactate yield.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of glucoamylase inhibition by lactate during fermentable sugar production from food waste

BACKGROUND: Glucoamylase hydrolysis is a key step in the bioconversion of food waste with complicated composition. This work investigated the effect of lactate on glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger UV‐60, and inhibition mechanisms of glucoamylase by lactate during food waste hydrolysis. RESULTS: For 125 min hydrolysis of food waste (10%, dry basis), reducing sugars produced in the absence of lactate were 15%, 26% and 56% more than those produced in the presence of 24 g L^?1 lactate at 60, 50 and 40 °C, respectively. Kinetic study showed that the type of glucoamylase inhibition by lactate was competitive, and K_m (Michaelis‐Menten constent), V_max (maximum initial velocity), K_I (inhibition constant) were 103.2 g L^?1, 5.0 g L^?1 min^?1, 100.6 g L^?1, respectively, for food waste hydrolysis at 60 °C and pH 4.6. Lactate also accelerated glucoamylase denaturation significantly. Activation energy of denaturation without inhibitor was 61% greater than that of denaturation with inhibitor (24 g L^?1 lactate). Half‐lives (t_1/2) without inhibitor were 7.6, 2.7, 2.6, 1.7 and 1.2 times longer than those with inhibitor at temperature 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 °C, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results are helpful to process optimization of saccharification and bioconversion of food waste. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

乳酸铝在日用化工中的应用

综述了乳酸铝在日用化工上的应用研究现状，表明乳酸铝是一种广泛的日化用品原料，并简要叙述了乳酸铝的合成方法，为日用化工行业介绍了新的原料。     

乳酸钠对铜绿假单胞菌生长的影响

为探讨乳酸钠对铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)的特定抑制作用,揭示乳酸钠质量浓度与介质pH值水平影响乳酸钠抑菌效果的规律,以营养肉汤培养基为介质,按照乳酸钠质量浓度(0、0.2、0.5、1.0、1.5、2.0g/100mL)单因素试验及乳酸质量浓度与介质pH值(4.0～6.2)的两因素交互试验设计,25℃恒温培养。结果表明：在适当的pH值范围内,乳酸钠(NaL)表现出良好的抑菌效果：当介质pH值小于NaL质量浓度的抑菌临界pH值时,NaL抑菌效果与其质量浓度成正比,介质pH4.8,抑菌效果2.0g/100mL NaL＞1.0g/100mL NaL＞0.5g/100mL NaL。NaL质量浓度一定,其抑菌效果与介质pH值成反比。