Phosphorescence properties of p-aminobenzoic acid immobilized on a nylon membrane

The properties of nylon as a new material for obtaining room-temperature phosphorescence from p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) have been investigated. Although PABA shows native phosphorescence when adsorbed on a nylon membrane, a significant improvement in both sensitivity and limit of detection is achieved in the presence of alpha-cyclodextrin and heavy atoms. An additional enhancement of the phosphorescence signal is attained when the measurements are carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere. The analytical figures of merit obtained under the best experimental conditions are: linear calibration range from 0.6 to 6 ng/spot (the lowest value corresponds to the quantitation limit); correlation coefficient, 0.998 for 18 data points; relative standard deviation, 2.2% (n = 5) at a level of 2.4 ng/spot; and limit of detection, 0.2 ng/spot (calculated according to Clayton's definition).     

Blends of PP/PE co‐octene for modified atmosphere packaging applications

The aim of this work was to obtain films of polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene co‐octene (POE) blends and study the influence of their composition and mixing conditions on final morphology and ultimate properties (thermal, mechanical, oxygen and water vapour transmission rates). Scanning electron microscopy showed segregation of POE domains in the PP matrix. Thermal analysis indicated that the addition of POE modified neither the melting temperature nor the crystallinity of PP in the pressed films. It was found that permeabilities of films were mainly related to POE content rather than morphological features. For the maximum POE concentration used (40%), the oxygen permeability increased up to ∼100% from that of neat PP. A similar trend was found for water vapour permeability. Rigidity of blends dropped significantly with the addition of POE although their ductility slightly increased when compared to pure PP. No significant effect of blend preparation conditions on these properties was found. Mechanical and permeability characteristics of films make them very attractive to be used for MAP of fresh produce such as apple, blueberry and mushroom. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Surfactants Based on 2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(Methylthio)Butanoic Acid: 1. Anionic Surfactants

2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) is a commonly used animal feed additive available in large quantities. In this study, anionic surfactants were synthesized utilizing HMTBA as a starting material. Specifically, a straight‐chain fatty acid containing 12 or 16 carbon atoms was attached to the hydroxyl group via esterification. After neutralization of the carboxylic acid with sodium, the molecules behave as anionic surfactants. Oxidation of the sulfur atom can be performed to further increase water solubility. The molecules exhibit critical micelle concentrations (CMCs), and lower the surface tension to 35–45 mN/m at the CMC. The derivatives have low Krafft points (<4 °C) and good wetting performance. The hardness tolerance of the ester made from dodecanoic acid is ～2.5–4 orders of magnitude higher than an analogous carboxylate surfactant, namely sodium dodecanoate. Foam created according to the Ross‐Miles foam test is substantial, but dissipates quickly as compared to other anionic surfactants.     

Cellular injuries of spray-dried Lactobacillus spp. isolated from kefir and their impact on probiotic properties

The injuries caused by spray drying (SD) of three potential probiotic lactobacilli isolated from kefir grains and the impact on some probiotic properties, were evaluated. Results demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum 83114 and L. kefir 8321 showed a slight reduction of viability (0.11 and 0.29 log CFU/ml respectively) after SD process, and L. kefir 8348 was found to be more sensitive to the process with a reduction in viability of 0.70 log CFU/ml. Neither membrane damage, evaluated by increased sensitivity to NaCl, lysozyme, bile salt and penicillin G, nor changes in acidifying activity in MRS and milk by lactobacilli were detected after SD. L. plantarum 83114 and L. kefir 8321 after SD did not lose their capacity to adhere to intestinal cells. Nevertheless, L. kefir 8348 showed a significant loss of adhesion capacity after SD. In addition, rehydrated spray-dried L. kefir 8321 retained the ability to protect against Salmonella invasion of intestinal cells. This effect was observed when L. kefir is co-incubated with Salmonella before invasion assay.This work shows that the membrane integrity evaluated by indirect methods and some probiotic properties of lactobacilli isolated from kefir did not change significantly after SD, and these powders could be used in functional foods applications.     

对明串珠菌及其他细菌的抑制效果

在从压榨间直到蔗汁澄清的蔗糖生产过程中,蔗汁中微生物活动是破坏蔗糖品质的一个重要因素。蔗糖损失和葡聚糖的形成通常与蔗汁中微生物引起的变质有关。多年来,这一直成为糖厂试图改善蔗糖品质时所面临的问题。本文以直接影响得糖率的微生物减少和相对纯度为指标,研究了不同杀菌方法在蔗汁中的效果。浓度为0.007%的S抑制剂显示了对某糖厂初压汁和混合汁中的微生物菌群的抗菌效应。在对照组中,12h后观察到4.8单位的纯度降低。加入S抑制剂后,只降低2个单位。且蔗汁的稳定性在3个样品中几乎完全一致。以S抑制剂处理的蔗汁保持深褐色和清新的气味,且pH与初始相比无显著变化,而未处理的蔗汁变浅褐色,产生很强的酒味,pH和纯度显著降低。这种稳定效应尚未被其他常用的糖用杀菌剂所报导。同样,本文证明了有可能通过使用S抑制剂来稳定混合汁。经S抑制剂处理后,游离的还原物质和多聚糖比不经处理的样品低6倍。这些结果表明,形成的葡聚糖以及随之形成的游离果糖减少。     

AFLP variability, toxin production, and pathogenicity of Alternaria species from Argentinean tomato fruits and puree

Large amounts of tomato fruits and derived products are produced in Argentina and may be contaminated by Alternaria toxins. Limited information is available on the genetic variability, toxigenicity, and pathogenicity of Alternaria strains occurring on tomato. We analyzed 65 Alternaria strains isolated in Argentina from tomato fruits affected by black mould and from tomato puree, using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) technique. AFLP analysis resolved the set of strains in 3 main clusters (DICE similarity values of 58 and 60%) corresponding to A. alternata/tenuissima (44 strains), A. arborescens (15 strains) and to an unknown group (6 strains). Most of the representative strains, belonging to each AFLP cluster, when cultured on rice, produced tenuazonic acid (up to 46,760 mg/kg), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME, up to 1860 mg/kg), and alternariol (up to 70 mg/kg). The toxin profile related to the strains was not related to any AFLP cluster, except for AME which was produced at lower level by A. arborescens. Most of strains were pathogenic on two types of commonly cultivated tomato fruits. These findings provide new information on the variability within the Alternaria species complex associated with tomato disease.     

Homemade traditional cheeses for the isolation of probiotic Enterococcus faecium strains

One hundred twenty-two strains of Enterococcus faecium isolated from Tafí Cheese, a homemade traditional cheese of the highlands in the province of Tucumán, Argentina, were evaluated for their potential application as starter cultures in the manufacture of this traditional cheese. Eleven of the 122 strains showing limited delays in growth in oxgall were selected for the study of bile salts hydrolase activity (BSH), cholesterol reduction, antimicrobial activity, and virulence determinants. Nine strains were able to remove cholesterol in in vitro assays, a property that was closely related to the bile salt hydrolase activity. Only two strains produced active bacteriocins against Listeria strains although genetic evidence for the bacteriocin structural gene was found in six other enterococci strains. No virulence factors were detected in any of the 11 selected strains of enterococci.     

Rheological characterisation of sorbet using pipe rheometry during the freezing process

Sorbet produced without aeration is a dispersion of ice crystals distributed randomly in a freeze-concentrated liquid phase. The rheological properties of this suspension will be affected by the viscosity of the continuous liquid phase and the volume fraction of ice crystals. The knowledge of the viscosity of sorbet is essential for the improvement of product quality, the selection of process equipment, and for the optimal design of piping systems. This work aimed firstly, at studying the influence of the ice volume fraction (determined by the product temperature) on the apparent viscosity of a commercial sorbet, and secondly, to propose a rheological model that describes the evolution of the viscosity of the product as a function of the ice volume fraction. The rheology of sorbet was measured in situ by means of a pipe rheometer connected at the outlet of a continuous scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE). The pipe rheometer was composed of a series of pipes in PVC of different diameters, making it possible to apply a range of apparent shear rate from 4 to 430 s⁻¹. The flow behaviour index of sorbet decreased as the temperature of the product decreased, the effect of which indicates that the product becomes more shear thinning as the freezing of sorbet occurs. The consistency coefficient and therefore the magnitude of the apparent viscosity of sorbet increased with the decrease in product temperature and with the increase of the ice volume fraction. Results also showed that the rheological model described the experimental data within a 20% error.