Mia Kurek

Effect of relative humidity on carvacrol release and permeation properties of chitosan based films and coatings.

The influence of water vapour conditions on mass transport and barrier properties of chitosan based films and coatings were studied in relation to surface and structural properties. Water contact angles, material swelling, polymer degradation temperature, barrier properties (PO2, PCO2, WVP) and aroma diffusion coefficients were determined. The solvent nature and the presence of carvacrol influenced the surface and structural properties and then the barrier performance of activated chitosan films. Increasing RH from 0% to 100% led to a significant increase in material swelling. The plasticization effect of water was more pronounced at high humid environment, while at low RH the matrix plasticization was induced by carvacrol. The deposit of a thin chitosan layer on polyethylene decreased PO2 and PCO2 both in dry and humid conditions. The carvacrol release from the chitosan matrix was strongly influenced by RH. A temperature increase from 4 to 37°C also had an impact on carvacrol diffusivity but to a lesser extent than RH.

Shelf life of packaged sliced dry fermented sausage under different temperature.

The aim of this study was to investigate the shelf-life of commercial sliced dry fermented sausage during storage at different temperatures. Different laminate composition was used for vacuum and nitrogen (100% N(2)) packaging. The microbiological, physico-chemical and sensory parameters were analysed during 120 days storage at 4, 22 and 37°C. Packaging materials were analysed for their barrier characteristic (oxygen permeability). Sensory quality limited the shelf-life of sliced dry fermented sausages before the limiting effects of microbial proliferation occurred. Nitrogen atmosphere packaging allowed longer storage (>120 days) than vacuum (95 days) packaged dry fermented sausages at 4°C.

Carvacrol affects interfacial, structural and transfer properties of chitosan coatings applied onto polyethylene.

Different chitosan coating solutions were tested with the aim of investigating their adhesion and wettability onto polyethylene film to improve packaging performance and provide antimicrobial properties. Surface wetting kinetics was monitored by contact angle measurements. Addition of ethanol and carvacrol improved wettability and adhesion of the thin chitosan layer. Structure, water vapour, O2, CO2 and air permeabilities of self supported chitosan films and coated polyethylene were determined. The formation of a thin chitosan layer on polyethylene improved gas barrier properties decreasing the Permeability Coefficient for oxygen and carbon dioxide ( [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] ) from 100 to 10,000 times. Presence of carvacrol in the chitosan coating layer increased [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] and Pair by a factor of ten. Moreover, it influenced film microstructure. However chitosan was shown to be good gas barrier film in the dry state.

Effect of high power ultrasound on physical–chemical properties of polypropylene films aimed for food packaging: structure and surface features

AbstractnnBiaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) coated with acrylic/polyvinylidene chloride (BOPPAcPVDC) and biaxially oriented coextruded polypropylene (BOPPcoex) films have been treated with high power ultrasound (HPUS) while submerged in water. Polymer structure and the surface morphology changes were noticed, and obtained results were correlated with the physical properties of tested materials. In anticipation of sonochemically enhanced reactions, physical–chemical profile of film samples was determined using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV spectrophotometry and environmental scanning electron microscopy. HPUS-treated samples showed better thermal stability than untreated ones. BOPPAcPVDC samples sonicated for a period of 2 and 6xa0min and amplitudes 50 and 100% showed higher thermal stability as compared to the untreated one. BOPPcoex film surface change occurred after ultrasonic treatment of 6 min and 100% amplitude which was also attributed to the phenomenon of formation of crystalline cluster on the film surface. The implications of the results are used as possibility of HPUS treatment of packaged food.

Barrier Properties of Plastic Polymers

The barrier property of a plastic polymer is a measure of its ability to permit the transfer of permeants such as gases, water vapor and aromas. Barrier polymers are often multiple layer laminates composed of a water vapor and gas barrier layer, a heat sealable layer and a structural or protective layer. As barriers they separate food from the external environment and limit the movement of permeants such as gases, vapors and aromas. Physical factors such as temperature, humidity, polymer orientation, and cross-linking can affect the barrier properties of a polymer. Knowledge of the barrier properties of plastic polymers is crucial for the design of food packaging that will deliver the desired shelf life.