Tesis por compendio / This PhD dissertation thesis has been focus on the development and characterization of antimicrobial packaging films based on the incorporation in the polymer matrix or on the attachment to the film surface of naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds with the purpose of inhibiting the proliferation of microorganisms and extend the microbiological shelf life of packaged food products. The studied active films are based on the use of ethylene vinyl copolymers (EVOH) containing 29% (EVOH29) or 44% (EVOH44) molar percentage of ethylene as polymeric vehicle for the incorporation of several antimicrobial compounds -oregano essential oil (OEO), citral, ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE), epsilon-polylysine (EPL), green tea extract (GTE) and lysozyme. These antimicrobial agents have been incorporated in the film-forming solution or immobilized to the film surface by covalent bonding. Prior to the preparation of the active films, the antimicrobial activity of the selected compounds against selected microorganism was demonstrated, confirming that they could be good candidates to be used as preservatives for active food packaging applications, and an alternative to synthetic additives. The effect of the incorporation of the antimicrobial agents on relevant functional properties of the developed EVOH films was studied. In general, the polymer properties as materials for food packaging were not relevantly affected. In order to evaluate the potential of EVOH matrices as sustain release systems of active compounds, the release kinetics of the active compounds from the film to different media was evaluated; for that the agent release rate and extend into food simulants was monitored, and it was concluded that the agent concentration, release temperature, type of EVOH, interaction of EVOH with the food simulant, and the solubility of the active compound in the release media were the main controlling factors. EVOH matrices have also shown good properties to be used for the attachment of active molecules. In this regard, lysozyme was successfully immobilized on the film surface of EVOH. Several experiments were conducted to determine the antimicrobial properties of the resulting films in vitro against different microorganisms responsible for foodborne illness and in vivo with real foods –minimally-process salad, infant milk, surimi sticks and chicken stock- to enhance their preservation. All the materials presented a strong in vitro antimicrobial activity. Although the results obtained through in vivo tests showed activity reductions caused by food matrix effects, all materials presented significant microbial inhibition and, therefore, great potential to be used in the design of active food packaging. They can be applied as an inner coating of the packaging structure, releasing the active agent or acting by direct contact, producing a great protection against contamination with a prolongation of the microbiological food shelf life. / Muriel Galet, V. (2015). Novel antimicrobial films based on ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers for food packaging application [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/48522 / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales / Compendio

Les agents d'embolisation liquides utilisés dans le traitement endovasculaire ont de nombreuses limitations. Des polymères, tels que l’Onyx et les cyanoacrylates sont disponibles. L’alcool est un agent puissant, mais non radio-opaque. Les cyanoacrylates entrainent une réaction inflammatoire significative. Leur polymérisation rapide est responsable d’un comportement mal prévisible.Il existe une possibilité de traitement incomplet.L’Onyx est efficace pour le traitement des MAV.Une pénétration plus distale est obtenue avec l’alcool, mais associée à un risque de migration systémique. Nous avons évalué les propriétés d'un nouvel agent embolique (Alconyx) composé d'un mélange d'alcool et d'Onyx. Cet agent devrait cumuler les avantages respectifs de l'alcool et de l'onyx avec une visualisation adéquate sous fluoroscopie, une meilleure pénétration distale que l'Onyx seul et moins de toxicité systémique liée à la réduction de quantité d’alcool injecté. Divers mélanges ont été testés avec différentes concentrations d'Onyx 18 et d’alcool absolu. Alconyx 25 (75% Onyx 18; 25% d'éthanol) est la formulation la plus prometteuse. Nous avons démontré sa facilité d'injection in vivo, sa nature cohésive sans fragmentation ainsi que sa bonne visualisation sous fluoroscopie. En raison de sa moindre viscosité démontrée in vitro, Alconyx a été capable de pénétrer profondément dans le lit artériel.. L'occlusion proximale par Alconyx 25 devrait permettre d'améliorer le contact entre l'éthanol et la paroi vasculaire et donc augmenter son pouvoir sclérosant et limiter son passage systémique. Les propriétés occlusives d’Alconyx 25 sont similaires à celle de l’Onyx 18 sous haute pression in vitro. / Commercially available liquid embolization agents used in endovascular treatment have many limitations. Polymeric agents as Onyx and cyanoacrylate are available. Ethanol also is a potent sclero-embolic agent. Cyanoacrylates are effective liquid embolic agents, however, their rapid polymerization makes their behaviour unpredictable with possibility of incomplete treatment. These properties render their use challenging.Onyx is easy to use. However, in very small arterial niduses, Onyx, is unable to penetrate deeply. Deep penetration is obtained with ethanol, associated with risk of systemic migration.Poor visualization of ethanol under fluoroscopy is major drawback. Mixing Onyx with ethanol had never been described in the literature till now. In this work, various mixtures have been tested with different concentrations of Onyx 18 and absolute ethanol. Alconyx 25 (75% Onyx 18; 25% ethanol) seems to be a promising product. We proved its ease of injection in vivo and in vitro, its cohesive nature showing no fragmentation or interruption of the injected column as well as its good visualization under fluoroscopy. It was able to penetrate deeply in the arterial bed. The occlusive properties of Alconyx 25 were rated as good as Onyx 18 under high pressure in vitro. Further investigation is needed to better understand the behavior of ethanol in the suspension and its effect on tissues compared to Onyx diluted simply with an equivalent amount of DMSO. Studies on other commercially available concentrations of Onyx would certainly be interesting.