Chitosan, Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and vital wheat gluten (WG) are three biomaterials that have quite promising properties for packaging purposes. They have good film forming properties and good gas barrier properties in dry conditions. Moreover, because they are produced from industrial waste of food processing, they offer an ecological advantage over polymers made from petroleum. However, their physicochemical characteristics still must be improved for them to be of commercial interest for the food packaging industry. The purpose of this work was to study different strategies aiming to improve the water resistance and aging properties of these polymers, which are some of the key disadvantages of these materials. The produced solution cast chitosan and WPI films were characterised with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density measurements and thermogravimetry. The water vapour transmission rate was determined at a relative humidity of 11%. In the first part, mechanical properties of solid films and seals were assessed by tensile testing. WG film’s tensile properties and oxygen and water vapour permeabilities were measured as a function of aging time. The changes in the protein structure were determined by infrared spectroscopy and size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and the film structure was revealed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Gluten-clay nanocomposites were characterised by tensile testing, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The incorporation of a hydrophobic biodegradable polymer, poly ( ε-caprolactone), PCL, in both chitosan and whey protein, yielded a significant decrease in water vapour transmission rate. It was observed that a certain amount of the PCL particles were ellipsoidal in chitosan and fibrous in WPI. The obtained data also indicated that the particle shape had an important influence in the water vapour transmission rate. In the second part, the aging properties of WG films, plasticized with glycerol and cast from water/ethanol solutions with pH=4 or pH=11 were investigated. WG films made from alkaline solutions were mechanically more time-stable than the acidic ones, the latter being initially very ductile but turning brittle towards the end of the aging period. The protein solubility measurements indicated that the protein structure of the acidic films was initially significantly less aggregated than the in basic films. During aging the acidic films lost more mass than the basic films through slow evaporation of volatiles (water/ethanol) and through migration of glycerol to the paper support. The oxygen permeability was also lower for the basic films. In the last part, the properties of new and aged glycerol-plasticized WG films at acidic and basic conditions containing ≤4.5 wt% natural or quaternary-ammonium-salt-modified montmorillonite were studied. Films of WG with montmorillonite were possible to produce by solution casting. The aging rate of acidic and basic films was unaffected by the incorporation of clay. However, the large reduction in water vapour permeability for most systems suggested that the clay sheets were evenly distributed within the films. The film prepared from basic solution and containing natural clay was almost completely exfoliated as revealed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The best water vapour barrier properties were obtained by using modified clay. / QC 20101013

Aim: To determine the use and interpretation of the nutrition information on the food label of selected fat spreads by female consumers aged 25 to 45 years, living in Pietermaritzburg. Objectives: This study set out to determine the following objectives regarding the food label: what the demographics of the consumers making use of the label were; how these consumers used the label and their motivation behind this label use and did the use of the label alter the purchase of that product? Method: One hundred and fifty women aged 25-45 years were chosen from an accidental, non-probability sample of consumers shopping at selected supermarkets within Pietermaritzburg. Respondents were presented with a four part questionnaire surrounding the purchase of selected fat spreads. Results: The greatest number of respondents were from the white population group (n = 65), followed by black respondents (n = 46), Indian respondents (n = 29) and then coloured respondents (n = 10). Results showed that the respondent who was most likely to use the nutrition information on the food label had a tertiary education; was a primary food purchaser, lived with other people, had more than R1000 a month to spend on food and was conscious of choosing the healthier option. Fifty five percent of this study sample (n = 82) claimed to use the nutrition information on the label to assist with purchases and 68% (n = 102) found the nutrition information important for purchasing a new product. Of the potential factors that have previously been found to impede the use of the nutrition information label:-inadequate print size, lack of education as well as lack of nutrition information on the food label were found to be factors restricting label use in this study. The most commonly used sources of nutrition information were the media as well as friends and family and the most trusted source was the Health Professional. Discussion: If the nutrition information is to be used both correctly and effectively, there must be a major educational campaign that sets out to meet the needs of the population that are most vulnerable, especially those with an inadequate education. Conclusion: The consumer most likely to use the nutrition information on the food label has a tertiary education, is a primary food purchaser with a large amount of money available for groceries and is conscious of choosing a healthier option. The label is most likely to be used when purchasing a fat spread for the first time. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Labels used on refreshments provide consumers simple, comprehensible and consistent information about packaged foods and enables them to make wiser choices. Food packages contain a link between agricultural commodities and consumable forms of food known to consumers. Labels act as a silent selling point through distinctive brands since it help the customers choose between products and keep a check on the amount of foods they are eating that are high in fat, salt and added sugars for example. Secondly, it facilitates the identification in the barcode system. The aim of this work is to compare refreshments from different sectors of the food industry from the view point of current legislation in European Union and Czech Republic. The comparison was carried out by selecting refreshments sold in Czech Republic compared to Belgium. On the basis of information gathered from the labels and questionnaire we can assess the importance of labeling when packaging products for consumer. Some local differences were recorded, eg in the case of minced meat sold in Belgium there were 4 certification logos; in the Czech Republic, on the other hand, the meat content of ham or packaged salami was stated. The questionnaire survey showed that consumers mostly follow the information on the labels, differently when buying food and monitoring the information on the labels by women and men, the age and education of respondents, and the nationality in this case almost does not matter. The results show that food packaging and labeling information needs to be given much higher attention from both parties consumers and manufacturers.

Como líder mundial nas exportações de carne bovina, o Brasil vem se adequando às exigências dos mercados internacionais, investindo na aplicação de novos padrões de produção e comercialização. Entre as tecnologias desenvolvidas e aplicadas pela indústria de carnes, principalmente na Europa e nos Estados Unidos, a embalagem em atmosfera modificada visa a manutenção da qualidade durante a comercialização da carne in natura, centralizando as operações, rotulagem e distribuição do produto, além de estender a vida útil. Baseado no exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito dos sistemas de embalagens a vácuo e em atmosfera modificada sobre parâmetros de qualidade de carne de bovinos machos inteiros e fêmeas de descarte. Músculos Longissimus thoracis e Longissimus lumborum de ambos os sexos foram porcionados em bifes, embalados a vácuo e em três tipos de atmosferas modificadas (75%O2/25%CO2; 60%CO2/0,2%CO/39,8%N2 e 40%CO2/0,4%CO/59,6%N2) e estocados sob refrigeração a 2 °C por um período de 28 dias. Foram avaliadas características de cor, pH, oxidação lipídica e protéica, índice de fragmentação miofibrilar, colágeno total; força de cisalhamento e perda de peso por cocção. Atmosferas contendo CO melhoraram a estabilidade da cor da carne in natura ao longo do período experimental, resultando em bifes de cor vermelha desejável. Bifes embalados em atmosfera com O2 e vácuo apresentaram menor estabilidade da cor. Não houve interferência dos tipos de embalagem no pH da carne, no entanto, foram observados maiores valores nos bifes de macho inteiro comparado aos de fêmea de descarte. A estabilidade oxidativa, lipídica e protéica, da carne foi drasticamente afetada pela presença de O2 na embalagem, observando-se um processo oxidativo acelerado comparado às embalagens anóxicas. Os bifes apresentaram amaciamento gradual como corroborado pelas análises de força de cisalhamento e índice de fragmentação miofibrilar nos diferentes sistemas de embalagens, porém, atmosferas contendo CO favoreceram um processo acelerado do amaciamento da carne quando comparadas ao vácuo e atmosfera com alto O2. O teor de colágeno total e as perdas de peso por cocção dos bifes não foram afetados pelos diferentes sistemas de embalagem e o período prolongado de estocagem. Houve correlações significativas (p<0,05; 0,01; 0,0001) entre determinados parâmetros de qualidade da carne para ambos os músculos e sexos. / As a world leader in beef exports, Brazil has been adapting to the demands of international markets, investing in the application of new patterns of production and marketing. Among the developed and applied technologies by the meat industry, mainly in Europe and the United States, modified atmosphere packaging is designed to ensure quality during the marketing of fresh beef, centralizing operations, labeling and distribution of the product and extends life. Based on the foregoing, the present study was to evaluate the effect of vacuum packaging systems and modified atmosphere on quality parameters of meat from bulls and cows. Longissimus thoracis and Longissimus lumborum of both sexes were portioned into steaks, vacuum-packed in three types of modified atmospheres (75%O2/25%CO2, 60%CO2/0.2%CO/39.8%N2 and 40%CO2/0.4%CO/59.6%N2) and stored under refrigeration at 2ºC for a 28 days period. Were evaluated characteristics like color, pH, lipid and protein oxidation, myofibrillar fragmentation index, total collagen, shear force and cooking loss. Atmospheres containing CO have improved color stability of fresh beef during the trial period, resulting in a beef with the desirable red. Steaks packaged in atmosphere with O2 and vacuum had a lower color stability. There was no interference of the packaging types in the pH of meat, however, higher values were observed in all male beef compared to the females of discard. The oxidative stability, lipidic and proteic of meat, has been drastically affected by the presence of O2 in the pack, observing an accelerated oxidation process compared to anoxic packaging. The steaks showed gradual tenderization as corroborated by shear force and myofibrillar fragmentation index analysis, in different packaging systems, however, atmosphere containing CO favored an accelerated process of tenderization of the flesh when compared to vacuum and high-oxygen atmospheric. The total collagen content and the cooking losses by the steaks were not affected by different packaging systems and the long time of stocking. There were significant correlations (p < 0.05, 0.01, 0.0001) between certain parameters of meat quality for both muscles and sexes.

[EN] The use of latent heat storage materials containing phase change materials (PCM's) is an effective way of buffering thermal fluctuations and has the advantages of high-energy storage density and the isothermal nature of the storage process. The aim of this work was to develop novel heat management materials based on the encapsulation of PCM's for different applications of interest in refrigerated foods. To this end, the electro-hydrodynamic processing was used to encapsulate commercial PCM's with transition temperatures of interest in refrigeration and superchilling within different polymer and biopolymer matrices. Initially, materials with heat management capacity to be used in refrigeration equipment and packaging applications were designed. To this end, thick slabs, multilayer heat storage structures and polystyrene foam trays containing ultrathin fiber-structured polystyrene/PCM coatings were fabricated through the encapsulation of commercial phase change materials (specifically paraffin's) within different polymeric matrices. The morphology, thermal properties, encapsulation efficiency and temperature profile of the just prepared structures and after three months of storage at 4 and 25ºC were evaluated. However, the developed electrospun heat management materials showed a multiple crystallization profile, increased supercooling degree (difference between the melting and crystallization temperatures), low encapsulation efficiency and partial diffusion out of the PCM from the electrospun structures during ageing. Therefore, different strategies were been carried out to counteract these drawbacks. One the one hand, thermal energy storage systems including a PCM which crystallize at -1.5ºC were optimized by adjusting the solvent composition in order to obtain hybrid electrospun fibers with thermal properties similar to those of the neat PCM. On the other hand, a hydrophilic shell material based on polyvinylalcohol (PVOH) was used to encapsulate the PCM by using the emulsion electrospinning technique in order to improve the encapsulation efficiency. However, the hybrid structures thus prepared were highly soluble in water at high relative humidity conditions and an extra layer of a more hydrophobic material (polycaprolactone) through coaxial electrospinning was used to protect them from swelling. The use of the coaxial configuration was a good strategy to preserve the morphology of the electrospun structures when exposed to high relative humidity. / [ES] El uso de materiales de almacenamiento de calor latente que contienen materiales de cambio de fase (PCM's) es una manera eficiente de amortiguar las fluctuaciones de temperatura y presenta las ventajas de proveer alta densidad de almacenamiento de energía y la naturaleza isotérmica del proceso de almacenamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar nuevos materiales con capacidad de gestión de calor mediante la encapsulación de PCM's para diferentes aplicaciones de interés en alimentos refrigerados. Para ello, se utilizó el procesado electrohidrodinámico para encapsular PCM's comerciales con temperaturas de transición de fase de interés en refrigeración y superenfriamiento dentro de matrices poliméricas y biopoliméricas. Inicialmente, se diseñaron materiales con capacidad de gestión de calor para ser utilizados en equipos de refrigeración y aplicaciones de envasado. Con este propósito, se fabricaron bloques, estructuras multicapa y bandejas de poliestireno que contenían un recubrimiento de fibras nanoestructuradas ultrafinas mediante la encapsulación de materiales de cambio de fase (especialmente parafinas) dentro de diferentes matrices poliméricas. Se evaluó la morfología, propiedades térmicas, eficiencia de encapsulación y perfil de temperatura de las estructuras recién preparadas y después de tres meses de almacenamiento a 4 y 25ºC. No obstante, se observó que los materiales electroestirados con capacidad de gestión de calor presentaron un perfil de cristalización múltiple, un incremento en el grado de subenfriamiento (diferencia entre las temperaturas de fusión y de cristalización), baja eficiencia de encapsulación y una difusión parcial del PCM de las estructuras electroestiradas durante el periodo de almacenamiento. Para contrarrestar estos efectos, se llevaron a cabo dos estrategias diferentes. Por un lado, se optimizaron los sistemas de almacenamiento de energía térmica incluyendo un PCM que cristaliza a -1.5ºC mediante el ajuste de la composición de los disolventes con el fin de obtener fibras hibridas electroestiradas con propiedades térmicas similares al PCM puro. Por otro lado, para mejorar la eficiencia de encapsulación se utilizó un material hidrófilo basado en polivinilalcohol (PVOH) como material de recubrimiento para encapsular el PCM usando la técnica de electroestirado a partir de una emulsión. Sin embargo, se observó que las estructuras hibridas preparadas fueron altamente solubles en agua y en condiciones de alta humedad relativa. Por tanto, para protegerlos se incorporó una capa adicional de un material más hidrofóbico (policaprolactona) mediante la técnica de electroestirado coaxial. El uso de la configuración coaxial fue la mejor estrategia para preservar la morfología de las estructuras electroestiradas cuando éstas fueron expuestas a condiciones de alta humedad relativa. / [CAT] L'ús de materials d'emmagatzematge de calor latent que contenen materials de canvi de fase (PCM) és una manera eficaç d'esmorteir les fluctuacions tèrmiques. A més a més presenta els avantatges de posseir una alta densitat d'emmagatzematge energia així com la naturalesa isotèrmica del procés d'emmagatzematge. L'objectiu d'aquest treball va ser desenvolupar productes amb capacitat de gestió de calor mitjançat l' encapsulació de PCM per a diferents aplicacions d'interès en la conservació d'aliments refrigerats. Amb aquesta finalitat, es va utilitzar el processament electro-hidrodinàmic per encapsular PCM comercials dins de diferents matrius polimériques i biopolimériques, amb temperatures de transició d'interès en el procés de conservació d'aliments refrigerats. Inicialment, es van dissenyar materials amb capacitat de gestió de calor per ser utilitzats en equips de refrigeració i en el envasat d'aliments refrigerats. Per a tal fi, es van dissenyar blocs, materials multicapa i safates de poliestirè que contenien un recobriment nanoestructurat i ultrafí amb encapsulats de materials de canvi de fase comercials (específicament parafines) dins de diverses matrius polimèriques. Es va caracteritzar la morfologia, les propietats tèrmiques, l'eficiència de encapsulació i la capacitat d'emmagatzematge d'energia just en el moment en el que es van preparar i després de tres mesos d'emmagatzematge a 4 y 25ºC. No obstant això, els materials desenvolupats van mostrar un perfil de cristal·lització múltiple, un augment del grau de subrefredament (diferència entre les temperatures de fusió i de cristal·lització), una baixa eficiència d'encapsulació i una difusió parcial del PCM de les estructures electroestirades durant el període d'emmagatzematge. Per tant, diferents estratègies han estat portades a terme per contrarestar aquests inconvenients. D'una banda, amb la finalitat d'obtenir fibres híbrides electroestirades amb propietats tèrmiques similars a les de la PCM pur, es van optimitzar els sistemes d'emmagatzematge d'energia tèrmica que incloïen un PCM que fon a -1,5 ºC variant la composició dels dissolvents. D'altra banda, es va utilitzar un material de la closca hidròfil basat en polivinílic alcohol (PVOH) per encapsular el PCM mitjançant l'ús de la tècnica d'electroestirat d'una emulsió per tal de millorar l'eficiència d'encapsulació. No obstant això, les estructures híbrides així preparades van ser altament soluble en aigua a altes condicions d'humitat relativa i va ser necessari utilitzar una capa addicional d'un material més hidròfob (policaprolactona) a través de la configuració coaxial de l'equip d'electroestirat. L'ús de la configuració coaxial va ser una bona estratègia per preservar la morfologia de les estructures electroestirades quan s'exposen a altes humitats relatives. / Chalco Sandoval, W. (2015). Development of Temperature Buffering Material Concepts Based on Electro-Hydrodynamic Processing of Interest in the Food Cold Chain [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/53349 / TESIS

This diploma thesis deals with 1) the preparation of biodegradable polymer films based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and 2) their modification by lignin as an active additive. The motivation for this work was to prepare active packaging material for food packaging. Polymer films were prepared by blending of neat crystalline poly(3hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) and amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The lignin was isolated from grape seeds derived from grape pomace. The solubility of lignin in chloroform was improved by acetylation. The properties of the isolated lignin were determined by elemental analysis, ash content, and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Lignin was used as an active additive for the modification of polymeric films prepared by solution casting of P3HB or P3HB blended with amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate. The effect of different concentrations of lignin in the range of 1 to 10 % was tested. The lignin type and concentration had a different influence on the final thermal and mechanical behaviour of polymeric films. Lignin increased the values of the Young modulus and tensile strength of the prepared films. Differential scanning calorimetry data confirmed that lignin positively modified crystallization kinetics of P3HB. Thermogravimetry was used to analyse the thermal stability of PHA films. Lignin markedly increased the thermal stability of PHA films. However, acetylated lignin harms the mechanical properties of films. Moreover, this work showed that lignin isolated from grape seeds and added into PHA films proved its high antioxidant capacity. PHA films with lignin displayed much better gas barrier properties compared with PHA films without lignin. The prepared bioactive PHA films fulfil the requirements for sustainable food packaging with high antioxidant capacity and excellent gas barrier properties.

The contamination of foods with hydrocarbon mixtures migrating from food contact materials (FCM) was first observed for jute and sisal bags treated with batching oil in the 1990s. Since the millennium, the focus has shifted to printing inks and recycled cardboard packaging as most recognized sources for hydrocarbon contamination from FCM. Mineral oil containing printing inks can either release hydrocarbons directly from the printing of folding boxes into food or indirectly entering the recycling chain of cardboard material by printed products, such as newspapers. The contamination of dry foods with mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) from recycled fiber packaging has been reported to reach up to 100 mg/kg [1]. Using LC-GC-FID technique the MOH were categorized into mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). The molecular mass, which is assumed to be toxicological relevant, is derived from the GC retention times of accumulated MOSH in human tissues and is limited to n C16 to n-C35 [2]. MOSH is the most significant contaminant of the human body reaching 1-10 g per person, which is of particular concern since a formation of microgranulomas (causing inflammatory reactions) in the liver was observed in rats fed with saturated hydrocarbons [3]. Furthermore, some MOAH are assumed to be genotoxic analogous to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [3]. In the latest draft of a German ‘Mineral Oil Regulation’ the following limits for the migration of MOH from recycled fiber are proposed: for MOSH C16-20 4.0 mg/kg, MOSH C21-35 2.0 mg/kg and for MOAH 0.5 mg per kg food [4]. Functional barriers reducing the migration of undesirable compounds from recycled cardboards (such as MOH and other contaminants) could be a part of the solution for this issue. Supporting that approach in this study, the boxes of recycled cardboard featuring a barrier layer on the internal surface or an integrated adsorbent available early in 2014 were investigated for their efficiency in reducing migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons into dry food. A practice-oriented one-year storage test was performed with wheat flakes in seven configurations: a box of virgin fibers, two boxes of unprotected recycled cardboard, three cardboards with barrier layers (a flexo-printed polyacrylate layer, a polyvinyl alcohol coating and a multilayer involving polyester) and a cardboard containing activated carbon. The highest migration of MOH (C16-24) was observed in the boxes of unprotected recycled cardboard (MOSH: 11.4 mg/kg, MOAH: 2.4 mg/kg). Of the three investigated barrier layers only two reduced migration of MOH into food below the limits of the 3rd draft of the German mineral oil ordinance (2014) until the end of shelf life. The cardboard box involving active carbon as adsorbent prevented detectable migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons (<0.1 mg/kg). In the case of virgin fiber, which was virtually free of MOH (<1 mg/kg), migration close to the proposed limits was detected (C16-24, MOSH: 1.5 mg/kg, MOAH: 0.4 mg/kg). Therefore, it has been proven that the transport box (corrugated board) substantially contributed to the transfer of MOH into food. Plastic FCM can also release hydrocarbons, such as polyolefin oligomeric hydrocarbons (POH), into food. These POH are of synthetic nature and are formed during the polymerization process of polyolefins (150 – 3000 mg/kg in granulates of homo/hetero polymers involving ethylene and propylene). This group of synthetic contaminants contain also saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) analogous to mineral oils, but contrary no aromatic hydrocarbons. Further, a significant amount (10 – 50%) of monounsaturated hydrocarbons (POMH) was determined in the oligomeric fraction of polyolefins, which are not detectable in mineral oil products. Therefore, these POMH can be used as a marker for POH migration. A method based on two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography on-line coupled to gas chromatography (on-line HPLC-HPLC-GC) was developed to enable the separate analysis of saturated, monounsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in extracts of packaging materials like polyolefins or paperboard and foods, repectively. It is an extension of the HPLC-GC method for MOSH and MOAH [1] using an additional argentation HPLC column, since normal-phase HPLC on silica gel did not preseparate saturated from monounsaturated hydrocarbons. Further, this method and comprehensive two-dimensional GC (GCxGC) was used to investigate the concentration of different oligomer types in polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) based sealing layers as well as their corresponding granulates. The analyzed sealing layers contained 180-995 mg/kg POSH and 90-435 mg/kg POMH (C16-35). Only in sealing layers involving low-density PE, oxidized polyolefin oligomers as well as cyclic oligomers (alkylated cyclopentanes and hexanes) have been detected. The transfer of POH (C16-35) from the investigated sealing layers into food can be substantial (>50%) and can reach more than 2 mg per kg food. The level of contamination depends on the oligomer content of the sealing layer, the fat content of the food, the processing temperature and the surface-volume ratio. Hot melt adhesives are widely utilized to glue cardboard boxes used as food packaging material. The analysed raw materials of hot melts mainly consisted of paraffinic waxes, hydrocarbon resins and polyolefins. The hydrocarbon resins, functioning as tackifiers, were the predominant source of hydrocarbons of sufficient volatility to migrate via gaseous phase into dry foods. The 18 hydrocarbon resins analyzed contained 8.2-118 g/kg saturated and up to 59 g/kg aromatic hydrocarbons (C16-24). These synthetic tackfier resins, especially the oligomers ≤C24, have been characterized structurally and migration into food was estimated using a food simulant and by the analysis of real food samples. About 0.5-1.5 % of the potentially migrating substances (C16 24) of a hot melt were found to be transferred into food under storage conditions, which can result in a food contamination of approximately 1 mg/kg food in this case. The order of magnitude depends on the absolute amount of potentially migrating substances from the hot melt, the hot melt surface, contact time, amount and type of foods.

<p>Zein is a major storage protein of corn, with unique amphiphilic film forming properties. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in 70% ethanol and acetic acid, and has been declared ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) by the FDA. Due to new advances in food nanotechnology, zein is being investigated for various applications such as biodegradable packaging, oral delivery of proteins and peptides, scaffold for tissue engineering, as well as biodegradable sensor platforms. The time consuming and highly complicated methods for toxin and allergen analysis in the food industry necessitates the need for a rapid, selective, compact and easy-to-use method of detection for analytes. In the scope of this dissertation, we investigated the feasibility of functional zein nanocomposite films and formation of a zein nanocomposite sensor assembly for rapid and highly selective electrochemical measurements of food toxins and allergens. Fabrication of a zein based electrochemical amperometric sensor assembly was studied, first through the comparison of various zein film characteristics changes with the application of Laponite®, graphene oxide and carbon nanotube nanoparticles, followed by a proof-of-concept study by detecting the gluten allergen protein gliadin. </p> <p>To mechanistically study the functional zein nanocomposite films, Laponite®, a silica nanoparticle, was added in the presence of 70% ethanol solvent and oleic acid plasticizer. The films were studied using various characterization techniques like transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water contact angle measurements etc. Through Si-N bond formation between Laponite® and zein, fabricated zein nanocomposite films showed increase in surface hydrophobicity, water vapor barrier properties, tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Graphene oxide (GO), a carbon nanoparticle, was also incorporated into zein through the solvent casting process. Uniform dispersion of GO nanoparticles within zein matrix were confirmed up to 1% GO loading, and covalent and hydrogen bonding mechanisms were proposed. Similar to zein-Laponite® (Z-LAP) nanocomposites, zein-GO (Z-GO) showed increase in hydrophobic tendencies, rougher surface and a 300% improvement in Young’s modulus and 180% improvement in tensile strength at only 3% GO loading. Both nanoparticles increased tensile strength, thermal stability and water vapor barrier property of the films, indicating a potential for food packaging as an alternative application for the nanocomposite films.</p> Finally, the research focused on the fabrication of an electrochemical amperometric sensor, capable of detecting the protein gliadin, which is responsible for the allergic reaction with people having celiac disease. Novel biodegradable coatings made from zein nanocomposites: zein-graphene oxide, zein-Laponite® and zein-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Z-CNT) using drop casting technique were tested for fabricating the electrochemical sensors using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. As Z-CNT produced the strongest signals compared to other nanomaterials, the active tip of the electrochemical sensor was functionalized through a sequence of layer by layer deposition of Z-CNT nanocomposite, antibody and target analyte. Here, Z-CNT acts as a natural linker molecule with large number of functional groups, that causes immobilization of capture antibody and target, to ensure high sensor performance. Both CV curves and SWV curves indicated successful sequential immobilization of gliadin antibody onto the Z-CNT coated electrode. The Z-CNT biosensor was successfully able to give CV signals for gliadin toxins for as low as 0.5 ppm and was highly specific for gliadin in the presence of other interfering molecules, and remained stable over a 30-day period. The low-cost, thin, conductive zein films offered a promising alternative for protein immobilization platforms used in sensors and can be extended to other matrices in biosensors as well as other functional film applications

The amount of food packaging waste is one of the issues associated with increasing global population and corresponding increase in consumption rate of packaged foods. Traditional plastic food packaging derived from fossil fuels imposes a significant environmental threat. There are sustainable bio-based alternatives developed to substitute traditional plastic packaging that are implemented in circular economy business models. These solutions often utilise collaboration to be implemented, however, there is a lack of research on the collaborative processes that enable circular economy in bio-based food packaging. In this thesis we examine what collaborative processes are being used in the bio-based packaging supply chain and how these processes help with facilitating the implementation of circular economy in the packaging production. Moreover, this thesis also investigates what are the barriers that the packaging producers face as they collaborate toward a circular economy. Therefore, we use qualitative interviews with representatives of bio-based food packaging companies and study the theories of supply chain collaboration and circular economy such as resource based view, transaction cost economics and various iterations of circular supply chain management models. We find that bio-based food packaging producers collaborate externally with customers, suppliers and internally among organisational teams to enable the circular economy of bio-based alternatives to conventional plastics. We also find that collaboration for circular economy in bio-based food packaging solutions is challenged by cultural differences, varying regulations among countries, opportunistic behaviour across the supply chain, insufficient organisation of communication between collaborators as well and misalignment of their interests. We contribute empirical evidence of collaborative processes across bio-based food packaging supply chains providing a ground for further research streams across the aspects of collaboration for circular economy.

<p>  </p> <p>Tenderness is a key sensory trait influencing beef palatability. Tumbling is a value-adding process that has been extensively applied and studied within the realm of processed meats. Various post-harvest strategies to ensure fresh beef reaches acceptable levels of tenderness have been employed, often with the aim of physically disrupting myofibrillar structure or enhancing the rate and extent of postmortem proteolysis. One such method would be the application of postmortem aging; however, the effectiveness of aging on tenderization is well-known to differ throughout individual muscles of the beef carcass. For inherently tough cuts, physical interventions such as mechanical tenderization are often used, although several detriments to quality attributes may be induced. Further, some modern consumers prefer meat products with no added non-meat ingredients. An alternative method of applying tumbling in the absence of a brine solution followed by additional postmortem aging could be a practical means to facilitate tenderization while potentially minimizing detriments to other eating quality attributes.</p> <p>To evaluate the efficacy of tumbling without brine a method of beef tenderization, the process was first assessed in the <em>longissimus lumborum </em>muscle (n=9). In this study, muscles were allocated among 0, 60, and 90 minutes of tumbling, after which aging for 0, 7, and 14 days was conducted. Immediately after the application of the tumbling process, steaks from muscles that had been tumbled were considerably more tender (24.7 N and 21.6 N for 60 and 90 minutes, respectively) than non-tumbled controls (34.8 N). Steaks from the tumbled groups maintained greater instrumental tenderness throughout the course of the aging period. These results were supported by increases in myofibril fragmentation index, as well as increased troponin-T degradation during aging. However, cooking loss was increased in tumbled steaks, which could have implications for sensory juiciness. Considering this study demonstrated that tumbling without brine inclusion followed by postmortem aging resulted in profound changes to sensory traits, further study regarding its impacts on sensory attributes and proteolysis among different beef muscles was warranted.</p> <p>The following study evaluated the combined tumbling and aging process on the quality, palatability, and proteolytic attributes of beef <em>longissimus lumborum </em>and <em>semitendinosus </em>muscles (n=16). Muscle sections were allocated among 0, 40, 80, and 120 minutes of tumbling, as well as 0 or 10 days of subsequent aging. Regardless of aging duration, tumbling for any duration increased instrumental tenderness of the <em>longissimus lumborum</em> but not <em>semitendinosus</em> muscle. Similar to the previous study, increased cooking loss was induced through tumbling. In both muscles, obvious fragmentation of the myofibrillar structure with tumbling was observed through increases in myofibril fragmentation index and transmission electron microscopy. Tumbling with aging favored the degradation of myofibrillar proteins including troponin-T and desmin; however, calpain-1 autolysis appeared mostly unchanged. Neither tumbling nor aging influenced the amount and properties of collagen, which may indicate why the process did not influence instrumental tenderness of the <em>semitendinosus </em>despite myofibrillar fragmentation and degradation. <em>Longissimus lumborum </em>muscles tumbled for any durations were rated by consumers (n=120) to be more tender with greater overall liking than control steaks. <em>Semitendinosus </em>steaks that were tumbled for 120 minutes and further aged had improved liking of tenderness with similar juiciness and flavor to control steaks at the same postmortem timepoint. These results indicated that tumbling without brine would result in myofibrillar fragmentation and favor the degradation of myofibrillar proteins during aging, while impacts on connective tissues would be minimal. Consequently, muscles without a high extent of background toughness would be effectively tenderized through tumbling, while the results would be more limited in inherently tough cuts.</p> <p>Considering these results, the process was then applied to muscles of intermediate tenderness from the sirloin, specifically the <em>gluteus medius, biceps femoris, </em>and <em>tensor fasciae latae </em>muscles (n=16). Muscles were tumbled for 0 or 120 minutes, then aged for 0 or 10 additional days. Tumbling increased the instrumental tenderness of the <em>gluteus medius </em>and <em>tensor fasciae latae </em>but not the <em>biceps femoris</em>, regardless of aging time. Cooking loss was increased with tumbling in all muscles. Similarly, myofibrillar fragmentation was also increased in all muscles, and there was some evidence to suggest that tumbling with subsequent aging would aid in the degradation of troponin-T in the <em>biceps femoris</em>. To further understand how tumbling might affect specific descriptive sensory attributes, a trained panel (n=8) was conducted on aged samples. Tumbled <em>gluteus medius </em>steaks had greater myofibrillar tenderness than non-tumbled controls; however, tenderness scores of other muscles were not affected. There was some evidence that tumbling with aging could induce the generation of off-flavors in the <em>gluteus medius </em>and <em>tensor fasciae latae</em>, as well as decrease juiciness of the <em>biceps femoris</em>.</p> <p>Taken together, these results support that tumbling without brine inclusion would be an effective strategy to improve beef tenderness and palatability, dependent on the traits of the individual cut. Improved tenderness would be primarily attributed to the fragmentation and degradation of myofibrillar structure. However, the results indicate that tenderization would be limited in cuts with a high extent of background toughness, which tumbling alone would be largely unable to disrupt. Future studies should focus on the effects of tumbling without brine inclusion with aging on oxidative stability and the potential introduction of hazards prior to industry application. Further elucidation of how the process could be optimized to maximize tenderization while minimizing potential negative impacts to flavor and juiciness would be beneficial to improving overall palatability.</p>