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Concrete is a predominant construction material due to several advantages; however, the pure cementitious composites have shown quasi-brittle behavior with undesirable typical large cracks under tensile loading conditions. Thus, the addition of a small volume of short fibers is a well-known strategy to increase the ductility and toughness of cementitious matrices besides optimization of the crack opening. Strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCCs) is a particular class of fiber-reinforced concretes (FRCC) that can develop controlled multiple cracks while subjected to incremental tensile loading conditions. However, a proper composition design, especially concerning fiber and bond properties, still follows a trial and error approach. This work presents a newly developed model to simulate SHCC at the meso-scale level. This model is based on Finite-Element-Method and allows for nonlinear behavior for cement matrix, fiber material, and bond laws. Concerning three complexities of target FRCC, i.e., crack formation in the cement matrix, a large number of explicit fibers with arbitrary random distribution, and fibers’ interaction with the cement matrix via the bond, extra features are added to standard FE consist of: • Further development of the Strong Discontinuity Approach (SDA) to model discrete cracking of continuum elements on the element level • Discretization of single fibers by truss elements with truss nodes independently placed of continuum nodes • Connecting SDA elements to explicit truss elements by particular bond elements. In this research study, first, theoretical basics and special implementation issues were described. Later, this newly developed model was calibrated with several simple configurations. The bond law utilized in the simulation was derived from single fiber pullout test and calibrated with several analyses. In the next step, 2D SHCC dumbbell specimens under tensile loading condition were simulated, and a series of numerical case studies were performed to assess the quality, credibility, and limitations of the numerical model. It should be noted that cracking patterns could not be directly compared to experimental cracking patterns as the simulation model’s current state is deterministic by random material properties that influence the experimental specimen behavior. Taking the effect of random field and other simplifying assumptions into account, the simulation model seems to describe enumerated SHCC behavior at an acceptable level. In summary, a further base is given for the target-oriented design of FRCC material composition to reach the given objectives of material properties. The concepts and methods presented in this study can simulate short and thin polymer fibers in a random position and steel fibers and structures with long reinforcement in a regular arrangement.

Background: The organization of risk genes within signaling pathways may provide clues about the converging neurobiological effects of risk genes for alcohol dependence. Aims: Identify risk genes and risk gene pathways for alcohol dependence. Methods: We conducted a pathway-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) of alcohol dependence using a gene-set-rich analytic approach. Approximately one million genetic markers were tested in the discovery sample which included 1409 European-American (EA) alcohol dependent individuals and 1518 EA healthy comparison subjects. An additional 681 African-American (AA) cases and 508 AA healthy subjects served as the replication sample. Results: We identified several genome-wide replicable risk genes and risk pathways that were significantly associated with alcohol dependence. After applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, the 'cellextracellular matrix interactions' pathway (p<2.0E-4 in EAs) and the PXN gene (which encodes paxillin) (p=3.9E-7 in EAs) within this pathway were the most promising risk factors for alcohol dependence. There were also two nominally replicable pathways enriched in alcohol dependence-related genes in both EAs (0.015≤p≤0.035) and AAs (0.025≤p≤0.050): the 'Na+/Cl- dependent neurotransmitter transporters' pathway and the 'other glycan degradation' pathway. Conclusions: These findings provide new evidence highlighting several genes and biological signaling processes that may be related to the risk for alcohol dependence.

Σύνθετα που ενσωματώνουν σιδηροηλεκτρικά και πιεζοηλεκτρικά νανοσωματίδια, ομοιογενώς διεσπαρμένα μέσα σε μήτρα άμορφου πολυμερούς, αντιπροσωπεύουν μια νέα κατηγορία υλικών. Τα νανοδιηλεκτρικά σύνθετα ανήκουν σε ένα νέο τύπο υλικών που παρασκευάζονται για βελτιωμένες επιδόσεις, σαν διηλεκτρικά και ηλεκτρικοί μονωτές. Ορισμένα κεραμικά υλικά μπορούν να επιλεγούν και να αναμιχθούν με πολυμερή για να επιτευχθεί συνέργια μεταξύ της υψηλής διηλεκτρικής αντοχής των πολυμερών και της υψηλή διηλεκτρικής σταθεράς των κεραμικών. Τα εν λόγω συστήματα μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν σε πολλές εφαρμογές, όπως σε ολοκληρωμένους πυκνωτές αποσύζευξης, ακουστικούς αισθητήρες εκπομπής, επιταχυνσιόμετρα γωνιακής επιτάχυνσης και ελεγκτές ρεύματος διαρροής, καθώς και σε στρατιωτικούς εξοπλισμούς και εφαρμογές στις μεταφορές. Έχει διαπιστωθεί πως τα νανοσύνθετα παρουσιάζουν βελτιωμένες ιδιότητες, αλλά όχι πλήρως κατανοητές, συγκριτικά με τα μικροσύνθετα. Επιπλέον, μελέτες δείχνουν ενδιαφέρουσες συμπεριφορές, όταν πρόκειται για πολύ χαμηλές περιεκτικότητες σε νανοσωματίδια. Στην παρούσα μελέτη, νανοσύνθετα εποξειδικής ρητίνης και κεραμικών νανοσωματιδίων BaSrTiO3 (μεικτό οξείδιο τιτανικού στροντίου βαρίου, BST) (<100 nm), παρασκευάστηκαν με διαδικασία ανάμειξης σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα συγκεντρώσεων, με σκοπό να μελετηθεί η επίδραση της πολύ χαμηλής (ή πολύ υψηλής) περιεκτικότητας στα χαρακτηριστικά του συστήματος. Οι διηλεκτρικές ιδιότητες και τα φαινόμενα χαλάρωσης μελετήθηκαν με τη βοήθεια της διηλεκτρικής φασματοσκοπίας (BDS) στο εύρος θερμοκρασιών από 30 oC έως 160 oC και συχνοτήτων 10-1 Hz έως 107 Hz. Ο μορφολογικός χαρακτηρισμός έγινε μέσω της ηλεκτρονικής μικροσκοπίας σάρωσης (SEM) και διαπιστώθηκε πως η νανοδιασπορά των εγκλεισμάτων είναι επιτυχής. Ο δομικός χαρακτηρισμός, των δοκιμίων αλλά και των σωματιδίων BaSrTiO3, έγινε μέσω περίθλασης ακτίνων-Χ (XRD) και διαπιστώθηκε πως τα φάσματα έρχονται σε συμφωνία με τη σχετική βιβλιογραφία. Από την ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων της διηλεκτρικής φασματοσκοπίας καταγράφονται τρεις διηλεκτρικές χαλαρώσεις, που αποδίδονται με φθίνουσα σειρά των χρόνων χαλάρωσης, στη διεπιφανειακή πόλωση, την μετάπτωση από την υαλώδη στην ελαστομερική φάση της μήτρας (α-χαλάρωση) και σε επαναδιευθετήσεις πολικών πλευρικών ομάδων της κύριας πολυμερικής αλυσίδας (β-χαλάρωση). Η εξέταση της επίδρασης της περιεκτικότητας σε νανοεγκλέισματα, στη διηλεκτρική απόκριση των σύνθετων αποκαλύπτει μη-αναμενόμενες συμπεριφορές, σε χαμηλές (αλλά και υψηλές) περιεκτικότητες. Πιο συγκεκριμένα στις χαμηλές περιεκτικότητες εμφανίζονται φαινόμενα ακινητοποίησης των μακροαλυσίδων και επακόλουθα των διπόλων, με αποτέλεσμα τη μείωση της διαπερατότητας και την αύξηση της θερμοκρασίας υαλώδους μετάπτωσης του συστήματος. Αντίστοιχα σε υψηλές περιεκτικότητες υπάρχει εκ νέου αύξηση της θερμοκρασίας υαλώδους μετάπτωσης, λόγω περιορισμένης κινητικότητας των διπόλων. Συμπερασματικά, θεωρείται πως υπάρχουν τρεις ‘’ζώνες περιεκτικοτήτων’’ που προσδίδουν διαφορετικά χαρακτηριστικά στη διηλεκτρική συμπεριφορά του συστήματος, μέσω της ρύθμισης των αλληλεπιδράσεων ρητίνης-εγκλεισμάτων. / Ceramic–polymer composites incorporating ferroelectric and piezoelectric crystal nanoparticles, homogeneously dispersed within an amorphous polymer matrix represent a novel class of materials. Nanodielectric composites belong to a new type of engineering materials suitable for improved performance as dielectrics and electrical insulators. Certain ceramic materials can be selected to be blended with polymers providing synergy between the high breakdown strength of polymers and the high permittivity of ceramic materials. These type of material systems can be used in plenty applications such as integrated decoupling capacitors, acoustic emission sensors, angular acceleration accelerometers, smart skins and leakage current controllers, as well as in military equipment and transport applications. It has been found that nanocomposites exhibit enhanced properties, yet not fully understandable, comparably to microcomposites. Furthermore, literature demonstrates some interesting dielectric behaviors when filler’s concentration comes to very low nanoparticle loadings. In the present study, nanocomposites of epoxy resin and ceramic BaSrTiO3 (Barium-Strontium Titanate, BST) nanoparticles (<100 nm), were prepared with a mixing procedure in a wide range of nanofiller concentrations, aiming to investigate the impact of very low (or very high) loadings on the system’s properties. The dielectric properties and the related relaxation phenomena were studied by means of Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) in the temperature range from 30 oC to 160 oC and frequency range from 10-1 Hz to 107 Hz. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed in order to examine the morphology of the produced specimens. The dispersion of nanoinclusions can be considered as satisfactory. Structural characterization of the systems as well as of the BaSrTiO3 nanopowder was examined via x-ray diffraction (XRD). Obtained results are in accordance with literature. Three dielectric relaxation processes were detected form the analysis of the dielectric spectra. They are attributed, with descending order of relaxation time, to interfacial polarization, glass to rubber transition of the polymer matrix (α-relaxation), and re-arrangement of polar side groups of the main macromolecular chain (β-relaxation). The influence of the nanoparticles content upon the dielectric response of the composites, reveal unexpected behaviours at low and high filler loading. In particular, effects of immobilization/entanglement of macromolecular chains and subsequently of dipoles, resulting to a decrease of the permittivity values and enhancement of the glass to rubber transition temperature of the systems, were ascertained. At the opposite edge, at high filler loading, an increase of glass to rubber transition temperature was also found, due to the limited mobility of the chains and dipoles. Concluding, the existence of three “zones of filler content” is assumed, providing different characteristics in the dielectric response of the systems, because of the tunable polymer-inclusion interactions.

Short fibres of different materials are used for crack bridging in strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC). Their mechanical properties and the fibre-matrix interphase on the micro level have a significant influence on the macroscopic component properties. Investigations on the specific modification and adaptation of fibre properties in relation with the failure mechanisms at different strain rates hardly exist so far, since mainly commercially available fibres are used. In the frame of this work, two different fibre types – polypropylene (PP) fibres and alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibres – were produced on lab spinning devices and the properties were adapted in such a way that fundamental correlations between the influence of fibre geometry, mechanical properties, chemical functionalities and surface structure on the behaviour during fibre pull-out from the concrete matrix can be derived. The PP fibres were produced with different degrees of stretching, cross-sectional geometries (circular, trilobal) and fibre diameters, as well as without and with sizing. The resulting changes in the crystallinity of the PP structure, surface roughness and wetting behaviour could be demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), roughness measurements by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. AR glass fibres were used in the unsized state and various chemical surface treatments were applied. Aqueous polymer dispersions of different materials were characterized in detail regarding particle size, pH value, solid content, and surface tension. In addition, their film-forming properties were evaluated using prepared polymer films. Furthermore, the influence of cross-linking agents on the thermal and mechanical stability of polyurethane sizings was investigated using thermal analysis methods. After application of the sizings to the AR glass surface, changes in surface structure and roughness could be observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and AFM. The amount of sizing, or rather the polymer content on the fibres, was systematically increased and investigated in the non-cross-linked and cross-linked state with respect to energy absorption during fibre pull-out. Using a high-strength concrete matrix, all modified PP and AR glass fibres were used to produce and test single-fibre model composites by single-fibre pull-out tests, whereby the fibre pull-out was either quasi-static or dynamic. Based on the test results, design strategies for PP and AR glass fibres were derived at the end of the thesis. / Für die Rissüberbrückung in hochduktilen Betonen (Strain-Hardening Cement-based Composites – SHCC) werden Kurzfasern verschiedener Materialien eingesetzt. Ihre mechanischen Eigenschaften und die Faser-Matrix-Grenzschicht auf der Mikroebene beeinflussen die makroskopischen Bauteileigenschaften deutlich. Untersuchungen zur gezielten Veränderung und Anpassung von Fasereigenschaften im Zusammenhang mit den Versagensmechanismen bei unterschiedlichen Dehnraten existieren bisher kaum, da überwiegend kommerziell verfügbare Fasern eingesetzt werden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden daher zwei verschiedene Fasertypen – Polypropylen (PP)-Fasern und alkaliresistente (AR)-Glasfasern – an Laborspinnanlagen selbst hergestellt und die Eigenschaften so angepasst, dass sich grundlegende Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Einfluss von Fasergeometrie, mechanischen Eigenschaften, chemischen Funktionalitäten und Oberflächenstruktur auf das Verhalten bei Faserauszug aus der Betonmatrix ableiten lassen. Die PP-Fasern wurden mit verschiedenen Verstreckungsgraden, Querschnittsgeometrien (rund, trilobal), Faserdurchmessern sowie ohne und mit Schlichte hergestellt. Die dadurch hervorgerufenen Eigenschaftsveränderungen hinsichtlich Kristallinität der PP-Struktur, der Oberflächenrauheit und des Benetzungsverhaltens konnten durch dynamische Differenzkalorimetrie (DSC), Rauheitsmessungen mittels Rasterkraftmikroskopie (AFM) und Kontaktwinkelmessungen nachgewiesen werden. AR-Glasfasern wurden im ungeschlichteten Zustand verwendet und verschiedene chemische Oberflächenbehandlungen durchgeführt. Es wurden wässrige Polymerdispersionen verschiedener Materialien detailliert hinsichtlich ihrer Partikelgröße, pH-Wert, Feststoffgehalt und Oberflächenspannung charakterisiert sowie ihre Filmbildungseigenschaften anhand hergestellter Polymerfilme bewertet. Weiterhin wurde der Einfluss von Vernetzern auf die thermische und mechanische Stabilität von Polyurethanschlichten mit Methoden der thermischen Analyse untersucht. Nach dem Applizieren der Schlichten auf die AR-Glasoberfläche konnten Veränderungen der Oberflächenstruktur und Rauheit mit Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM) sowie AFM beobachtet werden. Die Schlichtemenge bzw. der Polymeranteil auf den Fasern wurde systematisch erhöht und im unvernetzten sowie vernetzten Zustand hinsichtlich der Energieabsorption bei Faserauszug untersucht. Mit allen modifizierten PP-Fasern und AR-Glasfasern wurden unter Einsatz einer hochfesten Betonmatrix Einzelfaser-Modellverbunde zur Durchführung von Einzelfaserauszugversuchen (Single-Fibre Pull-Out) hergestellt und geprüft, wobei der Faserauszug entweder quasistatisch oder dynamisch erfolgte. Basierend auf den Versuchsergebnissen wurden am Ende der Arbeit für PP-Fasern und AR-Glasfasern Designstrategien abgeleitet.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Los componentes de los aceites esenciales (CAEs) han demostrado ser eficaces contra una amplia variedad de microorganismos. Sin embargo, su aplicación plantea desafíos debido a su baja solubilidad y alteración de las propiedades organolépticas en los alimentos. Por tanto, la búsqueda de nuevas formas de dosificación es fundamental para promover su uso en la industria alimentaria. La presente tesis doctoral está centrada en el desarrollo y aplicación de sistemas antibacterianos y antivirales basados en la inmovilización covalente de CAEs para mejorar la calidad y seguridad de alimentos líquidos. El primer capítulo evaluó el efecto de la adición de componentes naturalmente presentes en los alimentos (proteínas, lípidos, carbohidratos, ácidos orgánicos y etanol) sobre la actividad antimicrobiana de diferentes CAEs (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, timol y vainillina) en su forma libre. Además, se evaluó la influencia de los componentes alimentarios sobre la vainillina inmovilizada. Los resultados mostraron que la albúmina sérica bovina (BSA), el aceite de girasol y algunos carbohidratos fueron los componentes que más inhibieron la actividad antimicrobiana de los CAEs libres, con algunas excepciones. En los medios que contienen BSA, no se inhibió la actividad antimicrobiana del geraniol. Lo mismo ocurrió con eugenol en aceite de girasol, o con carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol y timol en presencia de D-lactosa. La vainillina inmovilizada confirmó el efecto inhibidor de las proteínas, lípidos y carbohidratos sobre la actividad antimicrobiana, pero el ácido cítrico y el etanol mejoraron la actividad antimicrobiana. Estos resultados demuestran la importancia de considerar la composición de la matriz alimentaria al seleccionar un compuesto antimicrobiano. El segundo capítulo evaluó la aplicación de CAEs frente al crecimiento y producción de guaiacol por un microorganismo alterante y termorresistente como Alyciclobacillus acidoterrestris en zumo de naranja. Para ello, se utilizaron CAEs inmovilizados con dos enfoques diferentes: como aditivos y como coadyuvantes tecnológicos. La presencia de CAEs provocó una reducción microbiana y una inhibición de la producción de guayacol, que fue mantenida tras la inmovilización. Este hecho es de gran interés, ya que la inmovilización evita el problema de alteración organoléptica del producto, derivado de la aplicación de estos antimicrobianos en forma libre. En el tercer capítulo se estudió la actividad antiviral de los CAEs, tanto en forma libre como inmovilizada, frente al virus Tulane en agua. La aplicación de CAEs en forma libre logró una reducción de la infectividad de sólo 1 log10, mientras que concentraciones equivalentes de antimicrobiano inmovilizado redujeron la infectividad a más de 4,5 log10. Por otro lado, el mecanismo antiviral se basó en la modificación o alteración de cápside viral. Además, se determinó que los CAEs inmovilizados no son citotóxicos en concentraciones antivirales efectivas. A pesar de la eficacia observada tras la inmovilización de los CAEs, su aplicación práctica en la industria alimentaria presenta varios desafíos, siendo uno de ellos la aceptación de esta tecnología por parte de los consumidores. El último capítulo estudió la percepción de los consumidores sobre el uso de la nanotecnología en el procesamiento de alimentos. La valoración de los distintos alimentos en los que se había aplicado nanotecnología en su procesamiento o envasado fue en general positiva. De todos los productos, aquellos en los que la nanotecnología no formaba parte de los alimentos recibieron la mejor valoración. Teniendo en cuenta este resultado, los CAEs inmovilizados aplicados como coadyuvantes tecnológicos serían los más valorados y, por tanto, podrían ser una excelente alternativa a los tratamientos de conservación convencionales, para controlar tanto virus como bacterias durante la producción y el almacenamiento de alimentos. / [CA] Els components dels olis essencials (COEs) han demostrat ser eficaços en fornt d'una àmplia varietat de microorganismes. Tot i això, la seua aplicació planteja desafiaments a causa de la seua baixa solubilitat i alteració de les propietats organolèptiques en els aliments. Per tant, la recerca de noves formes de dosificació és fonamental per promoure'n l'ús a la indústria alimentària. Aquesta tesi doctoral està centrada en el desenvolupament i l'aplicació de sistemes antibacterians i antivirals basats en la immobilització covalent de COEs per a millorar la qualitat i la seguretat d'aliments líquids. El primer capítol va avaluar l'efecte de l'addició de components naturalment presents als aliments (proteïnes, lípids, carbohidrats, àcids orgànics i etanol) sobre l'activitat antimicrobiana de diferents COEs (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, timol i vainillina) en la seua forma lliure. En aquesta primera part també es va avaluar la influencia dels components alimentaris sobre la vainillina immobilitzada. Els resultats van mostrar que l'albúmina sèrica bovina (BSA), l'oli de gira-sol i alguns carbohidrats van ser els components que van inhibir més l'activitat antimicrobiana dels COEs lliures, amb algunes excepcions. Als mitjans que contenen BSA no es va inhibir l'activitat antimicrobiana del geraniol. El mateix va passar amb eugenol en oli de gira-sol, o amb carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol i timol en presencia de D-lactosa. La vainillina immobilitzada va confirmar l'efecte inhibidor de les proteïnes, els lípids i els carbohidrats sobre l'activitat antimicrobiana, però l'àcid cítric i l'etanol van millorar l'activitat antimicrobiana. Aquests resultats demostren la importància de considerar la composició de la matriu alimentària quan s'ha de seleccionar un compost antimicrobià per a una aplicació concreta. El segon capítol va avaluar l'aplicació de COEs en front del creixement i la producció de guaiacol per un microorganisme alterant i termorresistent com Alyciclobacillus acidoterrestris en suc de taronja. Per això, es van utilitzar COEs immobilitzats amb dos enfocaments diferents: com a additius i com a coadjuvants. La presència de COEs provoca una reducció microbiana i una inhibició de la producció de guaiacol, així com manté la seua eficàcia després de la immobilització. Aquest fet és de gran interès, ja que la immobilització evita el problema d'alteració organolèptica del producte, derivat de l'aplicació d'aquests antimicrobians en forma lliure. Al tercer capítol es va estudiar l'activitat antiviral dels COEs, tant en forma lliure com immobilitzada, davant del virus Tulane en aigua. L'aplicació de COEs en forma lliure va aconseguir una reducció de la infectivitat de només 1 log10, mentre que concentracions equivalents d'antimicrobià immobilitzat van reduir la infectivitat a més de 4,5 log10. D'altra banda, es va comprobar que el mecanisme antiviral es va basar en la modificació o alteració de la càpside viral. A més, es va determinar que els COEs immobilitzats no són citotòxics en concentracions antivirals efectives. Tot i l'eficàcia observada després de la immobilització dels COEs, la seua aplicació pràctica a la indústria alimentària presenta diversos desafiaments, un dels quals és l'acceptació d'questa tecnologia per part dels consumidors. El darrer capítol va estudiar la percepció dels consumidors sobre l'ús de la nanotecnologia en el processament d'aliments. La valoració dels diferents aliments en que s'havia aplicat nanotecnologia al seu processament o envasat va ser en general positiva. De tots els productes, aquells en que la nanotecnologia no formava part dels aliments van rebre la millor valoració. Tenint en compte aquest resultat, els COEs immobilitzats aplicats com a coadjuvants de processament serien els més valorats i, per tant, podrien ser una alternativa excel·lent als tractaments de conservació convencionals, per controlar tant virus com bacteris durant la producció i l'emmagatzematge d'aliments. / [EN] Essential oil components (EOCs) have proven to be effective against a wide variety of microorganisms. However, the direct application of these compounds poses challenges due to their low solubility and alteration of the organoleptic properties of foods. Therefore, the search for new dosage forms of these promising antimicrobials is essential to promote their use in the food industry. The present doctoral thesis is focused on the development and application of antibacterial and antiviral systems based on the covalent immobilization of EOCs to improve the quality and safety of liquid foods. The first chapter evaluated the effect of the addition of components naturally present in food (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, organic acids and ethanol) on the antimicrobial activity of certain EOCs (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, thymol and vanillin) in their free form. In this first part, the influence of these food components on the antimicrobial activity of vanillin immobilized on silicon oxide particles was also evaluated. The results showed that bovine serum albumin (BSA), sunflower oil and some carbohydrates were the food components that most inhibited the antimicrobial activity of the free EOCs, with some exceptions. In media containing BSA the antimicrobial activity of geraniol was not inhibited. The same occurred with eugenol in media containing sunflower oil, or with carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol and thymol in media with D-lactose. Immobilized vanillin confirmed the inhibitory effect of the proteins, lipids and carbohydrates on the antimicrobial activity, but citric acid and ethanol enhanced the antimicrobial activity. These results demonstrate the importance of considering the composition of the food matrix when selecting an antimicrobial compound. The second chapter evaluated the application of EOCs against the growth and production of guaiacol by a spoilage and heat-resistant microorganism such as Alyciclobacillus acidoterrestris in orange juice. For this purpose, EOCs immobilized on silicon oxide particles were used with two different approaches: as additives and as processing aids. The presence of EOCs causes a microbial reduction and an inhibition of guaiacol production, maintaining their effectiveness after immobilization. This fact is of great interest, since immobilization avoids the problem of organoleptic alteration of the product, derived from the application of these antimicrobials in free form. In the third chapter, the antiviral activity of EOCs, both in free and immobilized form, against Tulane virus in water was studied. The application of EOCs in free form achieved a reduction in infectivity of only 1 log10, equivalent concentrations of immobilized antimicrobial reduced infectivity to more than 4.5 log10. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that the antiviral mechanism is based on the ability of immobilized antimicrobials to modify or disrupt the viral capsid. Furthermore, it was determined that immobilized EOCs are not cytotoxic at effective antiviral concentrations. Despite the efficacy observed after immobilization of EOCs against bacteria and viruses, their practical application in the food industry presents several challenges, one of them is the acceptance of this technology by consumers. Thus, the last chapter studied the perception of consumers regarding the use of nanotechnology in food processing. The evaluation of the different foods in which nanotechnology had been applied in their processing or packaging was generally positive, and most consumers would buy them. Of all the products, those in which nanotechnology was not part of the food received the best evaluation. Considering this result, immobilized EOCs applied as processing aids would be the most highly valued, and therefore could be an excellent alternative to conventional preservation treatments, to control both viruses and bacteria during food production and storage. / This research forms part of project PID2021-128141OB-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. H.G.LL. acknowledges the Universitat Politécnica de València for his predoctoral fellowship. The authors acknowledge native English translator Helen Warburton for editing the text. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the project PID2021-128141OB-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. This work is also granted by the project TED2021- 132035B-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR”. CG-B thanks the financial support received from the Spanish State Agency of Research (PID2022-136963OBI00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), the Xunta de Galicia [ED431C 2021/29 and Centro singular de investigación de Galicia accreditation 2019-2022 (ED431G 2019/03)], and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). H.G.LL. acknowledges the Universitat Politècnica de València for his predoctoral fellowship. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the project PID2021- 128141OB-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. This work is also granted by the project TED2021-132035B-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR”. H.G.LL. acknowledges the Universitat Politècnica de València for his predoctoral fellowship.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for the experiment reported herein from the Spanish Government (RTI2018-101599-B-C21-AR). Héctor Gómez Llorente wishes to thank the Universitat Politècnica de València for the FPI Grant. / Gómez Llorente, H. (2024). New Strategies to Enhance the Quality and Safety of Liquid Foods Based on the Use of Natural Antimicrobial Compounds [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/207284 / Compendio