Parmi les différentes méthodes de lutte contre les microorganismes pathogènes et/ou altérants en agroalimentaire, l’utilisation de bactéries lactiques (LAB) bioprotectrices s'avère être un outil prometteur pour la préservation des aliments. Ce travail de thèse collaboratif, entre l'équipe PAPC (AgroSup Dijon, Université de Bourgogne) et le laboratoire BioDyMIA (Université Lyon1-Isara Lyon), concerne l'étude de systèmes bioprotecteurs immobilisant des cellules entières de LAB dans une matrice polymérique d'alginate de sodium et de caséinate de sodium pour une activité ciblée contre Listeria spp. Dans un premier temps, la méthodologie mise en œuvre a consisté à sélectionner des souches de LAB bioprotectrices sur la base de leur activité antimicrobienne évaluée par la méthode de diffusion en milieu gélosé contre trois souches de Listeria spp. Quatre souches sur 19 ont ainsi été sélectionnées. Une caractérisation partielle des métabolites antimicrobiens produits par ces 4 souches a ensuite été réalisée en appliquant des traitements thermiques et enzymatiques aux surnageants de culture correspondants pour évaluer si ces traitements altéraient l’activité des métabolites antimicrobiens présents. Une purification et une identification partielle des actifs antimicrobiens de nature peptidique ont été réalisées uniquement pour la souche d'intérêt principale : Lactococcus lactis LAB3. Dans un second temps, une formulation de la matrice polymérique d’immobilisation des LAB sélectionnées a été choisie en réalisant le diagramme de phases du système aqueux alginate de sodium/caséinate de sodium : 1,5 % (m/m) d'alginate de sodium / 4 % (m/m) de caséinate de sodium / 20 % (m/m) bouillon MRS. Cette formulation a permis d'obtenir une matrice composée d’une phase continue riche en alginate et d’une phase dispersée riche en caséinate dans laquelle les cellules de LAB se localisent préférentiellement d’après les observations en microscopie de fluorescence confocale à balayage laser. Suite à l'inclusion des cellules de LAB dans ces matrices liquides et gélifiées d'alginate seul et d'alginate/caséinate, leur cultivabilité et leur activité anti-Listeria ont été suivies à 30°C pendant 12 jours. Ceci a révélé que la cultivabilité et l’activité antimicrobienne des cellules de LAB se maintiennent à des niveaux plus élevés dans les matrices d'alginate/caséinate que dans celles uniquement à base d’alginate. Ces matrices à base d’alginate et de caséinate apparaissent donc comme un système prometteur pour l'immobilisation de LAB bioprotectrices. Leur intérêt pour l’inclusion de LAB a pu être corrélé à leur viabilité et à la structure composite de cette matrice à base de protéines qui favoriserait la production et la libération des métabolites antimicrobiens / Among the various methods to control foodborne pathogenic and/or food spoilage microorganisms in food chain, bioprotective lactic acid bacteria (LAB) appear to be promising tools for food biopreservation. This collaborative study, between PAPC (Agrosup Dijon, University of Burgundy) and BioDyMIA (University Lyon1-Lyon Isara) laboratories, concerned the development of sodium alginate/sodium caseinate polymeric matrices intended to entrap LAB cells selected for their anti-Listeria spp. activity. First, 4 LAB strains from 19 LAB strains were selected for their anti-Listeria spp. activity: this screening was performed by the method of agar diffusion against three Listeria spp strains. Then, antimicrobial metabolites produced by the selected LAB strains were partially characterized by assessing the effect of various thermal and enzymatic treatments on the anti-Listeria spp. activity of their culture supernatants. A partial purification and identification of antimicrobial active peptides produced by the main strain of interest (Lactococcus lactis LAB3) was also performed. A composition of the polymer matrix has been selected by performing the phase diagram of sodium alginate/sodium caseinate system: 1.5% (w/w) sodium alginate / 4% (w/w) of caseinate sodium / 20% (w/w) MRS broth. This formulation provides a rich alginate continuous phase and a rich caseinate dispersed phase in which LAB cells localize according to the study by confocal microscopy. LAB cells were immobilized in liquid and gelled matrices of alginate and alginate/caseinate. Culturability and anti-Listeria activities were measured during a storage at 30°C for 12 days. The alginate/caseinate matrices were more effective in better maintaining LAB cells cultivability and their antimicrobial activity than alginate matrix. This effectiveness seemed correlated with cell viability and the dispersion-like structure of the protein-based system which enhance production and release of antimicrobial metabolites. Thus, this type of polymeric matrix appeared as a promising immobilization system of bioprotective LAB

Ces travaux décrivent la synthèse de nanoparticules stabilisées par des polyélectrolytes d’originesynthétique (poly(acide (méth)acrylique)) ou naturelle (alginate) par polymérisation radicalairecontrôlée (PRC) de type RAFT en émulsion. Ce procédé est basé sur l’utilisation d’un polymèrehydrophile obtenu par RAFT (macroRAFT) qui est réactivé dans l’eau pour la polymérisation d’unmonomère hydrophobe. Des copolymères à blocs amphiphiles sont ainsi générés et s’auto-assemblent in situ pour former des nanoparticules. Dans un premier temps, nous avons cherché à conduire l’ensemble du procédé en milieu aqueux. Des études ont ainsi été menées sur la polymérisation RAFTdans l’eau de l’acide acrylique et de l’acide méthacrylique. Des homopolymères bien définis ont été obtenus sur une large gamme de conditions, puis ont été utilisés comme macroRAFTs pour la polymérisation en émulsion de monomères hydrophobes. Des nanoparticules stables constituées de copolymères à blocs amphiphiles bien définis ont été produites. Il a été montré que le contrôle de la polymérisation et la nucléation dépendaient fortement du pH, mais qu’une bonne stabilité colloïdale était néanmoins observée dans tous les cas. Ce procédé "one-pot " a ensuite été extrapolé à la synthèse de particules stabilisées par des copolymères hydrophiles de N-acryloylmorpholine (NAM) et de macromonomères d’alginate. Des nano-objets aux morphologies variées ont été obtenus. Afin de mieux appréhender la formation de ces morphologies, un système modèle employant un copolymère hydrophile de NAM et de macromonomère de polyNAM obtenu par polymérisation RAFT a été étudiépour la polymérisation en émulsion du styrène. / This work describes the synthesis of nanoparticles stabilized by polyelectrolytes from synthetic(poly((meth)acrylic acid)) or natural (alginate) source by controlled free radical polymerization (CRP),namely RAFT, in emulsion. This process is based on the use of a hydrophilic polymer prepared by RAFT (i.e. macroRAFT) which is reactivated in water for the polymerization of a hydrophobic monomer. The formation of amphiphilic block copolymers which self-assemble in situ leads to the formation of nanoparticles. Firstly, we tried to perform the whole process in water. The RAFT polymerization of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid was studied in this context. Well-defined homopolymers were obtained under a large range of conditions, and further used as macroRAFTs in emulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monomers. Stable nanoparticles composed of well-defined amphiphilic block copolymers were produced. It was shown that the control of the polymerization and the nucleation were strongly dependent on the pH. Nevertheless, a good colloidal stability wasobserved in all cases. This “one-pot” process was then extrapolated to the synthesis of particles stabilized by hydrophilic copolymers of N-acryloylmorpholine (NAM) and alginate macromonomer. Nano-objects with various morphologies were obtained. In order to better understand the formation of these morphologies, a model system using a hydrophilic copolymer of NAM and a polyNAM macromonomer obtained by RAFT polymerization was studied in styrene emulsion polymerization.

Staphylococcus aureus a été classé parmi les bactéries les plus pathogènes du genre Staphylococcus. Ce pathogène est responsable d'infections localisées (plaies chroniques, infections sur prothèses) voire de septicémies et d’infections nosocomiales. L’objectif principal de ce projet est d’élaborer des vecteurs colloïdaux biocompatibles à base de polysaccharides, chargés en principe actif antibactérien, et ciblant spécifiquement des biofilms de S. aureus. La méthode de complexation polyélectrolytes entre polysaccharides de charge opposée (chitosane/alginate et chitosane/dextrane sulfate) a été sélectionnée pour élaborer des particules de taille micrométrique. Ces microparticules n’étant pas stables, elles ont été stabilisées par réticulation chimique. Un antibiotique à large spectre d’activité de la famille des fluoroquinolones, la ciprofloxacine, a été séquestrée dans les microparticules. Des essais microbiologiques ont été réalisés en planctonique et sur biofilms, sur une souche de S. aureus et une souche de Pseudomonas aeruginosa. La ciprofloxacine encapsulée présente une activité antibactérienne (CMI, CMB et CMEB) plus importante que la ciprofloxacine libre. Par ailleurs, les MPs à base de chitosane/alginate sont plus actives que celles constituées de chitosane/dextrane sulfate. Enfin, un greffage d’un anticorps anti-protéine A a été réalisé sur les microparticules chitosane/alginate chargées en ciprofloxacine. Ces microparticules présentent une activité antibactérienne sur le biofilm de S. aureus légèrement améliorée par rapport aux microparticules dépourvues d’anticorps. / Staphylococcus aureus has been classified as one of the most pathogenic bacteria of the Staphylococcus genus. This bacterium is responsible for localized infections (chronic wounds, infections on artificial joints) or even septicemia and nosocomial infections. The main objective of this project is to develop biocompatible colloidal vectors based on polysaccharides, loaded with antibacterial active compound, and specifically targeting Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. The polyelectrolyte complexation between polysaccharide of opposite charge (chitosan / alginate and chitosan / dextran sulfate) has been selected to produce micrometric particles. By varying the total concentration of polysaccharide and the charge ratio between polyanion and polycation, it is possible to obtain variable sizes. As these microparticles were not stable, they were stabilized by chemical crosslinking. An antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone family, ciprofloxacin, with a large spectrum of activity, was entrapped in the micoparticles. Microbiological tests were carried out in planktonics and biofilms on different strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Loaded ciprofloxacin exhibits greater antibacterial activity (MIC, CMB and CMEB). Moreover, the chitosan / alginate-based MPs are more active than those consisting of chitosan / dextran sulfate. Finally, a grafting of an antiprotein A antibody was carried out on chitosan / alginate microparticles loaded with ciprofloxacin. These modified microparticles exhibit a slightly improved antibacterial activity compared to loaded ciprofloxaxin microparticles whitoutantibody.

The objective of this study was to determine if acoustic emissions (AE) generated by three strains of Escherichia Coli (5024-parent strain, 8279-mutant strain and 8279-random/unrelated strain) could be used to differentiate each strain during their growth cycle. An acoustic sensor with an operating range of 35 kHz-100 kHz was inserted into the growth vessel and attached to a selected channel to capture AE data. The growth vessel was loaded with 60 ml of tryptic soy broth (TSB) (0.25% fructose) media with alginate (1.1%) or without alginate and inoculated with 1% (108 CFU/ml) of an E. coli strain. The growth vessel was placed in a monitoring chamber and incubated at 32°C for 8-9 h. The AE’s generated by each strain were collected throughout the growth cycle. All strains grown in media with and without alginate generated AE’s within 5 min post inoculation. Strains grown in media without alginate generated stronger (P < 0.0001) absolute energy (ABSE) and higher peak frequencies (PFRQ’s), than in media with alginate. The AE’s generated by strains 5024 and 8237 were stronger and easily distinguished from those generated by strain 8279. Strain 8237 generated 12% stronger ABSE from the 3rd to 8th h and 51% stronger PFRQ intensities than strain 5024 during 0-8 h. However, strain 5024 generated 15% stronger ABSE and 31% higher PFRQ’s during the final hour of growth. Strain 5024 generated the highest PFRQ’s from 5-50 kHz, while strain 8237 generated higher frequencies from 100-500 kHz. Fourteen distinguishable differences (P< 0.05) in generated PFRQ’s, between strains 5024 and 8237, were also observed in every 5 kHz increments from 100-500 kHz. Of these differences, strain 8237 generated higher frequencies within eight of the kHz ranges, while strain 5024 generated higher frequencies within six other kHz ranges. These data suggests that all bacteria may generate different AE’s, thus producing a unique “fingerprint” of sound that will allow for its identification.

Lung diseases, cancers, and trauma can result in injury to the connective tissue lining the lung, i.e., the pleura. Pleural injuries lead to pneumothoraxes or pleural effusions, i.e., air or fluid leaking out of the lung respectively, and potential lung collapse - an immediately life threatening condition. While several bioengineered soft tissue sealants exist on the market, there is only one sealant FDA-approved for use in pulmonary surgery. In addition, very limited techniques are presented in the literature for characterizing the burst properties of hydrogel tissue sealants. For my thesis, I proposed to develop a protocol for characterizing the burst properties of hydrogel sealants using a novel burst pressure test chamber. I further proposed a novel combination of oxidation and methacrylation reactions of alginate for tissue sealant applications, with a particular focus on developing a pulmonary sealant. The proposed research objectives are: 1) To develop protocol for testing hydrogel sealants for soft tissue applications; 2) To verify alginate as a potential for tissue sealant applications; and 3) To optimize an alginate hydrogel sealant and perform ex vivo analysis for a pleural sealant application. Alginate materials with varying degrees of oxidation and methacrylation were synthesized and characterized. Oscillatory rheometry was used to characterize material properties such as viscosity, hydrogel gelation kinetics, and complex moduli. Burst pressure measurements properties and failure mechanisms, i.e. delamination or material failure, were collected for a liquid and dry-state application. Preliminary ex vivo mouse lung model testing demonstrated that methacrylated alginate hydrogels are able to withstand physiological pressures associated with breathing, and failure occurs within the hydrogel for adhesive alginate-based tissue sealants.

During colonization of the cystic fibrosis airway Pseudomonas aeruginosa converts from non-mucoid to a mucoid phenotype, characterized by the production of the exopolysaccharide alginate. Alginate production has been shown to enhance survival by promoting biofilm formation, evading complement killing, and resisting phagocytosis. The mechanism by which alginate protects P. aeruginosa from phagocytosis is unclear. To investigate the role of alginate in the inhibition of phagocytosis, a human monocytic cell line (THP-1) and a murine alveolar macrophage cell line (MH-S) were used to determine the effects of alginate on macrophage binding, signaling, and phagocytosis. Phagocytosis assays using the mucoid cystic fibrosis clinical isolate FRD1, and its non-mucoid isogenic algD mutant FRD1131, revealed that alginate inhibits opsonic and non-opsonic phagocytosis. The inhibitory effect of alginate production is intrinsic to the bacteria as exogenous alginate was unable to protect non-mucoid FRD1131 from phagocytosis. Decreased binding of FRD1 compared to FRD1131 was also demonstrated by using the actin polymerization inhibitor cytochalasin D to inhibit phagocytosis. Furthermore, studies using blocking antibodies to CD11b and CD14 found that both of these receptors were important for the phagocytosis of FRD, and it is likely that these receptors are blocked by alginate. Alginate production by P. aeruginosa may reduce lipid raft formation, however, it was not found to affect acid sphingomyelinase activity, which is important for ceramide formation within the lipid raft. Decreased binding led to decreased signaling in macrophages demonstrated by reduction in level and alteration in kinetics of phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2 kinases. Signaling pathway inhibitors revealed that PI3K, but not MEK, activation was critical for phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa. Despite altered intracellular signaling in murine macrophages, both mucoid and non-mucoid P. aeruginosa induced similar levels of IL-8 and MIP-2 from human and murine macrophages, respectively. By understanding the pathways involved in mediating efficient phagocytosis of clinical isolates, it may be possible to develop a treatment to promote clearance by the resident alveolar macrophages. These experiments may serve as a model to evaluate the effectiveness of such treatments. This approach also provides valuable insight into previously unknown mechanisms of phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo obter o abacaxi como alimento tipo conveniência, submetido ao processamento mínimo e tratamento com cloreto de cálcio, películas comestíveis à base de alginato e glúten de trigo, e irradiação. Os frutos foram lavados, sanificados com Sumaveg® (Dicloro-S-Triazinatriona Sódica), na concentração de 200 mg L-1 de cloro livre, a 7ºC, durante 15 minutos, e descascados manualmente. A polpa foi fatiada em leques de aproximadamente 1 cm de espessura, enxagüadas com 20 mg L-1 de cloro livre, durante 3 minutos, e drenadas por 3 minutos. No primeiro experimento as amostras foram submetidas aos tratamentos: cloreto de cálcio 1% + solução de glúten vital; cloreto de cálcio 1% + alginato de sódio 1%; e controle. No segundo experimento as amostras foram submetidas aos tratamentos: cloreto de cálcio 1% + solução de glúten vital + irradiação com 2,3 kGy; cloreto de cálcio 1% + irradiação com 2,3 kGy; irradiação com 2,3 kGy; e controle. O acondicionamento foi realizado em bandejas rígidas de polietileno tereftalato (PET), com cerca de 250 g de fruta. A irradiação foi realizada em irradiador multipropósito de Cobalto-60, com atividade de 92 kCi e taxa de dose de 2,3 kGy h-1. As amostras foram armazenadas a 5 ± 1ºC e analisadas a cada dois dias, num total de 12 dias. No primeiro experimento, os valores de pH e acidez titulável apresentaram leves alterações e semelhança entre os tratamentos. Houve decréscimo no teor de ácido ascórbico em todos os tratamentos. Todos os tratamentos escureceram ao longo do armazenamento. Apesar dos valores terem sido próximos entre os tratamentos, os abacaxis tratados com cloreto de cálcio + glúten apresentaram textura mais firme, menores perda de líquido, atividade da peroxidase e polifenoloxidase, produção de CO2 e etileno e contagens de microrganismos mesófilos e bolores e leveduras. Não houve presença de E. coli e de Salmonella. A contagem de microrganismos do grupo dos coliformes totais foi baixa em todos os tratamentos e ocorreu apenas em amostras isoladas durante o período de armazenamento. Na análise sensorial, as amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten apresentaram as notas mais baixas para textura, aparência e aroma; já o sabor ficou comprometido a partir do 4o dia de armazenamento. No segundo experimento, os valores de pH e acidez titulável apresentaram pequenas alterações e semelhança entre os tratamentos. Houve decréscimo no teor de ácido ascórbico em todos os tratamentos; no entanto, as amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy retiveram mais essa vitamina. A textura mais firme e as menores perda de líquido e atividade da peroxidase e polifenoloxidase ocorreram nas amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + 2,3 kGy. Todos os tratamentos escureceram ao longo do armazenamento. As amostras mais escuras foram as tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy e as irradiadas com 2,3 kGy. As maiores taxa respiratória e síntese de etileno ocorreram nas amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy. As menores contagens de microrganismos psicrotróficos, mesófilos, e bolores e leveduras ocorreram nas amostras à base de cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy. Não houve presença de E. coli e de Salmonella. A contagem de microrganismos do grupo dos coliformes totais foi baixa em todos os tratamentos e ocorreu apenas em algumas amostras durante o período de armazenamento. Apenas o controle manteve as características sensoriais acima do limite de aceitabilidade durante todo o armazenamento. A textura das demais amostras foi rejeitada no 8º dia. O sabor ficou comprometido desde o 1º dia de armazenamento nas amostras à base de cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy / The aim of this study was to obtain a convenience type pineapple subjected to fresh-cut process and calcium chloride, wheat gluten and alginate-base edible coating and irradiation treatments. The fruits were washed, sanitized with Sumaveg® (Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione) in a 200 mg L-1 chlorine-free solution at 7ºC for 15 minutes, and then manually peeled. The peeled fruits were sliced into 1 cm thick slices, rinsed in 20 mg L-1 chlorine-free solution for 3 minutes and drained for 3 minutes. In the first experiment, the samples were treated with: 1% calcium chloride + vital wheat gluten solution; 1% calcium chloride + 1% alginate solution; and control. In the second experiment, the samples were treated with: 1% calcium chloride + vital wheat gluten solution + 2.3 kGy; 1% calcium chloride + 2.3kGy; irradiation with 2.3kGy; and control. The packing consisted of rigid polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays with around 250 g of fruit. The irradiation was performed in a Cobalt-60 multipurpose irradiator with 92 kCi activity and dose value of 2.3 kGy h-1. The samples were stored at 5 ± 1ºC and evaluated every other day for 12 days. In the first experiment pH and titratable acidity values showed slight variations but were similar between the treatments. There was a decrease in ascorbic acid values in all treatments. Browning was noticed in all treatments over the storage period. Although the values between the treatments were similar, the pineapple treated with calcium chloride + gluten showed firmer texture, less liquid loss, and lower values of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities and CO2 and ethylene production. Mesophiles and mold and yeast counts were also reduced. No Salmonella and E. coli were detected. Total coliform counts were low in all the treatments and appeared in just a few isolated samples during the storage period. Sensory analyses showed that the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten had the lower scores for texture, appearance, and aroma; the flavor was compromised from the 4th storage day onward. In the second experiment the pH and titratable acidity values showed small changes but were similar between the treatments. There were a decrease in the ascorbic acid values in all treatments; nevertheless, the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy retained more of this vitamin than the other treatments. Firmer texture, less liquid loss, and lower values of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities were noticed in the samples with calcium chloride + 2.3 kGy. Browning was noticed in all treatments over the storage period. The darker samples were the ones treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy, and irradiated with 2.3 kGy. Higher respiratory rate and ethylene synthesis were noticed in the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy. The lowest psychrotrophic, mesophiles, and mold and yeast counts occurred in the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy. No Salmonella and E. coli were detected. Total coliform counts were low in all the treatments and appeared in just a few samples during the storage period. Only the control kept the sensorial attributes within the acceptability limit during the storage period. The texture in all the other samples was unacceptable from the 8th day onward. The flavor was compromised from the first storage day onward in the samples with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy

A utilização de embalagens biodegradáveis, tais como os filmes e coberturas comestíveis, apresenta-se como alternativa ao uso de recursos não-renováveis como material de embalagem. A incorporação de substâncias antimicrobianas em embalagens tem como objetivo minimizar o problema da contaminação microbiana em alimentos e, entre elas, os óleos essenciais (OE) têm recebido atenção especial por serem substâncias naturais e atenderem à preferência dos consumidores. Porém, a utilização de OE como um agente antimicrobiano natural é limitada por critérios organolépticos, sendo necessário determinar a concentração mínima necessária para inibir o desenvolvimento de microrganismos sem afetar sensorialmente as características do alimento. Assim, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram: desenvolver um filme comestível à base de alginato com incorporação de agentes antimicrobianos naturais e avaliar a adição de diferentes concentrações de cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2) como agente crosslinking na formulação do filme e na etapa complementar de formação do filme; caracterizar o filme frente às propriedades mecânicas e propriedades de barreira; determinar a concentração mínima inibitória (CIM) de óleos essenciais para Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp. e Listeria monocytogenes presentes em carne de frango, e verificar a aceitação pelo consumidor, através da análise sensorial (aroma), de pedaços de peito de frango in natura embalado com o filme antimicrobiano O OE de cravo foi o que se apresentou mais eficiente para os microrganismos testados com CIM de 0,2% sendo este o limite mínimo estudado no planejamento experimental para o desenvolvimento do filme antimicrobiano. As variáveis independentes neste planejamento foram: CaCl2 na faixa de concentração de 0,02 a 0,1% e OE cravo na faixa de 0,2 a 1,0%. Valores acima de 0,0316% de CaCl2, independente da concentração de OE estudada, diminuiram a zona de inibição do crescimento microbiano em testes realizados in vitro, possivelmente devido a formação de um gel muito forte que pode ter dificultado a incorporação da emulsão de OE na matriz polimérica dos filmes. Os resultados de permeabilidade ao vapor de água mostraram que a adição de CaCl2 à formulação dos filmes diminuiu a permeabilidade enquanto a adição de OE cravo foi responsável pelo aumento dessa propriedade. Com relação às propriedades mecânicas, tanto a adição de CaCl2 como a de OE cravo à formulação dos filmes aumentou a resistência máxima à tração. Porém, com relação ao alongamento máximo na ruptura, valores menores foram obtidos com a adição de CaCl2, enquanto maiores valores foram encontrados com a adição de OE cravo à formulação dos filmes. A avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos filmes em carne de frango foi realizada somente com a formulação que apresentou os maiores valores de zona de inibição in vitro (CaCl2=0,0316% e OE cravo=0,884%). Após 5 dias de armazenagem a 7º C, observou-se que a utilização do filme adicionado de OE de cravo como embalagem primária em amostras de carne de peito de frango promoveu o controle da multiplicação de L. monocytogenes o mesmo não ocorrendo para as populações de Salmonella spp. e Pseudomonas spp. A análise sensorial relacionada ao aroma da carne de peito de frango mostrou que o uso do filme à base de alginato incorporado de OE cravo é viável. Porém, este filme poderá sofrer interferência da matriz alimentar caso esta matriz apresente exsudação. / The use of biodegradable packaging such as edible films and coatings are an alternative to the use of non-recyclable packaging. The incorporation of antimicrobial substances in packaging aims at reducing food microbial contamination among which, essential oils (EO) have received special attention being natural and attending consumer demand. However, the use of EO as a natural antimicrobial agent is limited by organoleptic criteria making it necessary to determine the minimum concentration to inhibit the multiplication of microorganisms without affecting the sensory characteristics of the food. Therefore, the aims of this research were: to develop an alginate based edible film with natural antimicrobial agents, evaluating the addition of different concentrations of calcium chloride as a crosslinking agent in the formulation of the film and in the complementary stage; to characterize the mechanical properties and barrier properties; to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EO for Pseudomonas spp, Salmonella spp and Listeria monocytogenes found in chicken meat and to verify consumer acceptance of the product through sensorial analysis (aroma). Among the studied EO, the concentration of 0.2% of clove oil was effective in inhibiting the microorganisms tested, this concentration being the minimum limit used in the experimental design for film development. The independent variables studied in this design were calcium chloride in the range of 0.02 to 0.01% and clove EO in the range of 0.2 to 1.0%. Concentrations of CaCl2 above 0.0316%, independent of the EO concentration, reduced the inhibition zone of microbial growth in in vitro tests, possibly due to the formation of a very strong gel which could have made the incorporation of the EO emulsion in the polymeric matrix of the film very difficult. The results of water vapor permeability tests showed that the addition of CaCl2 to the formulation of the films reduced the permeability while the addition of clove EO increased this property. Regarding to mechanical properties, the addition of CaCl2 as well as clove EO to the film formulation increased the values of tensile strength. On the other hand, relating to elongation at the break, smaller values were obtained with the addition of the salt while the addition of EO provided higher values. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the films in chicken meat was performed only with the formulation that showed the highest inhibition values presented in vitro (CaCl2=0.0316% and clove EO=0.0884%). After five days of storage at 7° C, it was observed that the use of the film added by clove EO as primary packaging provided the control of L. monocytogenes growth in samples of chicken meat but not of Salmonella spp and Pseudomonas spp. The sensorial analysis - aroma - showed that the use of alginate based film incorporated with clove EO is viable in food. However, when the food matrix presents exudation, it can interfere in this film.

Este trabalho propôe o desenvolvimento de micropartículas para veiculação deste fármaco na pele, aumentando a estabilidade da molécula e proporcionando uma liberação sustentada, o que resulta na otimização da terapia, visto que ocorre a redução dos efeitos colaterais. As micropartículas foram produzidas por três métodos diferentes, os dois primeiros utilizando a quitosana como polímero e o último utilizando uma associação de alginato com quitosana. As micropartículas de quitosana resultaram em interação do fármaco veiculado com o polímero e desta forma a sua utilização como sistema de liberação para veiculação do fármaco estudado foi descartada. As micropartículas de alginato/quitosana encapsularam efetivamente o fármaco, resultando em partículas irregulares com diâmetro médio de 148m. Elas apresentaram liberação sustentada do ácido retinóico por um período compatível com sua utilização tópica e por isso, parecem ser adequados para garantir estabilidade ao fármaco. Além disso, elas diminuíram a retenção do fármaco no estrato córneo quando comparado ao fármaco livre, mantendo seus níveis nas outras camadas mais profundas da pele. Esse direcionamento sítio-específico poderia diminuir a sua irritação dérmica, possibilitando, dessa forma, juntamente com o aumento de sua estabilidade, a obtenção de efeitos terapêuticos com a utilização de doses menores. Também não foram observadas interações entre o fármaco e o polímero demonstrando que a matriz de alginato foi capaz de proteger o fármaco do contato e da interação com a quitosana. Além disso, o método utilizado mostrou ser simples e rápido, realizado em condições amenas, sem o inconveniente da utilização de agentes cross-linking químicos tóxicos, como o glutaraldeído. / This study proposes the development of microparticles for drug delivery into the skin, thus increasing molecule stability and providing sustained release that results in therapy optimization as a result of reduction in side-effects. The microparticles were produced by three different methods. The two first methods used chitosan as a polymer, and the third utilized a chitosanalginate association. The chitosan microparticles resulted in the interaction of the delivered drug with the polymer; hence, its use as a release system for delivery of the studied drug was disregarded. The alginate/chitosan microparticles effectively encapsulated the drug, resulting in irregular particles with a mean diameter of 148m. They exhibited sustained release of retinoic acid for a period of time that was compatible with topical application and, therefore, seem to be suitable to ensure drug stability. Additionally, the microparticles decreased drug retention in the stratum corneum as compared to the free drug, thus keeping its levels in other deeper layers of the skin. Such site-specific direction could reduce dermal irritation, consequently enabling, conjointly with stability increase, the achievement of therapeutic effects with the use of smaller doses. Drug-polymer interactions were also not observed, showing that the alginate matrix was capable of protecting the drug from the contact and interaction with chitosan. Besides, the applied method proved to be simple and fast. It can be performed in mild conditions without the inconvenience of using toxic cross-linking chemical agents, such as glutaraldehyde.