0000000000082358
AUTHOR
María José Ocio
showing 28 related works from this author
Optimization of electrospun polylactide-based ultrathin fibers for osteoconductive bone scaffolds
2011
Bone tissue interfacial scaffolds, which encourage cell growth, are critical determinants for clinical success after implant surgery. Over the years, a number of resorbable configurations have emerged for bone cell support and growth, but only a few have demonstrated clinical efficacy. Polymer coatings produced by electrospinning are regarded as very promising bone interfaces because of the ultrathin-scaled dimensions of its physical structure. In this study, the morphology, composition, thermal properties, and cell growth viability of a number of polylactide-based systems containing different binary and ternary formulations of this biomaterial with collagen and commercial hydroxyapatite na…
Characterization of transparent silver loaded poly(l-lactide) films produced by melt-compounding for the sustained release of antimicrobial silver io…
2014
Abstract In the present study, thermally stable silver complexes were produced and incorporated into a poly-( l -lactide) (PLA) matrix by melt-compounding. The effect of the different formulations on the mechanical and color properties was first evaluated. Additionally, the release of silver ions to an aqueous environment was also monitored over time by anodic stripping voltammetry and correlated with the antimicrobial performance against Salmonella enterica. The incorporation of some silver compounds with contents of 1 wt% did not affect the mechanical or optical properties of the films. The films showed a good potential for application in surface treatment and demonstrated a sustainable, …
Novel silver-based nanoclay as an antimicrobial in polylactic acid food packaging coatings.
2010
This paper presents a comprehensive performance study of polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites, obtained by solvent casting, containing a novel silver-based antimicrobial layered silicate additive for use in active food packaging applications. The silver-based nanoclay showed strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative Salmonella spp. Despite the fact that no exfoliation of the silver-based nanoclay in PLA was observed, as suggested by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) experiments, the additive dispersed nicely throughout the PLA matrix to a nanoscale, yielding nanobiocomposites. The films were highly transparent with enhanced water barrier …
Effect of heat activation and inactivation conditions on germination and thermal resistance parameters of Bacillus cereus spores.
2001
The effect of isothermal and non-isothermal heat activation on germination and thermoresistance of two strains of Bacillus cereus spores was studied. Results indicated that the germination after isothermal activation was lower than after non-isothermal heating. The activation rate affected the z value, which increased with faster heating rates. For each temperature and inactivation rate, the non-isothermal activation at rate of 2 degrees C/min resulted in larger D values (D90 = 4.70 min) than isothermal activation (D90 = 4.04 min). The two mathematical equations used to analyse non-isothermal data produced similar predicted D and z values, nevertheless the Hayakawa equation modified in this…
Morphology, physical properties, silver release, and antimicrobial capacity of ionic silver-loaded poly(l-lactide) films of interest in food-coating …
2014
In the present study, silver ions were incorporated into a poly-(l-lactide) (PLA) matrix by a solvent casting technique using different solvents and glycerol as plasticizer. The effect of the different formulations on the morphology, thermal, mechanical and color properties were first evaluated. Additionally, a thorough study of the silver ions release to an aqueous environment was also monitored over time by anodic stripping voltammetry and correlated with the antimicrobial performance against S. enterica. The incorporation of silver contents of up to 1 wt % did not affect morphology, thermal or mechanical properties of the films. A sustainable, antibacterial effectiveness was found for th…
Effects of chitosan films on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. in laboratory media and in fish soup.
2009
The objective of this study was to assess the antimicrobial effectiveness of chitosonium acetate films on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. The samples were tested in both laboratory conditions using Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB) and in a real food system using fish soup. The study was carried out at different temperatures (4, 12, and 37 degrees C) in order to discern the influence of such variables. Moreover, a sensory evaluation of the final product was performed as a parameter of consumer acceptance. The results showed a significant reduction of the bacterial growth, which greatly depended on the bacteria type, the temperature of incubation and t…
Stabilization of a nutraceutical omega-3 fatty acid by encapsulation in ultrathin electrosprayed zein prolamine.
2010
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid of the omega-3 series (omega-3), which exerts strong positive influences on human health. The target of this study was the stabilization by encapsulation of this bioactive ingredient in zein ultrathin capsules produced by electrospraying. The zein ultrathin DHA encapsulation was observed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to be more efficient against degradation under both ambient conditions and in a confined space (so-called headspace experiment). In the latter case, that more closely simulates a sealed food packaging situation, the bioactive DHA was considerably more stable. By fitting the degradation data to a specific auto-deco…
Development and Characterization of Silver-Based Antimicrobial Ethylene–Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH) Films for Food-Packaging Applications
2012
The use of silver as an antimicrobial in the food area has raised wide interest in recent years. In the present work, 0.001-10 wt % silver ions was satisfactorily incorporated into an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer matrix by a solvent casting technique. The antibacterial efficacy of the composite was evaluated under laboratory conditions and in contact with some foods. The ionic compound did not affect the crystallinity or the water-induced plasticization of the materials and was homogeneously distributed across the surface and thickness of the films. When immersed in water, sorption-induced release of 50-100% of the silver ions took place in30 min. In the bacterial minimal growth …
Antibacterial chitosan-based blends with ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymer
2010
Abstract This study reports for the first time about the formulation, morphology, water barrier and the antimicrobial activity of high and low molecular weight chitosonium-acetate based solvent-cast blends with ethylene–vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymers. The blends based on the low molecular weight chitosan grade showed enhanced phase morphology, transparency, enhanced water barrier properties, up to 86% water permeability reduction compared to pure chitosonium-acetate films, as well as excellent antimicrobial activity. When the fraction of low molecular weight chitosan exceeded the phase inversion in the blend, phase segregation became noticeable but good interfacial adhesion was still obser…
Novel antimicrobial ultrathin structures of zein/chitosan blends obtained by electrospinning
2009
Abstract This paper describes the formulation, morphology and biocide properties of novel antimicrobial electrospun zein based ultrathin fiber structures. From the results, it was found that the electrospun fibers of zein can turn the material into a new strong antimicrobial ultrathin-structured system due to retention of remnant amounts of trifluoroacetic acid as determined by ATR–FTIR spectroscopy. Unfortunately, this system may be considered to yield very aggressive high acidic media due to release of the strong acid, which causes the antimicrobial behavior. Nevertheless, since biocide properties are more desirable at mild acidic conditions, blending zein with the natural antimicrobial c…
Antimicrobial beeswax coated polylactide films with silver control release capacity.
2013
Although the application of silver based antimicrobial systems is a widespread technology, its implementation in areas such as food packaging is still challenging. The present paper describes the fabrication of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) coated with beeswax with controlled release properties for sustained antimicrobial performance. Release of silver ions from the polymers was monitored voltammetrically under various conditions (surface contact, immersion in various liquid media and at different pH values) throughout at least 7days. A higher release was noted with decreasing pH while surface release was much slower than the release when immersed in liquid medium. While uncoated films demonstrat…
Evaluation of silver-infused polylactide films for inactivation of Salmonella and feline calicivirus in vitro and on fresh-cut vegetables
2012
There is a growing trend to develop packaging materials with an active role in guarantying that the quality and safety characteristics of packaged products will remain or improve from preparation throughout shelf-life. In the present study, 0.001-1.0 wt.% silver ions were satisfactorily incorporated into polylactide (PLA) films by a solvent casting technique. Silver migration from the films was measured by voltamperometry and then correlated with its antimicrobial efficacy against Salmonella enterica and feline calicivirus (FCV), a human norovirus surrogate, by using the Japanese industrial standard (JIS Z 2801). The PLA-silver films showed strong antibacterial and antiviral activity in vit…
Empirical model building based on Weibull distribution to describe the joint effect of pH and temperature on the thermal resistance of Bacillus cereu…
2002
Abstract A mathematical model based on Weibull parameters was built to describe the joint effect of temperature and pH on thermal inactivation of Bacillus cereus spores (strain INRA TZ415). The effect of these factors on Weibull model parameters ( β , 1/ α ) was also studied. Heat inactivation tests were carried out in acidified carrot broth as vegetable substrate, following a full factorial design at four levels for temperature (80, 85, 90 and 95 °C) and pH (6.2, 5.8, 5.2 and 4.7). The Weibull distribution model provided good individual fits for the different combinations of temperature–pH tested, with discrepancy factors, D f , coming close to 25% for most cases. The temperature and pH di…
Optimization of the biocide properties of chitosan for its application in the design of active films of interest in the food area
2009
The influence on biocide performance of some unprecedented physicochemical features of chitosan cast films such as film thickness, pH of the nutrient broth, film neutralization, film autoclave sterilization and temperature exposure were analyzed against Staphylococcus aureus and in some experiments also against Salmonella spp. The work demonstrates for the first time the influence of the release or positive migration of protonated glucosamine fractions from the biopolymer into the microbial culture as the responsible event for the antimicrobial performance of the biopolymer under the studied conditions. From the results, a reliable and reproducible method for the determination of the bacter…
Antibacterial performance of solvent cast polycaprolactone (PCL) films containing essential oils
2013
Abstract The increase of consumer demand for higher quality and longer shelf-life in foods, while reducing the use of non-compostable packaging materials, has encouraged research on biopolymers incorporating natural antimicrobial compounds. Cinnamaldehyde (CNMA) and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) were incorporated into polycaprolactone (PCL) films by solvent casting. The release study was carried out by means of ATR and transmission FTIR spectroscopy and showed high volatility of the essential oils during the film forming process. While only negligible quantities of AITC were retained in the polymer matrix after film curing, the release of CNMA was prolonged for at least 50 h at room temperatu…
Improved model based on the Weibull distribution to describe the combined effect of pH and temperature on the heat resistance of Bacillus cereus in c…
2003
The effect of pH and temperature on the thermal inactivation of different strains of Bacillus cereus was modeled. Inactivation tests were carried out in carrot broth, following a full factorial design at four levels for temperature (from 90 to 105 degrees C, depending on the strain) and pH (6.2, 5.8, 5.2, and 4.7). Individual inactivation curves were analyzed by applying the Weibull model function (with percent discrepancy close to 20% for most cases), and the effects of pH and temperature on the scale parameter (designated D(beta)) and the shape parameter (beta) were also studied. Temperature and pH did not have a significant effect on the shape parameter (beta). The effect of temperature …
Antimicrobial Packaging Polymers. A General Introduction
2011
1.1 Pathogens in Food: Public Health Importance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2 Primary Contamination and Its Causes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2.1 Salmonella spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.2.2 L. monocytogenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.2.3 S. aureus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.2.4 C. jejuni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1.2.5 E. coli O157:H7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy To Design Active Antimicrobial Food Packaging Structures Based on High Molecular Weight Chitosan Polysaccharide
2007
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been used in this study to characterize the molecular mechanisms and kinetic processes that take place when a chitosonium acetate thin coating is put in contact with water solutions, Staphylococcus aureus solutions, microbial nutrient solutions, and with a high water activity TSA hydrogel medium to simulate the effect of direct contact with high moisture foods such as fresh meats, fish, and seafood products or beverages. The results of this work suggest that the biocide carboxylate groups that form when chitosan is cast from acetic acid solutions are being continuously evaporated from the formed film in the form of acetic acid (mechanism I) in the presence of envir…
Controlled Delivery of Gentamicin Antibiotic from Bioactive Electrospun Polylactide-Based Ultrathin Fibers
2011
The purpose of this study was to generate ultrathin fibers based on polylactide (PLA) biopolyester with antimicrobial controlled release capacity to treat bacterial infections. To achieve this objective, gentamicin antibiotic was encapsulated into pure PLA fibers, a blend of PLA–collagen and coaxial fibers containing a skin of PLA and a core of collagen using the electrospinning technique. The morphology of the gentamicin-loaded fibers and the antibiotic distribution within the fibers were examined by SEM and TEM. The drug delivery profile of the different electrospun fibers was analyzed using a spectrophotometric method. The performance for treating common possible post-surgical infections…
Effect of calcium dips and chitosan coatings on postharvest life of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)
2006
Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were treated either with 1% calcium gluconate dips, 1.5% chitosan coatings or with a coating formulation containing 1.5% chitosan + 1% calcium gluconate and stored at 20 °C for up to 4 days. The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed by evaluating their impact on the following parameters: fungal decay incidence, loss of weight, firmness, external color, pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids content. Calcium dips were effective in decreasing surface damage and delaying both fungal decay and loss of firmness compared to untreated fruit. No sign of fungal decay was observed in fruit coated with 1.5% chitosan which also reduced fruit weight los…
Characterization of antimicrobial properties on the growth of S. aureus of novel renewable blends of gliadins and chitosan of interest in food packag…
2007
The biocide properties of chitosan-based materials have been known for many years. However, typical antimicrobial formulations of chitosan, mostly chitosonium salts, are known to be very water sensitive materials which may impair their use in many application fields such as food packaging or food coating applications. This first work reports on the development and characterization of the antimicrobial properties of novel fully renewable blends of chitosan with more water-resistant gliadin proteins isolated from wheat gluten. Chitosan release to the nutrient broth from a wide range of blends was studied making use of the ninhydrin method. The results indicated that both pure chitosan and its…
Chitosan films for the microbiological preservation of refrigerated sole and hake fillets
2013
The effect of chitosan films for shelf-life extension of fresh fillets of hake (Merluccius merluccius) and sole (Solea solea) was evaluated over a 15-day storage at 4 ± 1 °C. Fish fillets wrapped in a chitosan matrix were individually packaged in air (AP) and under vacuum (VP). Microbiological analyses (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Pseudomonas, H2S-producing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Listeria monocytogenes were carried out during the shelf-life. The microbial species were inhibited (p < 0.05) by the presence of chitosan films, especially under VP conditions. A significant (p < 0.05) increase of the lag phase and a reduction of the final microbial populatio…
Perspectives for biocatalysts in food packaging
2008
Since the market for minimally processed foods is broadening, packaging is being implemented in strategies that actively contribute to the food preservation and transformation concepts. One opportunity is given by the incorporation of biocatalysts, usually in prefabricated carriers, where they can fully retain their activity. These biocatalysts can be repeatedly reused within the packaging or, under controlled conditions, migrate to the product. The potential use of packages composed of classic polymers with functional surfaces or highly swellable biopolymers is being successfully tested, showing good perspectives for the controlled release when directly used in contact with the product or …
Comparative performance of electrospun collagen nanofibers cross-linked by means of different methods.
2009
[EN] Collagen, as the major structural protein of the extracellular matrix in animals, is a versatile biomaterial of great interest in various engineering applications. Electrospun nanofibers of collagen are regarded as very promising materials for tissue engineering applications because they can reproduce the morphology of the natural bone but have as a drawback a poor structural consistency in wet conditions. In this paper, a comparative study between the performance of different cross-linking methods such as a milder enzymatic treatment procedure using transglutaminase, the use of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N¿-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/ N-hydroxysuccinimide, and genipin, and the u…
On the different growth conditions affecting silver antimicrobial efficacy on Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica.
2012
Abstract Silver is known to inhibit microorganisms and therefore it is an ideal candidate for its incorporation in a wide variety of materials for food applications. However, there is still a need for understanding how silver prolonged exposure to bacterial contamination affects the bioavailability of the active silver species. In the present study, growth curves of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica were performed for 3–5 days in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) and M9 minimal medium (M9) in the presence of silver ions and silver solutions previously in contact with the growth media. The cultivability of the bacteria under these conditions was correlated with the viability of the bacter…
Film-forming process and biocide assessment of high-molecular-weight chitosan as determined by combined ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and antimicrobial assay…
2006
This pioneering study reported about the film-forming properties of high-molecular-weight chitosan as followed in situ by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and has implications in fields such as biomedical, pharmaceutical, packaging, and coating applications. From the results, it was observed that immediately after dissolution in an acetic acid aqueous solution and subsequent casting over the ATR crystal, the formed carboxylate antimicrobial (-NH3+ -OOCH) species are not stable in the film formulation and become reduced over time; further assays confirmed previous research, which suggested that the presence and stability of these groups is stron…
Ligands affecting silver antimicrobial efficacy on Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica
2013
Although silver is being extensively used in food or other applications as the key component to control microbial proliferation, many factors affecting its real potential are still unknown. In the present work, the presence of specific ligands or the contents in organic matter was correlated with silver speciation and its antibacterial performance. Silver was found to be only active in form of free silver ions (FSI). The presence of chloride ions produced an equilibrium of stable silver chloride complexes which were void of antimicrobial efficacy. However, even at relatively high concentrations of chlorides, a small fraction of FSI may still be present, producing a bactericidal effect with …
Photoactivated chlorophyllin-based gelatin films and coatings to prevent microbial contamination of food products
2008
[EN] The aim of this work was to develop antimicrobial photosensitizer-containing edible films and coatings based on gelatin as the polymer matrix. incorporating sodium magnesium chlorophyllin (E-140) and sodium copper chlorophyllin (E-141). Chlorophyllins were incorporated into the gelatin film-forming solution and the inhibiting effect of the cast films was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The results demonstrated that water soluble sodium magnesium chlorophyllin and water soluble sodium copper chlorophyllin reduced the growth of S. aureus and L monocytogenes by 5 log and 4 log respectively. Subsequently, the activity of self-standing films and coatings con…