Search results for "packaging"
showing 10 items of 256 documents
Risk assessment of exposure to phthalates in breastfeeding women using human biomonitoring
2020
In this study, we assessed the presence of 14 phthalate metabolites in the urine of 104 lactating mothers from Valencia (Spain) who took part in the human biomonitoring project BETTERMILK. Nine of the metabolites studied showed detection frequencies >80%, whereas the rest of the metabolites presented low detection frequencies (<5%). The concentrations ranged from <LoQ to 1291 ng/mL with monoethyl phthalate showing the highest concentration, with a geometric mean of 34.90 ng/mL. In general, the phthalate metabolite levels quantified in the present study were lower than the urinary levels found in previous studies that involved lactating mothers. The consumption of packaged juices and the fre…
Food packaging cues as vehicles of healthy information: Visions of millennials (early adults and adolescents)
2018
Abstract Because packaging has become an important marketing tool, firms must know what type of packaging can affect consumers' packaging cues. Also, still today there is little attention paid to the relevance of educating millennials about the importance of a healthier lifestyle and eating. The aim is to analyse the effects of young consumers with varying degrees of healthy lifestyles and food involvement on packaging cues. Also, the paper analyses differences between early adults and adolescents millennials. Using a sample of 890 millennials (300 early adults and 590 adolescents) and SEM methodology, interesting results are reached. Some healthy habits affect food involvement, and this is…
Impact of bioactive packaging systems based on EVOH films and essential oils in the control of aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin production in maize.
2017
Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are the most common fungal species associated with aflatoxin (AF) contamination of cereals, especially maize, and other agricultural commodities. AFB1, the most frequent and toxic metabolite, is a powerful hepatotoxic, teratogenic and mutagenic compound. Effective strategies to control these fungal species and AFs in food and feed are required. Active packaging film containing essential oils (EO) is one of the most innovative food packaging concepts. In this study, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer films incorporating EO from Origanum vulgare (ORE), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CIN) or their major active constituents, carvacrol (CAR) and cinnamaldehyde …
Influence of the antimicrobial compound allyl isothiocyanate against the Aspergillus parasiticus growth and its aflatoxins production in pizza crust.
2015
Abstract Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites produced by different species of Aspergillus, such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which possess mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic activities in humans. In this study, active packaging devices containing allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) or oriental mustard flour (OMF) + water were tested to inhibit the growth of A. parasiticus and AFs production in fresh pizza crust after 30 d. The antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxin activities were compared to a control group (no antimicrobial treatment) and to a group added with commercial preservatives (sorbic acid + sodium propionate). A. parasiticus growth was only inhibited after 30 d…
Chemical-based methodologies approaches to extend the shelf life of fresh fish — a review
2021
Due to its characteristics, fresh fish is a highly perishable food with a very short shelf-life under refrigeration. Several methods have been introduced to slow down its deterioration, such as by means of oxygen depletion of the food package (vacuum packaging), or by changing the natural atmosphere that is in contact with the fresh fish (modified atmosphere packaging), or by the use of chemicals generally recognized as safe: such compounds can be directly applied (by dipping or spraying) or incorporated into packaging materials and slowly migrate to the product, exerting a hurdle effect against microbial development and lipid oxidation (active packaging). This review aims to cover the most…
CHARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFERENT METHODS TO EXTEND THE SHELF LIFE OF FRESH-CUT FRUIT
2017
La frutta di IV gamma è un prodotto altamente deperibile, con una shelf-life molto corta (5-7 giorni) influenzata dalle numerose variabili che entrano in gioco accelerando la senescenza del prodotto. Il suo alto valore aggiunto può giustificare l’utilizzo di soluzioni di conservazione più o meno costose. I metodi attualmente esistenti sono numerosi, spaziano dal dipping in sostanze naturali o sintetiche, all’utilizzo di packaging attivi, all’impiego di atmosfere modificate, ecc. Queste metodiche di conservazione incidono in maniera diversa sui costi finali del prodotto ma soprattutto sulla conservazione dello stesso e sul mantenimento della sua qualità lungo tutto il periodo di shelf-life. …
In vitro Antifungal Activity of Biopolymeric Foam Activated with Carvacrol
2020
Background: Active packaging represents a defining strategy to improve food quality and safety of the packaged foods. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro ability of commercial biopolymeric foams, namely Mater-Bi (MB), activated with 20% of carvacrol, to develop a completely biodegradable and compostable packaging to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic yeasts.
 Methods: MB foams, with and without carvacrol, were produced by melt mixing and the foaming process was performed in a laboratory press. The antifungal activity of foams containing carvacrol was tested applying the disk diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done using XLStat software version 7.5.2 for Excel.&…
Mediterranean Great Conversation
2015
The exit from the Mediterranean emergency requires rethinking its identity in a new perspective. This means recognizing its legitimate role as a “Great Sea in Between”, as a cultural interface able to connect all the citizens that address to it, in everyday life and as individuals, involving them in a real “great conversation” based on the design disciplines. Design, Brand, Visual Identity, Packaging, Social Media, Fashion, Food, Architecture, Music may be powerful antidotes to the immobility of those who mourn a lost Mediterranean harmony and also a viable alternative to the ethnic closure led by the proponents of the Clash of Civilizations.
Strategies for the extension of the shelf life of ready to eat prickly pear fruits
2012
The prickly pear fruit (Opuntia ficus indica L. Miller) belongs to the Cactaceae family. The fruit is a berry, composed by an epicarp and the pulp, which represents the edible portion. At maturation, the epicarp turns yellow, red or white, depending on the cultivar. In Italy, the prickly pear is mainly cultivated in Sicily (90% of the national production). The fruit is very sensitive to low storage temperatures (< 5°C) which cause chilling injuries. The fruits can be successfully commercialized as a ready-to-eat product, peeled and suitably packaged. The main limit to its production is the formation of off-flavours due to different factors, such as the growth of microorganism and the action…
Biopolymeric bilayer films for packaging applications prepared by co-extrusion film blowing
2017
The requirements for reducing packaging waste drove academic efforts to search compostable bio-sourced polymeric materials. Multilayer systems can represent a suitable strategy to obtain the required properties and to improve biopolymer performance. Thus, the aim of the current work is the preparation by co-extrusion film blowing of a bio-based bilayer film with the purpose to overcome the drawbacks of the individual components.