Reinforcement of Na-Alginate Based Films with Carrot Juice Processing Wastes

In this study, Na-alginate based films were produced with the addition of cellulosic fibres from carrot juice processing wastes for employment of agricultural wastes as reinforcing agent in biobased films for food packaging purposes. These films were characterized by water vapour permeability WVP , colour, XRD, transmittance and the SEM analysis. The WVP of the Na-alginate based films were significantly decreased upon the addition of carrot fibre at each level of incorporation 1% and 5%, w/w on alginate basis . Depending on the colour values, the obtained films were highly transparent, but the yellowness of the 5% carrot fibre film CFF was significantly higher than control 0% CFF and 1% CFF samples p< 0.05 . The transmittance of control film was higher than the carrot fibre added films, since the lower light impermeability of 5% CFF was notable in the visual observations and the SEM images. The results revealed that the obtained carrot fibre cellulosic material may be used as reinforcing agent in biobased films for food packaging applications

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Optimization of Cellulosic Fiber Extraction from Parsley Stalks and Utilization as Filler in Composite Biobased Films

Food waste is an abundant source of cellulose which can be extracted via mild alkali treatment. The extraction conditions of cellulose fibers can be optimized for reduced chemical and energy use and optimal functionality. This study focused on the optimization of alkali extraction of lignocellulosic fiber from parsley stalks by building an experimental design with the response surface method with alkali concentration (2, 6, and 10%, w/v), fiber:alkali ratio (0.02, 0.035, and 0.05; w/v) and extraction temperature (40, 70, and 100 °C) as independent variables, in order to evaluate the effects of extraction conditions on fiber yield and composition of parsley stalks extract (PSE). Following the optimization, PSE and untreated fibers (PF) were incorporated as filler into gum Arabic–sodium alginate-based films, and film properties such as water vapor permeability, optical and thermal properties, Fourier transform infrared spectra and surface morphology of the films were analyzed for evaluating the compatibility of these fillers with the composite film matrix. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as 2% alkali, sample:alkali ratio of 0.0276 and extraction temperature of 40 °C. PSE extracted at optimal conditions was added to the composite films, and water vapor permeability and optical properties were improved by up to 10% PSE compared to films with PF

Bay

WOS: 00040367080000

Effects of Water Soluble Materials on W/O Primary Food Emulsion Stability

W ater-in-oil w/o primary food emulsions are often used for encapsulation of bioactive food ingredients or preparing multiple emulsions, however there is a lack of study about evaluation of stability of these emulsions by adding food materials in the dispersed phase. In this study, water-in-olive oil emulsions were prepared with using different dispersed phases; maltodextrin MD , whey protein isolate WPI and maltodextrin+whey protein isolate MD+WPI mixture 1:1 w/w solutions were used at different rates to determine the effects of dissolved material on physical, chemical, rheological and thermal properties of the emulsions. The kinetic stability of emulsions were significantly improved with increasing rates of soluble materials

Electrospray coating of minimally processed strawberries and evaluation of the shelf-life quality properties

WOS: 000480235800028In this study, strawberries were coated with electrospraying and dipping method. Water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions were used as coating material, and quality parameters, namely water loss, pH, titratable acidity, color, firmness, total antioxidant activity and phenolic content, microbial load, sensory properties, and microstructure of strawberries were evaluated. Moisture loss of strawberries significantly reduced with coating compared to the control sample; however, the reduction in moisture was similar for dip-coating and electrospraying methods. The brightness of strawberries decreased with storage, while redness, yellowness, and Chroma values were increased significantly (p < .05). The firmness of control and dip-coated strawberries decreased significantly, but the firmness of electrospray-coated samples was comparably higher than control and dip-coated samples. Sensory properties were not affected from the coating formulation, and samples were found as acceptable at the end of storage. Homogeneous coating of the surface was provided with electrospray coating method. Moreover, the electrospray coating has a potential in edible coating applications for fresh fruits and help to extend their shelf life. Practical Applications Electrospray coating is a novel coating method of producing fine droplets down to submicron sizes from a conductive or semiconductive feeding solution. This method allows obtaining homogeneous surface coatings with small amount of coating material applications. Thus, excessive coating material consumption and drip loss from the coated target is prevented. Besides regarding electrical potential application during electrospraying, the sprayed material adheres well on the surface to be coated, even if the nonconductive or uneven surface structure is present. Hydrophobic coating material application such as oil-in-water based emulsions via electrospraying helps to reduce moisture transfer, and fresh-cut or minimally processed fruit and vegetable quality is improved during storage. Therefore, w/o emulsion-based coatings were applied with electrospraying method in order to evaluate coating efficiency by means of quality properties of minimally processed strawberries