Mathematical modeling of gallic acid release from chitosan films with grape seed extract and carvacrol

Controlled release of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds from packaging films is of utmost importance for extending the shelf-life of perishable foods. This study focused on the mathematical modeling of gallic acid release into an aqueous medium from three chitosan films, formulated with grape seed extract (GSE) and carvacrol. We quantified the release by HPLC technique during 30days at three temperatures (5, 25 and 45°C). The diffusion coefficients, varying with temperature according to an Arrhenius-type relationship, and the respective activation energies for Film-1 and Film-2 were, respectively [Formula: see text] m2s-1 and [Formula: see text] m2s-1, Ea1=58kJmol-1 and Ea2=60kJmol-1 as obtained from the Fickian fit. The low concentrations of gallic acid released by Film-3 could not be detected by HPLC, therefore the respective diffusion coefficient was not estimated. This study will help with the development and optimization of active packaging (AP) films aiming at improved food preservation and shelf-life extension.Javiera F. Rubilar gratefully acknowledges her Ph.D. grant from ErasmusMundus 2008-1022/001 Frame ECW/17, EACEA(European Union), financial support of the Fondecyt-Postdoctoral #3140349 project from CONICYT, and also “Dirección de Investigación e Innovación Escuela de Ingeniería” at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Rui M. S. Cruz acknowledges grant SFRH/BPD/70036/2010 from Fundac¸ ão para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interoperability optimisation for shared equity housing model development and FTB homeownership in the UK

Purpose – This paper assessed financial interoperability implications associated with First Time Buyers (FTB) in housing development and the role of the Community Land Trust Shared Equity Housing Model (CLT SEHM). Design/Methodology/Approach – The Interoperability optimisation process adopted by this study involved triangulated findings from literature, semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys. The text analysis of interview responses was actualised with Nvivo 9.0. This process informed the validation of themes through a questionnaire survey (purposive sampling), of which findings were subsequently analysed with statistical methods including binary logistic regression to validate interoperability rational and implications. Findings – The study identified positive financial interoperability outcomes for a successful synergy between the CLT SEHM and FTBs. From the analysis, there were sustainable results for average income multiple and property transfer/resale value for the CLT SEHM compared to conventional models. However, for the most at risk FTB groups, recommendations included increased concessions for CLT SEHM developments to incentivise bespoke rent purchase hybrid schemes. Originality/value – This research provided a good starting point for achieving improved level of efficiency necessary for the introduction of emerging/renewed alternative housing models into mainstream operational capabilities in housing and local development policies. Keywords – UK Housing Development, First Time Buyers (FTB), Interoperability, Community Land Trust, Shared Equity Housing Model, Binary Logistic Regression mode

Assessing the effects of Cu and pH on microorganisms in highly acidic vineyard soils

Because of the use of agricultural land for wine production and the frequent use of copper (Cu)-based fungicides, Cu concentration has been increasing in soils in many parts of the world. In vineyards with acid parent materials, low soil pH may also encourage Cu toxicity, but it is common to use lime in order to increase the soil pH and improve crop yields. Thus, vineyard soils may have large variations in pH, which will affect the microbial communities, making it difficult to isolate possible toxic effects of Cu on soil microbes. Here, analyses of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) patterns and pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT, using leucine incorporation) were used to study the effect of Cu accumulation at small to medium concentrations in acid soils (pH 4.05.8) in vineyards with different land-use history (young, old and abandoned vineyards). The results suggested that soil pH played a dominant role in determining the composition of the microbial community of the soils. Only a small effect of soil Cu could be detected and the effect on microbial community composition was much less than the pH effect. PICT analysis suggested that bacterial communities in old vineyards were more tolerant of Cu than those in the abandoned vineyards. However, increased PICT (Cu tolerance of the bacterial community) was not directly correlated with Cu concentration in the soils. Instead, the estimated Cu tolerance was significantly correlated with soil pH