Effect of high-pressure processing on the packaging properties of biopolymer-based films: a review

Suitable packaging material in combination with high-pressure processing (HPP) can retain nutritional and organoleptic qualities besides extending the product’s shelf life of food products. However, the selection of appropriate packaging materials suitable for HPP is tremendously important because harsh environments like high pressure and high temperature during the processing can result in deviation in the visual and functional properties of the packaging materials. Traditionally, fossil-based plastic packaging is preferred for the HPP of food products, but these materials are of serious concern to the environment. Therefore, bio-based packaging systems are proposed to be a promising alternative to fossil-based plastic packaging. Some studies have scrutinized the impact of HPP on the functional properties of biopolymer-based packaging materials. This review summarizes the HPP application on biopolymer-based film-forming solutions and pre-formed biopolymer-based films. The impact of HPP on the key packaging properties such as structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties in addition to the migration of additives from the packaging material into food products were systemically analyzed. HPP can be applied either to the film-forming solution or preformed packages. Structural, mechanical, hydrophobic, barrier, and thermal characteristics of the films are enhanced when the film-forming solution is exposed to HPP overcoming the shortcomings of the native biopolymers-based film. Also, biopolymer-based packaging mostly PLA based when exposed to HPP at low temperature showed no significant deviation in packaging properties indicating the suitability of their applications. HPP may induce the migration of packaging additives and thus should be thoroughly studied. Overall, HPP can be one way to enhance the properties of biopolymer-based films and can also be used for packaging food materials intended for HPP

Effect of cold plasma treatment on the packaging properties of biopolymer-based films: a review

Biopolymers, like polysaccharides and proteins, are sustainable and green materials with excellent film-forming potential. Bio-based films have gained a lot of attention and are believed to be an alternative to plastics in next-generation food packaging. Compared to conventional plastics, biopolymers inherently have certain limitations like hydrophilicity, poor thermo-mechanical, and barrier properties. Therefore, the modification of biopolymers or their films provide an opportunity to develop packaging materials with desired characteristics. Among different modification approaches, the application of cold plasma has been a very efficient technology to enhance the functionality and interfacial characteristics of biopolymers. Cold plasma is biocompatible, shows uniformity in treatment, and is suitable for heat-sensitive components. This review provides information on different plasma generating equipment used for the modification of films and critically analyses the impact of cold plasma on packaging properties of films prepared from protein, polysaccharides, and their combinations. Most studies to date have shown that plasma treatment effectively enhances surface characteristics, mechanical, and thermal properties, while its impact on the improvement of barrier properties is limited. Plasma treatment increases surface roughness that enables surface adhesion, ink printability, and reduces the contact angle. Plasma-treated films loaded with antimicrobial compounds demonstrate strong antimicrobial efficacy, mainly due to the increase in their diffusion rate and the non-thermal nature of cold plasma that protects the functionality of bioactive compounds. This review also elaborates on the existing challenges and future needs. Overall, it can be concluded that the application of cold plasma is an effective strategy to modify the inherent limitations of biopolymer-based packaging materials for food packaging applications

Valuation of foreign direct investment positions - final report

The mandate of the Task Force on Valuation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Positions was to review the methods to value direct investment positions stated in Annex III of the Guideline ECB/2011/23 on External Statistics. In particular, the work of the Task Force was focused on reviewing recent developments that may justify amendments to the current method and assessing whether new methods to be applied in the national contributions to the euro area aggregate would lead to a more reliable international investment position (i.i.p.), in particular by increasing the consistency in the valuation of FDI assets and liabilities. The report concluded that in some cases where the use of own funds at book value (OFBV) data would lead to significant biases in the national net i.i.p., other valuation methods than OFBV could be used, adding that national compilers shall exchange information on those positions with the other relevant Member State(s). National compilers should then consider, on a case-bycase basis, adjusting the valuation of those positions in order to strive for a consistent recording of these investments by counterpart EU countries. The Task Force’s final report was considered and approved by the Working Group on External Statistics at its meeting on 30 and 31 October 2012

Teagasc submission made in response to the Discussion document for the preparation of a National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy

Teagasc SubmissionThis document is Teagasc’s response to the “Discussion Document for the Preparation of a National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy” issued by the Department of the Taoiseach’s Economic Division in July 2017. It recognises the potential significance of the bioeconomy to Ireland, offers some policy and strategic insights from other countries, and identifies Teagasc’s role in supporting the development of the bioeconomy in Ireland

Nutritional enhancement of meat products with dietary fibres

End of Project ReportNormal fat (about 23 %) and reduced fat (about 10%) pork sausages and beefburgers were nutritionally enhanced using dietary fibres from various plant sources: inulin, wheat, citrus, potato, oat and pea

Technology transfer of research results (The 2xtra project)

End of Project ReportThe 2XTRA project (Technology Transfer Research Results Atlantic Area) was carried out with the aim of promoting economic activity based on research results and technologies developed within universities, research and technology institutes and companies in the European Atlantic Area. This collaborative work was carried out by a strong partnership of 13 entities across this region and included universities, research and technology institutes, private consultants and TBC (technology-based company) incubators. The specific goals of the project were: ● The exchange of information and experiences on technology transfer (TT) with a view to assisting project partners directly and feeding into their regional innovation systems. ● The promotion of new technology-based companies by drawing on collective experiences and developing methodologies relating to - identification and evaluation of business ideas - production of business plans, and - support of early stage companies internationalising. ● The creation of an Atlantic Area Network to support and promote technology-based companies (TBCs) and the technology transfer process. These objectives were achieved through defined activities carried out in three separate stages of this project.European Union (EU)INTERREG IIIB Atlantic Area Programm

Technologies for detecting PSE in pork

End of Project ReportThe ability of a single, on-line measurement to predict the quality status of an entire muscle or even of a whole carcass was investigated. Variation between pork muscles for on-line measurements of pH, conductivity and colour was evaluated. Intermuscular variation was detected at 24h p ostmortem with higher pH and conductivity values in the topside (M. s emimembranosus) than the striploin (M . longissimus thoracis et lumborum). Correlations showed that a relationship exists between the muscles (r = 0.46-0.88, p<0.05) at 45min and 3h p ostmortem. The location within the topside or the striploin at which the measurements were taken did not influence the result. Shackling did not introduce a significant variation between sides for pH, conductivity and colour values up to 24h p ostmortem, showing measurements could be taken on either side of the carcass

Development of value-added beef products

End of Project ReportThis work investigated technologies to improve the functionality of beef, particularly low-value beef to increase its versatility for the development of value-added restructured and emulsion type beef products. More specifically the project objectives were (1) to increase the functionality of beef; (2) to develop innovative beef products; (3) to increase the use of low-value carcass cuts as a functional ingredient in beef products. The research was carried out in three stages: solubilisation of connective tissue components of beef using organic acids, application of proteases to beef model systems to increase functionality, and physical disruption of connective tissue in beef by mechanical treatments such as needle and blade tenderising, tumbling and massaging

Evaluation of Measured Resting Metabolic Rate for Dietary Prescription in Ageing Adults with Overweight and Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease

The primary objective of this study was to compare weight changes in two groups of ageing Irish adults with overweight and adiposity-based chronic disease: participants who had dietary energy requirements prescribed on the base of measured RMR and participants whose RMR was estimated by a prediction equation. Fifty-four Caucasian adults (male n = 25; female n = 29, age 57.5 ± 6.3 years, weight 90.3 ± 15.1 kg, height 171.5 ± 9.5 cm, BMI 30.7 ± 4.6 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to a dietary intervention with energy prescription based on either measured RMR or estimated RMR. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry after an overnight fast and predicted values were determined by the Mifflin et al. (1990) prediction equation. All participants received individual nutritional counselling, motivational interviewing and educational material. Anthropometric variables, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipid profile were assessed over 12 weeks. Body weight at week 12 was significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) for both groups following dietary interventions, mRMR: −4.2%; eRMR: −3.2% of initial body weight. There was no significant difference in weight loss between groups. Overall, 20.8% mRMR and 17.4% of eRMR participants experienced clinically meaningful (i.e., ≥5% of initial weight) weight reduction. Weight reduction in adults aged ≥50 years over the short term (12 weeks) favoured a reduction in blood pressure, triglycerides and glucose, thus reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. This research indicates that employing a reduced-calorie diet using indirect calorimetry to determine energy needs when improving weight outcomes in adults (&gt;50 years) with overweight and adiposity-based chronic disease is equal to employing a reduced-calorie diet based on the Mifflin et al. (1990) prediction equation. A reduced-energy diet based on mRMR or eRMR facilitates clinically meaningful weight reduction in adults (≥50 years) over the short term (12 weeks) and favours a reduction in blood pressure, triglycerides and glucose, thus reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. Moreover, the addition of motivational interviewing and behaviour change techniques that support and encourage small behaviour changes is effective in short-term weight management