Active packaging of poly(lactic acid) nanofibers and essential oils with antifungal action on table grapes.

The table grape is a non-climateric fruit that is very susceptible to fungal contamination, in addition to suffering an accelerated loss of quality during storage. The in vitro and in grape antifungal and antiocratoxigenic effects of the essential oils from Alpinia speciosa and Cymbopogon flexuosus against Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus niger were studied. The oils were encapsulated in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibers as a potential active packaging to be applied to control the degradation of grapes stored during the post-harvest period.

Kinetic, thermodynamic and physical-chemical study of the removal of copper from cachaça using coconut fibers.

The use of coconut fiber as a copper adsorbent in cachaça was optimised, and changes in the chemical quality of the beverage were observed by analytical techniques. The influence of the adsorbent mass and copper concentration parameters was investigated using the Central Composite Design, and the optimum condition was obtained through the use of Response Surface Methodology. The equilibrium of the adsorption reaction was obtained within 120 min.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cachaças packed in bottles of polyethylene terephthalate.

Cachaça is a beverage of great cultural and economic importance for Brazil. It is made up of several substances that are responsible for the flavor of the beverage. Countless substances of a toxic nature can also be present, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Antifungal and physicochemical properties of Ocimum essential oil loaded in poly(lactic acid) nanofibers.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibres containing different proportions of the essential oils from Ocimum basilicum L. and Ocimum gratissimum L. were prepared by solution blow spinning method.

Effect of the essential oils of Satureja montana L., Myristica fragrans H. and Cymbopogon flexuosus S. on mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus ochraceus antifungal properties of essential oils.

Essential oils can be a useful alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides because they have biological potential and are relatively safe for food and agricultural products. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities of the essential oils from Satureja montana L., Myristica fragrans H.

Acaricidal and repellent activity of the essential oils of Backhousia citriodora, Callistemon viminalis and Cinnamodendron dinisii against Rhipicephalus spp.

The ticks Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l) are of great importance to agriculture, veterinary medicine and public health. Due to a number of problems related to the use of synthetic acaricides, natural products emerge as promising substances for alternative tick control.

Mechanism of action of various terpenes and phenylpropanoids against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Foodborne, disease-causing microorganisms are increasingly resistant to commercial antibiotics. Thus, there is a need for the development of new agents capable of acting efficiently in the control of these pathogens. Terpenoids and phenylpropanoids stand out for having high biological activity and a broad spectrum of action.

Identification of volatile compounds, quantification of glycerol and trace elements in distilled spirits produced in Mozambique.

Distilled spirits, in addition to satisfying the legal requirements with respect to its composition, must possess a sensorial quality capable of satisfying its consumers. The present work describes the analysis of volatile compounds, trace elements and glycerol in thirteen samples of Mozambican spirits collected in different regions of the country. Extraction of volatile components was a accomplished using the headspace SPME technique, the quantification of glycerol was achieved by UV/Vis spectroscopy and the determination of trace elements by atomic absorption spectrometry.