Potential of cold plasma pretreatment for preserving biochemical attributes and ensuring the microbiological safety of saffron stigma.

Saffron, similar to numerous other agricultural commodities, is susceptible to microbial contamination during cultivation and postharvest handling. Cold plasma treatment has emerged as an effective method for microbial inactivation while preserving food quality. The aim of this research was to preserve the color integrity and minimize the presence of microorganisms in dried saffron stigma by implementing cold plasma pre-treatment.

Investigating the effect of acoustic waves on spoilage fungal growth and shelf life of strawberry fruit.

The effects of acoustic waves on growth inhibition of food spoilage fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus and Botrytis cinerea) on the medium and strawberry surfaces were investigated. Firstly, single-frequency sound waves (250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, 12,000 and 16,000 Hz) were induced on inoculated medium with fungi spores for 24 h and growth diameter of each mold was evaluated during the incubation period. In the second stage, the sound waves with two frequencies of 250 Hz and 16,000 Hz were induced on inoculated strawberries with fungi spores at 5 °C for different times (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days).

Recent progress in polymeric non-invasive insulin delivery.

The design of carriers for insulin delivery has recently attracted major research attentions in the biomedical field. In general, the release of drug from polymers is driven via a variety of polymers. Several mechanisms such as matrix release, leaching of drug, swelling, and diffusion are usually adopted for the release of drug through polymers.

Structure-function relationship of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract-xanthan/guar gum mixture in a high sugar content system.

Background: Foam-gels are one of the most important multicomponent-model systems in aerated confectionery, and an investigation of their microstructure is desirable. In this research, the structure-function relationship of xanthan gum/guar gum (XG/GG) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract powder (LEP) was investigated in a high-sugar medium. Foam-gel systems were prepared at 4:10% to 8:20% ratios of LEP to biopolymer.

Application of mucilaginous seeds (Alyssum homolocarpum and Salvia macrosiphon Boiss) and wheat bran in improving technological and nutritional properties of pasta.

In recent years, dietary fibers have attracted a lot of attention as they reduce calories and witness the glycemic index. In this study, wheat bran (WB) and mucilaginous seeds flour (Qodume Shirazi seeds [QSS], wild sage seeds [WSS]) as sources of insoluble and soluble dietary fiber were used for pasta enrichment (50% WB, 45% WB-5% seed flour, and 40% WB-10% seed flour). The cooking properties, microstructural, textural, glycemic index, and sensory properties of pasta samples were evaluated.

: chemical composition, thermal behavior, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and gum hydroalcoholic extracts.

This is the first original study on chemical, thermal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity of the leaf and gum hydroethanolic (20:80 v/v) extracts of endemic for Iran. The ratio of solvent to the dried matters was 3:1 (w/w) and after filtering, the solvent was evaporated under vacuum (at 40 °C). Leaf extract contained greater phenolic and flavonoid compounds and thus higher DPPH scavenging and ferric reducing power.

Characterization of polyamide-6/ propolis blended electrospun fibers.

Polyamide-6 (PA-6) nanofibers and PA-6/propolis ethanolic extract (EEP) blended fibers were prepared having electrospun their solutions in formic acid as solvent. The effect of concentrations of PA-6 and also EEP in polymer solutions on the morphology and physicochemical characteristics of their electrospun fibers was investigated. The analysis of FESEM images showed the mean diameter of fibers increased from 487- 682 nm with increasing PA-6 concentration in the range of 25-40 % w/v.

Extraction of phytosterols and tocopherols from rapeseed oil waste by supercritical CO plus co-solvent: A comparison with conventional solvent extraction.

In the present study, modified extraction methods using supercritical CO were investigated in order to obtain high-added value compounds from rapeseed oil deodorizer distillate and comparisons were done with modified Soxhlet extraction (solvent extraction + silica). For supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), the optimal extraction parameters were temperature of 40 °C, pressure of 350 bar (for phytosterols), 400 bar (for tocopherol), 5 wt% ethanol as co-solvent, and saponification pretreatment. The optimized SFE procedure led to the recovery of three main phytosterols (50 wt % β-sitosterol, 23.

Microencapsulation of Saffron Petal Phenolic Extract: Their Characterization, In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion, and Storage Stability.

Saffron petal, as a byproduct of saffron processing, contains a considerable amount of antioxidant compounds. In the present study, the effect of drying methods (spray and freeze) and different wall structures (maltodextrin and pectin) was investigated on the physicochemical characteristics of microcapsules of saffron petal extracts. Results showed that the increase of the pectin ratio in wall composition leads to the increase of polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of microcapsules.

Treatment of olive processing wastewater by electrocoagulation: An effectiveness and economic assessment.

In the present study, the technique of electrocoagulation (EC) followed by filtration was explored at the laboratory scale for the removal of organic compounds from olive debittering wastewater (ODW). Different parameters such as electrode type and distance as well as sample pH, current density, and electrolysis time were investigated in batch experiments with identical electrode geometries. Our results showed that highest pollutant removal efficiency and lowest operational cost were achieved using two Al electrodes at a distance of 1 cm apart with a sample pH of 4.

Effects of high amylose corn starch and microbial transglutaminase on the textural and microstructural properties of wheat flour composite gels at high temperatures.

Unlabelled: Textural and microstructural properties of composite gels (CGs), along with wheat flour and high amylose corn starch (Hylon VII) mixed with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) at different levels and temperatures were investigated. The results showed by increasing Hylon starch content, the firmness increased and adhesiveness decreased. Indeed, high level of amylose and cross-linking formed by MTGase enhanced the gel elasticity and reduced adhesiveness.

Development of antioxidant active films containing sodium ascorbate (SA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) to extend the shelf life of peanut.

In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) containing oxygen scavenger based on sodium ascorbate (SA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) at 5, 10 and 15 % concentrations were produced through extrusion method. In addition, the effect of size of SA, thickness LDPE (7.5, 15, 30 and 45 μm), and number of layers (monolayer, two-layers, three-layers and four-layers) were investigated.