Sustainable Starch-Based Films from Cereals and Tubers: A Comparative Study on Cherry Tomato Preservation.

Biodegradable films are sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, particularly in food preservation, where the barrier and mechanical properties are crucial for maintaining the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory qualities of the product. This study evaluated films made from starches of corn, potato, cassava, yam, and wheat to determine their effectiveness in preserving cherry tomatoes. Amylose content, a key factor influencing the crystallinity and properties of the films, varied among the sources, with wheat starch having the highest (28.

Yacon powder mix: Effects of the composition and the process of microencapsulation by spray drying.

Yacon is a tuber known as a healthy food due to its effects as an antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and prebiotic agent; it is rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and antioxidants, and due to its sweet taste and low-calorie content, it is used as a substitute for ordinary sugar. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of the composition of the feed and the microencapsulation process by spray drying (SD) on the properties of a yacon powder mixture (YP). Response surface methodology with a central composite design with a face-centered composition (α = 1) was used, considering the independent variables: inulin () (3-5% w/w), maltodextrin (MD) (3-5% w/w), air inlet temperature (AIT) (140-160 °C), air outlet temperature (AOT) (75-85 °C) and atomizer disc speed (ADS) (18000-22000 rpm), and the dependent variables: moisture (X), water activity (a), hygroscopicity (Hy), solubility (S), particle size (percentile D, D, and D), total phenols (TP), antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH), color (CIE-Lab*) and yield ().

Storage stability of a fluidized-bed agglomerated spray-dried strawberry powder mixture.

Strawberry is a fruit with a high antioxidant capacity due to its richness in phenolic compounds that suffer a rapid post-harvest deterioration. Spray drying is an alternative to reduce losses; however, these powders present problems of instantanisation, making it necessary to implement agglomeration processes. During storage, powdered food products can undergo a series of changes in their amorphous state from a product initially in a vitreous state to a gummy state, where all properties are substantially modified due to the increased mobility of water in the matrix.

Starch-based films affected by the addition of collagen from Prochilodus magdalenae residues and HPMC: Application in Andean blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) coatings.

Starch-based films offer the advantages of biodegradability, edibility, barrier properties, flexibility, and adaptability. This study compared the physicochemical properties of starch-based films by adding raw fish collagen and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). The tensile properties were evaluated, and the interaction with water was analyzed.

Development of films based on chitosan, gelatin and collagen extracted from bocachico scales ().

Biodegradable biopolymers from species of the animal kingdom or their byproducts are sustainable as ecological materials due to their abundant supply and compatibility with the environment. The research aims to obtain a biodegradable active material from chitosan, gelatin, and collagen from bocachico scales (Prochilodus magdalenae). Regarding the methodology, films were developed from gelatin, chitosan, and collagen from bocachico scales (Prochilodus magdalenae) at different concentrations using glycerol as a plasticizer and citric acid as a cross-linker.

Evaluation of the Reactivity of Methanol and Hydrogen Sulfide Residues with the Ziegler-Natta Catalyst during Polypropylene Synthesis and Its Effects on Polymer Properties.

The study focused on the evaluation of the influence of inhibitory compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (HS) and methanol (CHOH) on the catalytic productivity and properties of the polymers in the polymerization process with the Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The investigation involved experimental measurements, computational calculations using DFT, and analysis of various parameters, such as molecular weight, melt flow index, xylene solubility, and reactivity descriptors. The results revealed a clear correlation between the concentration of HS and methanol and the parameters evaluated.

Optimization of fluidized bed agglomeration process for developing a blackberry powder mixture.

The research objective was to experimentally optimize the fluidized bed agglomeration process of an agglomerated blackberry powder mixture (ABPM) using the response surface methodology. As a raw material, a powdered mixture of blackberry from Castile ( Benth) obtained by spray drying (SD) was used. In the evaluation of the agglomeration process, the response surface methodology was applied using a central design with a face-centered composition (α = 1), considering the independent variables: fluidisation air inlet temperature (T) (50-70 °C), the binder solution atomization air pressure (P) (1-2 bar) and process time (t) (20-35 min); and the dependent variable: moisture content (Xw), solubility (S), wettability (), apparent density (ρ), total phenols (TP), radical scavenging (ABTS·+ and DPPH· methods), anthocyanins (Ant) (cyanidin-3-glucoside (CG)), ellagic acid (EA) and vitamin C (Vit.

Dimethylformamide Impurities as Propylene Polymerization Inhibitor.

This research study examined how the use of dimethylformamide (DMF) as an inhibitor affects the propylene polymerization process when using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Several experiments were carried out using TiCl/MgCl as a catalyst, aluminum trialkyl as a cocatalyst, and different amounts of DMF. Then, we analyzed how DMF influences other aspects of the process, such as catalyst activity, molecular weight, and the number of branches in the polymer chains obtained, using experimental and computational methods.

Parts per Million of Propanol and Arsine as Responsible for the Poisoning of the Propylene Polymerization Reaction.

Polypropylene synthesis is a critical process in the plastics industry, where control of catalytic activity is essential to ensure the quality and performance of the final product. In this study, the effect of two inhibitors, propanol and arsine, on the properties of synthesized polypropylene was investigated. Experiments were conducted using a conventional catalyst to polymerize propylene, and different concentrations of propanol and arsine were incorporated into the process.

Applying a Green Solvent with Microwave, Ultrasound, and Soxhlet Extraction Techniques to Quantify the Slip Additive -1,3-Docosenamide and Nine Oxidative Degradation Byproducts in Polypropylene Samples.

Erucamide is used as an important slip agent for polymers. However, erucamide can degrade during processing and long-term storage, forming various oxidation products. These degradation products can affect the recovery rates of erucamide.

Theoretical-Experimental Study of the Action of Trace Amounts of Formaldehyde, Propionaldehyde, and Butyraldehyde as Inhibitors of the Ziegler-Natta Catalyst and the Synthesis of an Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer.

The copolymer synthesis process can be affected by failures in the production process or by contaminating compounds such as ketones, thiols, and gases, among others. These impurities act as an inhibiting agent of the Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst affecting its productivity and disturbing the polymerization reaction. In this work, the effect of formaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and butyraldehyde on the ZN catalyst and the way in which it affects the final properties of the ethylene-propylene copolymer is presented by analyzing 30 samples with different concentrations of the mentioned aldehydes along with three control samples.

A New Route of Valorization of Petrochemical Wastewater: Recovery of 1,3,5-Tris (4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl benzyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione (Cyanox 1790) and Its Subsequent Application in a PP Matrix to Improve Its Thermal Stability.

The various chemicals in industrial wastewater can be beneficial for improving its circularity. If extraction methods are used to capture valuable components from the wastewater and then recirculate them throughout the process, the potential of the wastewater can be fully exploited. In this study, wastewater produced after the polypropylene deodorization process was evaluated.

Active Films Based on Starch and Wheat Gluten () for Shelf-Life Extension of Carrots.

The use of biodegradable biopolymers with the incorporation of active ingredients has been considered as an alternative to extend the useful life of food. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop active films based on starch and wheat gluten, containing cinnamon and turmeric essential oils by using the solvent casting method. Different film formulations were made from wheat starch, gluten, glycerol, and essential oils of cinnamon and turmeric.

Supercritical CO Impregnation of Thymol in Thermoplastic Starch-Based Blends: Chemico-Physical Properties and Release Kinetics.

The aim of the present study was to investigate starch-based materials, prepared in an environmentally friendly way and from renewable resources, suitable for the development of biodegradable active food packaging. For this purpose, a bioactive compound (thymol) was incorporated into thermoplastic starch (TPS) and a TPS blend with poly (ε-caprolactone) (TPS-PCL) by the supercritical CO (scCO) impregnation process. Impregnation experiments with scCO were carried out at a pressure of 30 MPa and temperatures in the range of 40-100 °C during 1 to 20 h.

Design and Application of Hydrocolloids from Butternut Squash () Epidermis as a Food Additive in Mayonnaise-type Sauces.

Hydrocolloids play a fundamental role in the design of new food products in their structure and functionality due to the interaction with the components of complex food matrices; for this reason, natural sources that are friendly to the environment must be sought for their extraction. A microstructure product such as mayonnaise is an oil-in-water-type emulsion design with the components of the complex varying from egg yolk, additives, spices, sugar, and other optional ingredients to improve its stabilities and organoleptic characteristics. The main objective of the study was to design and characterize the physicochemical, bromatological, and sensory analyses and rheological properties of the mayonnaise-type sauce formulated with hydrocolloids obtained from the epidermis of butternut squash () and xanthan gum.

Epoxidised sesame oil as a biobased coupling agent and plasticiser in polylactic acid/thermoplastic yam starch blends.

This work aims to improve the physicochemical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic yam starch (TPS) blends using epoxidised sesame oil (ESO). We used epoxidised sesame oil from two Colombian Caribbean crops: and , with an oil substitution of 58.4 %.

Development and evaluation of edible films based on cassava starch, whey protein, and bees wax.

Films and edible coatings based on biopolymers have been developed as a packaging, which can be obtained from biodegradable materials and have properties similar to common plastics. These edible materials have many applications in the food industry, preventing mass transfer between the product and the surrounding environment. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the physicochemical and mechanical properties of edible films based on cassava starch (CS), whey protein (WP), and beeswax (BW).

Effect of a multifunctional edible coating based on cassava starch on the shelf life of Andean blackberry.

The blackberry is a fragile fruit with a high degree of decomposition, which limits its shelf life. The effect of an edible coating (EC) based on cassava starch, whey protein, beeswax, chitosan, glycerol, stearic acid, and glacial acetic acid on the shelf life of fruit stored at 4 °C was evaluated. The physical, chemical, physical, microbiological, and sensorial quality was evaluated, comparing with a fresh control fruit.

Isolation and characterisation of microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals from coffee husk and comparative study with rice husk.

Cellulosic material from coffee husk has not been previously studied despite being a potential source of reinforcing agents for different applications. This material has been extracted and characterised from coffee husk, in parallel with previously studied rice husk. Samples have been analysed as to their ability to obtain cellulosic fibres and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) by applying alkali and bleaching treatments and final sulphuric acid hydrolysis.

Enhancement of interfacial adhesion between starch and grafted poly(ε-caprolactone).

The use of a modified poly(ε-caprolactone) (gPCL) to enhance polymer miscibility in films based on thermoplastic starch (S) and poly(ε-caprolactone) is reported. PCL was functionalized by grafting with maleic anyhdride (MA) and/or glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by reactive blending in a batch mixer. gPCL based materials were analysed in terms of their grafting degree, structural and thermal properties.

Active bilayer films of thermoplastic starch and polycaprolactone obtained by compression molding.

Bilayer films consisting of one layer of PCL with either one of thermoplastic starch (S) or one of thermoplastic starch with 5% PCL (S95) were obtained by compression molding. Before compression, aqueous solutions of ascorbic acid or potassium sorbate were sprayed onto the S or S95 layers in order to plasticize them and favor layer adhesion. S95 films formed bilayers with PCL with very good adhesion and good mechanical performance, especially when potassium sorbate was added at the interface.

Properties of starch-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose based films obtained by compression molding.

Corn starch-glycerol (1:0.3) films, containing or not citric acid (1g/100g starch) and HPMC (10 and 20g/100g starch), are obtained by compression molding. The microstructure of the films, the thermal behavior, the X-ray diffraction spectra and the physical properties (mechanical, barrier and optical) were analyzed after 1 and 5 storage weeks at 25°C and 53% relative humidity.