Microencapsulation of cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils in β-cyclodextrin

Cinnamon leaf (CLO) and garlic oils (GO) are good antimicrobials, however, their volatility complicates their application as food preservatives. Hence, microencapsulation of CLO and GO with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was studied at 4:96, 8:92, 12:88, and 16:84 (oil:β-CD) percent weight ratios. Microcapsule characterization included gas chromatography analysis, moisture sorption–desorption isotherms, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata. Major oil constituents were eugenol for CLO and allyl disulfide for GO. The 16:84 ratio (CLO:β-CD) showed the highest eugenol content; the allyl disulfide content was higher, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) for the 12:88 and 16:84 ratios. Microcapsules showed lower moisture sorption than β-CD, although during water desorption there were no difference between them. Hydrogen bonds were detected between oil constituents and β-CD by IR spectroscopy. CLO:β-CD and GO:β-CD microcapsules displayed good antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata. Therefore, CLO and GO microcapsules can have important applications in the food industry as stable natural antimicrobial compound systems.     

Ultra-high pressure LC determination of glucosamine in shrimp by-products and migration tests of chitosan films

Chitosan, a multiple applications molecule, was isolated from shrimp by-products by fermentation. The amount of chitosan in the solid fraction of the fermented extract was measured after its conversion in the respective glucosamine units. The procedure includes an acid hydrolysis (110 °C, 4 h with HCl 8 M) and a derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (Fmoc-Cl). Ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography method was developed and optimized. Excellent peaks resolution was achieved in just 10 min. The method was evaluated in what concerns to validation parameters such as linearity, repeatability, quantification limit, and recovery. Migration tests of films prepared with chitosan were carried out in two simulants: ultrapure water and ethanol 95% (v/v).     

Grafting of maleic anhydride on poly(L-lactic acid). Effects on physical and mechanical properties

Maleic Anhydride (MAH) was grafted onto poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a radical initiator. The effect of the MAH and DCP concentrations on the grafting and the physical and mechanical properties of PLLA films were investigated. The glass transition temperature and crystallinity significantly decreased with addition of MAH. The thermal decomposition of the PLLA films was affected by the MAH content while the mechanical properties were almost unchanged. A slight increase in molecular weight was found, which could be attributed to either the MAH branching reaction or a possible crosslinking reaction between the PLLA chains increasing the chain entanglements.