Food Storage Research Articles

Microcapsule preparation process research and current status of oilfield application

AbstractTraditional tertiary oil recovery methods are fraught with challenges such as significant reagent adsorption, voluminous injection requirements, limited sweep efficiency, and inadequate intelligent targeting. These issues lead to suboptimal displacement of residual oil, resulting in the inability to mobilize substantial crude oil resources and thus yielding low recovery rates. Microcapsules—spherical particles with micron or nanometer scale diameters—have been extensively utilized across various sectors, including food storage, targeted drug encapsulation, and fragrance containment, owing to their distinct advantages in controlled release, isolation, and targeted delivery. These applications have successfully achieved industrialization and commercialization. In recent years, numerous researchers have explored the application of microcapsule preparation processes to diverse facets of oil extraction, with the aim of further enhancing oil recovery (EOR). This article elucidates the mechanism of action of microcapsules, their preparation methods (encompassing in situ polymerization, interfacial polymerization, spray drying, solvent evaporation, phase separation, and supercritical CO2‐assisted techniques), characterization and evaluation methodologies, among other aspects. It encapsulates the current status and principal challenges associated with the application of microcapsule preparation processes in oilfield development and probes the potential and pivotal research directions for their oilfield applications.

Honeybee Nutrition: Physiological and Ecological Insights

Bees play a vital role in global agriculture through their pollination services; however, their populations have declined over the past three decades due to various stress, including nutritional deficits stemming from habitat loss and alteration. ​This review emphasizes the critical need for understanding bee nutrition, which is essential for overcoming these declines.​ With their evolutionary background alongside flowering plants, bees have adapted to a herbivorous diet primarily consisting of floral nectar and pollen. Nectar provides the energy necessary for flight and other metabolic processes, while pollen supplies essential proteins, fats and micronutrients. Foraging behaviors vary among bee species and are influenced by environmental factors and the genetic composition of the colony. Honey bees exhibit complex social structures where worker bees gather nectar, pollen and water, each contributing to the nutritional needs of the colony. The transformation of collected nectar into honey and pollen into bee bread illustrates bees unique food storage strategies, providing vital nutrition to larvae and adult workers. Additionally, understanding the nutritional processes involved in larval development and royal jelly production sheds light on caste differentiation and overall colony health. This comprehensive view on bee nutrition underscores its significance for future conservation strategies.

Penicillium species associated with postharvest blue mold rots of garlic in Serbia.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important plant because of its medicinal and gastronomical benefits. The host can be affected by different plant pathogens, among which Penicillium species are one of the most important rot agents, of stored garlic and other stored food products. This research resolves the etiology of blue mold rots associated with garlic in Serbia. Penicillium-like isolates were collected (2016-2022) from diseased stored garlic bulbs in Serbia and identified using a polyphasic approach. Detailed characterization of the obtained cultures was performed using three solid media, three incubation temperatures, molecular and phylogenetic analyses of four molecular loci [internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2)] and the pathogenicity assay. Five Penicillium species, i.e. P. allii, P. glabrum, P. italicum, P. polonicum, and P. psychrotrophicum were identified and confirmed as postharvest pathogens of garlic. Herein, we report for the first time the pathogenicity of P. psychrotrophicum and P. italicum on garlic. Findings from this study provide insights into the previously unknown diversity of Penicillium fungi responsible for garlic bulb decay in Serbia, and will help in the assessment of the phytosanitary status of this crop, as well as the creation and application of effective disease management strategies.

The Influencing Mechanism of Household Food Purchasing Behavior and Household Reserve Efficiency under Non-Normal Conditions

Family reserves are an important part of national reserves, and how to do a good job in family reserves is a common concern of the government and society. Under the non-normal conditions of major accidents and disasters, wars, plagues, social unrest, etc., urban food supply mainly depends on external supply guarantee, and urban residents’ risk perception is more sensitive. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Norm Activation Model, this study constructs an analytical framework for the risk perception, perceived behavior control, and family reserve efficacy of urban residents under non-normal conditions from the perspectives of rationality and sensibility, self-interest, and altruism. The perceived behavior control of household food reserves in non-normal conditions is affected by risk perception, subjective norms, and personal norms. On this basis, countermeasures and suggestions are put forward: Urban residents should strengthen their sense of risk and responsibility for storing food at home, reserve food appropriately, and develop a good habit of family saving. On the other hand, it is necessary to pay attention to personal norms, reduce the negative impact of subjective norms on residents, and avoid excessive food storage and food waste.

Funerary vs. domestic vessels from the Hallstatt period. A study on ceramic vases from the Milejowice settlement and the Domasław cemetery

Clay vessels have a wide variety of functions in social activities in the Hallstatt period. In addition to food storage and processing, they were used for ritual purposes and as funerary vessels. The paper presents the results of archaeological and chromatographic studies of 31 vases from two different Hallstatt culture sites in lower Silesia (Poland). The investigations included vessels fragments from the Domasław cemetery and from the Milejowice settlement. The chromatographic analyses focused on fatty acids and biomarkers and made it possible to identify the most likely sources of substances they came into contact with during use. The c-means and hierarchical cluster analyses showed that grave vessels differed from settlement ceramics. Thus, conclusions on the diverse vessel functions could be made.

Penyuluhan Keamanan Pangan pada Ibu Rumah Tangga di RT 05 RW 06 Kelurahan Bandar Kidul Kota Kediri

Two important factors in preventing foodborne illness are food hygiene and sanitation. These efforts can reduce the risk of bacterial contamination of food. Some examples of hazardous materials in food are plastics, metals, borax, formalin, insecticides, and banned food additives such as benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. The objective of this outreach is to increase knowledge about food safety and how to manage it. The method of counseling to the general public includes coordination with the head of the RT, providing materials, giving pre- and post-tests, and evaluating activities carried out at the RT head's house on June 1, 2024 at 16.00-17.30. The results of this activity were an increase in pre and post-test scores on questions regarding storage temperature and the main purpose of food storage, from 50 to 70 and 95 to 100. The conclusion of this counseling is that there is an increase in housewives' knowledge about food safety on a household scale. Suggestions for further counseling are to increase the number of targets so that more housewives understand the importance of household-scale food safety.

Development and optimization of sustainable and functional food packaging using false banana (Enset) fiber and zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites: A case of Injera preservation

In a global context marked by food insecurity, it is essential for food science and packaging technology researchers and stakeholders to ensure the availability of safe and adaptable foods with minimal environmental impact. Achieving sustainability in food packaging requires multiple approaches, including the use of natural and biodegradable materials including cellulosic fibers. The current study aimed to develop and characterize and optimized an effective biocomposite food packaging/storing materials, specifically for a popular Ethiopian flatbread called injera, made from a grain called ‘Teff’ (Eragrostis tef). The proposed biocomposite food storage and packaging was designed by incorporating fiber-reinforcing materials, namely false banana, also called Enset fibers (EFs), and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. A central composite design (CCD) approach was used to evaluate the impact of the reinforcing Enset fibers (EFs) at 5 %, 15 %, and 25 % and ZnO NPs at 0 %, 5 %, and 10 % levels. The developed functional biocomposite packaging materials were tested and characterized for various properties, including mechanical strength, water activity, antifungal activity, and migration properties. The results showed that the inclusion of ZnO NPs improved the tensile strength, migration, and barrier properties, while the reinforcing fiber enhanced mechanical and migration properties but reduced barrier properties. The combined effect of the reinforcement fibers (EFs) and ZnO NPs led to further improvements in the mechanical strength and migration properties, though no interaction effect was observed on barrier properties. The optimal solution, consisting of 6.7 % ZnO nanoparticles and 6 % Enset fibers, resulted in a highly effective packaging and storage prototype that extended the freshness of the food for over eight days.

Culinary Hygiene and Sanitation: A Systematic Literature Review

Healthy food refers to food that is both sanitary and nourishing. Edible sustenance Hygienic food refers to food that is free from pathogens and contaminants that can pose a health risk. Food processed products typically exhibit vulnerabilities in terms of their safety, including biological or microbiological, chemical, and physical dangers. The occurrence of hazards or pollution, typically resulting from substandard raw materials, processing techniques, and insufficient sanitation and hygiene practices, has raised concerns regarding the awareness of workers or producers involved in handling processed food. This research aims to investigate the topic of Culinary Hygiene and Sanitation through a systematic review of existing literature. This review was conducted utilizing the latest and most advanced methodologies, following the recommended reporting items for reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) standards. The findings of this study clarify that food plays a multifaceted role and serves various purposes, including promoting health, reflecting political and social status, exerting power and fostering cooperation, influencing social and economic standing, embodying cultural values, responding to population density, reflecting changing times, and adhering to principles of hygiene and sanitation. The key elements of the facility are the physical location and structure, the sanitary facilities, the kitchen area, the dining room, and food storage area, the handling of food ingredients and prepared food, the food processing area, the storage area for food ingredients and prepared food, the food serving area, the presentation of food, the equipment used, and the labor involved.

Self-Regulated Assembly and Disassembly of Gold Nanoparticles for Low-Temperature Time Indication.

The color-changing self-assembly and autonomous disassembly of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is reported by simply mixing negatively charged phosphine ligand-capped AuNPs with partially oxidized polyethylene glycol (PEG). The assembly of AuNPs is initiated by PEG adsorption, which disrupts the hydration layer of AuNPs, leading to depletion attraction and reduction of hydration repulsion among the AuNPs. The oxidative species in PEG subsequently oxidize and remove the charged ligands from the AuNP surface, resulting in a decrease and reversal of the negative surface charge. This causes the PEG to adsorb on AuNPs in a tighter and more direct manner, providing strong steric shielding to the AuNPs, thereby triggering the disassembly of the AuNP assemblies. The self-regulated assembly-disassembly process can be tuned widely by controlling chemical conditions of PEG, nanoparticle concentration, and the environmental conditions, suggesting potential applications as colorimetric time-temperature indicators for food and medicine storage conditions. As a proof of concept, it is demonstrated that the lifetime of the color-changing assembly-disassembly process can be extended from tens of minutes to weeks when subjected to a refrigerated environment, with tunability achievable through varying polymer conditions and storage atmospheres.

Peran Kelompok Tani dalam Ketahanan Pangan Rumah Tangga

This research aims to determine the influence of the role of farmer groups and strategies for overcoming debt arrears on household food security in Kamubheka village. The population in this research was 80 people and the sample obtained using the Sloving formula calculation was 44 village employees and members of farmer groups. In this research using quantitative research methods. The data collection technique in this research uses a questionnaire with a Likert measurement scale. The data analysis technique uses multiple linear regression analysis techniques with calculations using the SPSS program. The results of this research show that the role of farmer groups has a significant influence on household food security in Kamubheka Village. Based on the results of the analysis, it appears that the role of farmer groups makes a major contribution to increasing household food security. In conclusion, the role of farmer groups in food security is very crucial and can meet the food needs of households in Kamubheka village. And the strategy for dealing with debt arrears implemented by farmer groups has a significant influence on household food security in Kamubheka Village. Based on the analysis results, improvements in this strategy can significantly increase household food security. By overcoming debt arrears, farmer groups can ensure that food storage remains stable and is able to provide sufficient food for the entire village community.

Bacterial bioremediation as a sustainable strategy for the mitigation of Bisphenol-A.

In the era dominated by plastic, the widespread use of plastic in our daily lives has led to a growing accumulation of its degraded byproducts, such as microplastics and plastic additives like Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is recognized as one of the earliest man-made substances that exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties. It is frequently employed in the manufacturing of epoxy resins, polycarbonates, dental fillings, food storage containers, infant bottles, and water containers. BPA is linked to a range of health issues including obesity, diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive abnormalities. This study examines the bacterial bioremediation of the BPA, which is found in many sources and is known for its hazardous effects on the environment. The metabolic pathways for the breakdown of BPA in important bacterial strains were hypothesized based on the observed altered intermediate metabolites during the degradation of BPA. This review discusses the enzymes and genes involved in the bacterial degradation of BPA. The utilization of naturally occurring microorganisms is the most efficient and cost-effective method due to their selectivity of strains, ensuring sustainability.

Defying the Food Desert, Food Swamp, and Supermarket Redlining Stereotypes in Detroit: Comparing the Distribution of Food Outlets in 2013 and 2023

Despite the numerous food studies conducted in Detroit, none have assessed changes in the food landscape over a decade. No previous study has systematically analyzed food store closures in the city either. We will address these oversights by examining the distribution of food outlets in the city ten years apart. This paper probes the following questions: (1) How has the distribution of Detroit’s food outlets changed in the decade between 2013 and 2023? (2) Does Detroit fit the definition of a food desert in 2013 or 2023? (3) Does Detroit fit the definition of a food swamp in 2013 or 2023? (4) Has supermarket redlining occurred in Detroit in 2013 or 2023? (5) How is population decline related to food outlet distribution? (6) How do food store closures impact food store distribution? We conducted exhaustive searches to collect information on thousands of food outlets from Data Axle, Google, and Bing. The data were analyzed and mapped in SPSS 28 and ArcGIS 10.8. We compared 3499 food outlets identified in 2013 with 2884 identified in 2023. We expanded our search for food outlets in 2023 and found an additional 611 food outlets in categories not studied in 2013. The study’s findings are significant as they unearth evidence of extensive population decline—driven by Black flight—and a vanishing food infrastructure. Detroit lost more than 600 food outlets between 2013 and 2023, a staggering number that underscores the severity of the issue. Moreover, in 2023, we documented food store closures and found 1305 non-operational or closed food outlets in the city. Regardless of the neighborhood’s racial composition, the household median income, or the educational attainment of residents, food store closures were widespread in 2023; 27.3% of the food outlets identified that year were defunct. Despite the massive food store closures, Detroit did not fit the description of a food desert; each of the city’s 54 neighborhoods had between 7 and 300 food outlets. The food swamp thesis did not accurately describe the city either, as supermarkets/large grocery stores were intermingled with convenience and corner stores in both study periods. The data did not find evidence of supermarket redlining, as supermarkets/large grocery stores were found in formerly redlined neighborhoods alongside dollar stores and variety stores in both study periods.

Simultaneous Effects of Food-related Stresses on the Antibiotic Resistance of Foodborne Salmonella Serotypes

Antibiotic resistance has become one of the most critical issues in the field of public health in recent years. Exposure to food environment stresses may result in the development of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella. The present study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of food-related stresses (osmotic pressure, acid, heat, cold, and freezing stresses) on the antibiotic resistance changes in Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium. A factorial design with five factors at two levels was used to evaluate the main and interactive effects of stress factors on the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella serotypes. The changes in the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella serotypes were evaluated using the disc diffusion assay. The results showed that the different stresses had different effects on the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella serotypes. The freezing time and osmotic stresses had the most significant effects on the antibiotic resistance (P < 0.05). S. Enteritidis showed the slightest changes after exposure to stresses. The results also showed that a low level (24 h) of freezing time decreased the antibiotic resistance, but at a high level (96 h) increased it. The results emphasized that food processing and storage conditions should be considered as crucial factors in developing antibiotic resistance in Salmonella.

Biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts and evaluation of their antibacterial activity

The biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles has received increasing attention in the field of food nanotechnology because of their non-toxicity, high efficiency, high antibacterial power, and decontamination features. Therefore, biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (nFe) was prepared from the leaves of some vegetables, such as cabbage (C) and turnips (T), as well as moringa leaves (M). Alcoholic extracts of these nanoparticles were also tested on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to evaluate their antibacterial activity. The results revealed that the particle sizes of the biosynthesis nanomaterials studied ranged from 12.99 to 22.72 nm, and the particles were spherical, irregular, and surrounded by black color. It also contains many functional groups and minerals. Iron nanoparticles modified with Moringa oleifera extract at a concentration of 200 ppm had the highest phenol content compared to other biosynthesis nanoparticles studied. TnFe and MnFe at 200 ppm had a maximum zone of inhibition of 25 mm and 24 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. While the minimum inhibition zone of 8.0 mm was observed at 25 ppm for nFe against Escherichia coli. Therefore, it is recommended to use these extracts of biosynthesis iron oxide nanoparticles as antibacterial agents for stored foods.

Biocompatible film based on protein/polysaccharides combination for food packaging applications: A comprehensive review

Protein and polysaccharides are the mostly used biopolymers for developing packaging film and their combination-based composite produced better quality film compared to their single counterpart. The combination of protein and polysaccharides are superior owing to the better physical properties like water resistance, mechanical and barrier properties of the film. The protein/polysaccharide-based composite film showed promising result in active and smart food packaging regime. This work discussed the recent advances on the different types of protein/polysaccharide combinations used for making bio-based sustainable packaging film formulation and further utilized in food packaging applications. The fabrication and properties of various protein/polysaccharide combination are comprehensively discussed. This review also presents the use of the multifunctional composite film in meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, milk products, and bakery products, etc. Developing composite is a promising approach to improve physical properties and practical applicability of packaging film. The low water resistance properties, mechanical performance, and barrier properties limit the real-time use of biopolymer-based packaging film. The combination of protein/polysaccharide can be one of the promising solutions to the biopolymer-based packaging and thus recently many works has been published which is suitable to preserve the shelf life of food as well trace the food spoilage during food storage.

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a breeding kennel with reproductive disorders

IntroductionToxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in dogs is distributed globally. Given the potential impact of T. gondii on human reproductive health and its zoonotic potential, focusing on infected dogs with breeding disorders may provide valuable new insights into the role of toxoplasmosis on reproductive disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the potential role of T. gondii on reproductive disorders by conducting a serosurvey on a kennel with breeding disorders in Kerman, Iran. Materials and methodsPurebred dogs with American Kennel Club-certified Pedigrees were randomly selected in both genders from a breeding kennel with a history of reproductive problems such as neonatal deaths, abortion stillbirths, and male infertility. Blood samples were collected from selected dogs, and serosurvey was done with a Toxo-Screen kit using the modified agglutination test (MAT). FindingsFrom 46 selected breeding dogs, 20 (43.5 %) were positive in the Toxoplasma MAT test, consisting of 24 samples (52.17 %) with different reproductive disorders and 22 (47.83 %) healthy dogs. However, the presence of reproductive disorder had no significant relationship with seropositivity (p = 0.067). Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis had no significant relationship with sex (p = 0.28) and age (p = 0.18) in the studied population. ConclusionScreening with the standard MAT method reduces the risk of transmitting toxoplasmosis by preventing the entry of infected dogs into the kennel, identifying the infected cases to start specific treatments, optimizing the proper nutritional conditions, and ensuring the hygiene of the environment. Fresh/refrigerated raw meat, unpasteurized milk feeding, rodent infestation of grass-covered dog runs, and the main dry food storage facilities were the primary risk factors in kennels.

Augmented Reality Applied to Identify Aromatic Herbs Using Mobile Devices

Correctly identifying and classifying food is decisive in food safety. The food sector is constantly evolving, and one of the technologies that stands out is augmented reality (AR). During practical studies at Companhia de Entreposto e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo (CEAGESP), responsible for the largest food storage in South America, difficulties were identified in classifying aromatic herbs due to the large number of species. The project aimed to create an innovative AR application called ARomaticLens to solve the challenges associated with identifying and classifying aromatic herbs using the design science research (DSR) methodology. The research was divided into five stages according to the DSR methodology, from surveying the problem situation at CEAGESP to validating the application through practical tests and an experience questionnaire carried out by CEAGESP specialists. The result of the study presented 100% accuracy in identifying the 18 types of aromatic herbs studied when associated with the application’s local database without the use of an Internet connection, in addition to a score of 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 in terms of the usability of the interface as rated by users. The advantage of the applied method is that the app can be used offline.

OPTIMIZATION OF NEWLY FABRICATED LACCASE BIOSENSOR BASED ON SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBE FOR TYRAMINE DETECTION

Tyramine (TYR), also identified as 4-(2-aminoethyl) phenol, is an organic compound. Its elevated presence indicates prolonged food storage, leading to spoilage and potentially impacting human well-being. To address this concern, a biosensor was designed on a single-walled carbon nanotube carboxyl-functionalized screen-printed carbon electrode (COOH-SWCNT-SPCE). Laccase (LAC)-based electrochemical biosensors were effectively created using a simple and innovative technique involving enzyme LAC being drop cast. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) were utilized to assess the properties and electrochemical behavior of the modified SPCEs. Under optimal experimental conditions, the LAC/COOH-SWCNT-SPCE biosensor exhibited favorable performance at scan rates of 50 mV s-1 (within the range of 10 to 500 mV s-1), pH 8.0 (ranging from 7.0 to 10.0), 4 µL enzyme LAC (varying from 2 to 10 µL), and 1.0 mg mL-1 SWCNTs (ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 mg mL-1). Deposition potential and time were set at 0.5 V. The modified SPCEs demonstrated effective usage for TYR measurement, achieving a Correlation Coefficient (R2) of 0.981 and a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.070 mM.

Indole Schiff Base Complex: Synthesis and Optical Binding Investigation with Biogenic Amines.

Biogenic amines, produced by bacterial enzymatic reactions in food storage or processing, serve as indicators in food processing industries to assess food quality and freshness. Biogenic amines also often associated with various health problems, including abnormal immune responses and gastrointestinal disease. Previously, salphen base complexes have been reported but still exhibited low fluorescence enhancement upon biogenic amines. This research focused on synthesizing and characterizing new Zn(II) Schiff base complex with indole sidechain to enhance the fluorescence property and exploring their binding behaviour with the biogenic amines, which were phenylethylamine and cadaverine. The Zn(II) indole Schiff base complex's structure was verified by diverse spectroscopic techniques. Then, the binding behaviours between the Zn(II) indole Schiff base complex with the biogenic amines were analyzed using UV-Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Job's plot analysis. UV-Vis binding study results indicated that the synthesized complexes could bind stronger with phenylethylamine than cadaverine, with binding constant, Kb= (8.21 ± 0.58) × 104 M- 1 and (2.506 ± 0.004) × 104 M- 1 respectively. Moreover, Zn(II) indole Schiff base complex-phenylethylamine binding also generated higher fluorescence enhancement than cadaverine, which were 54% and 51% respectively. Based on Job's plot analysis, the complex and biogenic amines were bound in the ratio of 1:1. To conclude, the synthesized complex has promising potential as a sensing material for biogenic amines detection in food. The complex is recommended to be deployed in the development of solid-state fluorescence sensor for biogenic amines detection for monitoring the food spoilage in the food industry in the future.

Psychrotrophic Bacteria Threatening the Safety of Animal-Derived Foods: Characteristics, Contamination, and Control Strategies.

Animal-derived foods, such as meat and dairy products, are prone to spoilage by psychrotrophic bacteria due to their high-water activity and nutritional value. These bacteria can grow at refrigerated temperatures, posing significant concerns for food safety and quality. Psychrotrophic bacteria, including Pseudomonas, Listeria, and Yersinia, not only spoil food but can also produce heat-resistant enzymes and toxins, posing health risks. This review examines the characteristics and species composition of psychrotrophic bacteria in animal-derived foods, their impact on food spoilage and safety, and contamination patterns in various products. It explores several nonthermal techniques to combat bacterial contamination as alternatives to conventional thermal methods, which can affect food quality. This review highlights the importance of developing nonthermal technologies to control psychrotrophic bacteria that threaten the cold storage of animal-derived foods. By adopting these technologies, the food industry can better ensure the safety and quality of animal-derived foods for consumers.