Hydrocolloid Matrix Research Articles

Addressing the structural sophistication of meat via plant-based tissue engineering

The escalating environmental impact of traditional livestock farming, particularly beef production, has spurred the search for sustainable meat alternatives. This study introduces a novel Plant-Based Tissue Engineering (PBTE) approach, to replicate the complex structure and sensory experience of whole-muscle cuts of meat using plant-based ingredients. Leveraging principles of tissue engineering and advanced food manufacturing technologies, PBTE deconstructs meat into its fundamental components: muscle, fat, and connective tissue, and reconstructs them using a combination of plant proteins, fats and polysaccharide materials. The muscle component is reassembled to mimic the anisotropic fibrous structure of beef, while the fat component is engineered through lipid encapsulation within a hydrocolloid matrix. Advanced manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing and robotics, are utilized for precise spatial configuration and assembly of these components. Our findings demonstrate that PBTE can effectively replicate the mechanical integrity, texture, and sensory attributes of traditional meat, presenting a promising alternative that could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of meat production. This approach aligns with the principles of Soft Matter in the manipulation of artificial structures and materials for mimicking naturally occurring designs, such as whole cut meat foods. It also holds substantial potential for revolutionizing the alternative protein industry by catering to a broader consumer base, including flexitarians and meat-eaters.

Natural hydrocolloids as biocompatible composite materials for food applications

Consumer demands for more sustainable approaches towards traditional food-related products made natural hydrocolloids a focus of the modern food industry. Featuring biocompatibility, availability and unique physicochemical properties, hydrocolloids are infiltrating the trending production of guilt-free food alternatives and biodegradable functional food packaging. Recent research has highlighted the challenges in creating these products, which can be solved by a deeper understanding of the interactions between the components of a complex hydrocolloid-based mixture. This review summarizes the applications of natural hydrocolloids as promising multifunctional materials for innovative technologies that prioritize safety and sustainability of food-related products. It also provides an overview of their features with a focus on the gelling behaviour and ways to improve the hydrocolloid matrix to produce the materials with the desired texture, smell, appearance and functional properties.<br>The bibliographyincludes 563 references.

Study of the sorptiondesorption of ecdysterone (20 E) as part of adaptogenic compositions with inulin and functional food ingredients based on spinach and quinoa

The main principle in the enrichment of food with minor bioactive compounds is the prediction and evaluation of possible chemical interactions of the components included in the matrix of the food. These interactions have a impact on the bioavailability of minor bioactive compounds. In our work, we studied the processes of sorption and desorption (release), the main processes affecting the bioavailability of the minor bioactive compound ecdysterone (20 E) in the composition of functional food ingredients obtained from spinach leaves (FFI-1) and quinoa grains (FFI-2) on hydrocolloid matrix - inulin. The objective of the research was to study the completeness of sorption-desorption processes of 20 E in adaptogenic compositions with inulin and functional food ingredients based on spinach and quinoa under the influence of hydrolytic enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in vitro. Material and methods. To obtain experimental compositions, containing FFI-1 and FFI-2 and the polysaccharide (inulin), a mechanical mixing method was used. To study the sorption properties, model solutions of the compositions were prepared. Using an in vitro enzymatic model, the ability of 20 E to be released from the matrix of the compositions was studied. The content of 20 E was determined by HPLC-MS/MS. Results. 6 compositions with different ratios of polysaccharide/FFI were obtained. At the first stage of the study, the maximum sorption of 20E in the model solution was observed for 4 compositions with the ratio of inulin : FFI = 2.50 or 3.75 g : 189.19 mg FFI-1 or 68.40 mg FFI-2. At the second stage of the study, when assessing the desorption of 20 E on the enzymatic GIT model, it was found that 20 E almost completely released only from 2 compositions, in other cases about 25% of 20 E remained in a bound state. Conclusion. The formulation of two compositions with the ratio of inulin (2.50 g) : FFI-1 (189.19 mg)/FFI-2 (68.40 mg) were obtained, which have the most optimal sorption / release parameters of 20 E under the influence of human gastrointestinal enzymes. These compositions can be considered promising for inclusion in the formulation of fortified foods.

Bacterial cellulose nano crystal as hydrocolloid matrix in immobilized β-galactosidase onto silicon dioxide nanoparticles

β-galactosidase immobilization was optimized on silicon dioxide nanoparticles for the hydrolysis of lactose using Design of Box-Behnken. Under optimized conditions, β-galactosidase immobilization exhibited efficiency 87% and enzyme activity 3.4 (U). Results of entrapment showed that maximum activity was obtained in ratio: bacterial cellulose nano crystal to immobilized enzyme (1:2). Optimum pH of free enzyme was 6 that after immobilization and entrapment shifted to 6.5. The optimal temperature for the free enzyme was 40 °C but for immobilization and entrapment reached to 50 °C. Entrapment and immobilization increased Km and decreased Vmax in comparison with free enzyme. The result indicated higher stability for entrapped in comparison with immobilized and free form after 45 days of storage at 4 °C. Entrapped enzyme retained about 80% of its initial activity after 12 cycles of use. Also, the results of FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM and AFM confirmed the immobilization and entrapment. As a result, entrapment as a novel and productive method can improve enzyme efficacy in order to decrease the environmental pollution and the costs of food processing.

Use of Biopolymers in Designing Edible Packaging Materials for Food Industry Development of statistical models

This study aims to develop biodegradable and edible materials based on hydrocolloids and to analyze their physical and mechanical properties for use as food packaging. Edible packings were obtained from a hydrocolloid matrix (agar, starch, sodium alginate), plasticized with glycerol in different proportions (33.33% and 16.7% from the total amount of polysaccharides used). The physical and mechanical properties were analyzed. The best results were obtained with agar- sodium alginate packing, plasticized with the highest amount of glycerol.

Effect of Hydrocolloids on Rheological Properties and Printability of Vegetable Inks for 3D Food Printing.

In food ink systems in which the particles are dispersed in a hydrocolloid matrix, the source of the particles and the particle content are the main factors affecting the printability and rheological properties of the system. In this study, different contents (10% and 30% w/w) of vegetable (broccoli, spinach, or carrot) powders were added to hydrocolloid matrices with different hydration properties, and their influence on the printability and rheological properties was investigated. At low powder contents (10%), slight differences in the printability and rheological values were observed between the different vegetable sources in all hydrocolloids. When the powder content was increased to 30%, the hydrocolloid with the lowest water hydration capacity, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, showed the greatest differences in rheology and printability when different vegetable sources were used. Xanthan gum, with its higher water hydration capacity, inhibited the swelling of the particles, thus minimizing the increase in the rheological values at high volume fractions of powder and reducing the differences in printability between different vegetable sources. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis of the vegetable inks showed that xanthan gum inhibited swelling of the particles regardless of the vegetable powder source. The mixtures using xanthan gum could be smoothly extruded from the nozzle due to their low extruded hardness (2.96 ± 0.23 to 3.46 ± 0.16 kg), and the resulting objects showed high resolution without collapse over time. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The powder-based texturization technology introduced in this study provides a standardized method of preparing food ink that can be universally applied to all food materials that can be powdered. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a 3D printing technique in which a powder and a hydrocolloid matrix are independently stored and mixed immediately before printing. This technique can minimize the inherent rheological differences between formulations with different food sources and compositions.

Efficacy of a commercial glutaraldehyde footbath product for the control of bovine digital dermatitis.

To evaluate the relative efficacy of a novel, commercially available disinfecting agent containing ≥ 15 to < 20 % glutaraldehyde in a hydro-colloid matrix ("EIMÜ Klauen Sprint®"; Eimermacher, Nordwalde, Germany, Biozid-Desinfektionsmittel, BAuA Nr. N-57213) as a walkthrough footbath in order to treat digital dermatitis of dairy cattle. The study was conducted in a dairy farm located in northern Germany from June 1st, 2015 to September 5th, 2015. Eighty-eight cows were enrolled in this study. In both trials of the study, a walkthrough footbath was applied on five consecutive milking times per week. Trial 1 was a blinded, randomised and controlled intervention study. The therapy group (n = 40) received the novel glutaraldehyde product in a 2 % solution while the control group (n = 40) was led through a footbath containing pure water. Trial 2 was a longitudinal study to investigate the development of claw health over a longer time period regarding the use of the new footbath solution. In trial 2 the disinfecting footbath was applied to all trial cows (therapy and control group) of trial 1. The development of claw health and lameness was systematically monitored in the two groups on days 0, 9, 17, 29, 35 (trial 1) and days 42, 68, 94 (trial 2), respectively. The adjusted odds of digital dermatitis lesions (DDL) throughout the study were analysed by mixed logistic regression models. The odds of DDL were 0.15 for the glutaraldehyde foot-bath group compared to the control group. Hence, the disinfecting footbath significantly reduced the DDL prevalence and increased the cure rate of DDL. However, no preventive effect on new digital dermatitis (DD) cases could be identified. The efficacy of the novel glutaraldehyde footbath was evaluated and it was concluded that "EIMÜ Klauen Sprint®" was well tolerated over a longer period of time and might therefore be an effective tool to control DD. In future, "EIMÜ Klauen Sprint®" could be used within a Mortellaro sanitation concept and thereby might help to solve a major problem of dairy cattle farms.

Volumetric accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography.

PurposeThis study was performed to investigate the influence of object shape and distance from the center of the image on the volumetric accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, according to different parameters of tube voltage and current.Materials and MethodsFour geometric objects (cylinder, cube, pyramid, and hexagon) with predefined dimensions were fabricated. The objects consisted of Teflon-perfluoroalkoxy embedded in a hydrocolloid matrix (Dupli-Coe-Loid TM; GC America Inc., Alsip, IL, USA), encased in an acrylic resin cylinder assembly. An Alphard Vega Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) was used to acquire CBCT images. OnDemand 3D (CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea) software was used for object segmentation and image analysis. The accuracy was expressed by the volume error (VE). The VE was calculated under 3 different exposure settings. The measured volumes of the objects were compared to the true volumes for statistical analysis.ResultsThe mean VE ranged from −4.47% to 2.35%. There was no significant relationship between an object's shape and the VE. A significant correlation was found between the distance of the object to the center of the image and the VE. Tube voltage affected the volume measurements and the VE, but tube current did not.ConclusionThe evaluated CBCT device provided satisfactory volume measurements. To assess volume measurements, it might be sufficient to use serial scans with a high resolution, but a low dose. This information may provide useful guidance for assessing volume measurements.

Antimicrobial films based on cellulose-derived hydrocolloids. A synergetic effect of host–guest interactions on quality and functionality

A series of active films based on biodegradable cellulose-derived hydrocolloids capable of controlled release of antimicrobial propionic acid (PA) was prepared.β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD), usually used for encapsulation of lipophilic compounds, was utilized in this research to host the hydrophilic PA. It was found that addition of β-CD to the film forming solutions notably enhanced the hydrocolloid matrix capacity and resulted in up to a ten-fold increase in the amount of uploaded PA. In addition, β-CD resulted in a two-fold prolongation of the effective PA release duration. β-CD alone caused undesired effects on the physical, mechanical and morphological properties of the hydrocolloid films. Interestingly, when β-CD was combined with PA in the film formulation, its undesired effects were significantly subdued. The antifungal activity of the films was demonstrated on fresh harvested wheat grains. Films containing β-CD and PA were found to be effective in preventing fungal growth on wheat grains. Thus, incorporation of β-CD and PA in hydrocolloids matrices demonstrated a synergetic effect and resulted in the formation of biodegradable active films that benefit good physical and mechanical properties, high active agent content, prolonged release ability and effective antimicrobial properties.

SAT0174 Follow-Up of Digital Ulcers with Local Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disorder characterized by damage of microcirculation and progressive tissue hypoperfusion that increase the risk for digital ulcers (DU) (1,2). Both local and systemic treatments...

Influence of thermal process on structure and functional properties of emulsion-based edible films

Synthetic food packaging is classically used to prevent mass transfer of various small molecules (water, gases, flavour compounds or solutes) between a food and its surrounding medium. In the case of composite foods, the development of edible films and coatings, applied between the different phases of this food is rising up. The increase of such food products shelf-life is indeed related to the barrier efficiency of these edible packaging against small molecules transfers. This is especially true for water transfer between compartments of different water activities in the same food, that leads to important physico-chemical changes and therefore to food quality deterioration. Film-forming substances used for this study associated an iota-carrageenan hydrocolloid matrix, that ensures good mechanical properties, in which a high melting point fat was dispersed to enhance moisture barrier properties. After the film drying in standardised conditions of temperature (30 °C) and relative humidity (40%), the emulsified films containing various contents of fat (30%, 60% or 90% dry basis) were also submitted to heat treatment (100, 150, 200 °C) and for different durations (1, 2, 4, 8 min) corresponding to those classically encountered in baking processes. The aim was to tend to a bilayer film structure from a single film manufacturing. Size and repartition of fat globules in the carrageenan matrix was characterised by laser light granulometry and film microstructure was observed by ESEM. Barrier efficiency to water was evaluated from water vapour permeability measurements. Contrary to previous observations on film drying, neither fat globule size nor film water permeability was significantly modified by such heat treatment. Moreover, no phase separation was noticed by microscopic observations of the film cross section. Therefore, carrageenan matrix represents a very powerful material for its structural properties to a system and is a good candidate for application such as encapsulation of active substances incorporated in biopolymer coatings or films for food packaging applications.

Development and evaluation of bio-dissolution systems capable of detecting the food effect on a polysaccharide-based matrix system

Methods are proposed and tested for mimicking the in vitro food effect on controlled release dosage forms, using USP dissolution apparatus 3. Using in vivo data a pH and time profile was constructed, and the methods utilized either presoaking in peanut oil or continuous oil contact to mimic the presence of a high fat meal. A water soluble drug (propranolol hydrochloride, class 1 by BCS) was used as a model material. Both methods were able to confirm that a labile multiparticulate system (Inderal LA) was susceptible to such in vitro effects. A hydrocolloid matrix tablet showed low susceptibility to either technique. There was a good correlation between methods, which may indicate that the oil presoaking method, which is less time consuming to carry out and leads to more simple subsequent analysis, may be sufficient to identify dosage forms susceptible to physical food effects.

Technique for fabricating a lightweight, urethane-lined silicone orbital prosthesis

A technique is presented for packing an acrylic resin core and controlling the thickness of an orbital prosthesis with the use of an irreversible hydrocolloid matrix. This technique provides a durable core without damaging the orbital prosthesis mold and permits a controllable thickness and therefore a lighter prosthesis. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;85:210-3.)

Iron requirements in pregnancy and strategies to meet them

Iron requirements are greater in pregnancy than in the nonpregnant state. Although iron requirements are reduced in the first trimester because of the absence of menstruation, they rise steadily thereafter; the total requirement of a 55-kg woman is approximately 1000 mg. Translated into daily needs, the requirement is approximately 0.8 mg Fe in the first trimester, between 4 and 5 mg in the second trimester, and >6 mg in the third trimester. Absorptive behavior changes accordingly: a reduction in iron absorption in the first trimester is followed by a progressive rise in absorption throughout the remainder of pregnancy. The amounts that can be absorbed from even an optimal diet, however, are less than the iron requirements in later pregnancy and a woman must enter pregnancy with iron stores of >/=300 mg if she is to meet her requirements fully. This is more than most women possess, especially in developing countries. Results of controlled studies indicate that the deficit can be met by supplementation, but inadequacies in health care delivery systems have limited the effectiveness of larger-scale interventions. Attempts to improve compliance include the use of a supplement of ferrous sulfate in a hydrocolloid matrix (gastric delivery system, or GDS) and the use of intermittent supplementation. Another approach is intermittent, preventive supplementation aimed at improving the iron status of all women of childbearing age. Like all supplementation strategies, however, this approach has the drawback of depending on delivery systems and good compliance. On a long-term basis, iron fortification offers the most cost-effective option for the future.

Biopharmaceutical studies of naftidrofuryl in hydrocolloid matrix tablets

Absorption studies have been performed in nine healthy volunteers. Plasma concentrations of naftidrofuryl have been compared following administration of a single dose in three modified release explorative hydrocolloid matrix tablets and in an aqueous solution. The solution and one matrix tablet contained 100 mg, whereas the other two matrix formulations contained 300 mg of the drug. The amount of hydrocolloids used in the matrix tablets was varied to produce different in vitro release rates. The relative extent of bioavailability from the 300 mg tablet with a rapid drug release in vitro was significantly reduced, while it was unchanged from tablets with a comparatively slower drug release. This suggests that the absorption process has a limited capacity, and that the drug release rate is not controlling the absorption at this dose level. In contrast, the in vivo release rate from the 100 mg tablet, estimated by means of numerical deconvolution, showed a close agreement with the in vitro data.