Gelatin-chitosan blend based films loaded with nanoemulsified active agents: development, characterization and application to conservation of refrigerated sliced mortadella sausage

Author(s)

Luis Jaime Pérez Córdoba

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT)
• Defense date: 2018-07-26

Examining board members

Paulo José do Amaral Sobral; Rosemary Aparecida de Carvalho; Mariza Landgraf; Marco Antonio Trindade; António Augusto Martins de Oliveira Soares Vicente

• Advisor: Paulo José do Amaral Sobral

Abstract

A major problem in the production of active films using lipophilic active agents is their poor dispersion in the film-forming solution (FFS). Nanoemulsions may be an alternative to disperse these compounds within the biopolymeric matrix. The main aims of this research were: 1) to develop oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions incorporated with three active agents in the oil phase, two antimicrobials - cinnamaldehyde and garlic essential oil - and one antioxidant - α-tocopherol and characterize those nanoemulsions, even their stability, and 2) Develop, characterize and applicate gelatin-chitosan (G-Ch) based films activated with O/W nanoemulsions prepared under optimal conditions: N1: α-tocopherol/cinnamaldehyde; N2: α-tocopherol/garlic essential oil; N3: α-tocopherol/cinnamaldehyde and garlic essential oil; and N4: canola oil. The O/W nanoemulsions were prepared using a microfluidizer and Tween 20 and Span 60 as emulsifiers, characterized, and then loaded into the FFS. The films were produced by the casting method incorporating 0 or 5 g of nanoemulsified active agent/100 g biopolymer, using glycerol as a plasticizer, and subsequently characterized in terms of their physical, mechanical, water vapor permeability, water sorption, optical, microstructural, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In addition, a study of active agent migration into food simulants was performed. The sliced mortadella was packed in polystyrene trays using films as a slice separator. After, a sensorial acceptance evaluation and shelf life study, based on physicochemical and microbiological analyses, were performed for the mortadella sausage. The results showed O/A emulsions with nanometric droplet size, monomodal distribution, ζ potential greater than -30 mV, high physical stability, high encapsulation efficiency, and active properties. On the other hand, the active films presented no significant differences (p>0.05) in terms of thickness, moisture content, water vapor permeability, and thermal properties. The solubility in water, contact angle, light transmission, tensile strength, and brightness of films were reduced (p<0.05), whilst the deformation at break, opacity, degree of swelling, color, and surface roughness considerably increased (p<0.05), due to the incorporation of nanoemulsions. The mathematical models of BET, GAB, Peleg and Oswin described the water vapor absorption behavior of the films. The DSC, FTIR, and x-ray analyses suggested compatibility between the gelatin and chitosan. A good distribution of the oil nanodroplets encapsulating the active agents within the matrix was confirmed by AFM and SEM analyses. The active nanoemulsions and films were effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes, and showed antioxidant activity against the DPPH• and ABTS•+ free radicals, as well as the FRAP reagent. The kinetic migration of the active agents presented a Fickian behavior with values of effective diffusion coefficients (D) between 10-14 and 10-15 m2/s. On the other hand, the mortadella slices packed without films were the most sensorially accepted. However, the active films used offered the greatest effectiveness against L. monocytogenes and P. aeruginosa initially inoculated in the mortadella sausage, and highest protective effect against spoilage bacteria, as well as inhibiting lipid oxidation for longer time (5 days) during the shelf life study. Overall, this study offered clear evidence that G-Ch based films, loaded with nanoemulsified active agents, can have potential as packaging material for enhancing the shelf life of food. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/14324-2 - Gelatin-based films with nanoemulsionated actives agents: development, characterization and application in food matrices
• Grantee: Luis Jaime Pérez Córdoba
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)