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- Effect of non-thermal methods on the safety of strawberries (Fragaria anannassa) and watercress (Nasturtium officinale)Publication . Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Santos, Dora M.; Fundo, Joana; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Silva, Cristina L. M.
- The effect of polymer/plasticiser ratio in film forming solutions on the properties of chitosan filmsPublication . Fundo, Joana; Galvis-Sanchez, Andrea C.; Delgadillo, Ivonne; Silva, Cristina L. M.; Quintas, Mafalda A. C.In this work physical-chemical properties of chitosan/ glycerol film forming solutions (FFS) and the resulting films were analysed. Solutions were prepared using different concentrations of plasticising agent (glycerol) and chitosan. Films were produced by solvent casting and equilibrated in a controlled atmosphere. FFS water activity and rheological behaviour were determined. Films water content, solubility, water vapour and oxygen permeabilities, thickness, and mechanical and thermal properties were determined. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was also used to study the chitosan/glycerol interactions. Results demonstrate that FFS chitosan concentration influenced solutions consistency coefficient and this was related with differences in films water retention and structure. Plasticiser addition led to an increase in films moisture content, solubility and water vapour permeability, water affinity and structural changes. Films thermo-mechanical properties are significantly affected by both chitosan and glycerol addition. FTIR experiments confirm these results.
- Effect of ozone on the quality of fresh-cut green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)Publication . Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Fundo, Joana; Santos, Dora M.; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Silva, Cristina L. M.Ozone is a potent oxidant and disinfectant agent with multiple industrial applications. The efficacy of ozone treatments has been recognised in the sanitation of equipments and water disinfections. Recently, ozone started to be used as an innovative food processing technology that guarantees product safety. The objective of this work was to study the effect of ozone on the quality of fresh-cut green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) and green and red bell peppers (Capsicum annuum, L.). The quality factors analysed were enzyme (peroxidase) activity, colour and texture for green beans, and colour, texture and pH for bell peppers. Experiments were carried out in pilot equipment. An ozone generator was interconnected to a container filled with tap water. Ozone was continuously incorporated in water and its content was indirectly measured by potential difference. Green beans and bell peppers were cut in small portions. Samples were immersed in ozonated and non-ozonated water baths and removed after different times till a maximum of 180 minutes. Data from both treatments were compared by analysis of variance. For green beans, results showed that ozone treatment did not affect the colour, but significantly influenced texture (firmness) and peroxidase inactivation (at 7% significance level). After 40 minutes enzyme activity was reduced approximately 20%. This inactivation was verified for the rest of the sampling times. Ozone treatment affected pH and texture (fracturability) of red bell peppers (at 1% significance level). The other quality factors were not significantly influenced by ozone.
- Effect of ozone on Listeria innocua in bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) and in contaminated waterPublication . Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Fundo, Joana; Santos, Dora M.; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Silva, Cristina L. M.
- Impact of ozonisation on quality parameters, nutritional aspects and inactivation of Listeria innocua in beansPublication . Alexandre, Allana Patrícia Santos; Fundo, Joana; Miller, Fátima; Brandão, Teresa; Calori-Domingues, Maria Antónia; Silva, Cristina L.; Augusto, Pedro Esteves Duarte
- Effect of ozone on the quality of fresh-cut green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)Publication . Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Fundo, Joana; Santos, Dora M.; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Silva, Cristina L. M.
- Molecular mobility, composition and structure analysis in glycerol plasticised chitosan filmsPublication . Fundo, Joana; Fernandes, Rui; Almeida, Pedro M.; Carvalho, Alexandra; Feio, Gabriel; Silva, Cristina L. M.; Quintas, MafaldaThis study was developed with the purpose to investigate the effect of polysaccharide/plasticiser concentration on the microstructure and molecular dynamics of polymeric film systems, using transmission electron microscope imaging (TEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Experiments were carried out in chitosan/glycerol films prepared with solutions of different composition. The films obtained after drying and equilibration were characterised in terms of composition, thickness and water activity. Results show that glycerol quantities used in film forming solutions were responsible for films composition; while polymer/total plasticiser ratio in the solution determined the thickness (and thus structure) of the films. These results were confirmed by TEM. NMR allowed understanding the films molecular rearrangement. Two different behaviours for the two components analysed, water and glycerol were observed: the first is predominantly moving free in the matrix, while glycerol is mainly bounded to the chitosan chain.
- Effect of ozone on the quality of fresh-cut green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)Publication . Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Fundo, Joana; Santos, Dora M.; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Silva, Cristina L. M.
- Study of the effect of freezing on the visco-elastic properties of strawberriesPublication . Fundo, Joana; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Quintas, Mafalda; Silva, Cristina L. M.
- Influence of ozone pre-treatment on the quality of frozen red bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)Publication . Alexandre, Elisabete M. C.; Fundo, Joana; Santos, Dora M.; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Silva, Cristina L. M.