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- Nanocellulose bio-based composites for food packagingPublication . Silva, Francisco A. G. S.; Dourado, Fernando; Gama, Miguel; Fátima PoçasThe food industry is increasingly demanding advanced and eco-friendly sustainable packaging materials with improved physical, mechanical and barrier properties. The currently used materials are synthetic and non-degradable, therefore raising environmental concerns. Consequently, research efforts have been made in recent years towards the development of bio-based sustainable packaging materials. In this review, the potential of nanocelluloses as nanofillers or as coatings for the development of bio-based nanocomposites is discussed, namely: (i) the physico-chemical interaction of nanocellulose with the adjacent polymeric phase, (ii) the effect of nanocellulose modification/functionalization on the final properties of the composites, (iii) the production methods for such composites, and (iv) the effect of nanocellulose on the overall migration, toxicity, and the potential risk to human health. Lastly, the technology readiness level of nanocellulose and nanocellulose based composites for the market of food packaging is discussed.
- Colour profile analysis of Port Wines by different instrumental and visual methodsPublication . Soares-da-Silva, Francisco A. G.; Campos, Francisco M.; Ferreira, Manuel L.; Ribeiro, Natália; Amaral, Bento; Simões, Tomás; Silva, Cristina L. M.BACKGROUND: Wine colour is an important quality parameter, being the first sensorial attribute evaluated during wine tasting. The perception of wine colour can be different depending on many factors, including the depth of the sample under observation. The main objectives of the present study were to measure the colour of Port wines, using CIE L*a*b* parameters at different depths with different instrumental techniques (spectrophotometry and colorimetry), and to compare the obtained results with the sensory (visual) perception of colour samples. RESULTS: Representative profiles of Lightness (L*), Hue (H*) and Chroma (C*) at different depths were obtained using Port wine samples from different categories and ages. In general, relatively good correlations between the colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods were obtained for the L* and H* parameters. The results of the sensory tests also showed good correlations between the visually-assessed hue scores and the colorimetric measurements of the H* parameter, particularly at the lower depths tested (up to 4.0 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results indicate that the colorimetric method can be used for estimating wine colour parameters, providing useful information about the colour profile of wines at different depths