Effects of different packaging techniques on the microbiological and physicochemical properties of coated pumpkin slices

Abstract In this study the effects of zein film coating along with benzoic acid on the quality of sliced pumpkin samples, which were packaged with different techniques were investigated. The samples were allocated into different groups and were treated with different processes. Following processing, the samples were stored at +4 °C for twenty days. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were carried out on the samples once every five days during the storage period. According to color analysis, the L* value was observed to have significantly decreased in the processed and packaged samples in comparison with the control group. Besides, a* and b* values increased in all groups. It was determined that zein film alone did not exhibit the expected effectiveness against moisture loss in the samples. According to the results of microbiological analysis, a final decrease at approximately 1.00 log level was determined in total count of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) in the group which was vacuum packaged in PVDC with zein coating when compared with the initial TMAB. Furthermore, no molding occurred in zein-coated group on the last day of the storage period, while massive mold growth was noted in the group which was packaged without any pretreatment procedure.

Accelerating food safety and quality control: The use of antibody engineering techniques in the detec-tion of low-molecular weight food contaminants

The increased awareness and evolved consumer habits have set more demanding standards for the quality and safety control of food products. The production of foodstuffs which fulfill these standards can be hampered by different low-molecular weight contaminants. Such compounds can consist of, for example residues of antibiotics in animal use or mycotoxins. The extremely small size of the compounds has hindered the development of analytical methods suitable for routine use, and the methods currently in use require expensive instrumentation and qualified personnel to operate them. There is a need for new, cost-efficient and simple assay concepts which can be used for field testing and are capable of processing large sample quantities rapidly. Immunoassays have been considered as the golden standard for such rapid on-site screening methods. The introduction of directed antibody engineering and in vitro display technologies has facilitated the development of novel antibody based methods for the detection of low-molecular weight food contaminants. The primary aim of this study was to generate and engineer antibodies against low-molecular weight compounds found in various foodstuffs. The three antigen groups selected as targets of antibody development cause food safety and quality defects in wide range of products: 1) fluoroquinolones: a family of synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs used to treat wide range of human and animal infections, 2) deoxynivalenol: type B trichothecene mycotoxin, a widely recognized problem for crops and animal feeds globally, and 3) skatole, or 3-methyindole is one of the two compounds responsible for boar taint, found in the meat of monogastric animals. This study describes the generation and engineering of antibodies with versatile binding properties against low-molecular weight food contaminants, and the consecutive development of immunoassays for the detection of the respective compounds.

The typical dilemma between university expansion and rationalization : Belgium (and Finland) since the 1960s

Referee-artikkeli

L'école de la chasse aux chiens courants / par Le Verrier de la Conterie ; Illustré de huit estampes de Bidinger, de bandeaux d'après Routar et des 27 figures techniques des éditions anciennes

Collection : Les maîtres de la vénerie ; ̊ 5

Flore complète de la France et de la Suisse (comprenant aussi toutes les espèces de Belgique) pour trouver facilement les noms des plantes sans mots techniques : 5338 figures représentant les caractères de toutes les espèces... (5e éd. revue et corrigée) / par Gaston Bonnier,... et G. de Layens,...

Collection : La Végétation de la France, Suisse et Belgique. 1re partie