Glycerol polymerization degree effect on the emulsifying properties of polyglycerol esters

α-tending emulsifiers, microencapsulated improver powder and bakery applications

To date majority of bakery products are manufactured using emulsifiers in paste or gel form that restricts and causes many problems of storage, processing, and handling at the commercial level. Therefore, new developments are required to resolve the issues of the bakery industry. This review discusses the importance of α-tending emulsifiers in the bakery industry and the action of the α-form to produce superior quality products. Further, to produce desired results α-form of emulsifiers blend should be stable and functional at different operating and storage conditions. Emulsifiers in gel or paste form do not maintain the active α-gel phase over a longer storage period. Using emulsifiers blend in powder form can be a solution to all the mentioned difficulties. With the development of new technologies like spray drying and encapsulation has opened new doors to utilize emulsifiers blend in powder form. Few manufactures have tapped this opportunity and have developed improver powder that offers superior quality products as well as processing, storage, and handling benefits and is easy to use. Improver powder maintains its active and functional α-form when stored at ambient temperature. This development also increases the scope of dry premixes in the market and consumers can make products of their choice in the kitchen with minimal effort.

Silver Bionanocomposites as Active Food Packaging: Recent Advances & Future Trends Tackling the Food Waste Crisis

Food waste is a pressing global challenge leading to over $1 trillion lost annually and contributing up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Extensive study has been directed toward the use of active biodegradable packaging materials to improve food quality, minimize plastic use, and encourage sustainable packaging technology development. However, this has been achieved with limited success, which can mainly be attributed to poor material properties and high production costs. In the recent literature, the integration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has shown to improve the properties of biopolymer, prompting the development of bionanocomposites. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of AgNPs against foodborne pathogens leads towards food shelf-life improvement and provides a route towards reducing food waste. However, few reviews have analyzed AgNPs holistically throughout a portfolio of biopolymers from an industrial perspective. Hence, this review critically analyses the antibacterial, barrier, mechanical, thermal, and water resistance properties of AgNP-based bionanocomposites. These advanced materials are also discussed in terms of food packaging applications and assessed in terms of their performance in enhancing food shelf-life. Finally, the current barriers towards the commercialization of AgNP bionanocomposites are critically discussed to provide an industrial action plan towards the development of sustainable packaging materials to reduce food waste.

Defeating antibiotic-resistant bacteria with protein-resistant polyGGE film

Biofouling on medical device surfaces, which is initiated by protein adsorption and adhesion of microbes especially the antibiotic-resistant bacteria, attracts global attention for centuries due to its enduring challenges in healthcare. Here, the antifouling effect of hydrophilic poly(glycerol glycidyl ether) (polyGGE) film is explored in comparison to hemocompatible and protein-resistant control polymers. The chemical and thermomechanical stability of polyGGE in hydrated conditions at body temperature was achieved via adjusting UV curing and KOH quenching time. The polyGGE surface is inert to the plasma protein adsorption and interfered the metabolism conditions, biofilm formation and growth of both Gram negative (Gram-) and antibiotic-resistant Gram positive (Gram+) bacteria. These results indicate the potential application of polyGGE for combating the risk of hospital-acquired infections and preventing drug-resistant superbug spreading.