Effects of genipin as natural crosslinker on barrier and mechanical properties of chitosan‐astaxanthin film

The cross-linking ability of dialdo-galactose in food processing condition

Cross-linking is a popular strategy to tailor the mechanical profile of foods and materials. Dialdo-galactose (DAG) is a hetero-sugar bearing two aldehyde groups that could potentially cross-link amino-group rich systems. In this study, we proved even in undesirable Maillard reaction condition, DAG is a very reactive Maillard substrate that could effectively cross-link all the tested foods, enhance their mechanical strength, and generate brown pigments during cross-linking. In particular, DAG treated sea cucumber exhibited good stability against heat-induced deterioration. In addition, DAG treated collagen sausage casing was more elastic and flexible then glutaraldehyde (GA) treated ones. DAG also outperformed GA in generating stronger chitosan hydrogels with higher G', and the DAG cross-linked chitosan film was more robust against acid-catalyzed decompositions. These results have not only confirmed DAG's cross-linking ability in food processing condition, but also provided useful information for the development of new food cross-linking agents based on oxidized saccharides.

Study on the Interaction Mechanism of Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol Maleimide with Sweet Potato β-Amylase

In this study, sweet potato β-amylase (SPA) was modified by methoxy polyethylene glycol maleimide (molecular weight 5000, Mal-mPEG5000) to obtain the Mal-mPEG5000-SPA modified β-amylase and the interaction mechanism between SPA and Mal-mPEG5000 was investigated. the changes in the functional groups of different amide bands and modifications in the secondary structure of enzyme protein were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The addition of Mal-mPEG5000 transformed the random curl in the SPA secondary structure into a helix structure, forming a folded structure. The Mal-mPEG5000 improved the thermal stability of SPA and protected the structure of the protein from breaking by the surrounding. The thermodynamic analysis further implied that the intermolecular forces between SPA and Mal-mPEG5000 were hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds due to the positive values of ΔH^θ and ΔS^θ. Furthermore, the calorie titration data showed that the binding stoichiometry for the complexation of Mal-mPEG5000 to SPA was 1.26, and the binding constant was 1.256 × 10⁷ mol/L. The binding reaction resulted from negative enthalpy, indicating that the interaction of SPA and Mal-mPEG5000 was induced by the van der Waals force and hydrogen bonding. The UV results showed the formation of non-luminescent material during the interaction, the Fluorescence results confirmed that the mechanism between SPA and Mal-mPEG5000 was static quenching. According to the fluorescence quenching measurement, the binding constant (K_A) values were 4.65 × 10⁴ L·mol^-1 (298K), 5.56 × 10⁴ L·mol^-1 (308K), and 6.91 × 10⁴ L·mol^-1 (318K), respectively.

Functional Properties and Storage Stability of Astaxanthin-Loaded Polysaccharide/Gelatin Blend Films—A Comparative Study

Edible films were obtained from the aqueous binary 75/25 blends of polysaccharides (carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), gum Arabic (GAR), octenyl succinic anhydride starch (OSA), and water-soluble soy polysaccharides (WSSP)) and gelatin (GEL) supplemented with increasing concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% w/w) of water-soluble AstaSana (AST) astaxanthin. The AST-loaded films were red and exhibited a grainy microstructure and reduced transparency. The CMC- and WSSP-based films were the best UV-C blockers. After the incorporation of 1% AST, the antiradical activity of the films increased by 1.5 times (~25 percentage points) compared to the controls. The tensile strength (TS) of the CMC-containing films was much higher than those of the other films (36.88–43.04 vs. 2.69–15.62 MPa). AST decreased the TS of the CMC/GEL film (by ~11–14%) but improved the mechanical cohesiveness of the GAR/GEL film (by ~50%). The storage test (at 25 °C and 60 °C, no light access) revealed that the CMC- and GAR-based films exhibited the lowest colour change. Furthermore, at the elevated temperature, the films with higher AST concentration exhibited a better ability to maintain their colour. The WSSP/GEL films were the most prone to darkening and yellowing, possibly due to the Maillard reaction. Moreover, these films had the weakest antiradical activity.

Genipin-Crosslinked Gelatin/Chitosan-Based Functional Films Incorporated with Rosemary Essential Oil and Quercetin

Functional food packaging films were prepared using a binary mixture of chitosan and gelatin through crosslinking with genipin and hybridization with rosemary essential oil and quercetin. The mixture of chitosan and gelatin produced the compatible film, and the added fillers also showed good compatibility. The physical properties of the chitosan/gelatin film were not greatly affected by crosslinking with genipin, and the functionality of the composite film was increased by the addition of rosemary essential oil and quercetin. The bioactive additives did not significantly affect the hydrophobicity and water vapor barrier properties of the chitosan/gelatin film but significantly changed the color, while the mechanical and thermal properties were slightly affected. The addition of these functional fillers significantly improved the UV protection, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of the chitosan/gelatin film. Therefore, the novel chitosan/gelatin film with genipin crosslinking and the integration of rosemary essential oil and quercetin is considered to have high potential for applications in active food packaging.