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Mung bean starch (MBS)-based edible films with incorporation of guar gum (GG) and sunflower seed oil (SSO) were developed in this study. MBS, GG, and SSO were used as the main filmogenic biopolymer, thickener, and hydrophobicity-imparting substance, respectively. To investigate the effect of SSO content on the physicochemical, mechanical, and optical properties of the films, they were supplemented with various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%, w/w) of SSO. Increasing SSO content tended to decrease tensile strength, elongation at break, crystallinity, water solubility, and the water vapor permeability; in contrast, it increased the oxygen transmission rate and water contact angle. Consequently, the incorporation of SSO into the matrix of MBS-based films decreased their mechanical strength but effectively enhanced their water-resistance properties. Therefore, the MBS-based film developed here can be properly used as an edible film in settings that require high water-resistance properties but do not call for robust mechanical strength.

In the present study, polycaprolactone (PCL) composite films incorporated with various concentrations of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) as an antimicrobial agent were prepared using a twin-screw extruder. Physical characteristics as well as antimicrobial properties of the PCL/GSE composite films were analyzed. The results showed that the surface color of the films gradually changed with increasing GSE concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated no significant structural changes such as chemical bond formation between PCL and GSE. Thermal properties were slightly affected due to GSE incorporation. Crystallinity of the composite films decreased as the amount of GSE increased. In vitro analysis indicated that the antimicrobial activity of the PCL/GSE composite films increased as the GSE concentration increased, with a 5% concentration showing the strongest inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes , with 5.8-log reduction in bacterial count. Application testing of the films was carried out for cheese packaging, and biodegradation of the samples was assessed via soil burial testing. Our findings confirmed the potential use of PCL/GSE composite films as biodegradable food packaging material with antimicrobial activity.

The effects of green tea extract (GTE) at varying concentrations (0.000, 0.125, 0.250, 0.500, and 1.000%, w/v) on the properties of rice-starch-pectin (RS-P) blend films were investigated. The results showed that GTE addition enhanced (p < 0.05) the antioxidation properties (i.e., total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power) and thickness of the RS-P composite film. The darker appearance of the RS-T-GTE blend films was obtained in correspondence to the lower L* values. However, the a* and b* values were higher toward red and yellow as GTE increased. Though GTE did not significantly alter the film solubility, the moisture content and the water vapor permeability (WVP) of the resulting films were reduced. In addition, the GTE enrichment diminished the light transmission in the UV-Visible region (200–800 nm) and the transparency of the developed films. The inclusion of GTE also significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB) of the developed film. The FT-IR spectra revealed the interactions between RS-P films and GTE with no changes in functional groups. The antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (TISTR 764) was observed in the RS-P biocomposite film with 1% (w/v) GTE. These results suggested that the RS-P-GTE composite film has considerable potential for application as active food packaging.

Biopolymer films based on apple skin powder (ASP) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were developed with the addition of apple skin extract (ASE) and tartaric acid (TA). ASP/CMC composite films were prepared by mixing CMC with ASP solution using a microfluidization technique to reduce particle size. Then, various concentrations of ASE and TA were incorporated into the film solution as an antioxidant and an antimicrobial agent, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), optical, mechanical, water barrier, and solubility properties of the developed films were then evaluated to determine the effects of ASE and TA on physicochemical properties. The films were also analyzed for antioxidant effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial activities against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella flexneri. From the results, the ASP/CMC film containing ASE and TA was revealed to enhance the mechanical, water barrier, and solubility properties. Moreover, it showed the additional antioxidant and antimicrobial properties for application as an active packaging film.

Purpose: The sound development of the capital market requires addressing the conflict of interest inherent in the issuer-payer model of credit rating agencies (CRAs) and mitigating the inaccuracy of the rating. The purpose of this study is to explore how to improve the issuer-payer model in CRA and examine whether increasing competition can contribute to enhancing the accuracy of credit ratings. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the purpose of this paper we study a similar case in the auditor industry and build a theoretical model to investigate the impact of new CRA entry on evaluation quality. Findings: Our theoretical model shows that simply increasing competition, such as introducing new entrants, can paradoxically lower the quality of evaluations. In addition, just as the designated auditor system improved the independence of auditor reports, credit rating agencies may also be able to improve the independence of their evaluations if a designated system is partially introduced. Research limitations/implications: We make a policy recommendation to mitigate conflicts of interest by designating a single CRA under the current multi-agency evaluation system. Originality/value: This study is the first to establish a theoretical model on the impact of new CRA entry on evaluation quality under economies of scale in information production.

Sodium alginate (SA) was crosslinked by calcium hydrogen phosphate and calcium carbonate (CC), of which the rate was controlled by glucono-delta-lactone to decrease the pH and induce a slow release of Ca 2+ ions. The crosslinked SA was coated on oriented polypropylene (OPP). The coated films exhibited a low oxygen transmission rate (OTR) under 0% relative humidity (RH). The SA coating crosslinked with CC 0.07 g/g SA exhibited a lower OTR under 50% RH than the OPP/pure SA film due to the dense matrix and the exposure of hydrophobic groups. The coated film was laminated with cast polypropylene, decreasing an OTR by 0.11 cm 3 /m 2 ·day (0% RH). Additionally, the pouches using the resultant multilayer films exhibited stable oxygen barrier properties against the environment which weakly simulates a boiling process. Furthermore, the pouches efficiently delayed the oxidation of grapeseed oil. Overall, the developed coatings show potential as oxygen barrier layers in food packaging.

Various edible polymers [sodium alginate, carboxyl methylcellulose, sodium oleate, liquid paraffin, pectin, pullulan, polyvinyl acetate, and shellac (SHE)] as potato-coating materials and their effect on extending the shelf life of potatoes when combined with an edible coating and UV-C irradiation treatments were evaluated. As a result of the characterization of the edible polymers, SHE was selected as the optimal coating material because it had the best moisture and light barrier properties. SHE coating successfully prevented the greening, respiration, and sprouting of potatoes caused by exposure to light and oxygen. Additionally, it reduced weight loss by inhibiting transpiration on the potato surface. While the SHE coating did not exhibit antimicrobial effects, a significant effect was observed when combined with UV-C irradiation. This study suggests the potential of combined treatment of SHE coating and UV-C irradiation in extending the postharvest quality of potatoes.

Sodium alginate (SA) was crosslinked by calcium hydrogen phosphate and calcium carbonate (CC), of which the rate was controlled by glucono-delta-lactone to decrease the pH and induce a slow release of Ca ions. The crosslinked SA was coated on oriented polypropylene (OPP). The coated films exhibited a low oxygen transmission rate (OTR) under 0% relative humidity (RH). The SA coating crosslinked with CC 0.07 g/g SA exhibited a lower OTR under 50% RH than the OPP/pure SA film due to the dense matrix and the exposure of hydrophobic groups. The coated film was laminated with cast polypropylene, decreasing an OTR by 0.11 cm /m ·day (0% RH). Additionally, the pouches using the resultant multilayer films exhibited stable oxygen barrier properties against the environment which weakly simulates a boiling process. Furthermore, the pouches efficiently delayed the oxidation of grapeseed oil. Overall, the developed coatings show potential as oxygen barrier layers in food packaging.

This study assesses the impact of dual modification [octenyl succinylation (OSA) and heat-moisture treatment (HMT)] of sweet potato starch (SPS) on the physicochemical, mechanical, and permeability properties of SPS film. The intrinsic limitations of starch films, such as sensitivity to high humidity, inferior mechanical properties, and weak barrier capabilities, have restricted their use in sausage casings. Nonetheless, the dual-modified SPS film (OSA@HMT-SPS film) demonstrated significantly reduced solubility ( P  < 0.05), moisture content, water vapor permeability (WVP), and O 2 permeability compared to the SPS film. Furthermore, its flexibility and elasticity, indicated by its elongation at break, was notably superior. When used as sausage casings, the OSA@HMT-SPS film effectively mitigated lipid oxidation in sausages better than both the SPS film and commercial collagen casings, owing to its low O 2 permeability. As a result, the OSA@HMT-SPS casing presents significant promise as a plant-based sausage casing alternative.