7 research outputs found
Centralized Packaging Systems for Meats
No full textThis chapter discusses the variety of centralized packaging systems for retail-ready meat which is a commercial reality, and each of them satisfies different requirements. Thus, high O2 modified atmosphere packaging is suitable for local distribution due to the limited shelf-life, whereas master packaging in the absence of O2, combined with appropriate temperature control, good manufacturing practices, and suitable packaging materials can achieve 6–10 weeks of storage life, besides being the most economical system due to the grouping of individual packs. The case-ready program has been a reactionary process built on market demand, satisfying cost-cutting requirements at specific segments of the supply and distribution channels. Communications between packer and retail buyer, and between retail buyer and store meat manager are keys to the success of the system, because they allow prediction of sales on a store-by-store basis and provide better pricing strategies and promotional activities.Fil: Buffo, Roberto Americo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biologicas. Grupo de Investigacion y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino | Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biologicas. Grupo de Investigacion y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentin
Surface chemistry of food, packaging and biopolymer materials
No full textThis chapter discusses the physicochemical principles of surface phenomena, and provides an overview of the research regarding surface properties of biopolymers used for the manufacturing of biodegradable films. Surface properties of food packaging polymers, such as wettability, scalability, printability, dye uptake, resistance to glazing, and adhesion to food surfaces or other polymers are of central importance to food packaging designers and engineers with respect to product shelf-life, appearance, and quality control. The most commonly used food packaging polymers are low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and nylon. In recent years, environmental concerns have increased the interest in preparing biodegradable packaging materials. Proteins and polysaccharides are the biopolymers of prime interest, since they can be used effectively to make edible and biodegradable films to replace short shelf-life plastics. Surface properties of biopolymers provide a supplementary understanding of film behavior, leading to an enhanced design of packaging materials for specific applications.Fil: Buffo, Roberto Americo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biologicas. Grupo de Investigacion y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino | Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biologicas. Grupo de Investigacion y Desarrollo del Noroeste Argentino.; ArgentinaFil: Han, Jung H.. Pepsico; Estados UnidosFil: Zhang, Yachuan. Pepsico; Estados Unido
Determination of Linear Response in the Detection of Aroma Compounds by Atmospheric Pressure Ionization−Mass Spectrometry (API-MS)
No full textLinearity and detection thresholds of atmospheric pressure ionization−mass spectrometry (API-MS) were determined for 11 aroma compounds in air at concentrations ranging from 50 ppb to ∼450 ppm (moles of volatile per mole of air). In most cases, the protonated molecular ion (i.e., m/z = M + 1) was the base peak throughout the range; however, some compounds showed an increase in fragmentation at lower concentrations. Detection limits varied greatly (from 50 ppb to 14 ppm) depending upon the aroma compound being measured. The linear range was also strongly dependent upon the aroma compound, with values ranging from 4000-fold change in concentration depending upon the volatile being studied. The two volatiles with poor detection thresholds also exhibited the smallest linear range. Most compounds had linear ranges of >200. There was no apparent relationship between gas-phase basicity and either detection limit or linear range.Fil: Buffo, Roberto Americo. University of Minnesota; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Zehentbauer, Gerhard. University of Minnesota; Estados UnidosFil: Reineccius, Gary A. University of Minnesota; Estados Unido
Inhibitory effects of microencapsulated allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in refrigerated, nitrogen packed, finely chopped beef
No full textAllyl isothiocyanate (AIT) is an effective inhibitor of various pathogens, but its use in the food industry is limited by its volatility and pungency. The objective of this study was to overcome the volatility of AIT by microencapsulation and evaluate its antimicrobial effectiveness against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in chopped beef. Chopped beef was aseptically prepared and inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of E. coli O157:H7 to yield 4 or 8 log10 cfu/g. AIT was microencapsulated in gum acacia to yield 3.7-54.8 mg AIT/g at a ratio of 1:4 and freeze dried. Microcapsules at 5% or 10% (w/w) were then added to experimental samples that were packed under nitrogen, and stored at 4°C for 18 days. Samples were analyzed for numbers of E. coli O157:H7 and the aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAC) at 3-day intervals. AIT at 4980 ppm eliminated both low and high levels of inoculated E. coli O157:H7 after 15 and 18 days of storage, respectively. AIT at 2828 ppm reduced E. coli by 2.7 log10 cfu/g by 18 days of storage. AIT levels < 1000 ppm were not more effective in reducing E. coli survival than the control treatment without AIT addition. AIT at 170-1480 ppm had negligible effects on the TAC, and while 4980 ppm kept TAC levels ≤ 3 log10 cfu/g during 18 days of storage, the TAC reached 7.25 log10 cfu/g in the control. It was found that AIT microencapsulated in gum acacia could be used in chopped refrigerated beef to reduce or eliminate large numbers of E. coli O157:H7.Fil: Chacon, Pedro A.. University of Manitoba; CanadáFil: Buffo, Roberto Americo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. University of Manitoba; CanadáFil: Holley, Richard A.. University of Manitoba; Canad
Edible Fims and Coatings from Plant Origin Proteins
No full textThis chapter discusses the film formation ability and associated functional properties of a number of plant proteins, namely those extractable from corn, soybean, wheat, cottonseed, and other crops. Soy protein films are typically prepared from Soy protein isolate (SPI) by drying thin layers of cast film forming solutions. The drying temperature and RH that determine the drying rate of cast solutions can also affect the film structure and properties. The high oxygen-barrier capability of SPI films could be utilized in the manufacture of multilayer packaging, where protein films would function as the oxygen barrier providing layer. SPI coating on precooked meat products could control lipid oxidation and limit surface moisture loss. Further, wheat gluten (WG) films have been produced by collecting the surface skin formed during the heating of WG solutions to temperatures near boiling. Application of WG-based materials can be envisioned for the coating of seeds, pills, and foodstuffs, and for making cosmetic masks, polishes, or drug capsules. There are other plant proteins of limited availability that may be of interest, due to a unique property they provide to films or an advantage with regard to film formation. Limited availability may be because of relatively low production of the protein source or limitations in recovering the protein as a coproduct from a process. The nature, recovery, film formation, and film properties of protein obtained from peanut, rice, pea, pistachio, and grain sorghum are also described in this discussion.Fil: Buffo, Roberto Americo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Hang, Jung H.. University of Manitoba; Canad
Determinantes de decisões sobre atos de concentração: uma avaliação das capacidades da autoridade antitruste brasileira e a influência dos conselheiros
No full textMerger reviews are institutionalized and customized analyses of mergers and acquisitions by antitrust authorities which result in approvals or disapprovals of the strategic intents of firms. In view of the wide variety of agents whose lives may be changed by a merger review, the fact that different stakeholders might induce a government intervention on a particular deal, and the central role of antitrust commissioners in this context, the general aim of this thesis is to examine the determinants of merger review decisions, but particularly those related to commissioners\' personal attributes, values and interests. Additionally, some structural and procedural issues contained in the antitrust regulatory sphere as well as control variables related to other perspectives of analysis are included as part of this empirical analysis. To achieve the mentioned general objective and other specific goals, a unique dataset was built that covers a fourteen-year period of competition regulation in Brazil. The sample of this study comprises 30,543 votes by 36 different panel members on 5,091 transactions examined through ordered probit models. This thesis, mainly, reveals that \'political ideology\', \'prior work experience in the public service\' and \'human capital\' of antitrust commissioners, in addition to the size of commissions\' voting panels, affect consistently merger review verdicts. In short, under the PSDB presidential administration, for example, transactions were less challenged in Brazil. Regarding the \'public service experience\', commissioners who have predominant prior job or professional association in Education, Health and Social areas, inversely to \'political ideology\', increase the likelihood of high levels of intervention in private deals. Additionally, commissioners\' accumulated skills and knowledge - the \'human capital\' - also affect positively law enforcement on merger reviews. The implications of this particular contribution to public administration follow the same path of \'public service experience\': if societies do not pressure politicians to improve public service, considering not only a remarkable knowledge in Law or Economics to appoint a commissioner, but having a broader view of individuals\' motivations and claims, interferences between \'concepts, principles and norms\' stated in laws, and law enforcement will continuously occur. The last consistent result shows that the likelihood of the Brazilian authority to impose significant changes to firms decreases the greater the voting panel. Thus, this thesis suggests to antitrust policymakers that wide ranges of minimum and maximum quorum in voting panels must be avoided. To the best knowledge of this thesis author, there is not any past research that found such results. It means a unique contribution to the antitrust and management literatures.Atos de concentração são processos de análise institucionalizados e customizados de fusões e aquisições, realizados por autoridades antitrustes, que resultam na aprovação ou bloqueio dos intentos estratégicos das firmas. Em vista da grande variadade de agentes cujas vidas podem ser afetadas pelos atos de concentração, do fato de que diferentes agentes podem induzir uma intervenção do governo em uma transação específica e o papel central dos conselheiros antitruste neste contexto, o objetivo geral desta tese é examinar os determinantes das decisões de uma autoridade antitruste sobre atos de concentração, mas particularmente os determinantes relacionados aos atributos pessoais, valores e interesses dos conselheiros. Adicionalmente, alguns fatores contidos na esfera regulatória antitruste são considerados nesta análise empírica. Para que o objetivo geral mencionado e outros específicos sejam alcançados, um banco de dados único foi construído e cobre um período de catorze anos de regulacão no Brasil. A amostra deste estudo, então, contém 30,543 votos de 36 diferentes membros do CADE sobre 5,091 transações. Modelos probit ordenados são usados para a análise dos dados. Esta tese, principalmente, revela que \'ideologia política\', \'experiencia prévia de trabalho no setor público\' e \'capital humano\' dos conselheiros antitruste, somando-se ao tamanho do plenário votante, afetam consistentemente os veriditos de atos de concentração. Em resumo, sob a administração federal do PSDB, por exemplo, as transações foram menos alteradas no Brasil. Quanto à experiencia no serviço público, os conselheiros que tiveram atuação profissional predominante nas áreas de Educação, Saúde e Assistencia Social, inversamente à \'ideologia polítical, aumentam a probabilidade de altos níveis de intervenção estatal em acordos privados. Adicionalmente, habilidades e conhecimento acumulados dos conselheiros, o chamado \'capital humano\', também afetam positivamente o nível de emprego da lei em atos de concentração. As implicações destes achados para a administração pública seguem um mesmo caminho: se a sociedade não pressionar os politicos a aperfeiçoarem o serviço público, considerando-se não somente o notável saber jurídico ou econômico para a nomeação de um conselheiro, mas tendo uma visão mais ampla das motivações e pretensões dos indivíduos, interferências continuarão a existir entre \'conceitos, principios e normas\' anunciados pela lei e a lei aplicada. Por fim, como último resultado consistente, a probabilidade de que a autoridade antitruste Brasileira imponha mudanças significativas às firmas decresce à medida que os conselheiros habilitados para votar são mais numerosos. Portanto, esta tese sugere aos formuladores de políticas que sejam evitados intervalos largos entre o mínimo e o máximo de votantes
The association between hypoalbuminemia and risk of death due to cancer and vascular disease in individuals aged 65 years and older. Findings from the prospective Moli-sani cohort study
No full textBackground Serum albumin is inversely associated with overall mortality, but its association with specific causes of death remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate whether hypoalbuminemia, defined as serum albumin levels <= 35 g/L, is associated with mortality specifically attributed to cancer and/or vascular diseases. Methods Serum albumin levels were measured in the population-based, prospective cohort of the Moli-sani study, established between 2005 and 2010. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as serum albumin levels <= 35 g/L. Cause-specific mortality was assessed using the validated Italian mortality registry and coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 9. Over a median follow-up period of 13.1 years, the relationship between serum albumin and mortality, adjusted for covariates, was investigated using competing-risk survival analysis. Findings The analysed cohort comprised 17,930 individuals aged >= 35 years, of whom 8445 were men (47.1%). The mean age was 54 years (standard deviation (SD) = 11 years), with 3299 individuals (18.4%) aged older than 65 years. All participants had C-reactive protein levels <10 mg/L and no history of liver, renal, cardiovascular, or cancer disease. Hypoalbuminemia was found in 406 individuals (2.3%). The study documented a total of 1428 deaths, with 574 attributed to cancer and 464 to vascular causes. Hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with mortality when compared to serum albumin >40 g/L (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.61, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.21-2.13). A decrease of 1-SD in serum albumin levels corresponded to HR of 1.16 (1.09-1.22), 1.16 (1.05-1.28), and 1.13 (1.03-1.23) for total, vascular and cancer mortality, respectively. Upon stratifying by age, hypoalbuminemia was associated with total mortality solely in those aged >= 65 years (HR = 1.83; 1.33-2.50) but not in the <65 years group (HR = 1.03; 0.53-2.00; P < 0.0001 for difference). Similar age-related patterns emerged for vascular death (per 1-SD decrease HR = 1.19; 1.07-1.33 in individuals >= 65 years and HR = 1.05; 0.86-1.29 in individuals <65 years) and cancer mortality (HR = 1.15; 1.02-1.30; >= 65 years and HR = 1.08; 0.96-1.23; <65 years). Interpretation Individuals >= 65 years old with serum albumin levels <= 35 g/L are at higher risk of total, cancer, and vascular mortality. Copyright (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
