Luis J. Bastarrachea

Bio: Luis J. Bastarrachea is an academic researcher from Utah State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Antimicrobial & Chemistry. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 30 publications receiving 861 citations. Previous affiliations of Luis J. Bastarrachea include University of Massachusetts Amherst & Seoul Women's University.

Engineering Properties of Polymeric-Based Antimicrobial Films for Food Packaging: A Review

Abstract: The concept of antimicrobial packaging has received great attention because of its potential to enhance food safety. Several studies have explored its applications and effectiveness to suppress pathogenic microorganisms. However, few studies have analyzed the alterations caused in the engineering properties of food-packaging polymers after the incorporation of antimicrobials. Such information is very important to understand the feasibility of producing antimicrobial packaging films on the industrial scale. This review explores the work done so far to evaluate how the incorporation of antimicrobial substances affects the properties of food-packaging systems. This article also emphasizes diffusion studies on antimicrobial substances through packaging films and the analytical solutions used to characterize this diffusion mechanism. Our review found that although the properties of packaging materials are altered by the addition of antimicrobials such as organic acids, enzymes, and bacteriocins, every packaging material is unique, and these effects cannot be generalized.

Active Packaging Coatings

Abstract: Active food packaging involves the packaging of foods with materials that provide an enhanced functionality, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant or biocatalytic functions. This can be achieved through the incorporation of active compounds into the matrix of the commonly used packaging materials, or by the application of coatings with the corresponding functionality through surface modification. The latter option offers the advantage of preserving the packaging materials’ bulk properties nearly intact. Herein, different coating technologies like embedding for controlled release, immobilization, layer-by-layer deposition, and photografting are explained and their potential application for active food packaging is explored and discussed.

Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films incorporated with nisin: characterization and effectiveness against Listeria innocua

Abstract: Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films incorporated with nisin were prepared with concentrations of 0, 1000, 3000, and 5000 international units per cm(2) (IU/cm(2)). All the films with nisin inhibited Listeria innocua, and generated inhibition zones with diameters ranging from 14 to 17 mm. The water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability after the addition of nisin ranged from 3.05 to 3.61 x 10(11) g m m(-2) s(-1) Pa(-1) and from 4.80 x 10(7) to 11.26 x 10(7) mL.m.m(-2).d(-1).Pa(-1), respectively. The elongation at break (epsilon(b)) was not altered by the incorporation of nisin (P > 0.05). Significant effect was found for the elastic modulus (E) and the tensile strength (sigma(s)) (P < 0.05). The glass transition and melting temperatures with the presence of nisin ranged from -36.3 to -36.6 degrees C and from 122.5 to 124.2 degrees C, respectively. The thermal transition parameters such as the crystallization and melting enthalpies and crystallization temperature were influenced significantly (P < 0.05) by incorporation of nisin into films. The X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited decreasing levels of intensity (counts) as the concentration of nisin increased in a range of 2theta from 8 degrees to 35 degrees . Formation of holes and pores was observed from the environmental scanning electron microscopy images in the films containing nisin, suggesting interaction between PBAT and nisin.

Antimicrobial food equipment coatings: applications and challenges.

Abstract: Emerging technologies in antimicrobial coatings can help improve the quality and safety of our food supply. The goal of this review is to survey the major classes of antimicrobial agents explored for use in coatings and to describe the principles behind coating processes. Technologies from a range of fields, including biomedical and textiles research, as well as current applications in food contact materials, are addressed, and the technical hurdles that must be overcome to enable commercial adaptation to food processing equipment are critically evaluated.

Effects of Air and Freeze Drying on Phytochemical Content of Conventional and Organic Berries

Abstract: U.S. sales of organic products continue to climb due to consumer perception of both environmental and health benefits of organic produce. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of air and freeze drying and blanching treatment prior to air drying on phytochemical content of conventional and organic red raspberries and blueberries. Total anthocyanins and phenolics contents and total antioxidant activity were determined in two cultivars of blueberry (‘Duke’ and ‘Reka’) and in ‘Meeker’ red raspberry harvested under two different techniques (hand and machine). The phytochemical content was determined after subjecting the berries to air and freeze drying with or without blanching pretreatment. In general, no consistent differences were noted between the phytochemical concentrations in fresh conventional and organic berries. The effect of drying on the retention of phytochemicals depended on drying technique, cultivar, and production system (conventional or organic). Blanching prior to air dry...

Antimicrobial agents for food packaging applications

Abstract: Foods contamination leading to spoilage and growth of pathogenic microorganisms can happen when exposed to environment during slaughtering, processing, packaging and shipping. Although traditional food preservation methods such as drying, heating, freezing, fermentation and salting can extend food shelf-life, it is not consummate especially to inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms that may endanger consumers' health. Antimicrobial packaging is a novel development that incorporates antimicrobial agent into polymer film to suppress the activities of targeted microorganisms. However, antimicrobial packaging is still an extremely challenging technology and there are only a few commercialized products found in the market. This review focuses on analyzing the antimicrobial agent development for the past decades till recent technology. The information about performance of antimicrobial packaging such as microbiology performance and physico-mechanical properties of the packaging film were discussed. It is expected such information would provide an overview as well as promote the development of antimicrobial packaging in the food related field and industry.

Recent Advances on Edible Films Based on Fruits and Vegetables—A Review

Abstract: Food packaging materials are traditionally expected to contain foodstuffs and protect them from deteriorating agents. Although petroleum-derived polymers have been widely used for this purpose, the rising concern with their nonrenewable and/or nonbiodegradable nature paves the route for the development of greener alternatives, including polysaccharides and polypeptides. The use of these food-grade biomacromolecules, in addition to fruits and vegetables, provides edible packaging with suitable physical-mechanical properties as well as unique sensory and nutritional characteristics. This text reviews the chronological development pathway of films based on fruit and vegetable purees, pomaces, and extracts. Recent advances are extensively reviewed with an emphasis on the role that each film component plays in the resulting materials, whose production methods are examined from a technical standpoint and essential properties are compiled and contrasted to their conventional, synthetic counterparts. Finally, this comprehensive review discusses advantages and limitations of edible films based on fruits and vegetables.

Responsive and Synergistic Antibacterial Coatings: Fighting against Bacteria in a Smart and Effective Way.

Abstract: Antibacterial coatings that eliminate initial bacterial attachment and prevent subsequent biofilm formation are essential in a number of applications, especially implanted medical devices. Although various approaches, including bacteria-repelling and bacteria-killing mechanisms, have been developed, none of them have been entirely successful due to their inherent drawbacks. In recent years, antibacterial coatings that are responsive to the bacterial microenvironment, that possess two or more killing mechanisms, or that have triggered-cleaning capability have emerged as promising solutions for bacterial infection and contamination problems. This review focuses on recent progress on three types of such responsive and synergistic antibacterial coatings, including i) self-defensive antibacterial coatings, which can "turn on" biocidal activity in response to a bacteria-containing microenvironment; ii) synergistic antibacterial coatings, which possess two or more killing mechanisms that interact synergistically to reinforce each other; and iii) smart "kill-and-release" antibacterial coatings, which can switch functionality between bacteria killing and bacteria releasing under a proper stimulus. The design principles and potential applications of these coatings are discussed and a brief perspective on remaining challenges and future research directions is presented.