Seyed Mohamad Hashem Hosseini

Bio: Seyed Mohamad Hashem Hosseini is an academic researcher from University of Tehran. The author has contributed to research in topics: Chitosan & Active packaging. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 1336 citations.

Effect of urban sprawl on a traditional water system (qanat) in the City of Mashhad, NE Iran

Abstract: The qanat is one of the traditional water supply systems in semi-arid zones. Today, this sustainable system is under threat from various modern phenomena. Urban sprawl is the most salient factor, which poses a major threat to these water systems (qanats). This study endeavors to explore the effect of urban expansion on the qanat fields as well as the difficulties encountered at city construction and water system junctions in the northeastern city of Mashhad, in Iran. Data analysis reveals that rapid urbanization as well as uncontrolled urban expansion has led to the intersection of city construction and qanats; especially during the last few decades. This phenomenon has resulted in the destruction of 88 qanat fields, water shortage in the city of Mashhad, and the substitution of this sustainable and environment-friendly system with alternative unsustainable water systems such as dams and wells.

Essential oils as additives in biodegradable films and coatings for active food packaging

Abstract: The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia through Project AGL2010-20694, from Universidad Politecnica de Valencia through Project PAID-06-11-2013 and from Conselleria de Empresa, Universidad y Ciencia (Project GV/2013/152).

Development of Edible Films and Coatings with Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract: Over the last years, considerable research has been conducted to develop and apply edible films and coatings made from a variety of agricultural commodities and/or wastes of food product industrialization. Such biopolymers include polysaccharides, proteins, and their blends. These materials present the possibility of being carriers of different additives, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, nutraceuticals, and flavorings agents. In particular, the use of edibles films and coatings containing antimicrobials has demonstrated to be a useful tool as a stress factor to protect foodstuff against spoilage flora and to decrease the risk of pathogen growth. The more commonly antimicrobials used are organic acids, chitosan, nisin, the lactoperoxidase system, and some plant extracts and their essential oils. For the selection of an antimicrobial, it must be considered the effectiveness against the target microorganism and also the possible interactions among the antimicrobial, the film-forming biopolymer, and other food components present. These interactions can modify the antimicrobial activity and the characteristics of the film being these key factors for the development of antimicrobial films and coatings. The main objective of this article is to review the bibliography of the last years concerning the main hydrocolloids and antimicrobials used for developing edible films and coatings, the methods used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity, the applications and the legislation concerning edible films and coatings. Also, the different strategies related to the modification of structural characteristics and the future trends in the development are discussed. The information update will help to improve the design, development, and application of edible films and coatings tending to increase the safety and quality of food products and to prepare for food legislation changes that might be necessary while identifying future trends concerning a better functionality of edible films thought as a stress factor for lengthening shelf life of food products.