Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química

Novozym 435 (N435) is a commercially available immobilized lipase produced by Novozymes with its advantages and drawbacks.

Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and handling. Packaging design and materials innovations represent real opportunities to reduce food waste within the supply chain. Besides, changes in people's lifestyles have increased the demand for high-quality, fresh, minimally processed, and ready-to-eat food products with extended shelf-life, that need to meet strict and constantly renewed food safety regulations. In this regard, accurate monitoring of food quality and spoilage is necessary to diminish both health hazards and food waste. Thus, this work provides an overview of the most recent advances in the investigation and development of food packaging materials and design with the aim to improve food chain sustainability. Enhanced barrier and surface properties as well as active materials for food conservation are reviewed. Likewise, the function, importance, current availability, and future trends of intelligent and smart packaging systems are presented, especially considering biobased sensor development by 3D printing technology. In addition, driving factors affecting fully biobased packaging design and materials development and production are discussed, considering byproducts and waste minimization and revalorization, recyclability, biodegradability, and other possible ends-of-life and their impact on product/package system sustainability.

ABSTRACT Dependable data on bulk density, volumetric shrinkage due to water loss and porosity are needed to model processes such as drying, packaging and storing. Experimental data are presented for all three properties. It is possible to model the water‐loss‐based bulk shrinkage coefficient to obtain a predictive equation based on composition of the foodstuff. From this, a generalized correlation is obtained which predicts bulk shrinkage coefficient knowing only the initial moisture content of the food. Porosities for the foodstuffs considered can be predicted through suitable correlations, but there is no generalized equation spanning all foods.

The controlled release of medicaments remains the most convenient way of drug delivery. Therefore, a wide variety of reports can be found in the open literature dealing with drug delivery systems. In particular, the use of nano- and microparticles devices has received special attention during the past two decades. PLA and its copolymers with GA and/or PEG appear as the preferred substrates to fabricate these devices. The methods of fabrication of these particles will be reviewed in this article, describing in detail the experimental variables associated with each one with regard to the influence of them on the performance of the particles as drug carriers. An analysis of the relationship between the method of preparation and the kind of drug to encapsulate is also included. Furthermore, certain issues involved in the addition of other monomeric substrates than lactic acid to the particles formulation as well as novel devices, other than nano- and microparticles, will be discussed in the present work considering the published literature available.

The CO2 reforming of methane is studied over a 20 wt % Ni/USY-zeolite, and more specifically, a thermodynamic analysis of the formation of coke is used as a basis for the kinetic modeling of coke phenomena that exist under dry reforming conditions. Two thermodynamic parameters, α and β, are compared to the equilibrium constants for the CH4 decomposition and the CO disproportionation reactions and defined to determine whether coke formation is favored. This thermodynamic analysis elucidates the significance of the CO disproportionation reaction on the amount of coke deposited over the catalyst under consideration. A kinetic model with negative overall order of one, with respect to the partial pressure of carbon monoxide, is found as the most accurate prediction of the rate of coke formation. This type of kinetics strongly suggests the requirement of three adjacent free catalyst sites for the coking reaction to proceed under allowable thermodynamic conditions.

Glass fibers (GF) are the reinforcement agent most used in polypropylene (PP) based composites, as they have good balance between properties and costs. However, their final properties are mainly determined by the strength and stability of the polymer-fiber interphase. Fibers do not act as an effective reinforcing material when the adhesion is weak. Also, the adhesion between phases can be easily degraded in aggressive environmental conditions such as high temperatures and/or elevated moisture, and by the stress fields to which the material may be exposed. Many efforts have been done to improve polymer-glass fiber adhesion by compatibility enhancement. The most used techniques include modifications in glass surface, polymer matrix and/or both. However, the results obtained do not show a good costs/properties improvement relationship. The aim of this work is to perform an accurate analysis regarding methods for GF/PP adhesion improvement and to propose a new route based on PP in-situ polymerization onto fibers. This route involves the modification of fibers with an aluminum alkyl and hydroxy-α-olefin and from there to enable the growth of the PP chains using direct metallocenic copolymerization. The adhesion improvements were further proved by fragmentation test, as well as by mechanical properties measurements. The strength and toughness increases three times and the interfacial strength duplicates in PP/GF composites prepared with in-situ polymerized fibers.

ABSTRACT A simple procedure has been implemented to measure porosity of apples as a function of moisture contents. The method has been applied to apples with change in moisture contents by conventional air drying. It is shown that the pores, which for biological reasons are open, i.e. connected to the outside, at the onset of dehydration, remain so until X = 1.5 g/g. As dehydration proceeds the pores are split into two families of pores: externally connected pores and locked‐in bores. Both total and open pore porosity can be predicted from experimental correlations. Alternatively, the total porosity can be estimated from data on bulk volume shrinkage and the average composition of the tissue by means of equations presented. The interpretation of experimental data using this approach confirms that there is a significant change in the three‐dimensional arrangement of the cellular tissue below X = 1.5 g/g. The two approaches lead to the conclusion that, probably due to cellular collapse, the open structure that characterizes the fresh foodstuff changes into a structure with locked‐in pores. This fact may help to explain the slow and difficult re‐hydration which characterizes air‐dried foodstuffs. This hypothesis will be followed up in future work. The information developed should be of help in qualitative and quantitative modeling of processes involving moisture changes.

Films based on thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) and chitosan/chitin were obtained by melt-mixing and thermo-compression. Chitosan and chitin incorporation to TPS matrix induced some structural modifications due mainly to the interactions between starch hydroxyl and chitosan/chitin amino groups. Crystallinity degree of TPS films was increased with biopolymers incorporation. Enthalpy melting values for TPS–chitosan/chitin films resulted lower than those corresponding to TPS control ones. Films had homogeneous and smooth surfaces, without pores and cracks and no glycerol migration was evidenced by Scanning Electronic Microscopy. Films fracture surfaces were uniform without the presence of unmelting starch granules neither chitosan/chitin agglomerates. Films with chitosan/chitin presented higher color, UV absorption capacity and opacity than TPS films. Addition of 10 g chitosan or chitin/100 g starch decreased 35 and 56% water vapor permeability, respectively. Biopolymers addition to TPS increased tensile strength and elastic modulus, and decreased elongation at break. Starch and glycerol-rich domains where evidenced in TPS matrixes by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. Finally, TPS–chitosan films reduced Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth in the contact zone.

Rheological data on a food together with data on its composition and structure or microstructure should lead to understanding the interrelationships between them. A number of foods are dispersions of solids in liquids, liquids in liquids, or gas in liquids. The dispersed particles may be colloidal in nature with dimensions < 10 mum, or larger noncolloidal particles (> 10 mum). For both colloidal and noncolloidal dispersions (either in dilute or concentrated regimes), several theoretical equations exist that provide insights into the role of key rheological parameters, such as particle volume fraction and size, interparticle forces, and fractal dimension on their viscosity, yield stress, and modulus. When theoretical models cannot be easily applied to foods with complex structures, structural analysis and structure-based models provide insight into the role of solids loading and interparticle bonding on rheological behavior. In this review, recent studies on colloidal and noncolloidal food dispersions in which theoretical models as well as structural analysis were employed are discussed.

ABSTRACT Effect of concentration and temperature on thermophysical properties of clarified apple juice was studied. Density, viscosity, specific heat, and thermal conductivity were measured at different conditions, ranging from 20 to 90 o C and 12 to 70 o Brix. Experimental data were related to the corresponding properties of water and compared with the behavior of sugar solutions. The results obtained were used to derive mathematical models and correlations for predicting these properties as a function of both concentration and temperature.

Abstract Effects of temperature and oxygen concentration on oxidative deterioration during storage of crude sunflower oils, obtained by pressing and solvent extraction, were studied. Oxidation was monitored through several analytical and chromatographic methods that determine chemical and physical changes or analyze specific oxidation compounds at different stages of the process: peroxide value, p ‐anisidine value, free fatty acids, weight gain, total content and distribution of polar compounds, and composition of fatty acids. Extracted oil showed a higher oxidative stability than pressed oil. Oxidative deterioration was strongly dependent on temperature, oxygen availability, and the ratio of exposed surface to sample volume. A kinetic model of two series reactions was developed to represent oxidation rate in terms of peroxide value, the reaction rate constants and their temperature dependence being evaluated by nonlinear regression. Finally, good correlations between the percentage of polar compounds or oxidized triglyceride monomers and the peroxide value were found.

Abstract A linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrix was modified with an organic peroxide and by a reaction with maleic anhydride (MAn) and was simultaneously compounded with untreated wood flour in a twin‐screw extruder. The thermal and mechanical properties of the modified LLDPE and the resulting composites were evaluated. The degree of crystallinity was reduced in the modified LLDPE, but it increased with the addition of wood flour for the formation of the composites. Significant improvements in the tensile strength, ductility, and creep resistance were obtained for the MAn‐modified composites. This enhancement in the mechanical behavior could be attributed to an improvement in the compatibility between the filler and the matrix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2775–2784, 2003

Native and modified starches have received considerable attention for biodegradable films formulation due to their completely biodegradable nature, edible characteristics, and low cost. Development and characterization of starch films obtained by: (i) casting, (ii) blown extrusion and (iii) the thermo‐compression moulding process are described. The rheological properties of filmogenic suspensions, the barrier properties, and the mechanical resistance of the obtained films are reported. Addition of specific additives to the formulations modifies the film functionality transforming them into active materials. Diffusion of antimicrobial agents such as potassium sorbate from the active starch film, as well as their efficacy in dairy products is discussed. Likewise, reinforcing agents lead to composite materials with improved mechanical resistance. Starch‐based materials show higher permeability to carbon dioxide than to oxygen, which is useful to control the respiration rate of fruits and vegetables. The application of active starch‐based coatings to strawberries and Brussels sprouts in order to prolong their refrigerated storage life is analyzed. A detailed overview on the formulation and performance of starch‐based films employing industrial and lab‐scale methods, as well as the application of starch coatings to improve food quality is presented, with the aim of analyzing the possibility of development and application of such materials.

Abstract The search for potential solvents for liquid extraction and extractive distillation is carried out through a group contribution molecular design of solvents (MOLDES) approach. A set of submolecular groups (UNIFAC) is used for the synthesis of molecular structures with desired solvent properties. Submolecular group combination (linking) properties are characterized to ensure the chemical feasibility of the MOLDES generated molecular structures. The size of the combinatorial problem posed by the molecular synthesis procedure is reduced by group selection and by imposing physical and molecular constraints at different stages. Criteria are developed for solvent evaluation and the reliability of the VLE and the LLE UNIFAC parameter tables for solvent screening are compared with experimental data for the recovery of oxychemicals by liquid extraction from dilute aqueous solutions.

The adsorption of several molecular and dissociative dihydrogen systems on a Pd-decorated graphene monolayer was studied using the density-functional theory. Our calculations show that the most favorable graphene-supported coordination structure is similar to the PdH2 complex in vacuum, where the H−H bond is relaxed but not dissociated. We also computed overlap populations corresponding to bonds and atomic orbital interactions in order to study the evolution of the chemical bonding. During the decoration process with Pd, we detected a weakening of C−C bonds close to the adsorption site and the formation of strong C−Pd bonds, coming from interaction between C 2pz and Pd 5s, 5pz, and 4dz2 orbitals. After H2 molecule adsorption, the H−Pd bond is formed by the H 1s orbital overlap with the Pd 5s orbital, but this interaction became stronger during the atomic hydrogen adsorption. The objective of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the hydrogen uptake of Pd-doped graphene surfaces.

ABSTRACT The effect of storage on apple juice concentrate was determined by following changes in composition during a period of 111 days at 37°C. Results showed that storage caused an 87% loss in the total free amino acids, which was mostly due to decreases in glutamic acid, asparagine and aspartic acid. The forml titration method was inadequate for determining the amino compounds involved in Maillard‐type reactions. Sucrose was hydrolyzed under these conditions at a rate corresponding to a fist order process. The reducing sugars increased at a rate determined by the inversion of sucrose; no consumption attributable to browning reaction was detected. Reduction of organic acids was 9% while apparent phenolic compounds increased from 0.149 to 0.215 g/100g. A maximum accumulation of HMF was observed after 100 days of storage.

Abstract The major fatty acids of peanut oil acylglycerols are palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1), and linoleic (C18:2) acids, and only a trace amount of linolenic fatty acid (C18:3) is present. Thus they have a very convenient oxidative stability and have been considered premium cooking and frying oils. This paper provides information about compositional data of peanut oil taking into account major (triacylglycerols and their fatty acids) and minor (free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, phospholipids, sterols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, triterpenic and aliphatic alcohols, waxes, pigments, phenolic compounds, volatiles, and metals) compounds. Moreover, the influence of genotype, seed maturity, climatic conditions, and growth location on peanut oil chemical composition is considered in the present report. In addition, peanut oils from wild species found in South America as well as from peanut lines developed through conventional breeding are also compared.

The lipase from Burkholderia cepacia, formerly known as Pseudomonas cepacia lipase, is a commercial enzyme in both soluble and immobilized forms widely recognized for its thermal resistance and tolerance to a large number of solvents and short-chain alcohols. The main applications of this lipase are in transesterification reactions and in the synthesis of drugs (because of the properties mentioned above). This review intends to show the features of this enzyme and some of the most relevant aspects of its use in different synthesis reactions. Also, different immobilization techniques together with the effect of various compounds on lipase activity are presented. This lipase shows important advantages over other lipases, especially in reaction media including solvents or reactions involving short-chain alcohols.

Neutral but versatile: N-heterocyclic carbenes are very efficient catalysts for the group-transfer polymerization of acrylates and methacrylates in both polar and apolar media. These organocatalysts were also used to design all-(meth)acrylic di- and triblock copolymers.

The kinetics of acetylene hydrogenation in the presence of a large excess of ethylene was studied in a laboratory flow reactor. Experiments were carried out using a Pd/α-Al2O3 commercial catalyst and a simulated cracker gas mixture (H2/C2H2 = 50; 60% C2H4; 30% H2, and traces of CO), at varying temperature (293−393 K) and pressure (2−35 atm). Competing mechanisms for acetylene and ethylene hydrogenation were formulated and the corresponding kinetic equations derived by rate-determining step methods. A criterion based upon statistical analysis was used to discriminate between rival kinetic models. The selected equations are consistent with the adsorption of C2H2 and C2H4 in the same active sites followed by reaction with adsorbed hydrogen atoms to form C2H4 and C2H6 in a one-step process. Good agreement between computed and experimental results was obtained using a nonisothermal reactor model that takes into account the existence of external temperature and concentration gradients. The derived kinetic equations together with a pseudohomogeneous model of an integral adiabatic flow reactor were employed to simulate the conversion and the temperature profiles for a commercial hydrogenation unit.