Browsing by Author "Vilas-Boas, Diana"
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- Production of chitosan based films enriched with essential oils for biomedical applicationsPublication . Vilas-Boas, Diana; Leite, Erica; Fernandes, Isabel P.; Amaral, Joana S.; Barreiro, M.F.Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide composed of β-(1-4) glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine residues. Due to its safety and non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and antimicrobial properties, its use in biomedical applications has been suggested in several studies. The objective of this work was the production of chitosan based films enriched with essential oils, to further improve the natural antimicrobial properties of chitosan. The films were produced at room temperature by evaporation. Different parameters were tested, namely the solution volume needed to prepare the films, the type of acid used to solubilize chitosan, the concentration of essential oil and the emulsifier type and concentration.
- Production of chitosan based films enriched with oregano essential oil for increased antibacterial activityPublication . Fernandes, Isabel P.; Leite, Erica; Vilas-Boas, Diana; Amaral, Joana S.; Barreiro, M.F.During the last years, there has been an increasing interest in developing bio-based active films to improve food safety, extend food shelf life and reduce the use of chemical preservatives [1]. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a linear polysaccharide consisting of β-(I⇒t4) glucosarnine and N-acetylglucosamine residues with potential to be used as a food packaging/coating material. This biopolymer can be used in a wide range of applications in the food industry due to several interesting properties such as its biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, antimicrobial activity and versatile physical properties such as its film-forming capacity [I]. Recently, different strategies have been explored to improve its natural properties for the development of food packaging/coating materials with enhanced antimicrobial activity. In particular, the incorporation of essential oils (EO) with recognized antibacterial properties, as an alternative of synthetic preservatives, is a matter of great interest since they are generally perceived by consumers as being "natural" food additives.
- Production of chitosan based films enriched with oregano essential oil for increased antibacterial activityPublication . Fernandes, Isabel P.; Leite, Erica; Vilas-Boas, Diana; Amaral, Joana S.; Barreiro, M.F.During the last years, there has been an increasing interest in developing bio-based active films to improve food safety, extend food shelf life and reduce the use of chemical preservatives. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is a linear polysaccharide consisting of -(1 4) glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine residues with potential to be used as a food packaging/coating material. This biopolymer can be used in a wide range of applications in the food industry due to several interesting properties such as its biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, antimicrobial activity and versatile physical properties such as its film-forming capacity. Recently, different strategies have been explored to improve its natural properties for the development of food packaging/coating materials with enhanced antimicrobial activity. In particular, the incorporation in chitosan films of essential oils (EO) with acknowledged antibacterial properties, as an alternative of synthetic preservatives, is a matter of great interest since they are generally perceived by consumers as being “natural” food additives. Thus, the objective of this work was the production of chitosan films enriched with oregano EO to further improve the natural antimicrobial properties of chitosan. The obtained films which were then evaluated for its antibacterial activity.