Food spoilage – mycolab.ai

Ultrasound-assisted development and characterization of novel polyphenol-loaded pullulan/trehalose composite films for fruit preservation

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Researchers developed a new type of edible food wrap made from natural plant materials (tea polyphenols, pullulan, and trehalose) treated with ultrasound. This wrap is stronger, more protective against oxygen and moisture, and kills harmful bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. When used to wrap fresh apples and pears, it significantly extended their shelf life by reducing browning and decay.

pH-responsive imine-chitosan-based intelligent controlled-release packaging films with transformable antimicrobial modes from defense to attack

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Researchers developed a smart food packaging film that fights bacteria and fungi in two different ways depending on acidity levels. When stored with neutral pH foods, the film’s surface prevents microbes from sticking to it. When the food becomes more acidic (like in tomato juice), the film releases antimicrobial compounds that actively kill the microorganisms. Tests showed it effectively preserved cherry tomatoes and tomato juice while blocking harmful UV light.

Valorization of Mushroom Residues for Functional Food Packaging

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Mushrooms produce large amounts of waste during growth and processing, but these leftovers contain valuable compounds that can protect food and extend shelf life. Scientists are developing ways to extract these beneficial compounds and add them to eco-friendly packaging films, creating materials that fight bacteria and oxidation naturally. This approach transforms mushroom waste into useful products while reducing environmental pollution, making food packaging safer and more sustainable for consumers.

Influence of the Ultrasonic Treatment on the Properties of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, Modified by Antimicrobial Additive

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Researchers developed a new eco-friendly plastic material for food packaging that combines two important benefits: it breaks down naturally in the environment, and it prevents harmful bacteria and fungi from growing on food. The material is made from a biodegradable plastic called PBAT mixed with a natural extract from birch bark. Using special ultrasonic sound waves during manufacturing helped distribute the birch extract evenly throughout the material, improving its performance.

Essential Oil Nanoemulsions—A New Strategy to Extend the Shelf Life of Smoothies

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This review explores how essential oil nanoemulsions could naturally preserve smoothies and extend their freshness. Essential oils have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties but taste and smell too strong at effective doses. Nanoemulsions—tiny oil droplets encapsulated in water—solve this problem by being more effective at lower concentrations while maintaining good taste, making them a promising natural alternative to chemical preservatives.

Modeling of mold inactivation via cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)

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This research develops a mathematical model to predict how cold atmospheric plasma kills mold, which is important because molds produce toxins that harm human and animal health and damage food and buildings. The model uses equations to describe mold growth and plasma effects, allowing researchers to predict outcomes in minutes rather than waiting weeks for lab experiments. The study found that plasma is most effective when its killing power matches the mold’s natural growth rate, causing complete extinction.

Advancing Food Preservation: Sustainable Green-AgNPs Bionanocomposites in Paper-Starch Flexible Packaging for Prolonged Shelf Life

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Researchers developed an eco-friendly food packaging material by coating paper with corn starch and tiny silver particles created through green chemistry methods. This innovative packaging significantly improved food durability, reducing weight loss in fresh produce like tomatoes and grapes by 6-8% over six days. The material is completely biodegradable and poses no safety concerns, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging.

Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in Debaryomyces hansenii Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry

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This research examined how a beneficial yeast called Debaryomyces hansenii prevents dangerous molds from growing on cured meat products. Scientists compared different strains of this yeast and tested whether it works by competing with molds for nutrients. While the yeast successfully stopped mold growth and spore production, nutrient competition wasn’t the main reason—other mechanisms like direct interactions between the microorganisms were more important. This suggests D. hansenii could be a natural alternative to chemical preservatives in the meat industry.

Transcriptome and metabolome profiling reveal the inhibitory effects of food preservatives on pathogenic fungi

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This research tested three common food preservatives to see how well they stop harmful molds from growing on fruits and vegetables. Scientists found that all three preservatives worked well at different concentrations, with sec-butylamine being particularly effective. By studying the genes and chemical changes in treated fungal cells, they discovered that these preservatives work by damaging the mold’s cell walls and disrupting how it processes sugars, essentially starving and weakening the fungal cells.

The predominance of Penicillium, Mucor, and Yarrowia among spoilage fungi in cultured dairy products produced by 3 manufacturers, as revealed by amplicon sequencing

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Researchers identified which molds and yeasts cause yogurt and other cultured dairy products to spoil by analyzing 200 contaminated samples from 3 manufacturers. Three types of fungi—Penicillium, Mucor, and Yarrowia—were responsible for over 70% of the spoilage cases. Interestingly, these fungi were still found in products containing preservatives, suggesting they can resist or break down common food preservatives. The study shows that using DNA sequencing to identify these organisms is more accurate and helpful than traditional methods, allowing dairy manufacturers to develop better strategies to prevent contamination.

Disease: Food spoilage