Resumo As embalagens ativas podem liberar substâncias para inibir a microbiota e as reações na superfície dos alimentos. Dentre essas substâncias a curcumina pode ser usada pois apresenta atividade antimicrobiana e antioxidante. A difusão de compostos ativos em filmes de acetato de celulose pode ser estendida por longos períodos a taxa controlada. Sua adição pode afetar as propriedades mecânicas e de barreira dos filmes, tornando-se necessário mensurar estas alterações. Assim, objetivou-se preparar filmes ativos de acetato de celulose e tween 80 incorporados com mistura simples de curcumina e nanosuspensão de curcumina e avaliar cor, propriedades mecânicas, permeabilidade ao CO2 e migração do componente ativo. A curcumina influenciou as características mecânicas, ópticas e não afetou a permeabilidade dos filmes. O tween 80 favoreceu a migração da curcumina e a redução do tamanho das partículas não aumentou a migração de curcumina.

Abstract Active packaging can release substances to inhibit microbiota and reactions on the surface of foods; among these substances, curcumin can be applied for its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The diffusion of active compounds in cellulose acetate films can be extended for long periods at controlled rate. The addition may affect the mechanical and barrier properties of films, requiring the measurement of the alterations. The purpose of this study was to prepare active films of cellulose acetate and tween 80 incorporated with a simple mixture of curcumin and curcumin nanosuspension as well as assess color, mechanical properties, permeability to CO2 and migration of the active component. Curcumin influenced the mechanical and optical characteristics of the films but had no effect on the permeability to CO2. Tween 80 favored the migration, and the reduction in particles size did not increase the migration of curcumin.

Antimicrobial active packaging delays or inhibits microorganism growth in packed products, and it can be used in a variety of food systems. The objective of the present research was to develop packaging incorporated with natural antimicrobial agents (active film). The effects of the active film on the spoilage, pathogenic microorganism counts, pH and color of the refrigerated chicken breast cuts were analyzed. Cellulose acetate-based active films incorporating two concentrations (20% and 50%, v/w) of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil were manufactured and placed in contact with the chicken breast cuts for six days. An analysis of variance and mean comparison tests (Tukey's test, p<0.05) were performed on the results. The films that contained 20% essential oil and were intercalated with chicken breast samples did not demonstrate significant effects on the control of psychrotrophic or total coliform microorganisms during the storage period; however, the films incorporated with 50% essential oil demonstrated efficacy toward the control of coliforms during the storage of the samples (6 days, 2 ± 2ºC). The pH was related to the psychrotrophic microorganism count and was not influenced by the treatment. The color was not influenced by the time of storage or the treatment. The results demonstrate that active films incorporating 50% rosemary essential oil are effective at controlling certain microorganisms in chicken breast cuts.

O pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) possui em seu interior amêndoa comestível pouco explorada. Objetivou-se avaliar o processo de extração, secagem e torrefação da amêndoa do pequi. Foram utilizadas sementes de pequi fornecidas pela Associação de Beneficiamento de Frutos do Cerrado, localizada na cidade de Damianópolis-GO. Para a extração da amêndoa, foi adaptado equipamento tipo guilhotina, com a finalidade de cortar a semente ao meio. O equipamento é composto por uma lâmina fixa em um suporte de madeira, recoberto com placa de Policloreto de Vinila (PVC) e apresentou desempenho satisfatório. Para a secagem das amêndoas, sugeriu-se o binômio tempo/temperatura de 70 °C por 60 minutos, pois conferiu ao produto atividade de água em torno de 0,60 em menor tempo secagem. As amêndoas torradas a 130 °C durante 15 e 30 minutos apresentaram melhores características sensoriais, não diferindo significativamente entre si (p > 0,05) pelo Teste de Friedman. No tempo de 30 minutos, observaram-se tendências de melhores características sensoriais, como cor e crocância, no produto final.

The Pequi (caryocar brasiliense Camb.) edible almond seed is little used. The aim of this study is to evaluate almond seeds of pequi supplied by the "Associação de Beneficiamento de Frutos do Cerrado" (Cerrado fruit supply association), located in the city of Damianópolis-GO. For the extration of the almond, a guillotine like equipment was used with the purpose of cutting the seed in half. The equipment was composed of a fixed blade placed in a wooden support, recovered with Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and it presented satisfactory performance. For the almonds drying, the temperature of 70 ºC for 60 minutes was suggested since it allowed water activity of around 0,60 in shorter drying time. The almonds roasted at 130 °C for 15 and 30 minutes presented better sensorial characteristics, and proved not significantly different among themselves (P > 0,05) in the Friedman Test. In the time of 30 minutes, trends of better sensorial characteristics such as color and crunchiness of the final product were observed