Nano-composite films were developed between silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using master batches by melt extruding and melt compounding. The Ag/PE composite film showed decreased gas permeability, moisture permeability coefficient, the tear strength, the longitudinal and transverse elongation to that of commercial LDPE. Although stiffness increased at high Ag (40 ppm) concentration, but the longitudinal and transverse tensile strength enhance comparing with commercial PE. Light transmittance and haze were comparable. Both Nano-silver and composite films are effective against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Antibacterial activity of nano-silver for E. coli was determined by diameter of the inhibition zone and the minimum inhibitory concentration of nano-silver is detected by tube double dilution method reaching 15.63 ppm. The composite films are effective inhibition of E. coli at concentrations of 40 ppm Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, Nano-silver migration occurs in composite film. One-side migration was conducted to detect under three food simulants (3% acetic acid, 50% ethanol and distilled water) at three degree of temperature (25 °C, 40 °C and 70 °C) on different period of time (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours). These results indicated that the highest migration amount was obtained with 3% acetic acid following distilled water and finally 50% ethanol under same conditions. The migration level is dependent upon time and temperature and high migration time and temperature can enhance migration level. These findings demonstrate that nano-silver-containing polyethylene composite film may have a great potential for developing antibacterial and acid food packaging system.

Nano-composite film possesses antibacterial properties of nanomaterials and preservation performance of food packaging film. The goal of this work was to explore the potential application of nano-silver-containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite film in grape fresh-keeping. Mechanical properties, transparency, barrier performance and antibacterial activity of Nano-silver-containing PVA film were tested and results showed that the antibacterial zone diameter of nano-silver on Aspergillus niger was 14.4 mm, with minimum bactericidal concentration of 75 ppm. The PVA antibacterial membrane effectively revealed antibacterial properties. Moreover, the decreased mechanical properties and transparency enhanced barrier performance of antibacterial membrane compared with PVA film. For comparison, the fresh-keeping effects of non-packaging film, commercial cling wrap and nano-silver-containing PVA film on sensory score, mass loss rate, decay rate, Ascorbic Acid (Vc) content and titratable acid content were also studied. Results indicated that the PVA antibacterial membrane significantly effectively avoided sensory score, water, decay, Ascorbic Acid (Vc) and titratable acid in grapes during storage, and had a remarkable effect in prolonging grapes' shelf life due to its breathability and antibacterial activity.

The lipoxygenase (LOX) in grass carp can catalyze the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids even their esters, resulting in rancidity deterioration of grass carp and its products during the process and storage. Preliminary purification, quantitative determination and distribution of grass carp muscular LOX were investigated in the present study. LOX activity of the grass carp muscle was measured to be 35.17 KU/g and its molecular weight was 95.71 kDa identified by SDS-PAGE. Using previously reported extraction methods such as twice salting-out and once dialysis, the LOX protein content in the crude muscular LOX extraction is about 28%. When salted with graded saturation of ammonium sulfate, we found once salting-out was enough for LOX extraction and the effective percentage saturation of ammonium sulfate for LOX extraction was 40%. Under this condition, the LOX protein content in the crude muscular LOX extract was doubled. The LOX distribution in fish was gradually increased from skin and muscle, gill, viscera to blood, which indicates that it is very important to remove the viscera and bleed fish completely during fish product processing to decrease the risk of lipid oxidation caused by LOX.

This study was designed to determine the polyphenolic contents of Eucommia ulmoicles Oliv leaf extracts and evaluate their antioxidant activities in vitro. All the extracts were evaluated for their radical scavenging activity by the DPPH method and their oxidative-retarding efficiency in vegetable oils. It was observed that the highest values were found in 70% MeOH extracts for total phenolic content as gallic acid. A good correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenol content in the extracts was found. The extraction yield, total phenol content and radical scavenging activity were increased and peroxide formation in vegetable oils were decreased with the graded solvent concentration of MeOH. The phenolic compound yield ranged from 2.45 to 11.35% and the total phenol content increased from 34.51 mg/g to 47.68 mg/g. DPPH scavenging activity increased from 56.32% to 90.37% as MeOH concentration increased. Compared to the control (70.45 meq/kg), 70% MeOH fraction with 47.68 mg/g phenolic compounds shows much stronger antioxidant ability (30.12 meq/kg) in vegetable oil system.

The aim of this research was to probe the potential application of nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2)/basic magnesium hypochlorite (BMH)-containing linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) composite film in grape fresh-keeping. Mechanical properties, transparency, barrier performance and antibacterial activity of the nano-composite membrane were measured, and results showed that the antibacterial zone diameter of TiO2/BMH on pathogen-Aspergillus niger was 31.4 mm, with mixing ratio of BMH/TiO2 to 2:1. It was clearly shown that the synthesized nano-composite films decreased mechanical properties and transparency of the membrane, and also had a significant impact on sensory score, mass loss rate, decay rate, ascorbic acid (Vc) content and titratable acid content compared with LLDPE films. Moreover, the results revealed that the LLDPE antibacterial film can be effectively used for storing grapes, preserving the flavor of grapes and had an obviously effect in prolonging grapes’ shelf life.