title: Effect of TiO2 photocatalytic activity in a HDPE-based food packaging on the structural and microbiological stability of a short-ripened cheese.
abstract: A high density polyethylene (HDPE)/calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) film containing TiO(2) was prepared via blown film extrusion process. The photocatalytic properties of this film were evaluated by voltammetric, UV-Vis spectrophotometric and gas chromatographic measurements following the decomposition rate of suitably selected molecular probes, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and methylene blue. The film containing 1% w/w of TiO(2) displayed a profitable and reproducible photoinduced degradation activity towards target organic compounds. The effect of packaging photocatalytic activity on the structural and microbiological stability of a short-ripened cheese was studied. Cheese structure was assessed by dynamic, small deformation rheological tests. A container consisting of a multilayer material, where the layer brought in contact with the food, made from the HDPE+CaCO(3)+TiO(2) composite matrix, was able to provide a greater maintenance of the original cheese structure than a rigid container currently used, mainly due to the inhibition of lactic acid bacteria and coliforms.
authors: Department of Food Science, University of Udine, via Sondrio 2/A, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Gumiero
authors: Donatella
authors: D
authors: Peressini
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Pizzariello
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Sensidoni
authors: Lucilla
authors: L
authors: Iacumin
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Comi
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Toniolo
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002611:Cheese / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D055668:Photochemical Processes / Q000528:radiation effects; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C009495:titanium dioxide; D020959:Polyethylene; D014025:Titanium