Antifungal features and properties of chitosan/sandalwood oil Pickering emulsion coating stabilized by appropriate cellulose nanofiber dosage for fresh fruit application

A novel composite edible coating film was developed from 0.8% chitosan (CS) and 0.5% sandalwood oil (SEO). Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were used as a stabilizer agent of oil-in-water Pickering emulsion. We found four typical groups of CNF level-dependent emulsion stabilization, including (1) unstable emulsion in the absence of CNFs; (2) unstable emulsion (0.006–0.21% CNFs); (3) stable emulsion (0.24–0.31% CNFs); and (4) regular emulsion with the addition of surfactant. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed to reveal the characteristics of droplet diameter and morphology. Antifungal tests against Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum, between emulsion coating stabilized with CNFs (CS-SEOpick) and CS or CS-SEO was tested. The effective concentration of CNFs (0.24%) may improve the performance of CS coating and maintain CS-SEO antifungal activity synergistically confirmed with a series of assays (in vitro, in vivo, and membrane integrity changes). The incorporation of CNFs contributed to improve the functional properties of CS and SEO-loaded CS including light transmission at UV and visible light wavelengths and tensile strength. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the biocompatibility of each coating film formulation. Emulsion-CNF stabilized coating may have potential applications for active coating for fresh fruit commodities.

Antifungal Features and Properties of Chitosan/Sandalwood Oil Pickering Emulsion Coating Stabilized by Appropriate Cellulose Nanofiber Dosage for Fresh Fruit Application

A novel composite edible coating film was developed from 0.8% chitosan (CS) and 0.5% n sandalwood oil (SEO). Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were used as a stabilizer agent of oil-in-water Pickering emulsion. We found four typical groups of CNF level-dependent emulsion stabilization, including (1) unstable emulsion in the absence of CNFs; (2) unstable emulsion (0.006–0.21% CNFs); (3) stable emulsion (0.24–0.31% CNFs); and (4) regular emulsion with the addition of surfactant. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed to reveal the characteristics of droplet diameter and morphology. Antifungal tests against Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum, between emulsion coating stabilized with CNFs (CS-SEOpick) and CS or CS-SEO was tested. The effective concentration of CNFs (0.24%) may improve the performance of CS coating and maintain CS-SEO antifungal activity synergistically confirmed with a series of assays (in vitro, in vivo, and membrane integrity changes). The incorporation of CNFs contributed to improve the functional properties of CS and SEO-loaded CS including light transmission at UV and visible light wavelengths and tensile strength. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the biocompatibility of each coating film formulation. Emulsion-CNF stabilized coating may have potential applications for active coating for fresh fruit commodities.

What Causes the Formation of Water-in-Oil Emulsions?

ABSTRACT The results of studies conducted over the past 6 years to characterize why water-in-oil emulsions form are summarized. It is shown that water droplets are held in oil by a combination of viscous and interfacial forces. The stability of an emulsion is very important in understanding its formation because stability is the endpoint or measurement of the entire process. Emulsions can be grouped into three categories: stable, unstable, and mesostable. Each has distinct physical properties. For example, the viscosity of a stable emulsion at a shear rate of I reciprocal second is at least three orders-of-magnitude greater than that of the starting oil. An unstable emulsion usually has a viscosity no more than two orders-of-magnitude greater than that of the starting oil. The zero-shear-rate viscosity is at least six orders-of-magnitude greater than the starting oil for a stable emulsion. For an unstable emulsion, it is usually less than two or three orders-of-magnitude greater than the viscosity of the starting oil. and finally, a stable emulsion has a significant elasticity, whereas an unstable emulsion does not. The stability of emulsions has been studied by examining their asphaltene content and their resin content. Results are reported showing that asphaltenes and resins are responsible for stability. It is noted that, given the correct chemical composition, primarily asphaltenes, sea energy is needed. The properties of the starting oil are the important factor in determining what type of water-in-oil state is produced. Composition and property ranges are given for the starting oil to form each of the water-in-oil states. Important property factors are the asphaltene content, resin content, and starting oil viscosity.

IMPLICATIONS OF OBSERVATIONS OF INTENTIONAL OIL SPILLS

ABSTRACT Intentional releases of crude oil on the open ocean were carried out in the Norwegian Sea in 1989 and 1991. The releases were used to evaluate selected satellite-tracked surface drifting buoys for their ability to simulate the movement of oil on the sea surface, and to improve our understanding of the behavior and fate of oil at sea. The crude oil used in 1989 rapidly formed a stable, highly viscous emulsion with water; the crude oil used in 1991 formed a very unstable emulsion, and spread rapidly to a relatively uniform, thin sheen. Both the surface drifters and a simple drift model simulated slick drift relatively well in 1989, but were significantly in error two out of three times in 1991. A physical explanation and numerical model have been constructed to explain the data. Implications of these and other observations, both for surface drifters and models of oil spills, are discussed.