• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2004

Microbial lethal value and nutrient retention of sous vide processed spinach were evaluated with mathematical model prediction and experimental trial for different package sizes and pasteurization temperatures. The package size covers 500 g, 1 kg and 2 kg, while the pasteurization temperature includes 80, 90 and 97$^{\circ}C$. The basic process scheme consists of filling blanched spinach into barrier plastic film pouch, sealing under vacuum, pasteurization in hot water with over pressure and final cooling to 3$^{\circ}C$. Pasteurization condition was designed based on attainment of 6 decimal inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes at geometric center of the pouch package by heating cycle, which was determined by general method. Heat penetration property of the package and thermal destruction kinetics were combined to estimate the retention of ascorbic acid and chlorophyll. Smaller packages with shorter pasteurization time gave better nutrient retention, physical and chemical qualities. Larger package size was estimated and confirmed experimentally to give higher pasteurization value at center, lower ascorbic acid and chlorophyll contents caused by longer heat process time. Lower pasteurization temperature with longer process time was predicted to give lower pasteurization value at center and lower ascorbic acid, while chlorophyll content was affected little by the temperature. Experimental trial showed better retention of ascorbic acid and chlorophyll for smaller package and higher pasteurization temperature with shorter heating time. The beneficial effect of smaller package and higher pasteurization temperature was also observed in texture, color retention and drip production.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2020

Sustainable plastics can be mainly categorized into (1) biodegradable plastics decomposed into water and carbon dioxide after use, and (2) biomass-derived plastics possessing the carbon neutrality by utilizing raw materials converted from atmospheric carbon dioxide to biomass. Recently, biomass-derived engineering plastics (EP) and natural nanofiber-reinforced nanocomposites are emerging as a new direction of the industry. In addition to the eco-friendliness of natural resources, these materials are competitive over petroleum-based plastics in the high value-added plastics market. Polyesters and polycarbonates synthesized from isosorbide and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, which are representative biomass-derived monomers, are at the forefront of industrialization due to their higher transparency, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties. Moreover, isosorbide has potential to be applied to super EP material with continuous service temperature over 150 ℃. In situ polymerization utilizing surface hydrophilicity and multi-functionality of natural nanofibers such as nanocellulose and nanochitin achieves remarkable improvements of mechanical properties with the minimal dose of nanofillers. Biomass-derived tough-plastics covered in this review are expected to replace petroleum-based plastics by satisfying the carbon neutrality required by the environment, the high functionality by the consumer, and the accessibility by the industry.