In this paper we have analysed the capacity of essential oils from aromatic plants in order to slow or stop down the physicochemical degradation and microbiological infestation of raw minced meat processes. Three essential oils: thyme, rosemary and oregano were chosen for the experimental study due to their acknowledged antiseptic effect and their flavour acceptance by consumers. The physicochemical and microbiological properties for a mixture of pork and beef meat were analysed throughout four days. Water content, total fat, total protein, easily hydrolysable nitrogen, pH and water activity were determined. The experimental measurements were performed considering the following concentrations: 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% for the essential oil incorporated into meat. The evaluation of microbiological stability was determined as well. The results indicated that essential oils have a significant influence on the physicochemical properties correlated with microbiological stability when prolonging the shelf - life of minced meat.
Because of an ever-increasing demand of non-toxic, biodegradable, naturally-sourced materials and products, the human society is always searching for new materials with specific applications, which are able to fulfil the above-mentioned requirements. Consequently, it is essential to identify the qualities of these materials and their behaviour when subjected to various external factors, in order to find their optimal solutions for application in various domains. Such a material, obtained from renewable resources, is known as “liquid wood”, a material which exhibits composite polymer-like properties, having a lignin matrix. “Liquid wood” can be found in three different forms: Arboform, Arbofill and Arboblend, depending on the natural substances (besides or associated with lignin), which are to be found in the material – resins, wax, vegetable fibres etc. As such, “liquid wood” has been subjected to various external factors, the aim being to determine the degradation of the material when acted upon by environmental factors. Thus, “liquid wood” has been immersed in distilled water and then in an alkaline environment and in an acid environment for 210 days. Measurements were periodically performed to determine the mass variation and the change of electrical properties when subjected to the specific environmental factors and to UV radiation. The changes were determined by comparison with standard samples. Following this study, it has been observed that the main degradation factor is water, which leads to cracking and then fracture in the material. Furthermore, significant changes have been observed in the electrical properties of the material and in the pH of the environments in which it has been immersed. These observations lead to the idea that the material is hydrophilic. The results obtained following the immersion of “liquid wood” in distilled water and then in an alkaline environment and in an acid environment point towards some of the possible application of this material in various fields of activity, which may have a significant positive impact upon the environment.
Complex photometer described in the paper is a portable device with which it is possible to determine simultaneously both the concentration of certain chemical species in water as well as its electrolytic conductivity. The device can be used for the analysis of independent samples that are found in glass tubes, or of water in displacement through the flow cells using for measurements the flow injection analysis (FIA) (Flow Injection Analysis).
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