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  In this study, antimicrobial effects of the carboxymethyl celloluse (CMC) based-edible films containing 1-4% potassium sorbate (as a antimicrobial agent), were tested against Aspergillus flavus (PTCC 5004), Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC 5286) and Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC 5018) by using agar diffusion assay. The films containing 1 and 2 % potassium sorbate showed the inhibitory zone against first and second molds however, they were not effective against Aspergillus parasiticus (PTCC 5018) at these levels of antimicrobial compound. Maximum inhibition zone was observed in 3 and 4% potassium sorbate for all molds. Fresh pistachios were purchased from local market and immersed in aqueous filmogenic solutions of CMC with different concentrations of sorbate (0.25, 0.5 and 1%). In uncoated pistachios, molds counting, showed 2.02×10⁶ CFUg^-1 while in the coated samples there was no growth of any molds.

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In recent years, extensive researches has been done on use of edible coating in food packaging. Edible coatings can increase the shelf life of coated foods and they are suitable alternative for synthetic packaging. In this research, the effect of carboxy methyle cellulose based edible coatings with thyme extract on reducing moisture absorption and decreasing lipid oxidation productions have been evaluated. The edible coatings were prepared at different concentration levels of carboxy methyle cellulose (0.0, 0.5, and 1.5% W/V) and thyme extracts (0.0, 0.5 and 1% V/V). The moisture content, peroxide, thiobarbituric acid and acid number changes were determined for samples. The experiment was performed by Dunnett statistical tests in three replications using factorial design based on completely random design. The results indicated that the coating containig of 1.5% W/V of carboxy methyle cellulose and 1% V/V of thyme extract showed better results in reduction of peroxide value in fresh hazelnut. Carboxy methyl cellulose coating can delay the lipid oxidation of fresh hazelnut by providing a barrier against moisture and oxygen permiability to the texture of hazelnut. Adding of thyme extract into coating formulation, in addition to increasing the shelf life of hazelnut, is important regarding functional aspects of hazelnut. This coatings have both edible and environmentally friendly properties and preferable to synthetic packaging.

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In recent years, biocatalysts have widespread application in industry because they can do chemical reactions with the lowest energy and highest efficiency. Bacterial enzymes are more useful in this field due to simple cloning and expression process in the manipulated host. By considering specific role of endoglucanase enzymes in cellulose hydrolyzing reactions, these types of enzymes are more applicable in related industries. The produced glucose through enzymatic hydrolysis could be used in different industries such as biofuel and ethanol production and in the food industry as sweetener. Therefore, cloning and production of Endoglucanase in manipulated hosts has been developed in recent years. This study was performed to isolate, screen and identify native endoglucanase -producing strains from soil around the roots of the maple tree. Isolated strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. After identifying of the bacteria (Enterobacter hormaechei), Endoglucanase enzyme gene was amplified using degenerate primers at first and then by specific primers with restriction enzymes sequences. DNA fragment and plasmid vector were treated by specific restriction enzymes and then ligated to each other. Then recombinant plasmid transferred to the E. coli BL-21 as expression host and kinetic properties of recombinant enzyme were evaluated. Expression of the target protein was done by stimulating the Lac operon by using 1 mM of IPTG and the kinetic features of the recombinant enzyme such as Vmax and Km evaluated as 45 µmol/min and 1.4 mg/ml respectively. The optimum conditions for enzyme activity tend to be 37°C at a pH of 7.