Chapters authored
Plant Antioxidants in Food Emulsions
Addition of free radical scavenging antioxidants (AOs) is one of practical strategies controlling the oxidative stability in food emulsions. Attention has been directed toward AOs derived from natural plant extracts with the capacity to improve health and well-being due to lack of consumers’ trust toward synthetic antioxidant in food. Nevertheless, antioxidant efficiency varies widely from one compound to another and the most abundant AOs in our diet are not necessarily those that have the best availability profile at the reaction place with free radicals. In this book chapter, we will provide a state-of-the-art summary of the uses of plant AOs in colloidal systems, ranging from their main structural features to their benefits for the human health and their antioxidant role in controlling the oxidative stress and, particularly, the oxidation of lipid-based food emulsions.
Part of the book: Some New Aspects of Colloidal Systems in Foods
Microemulsions as Nanoreactors to Obtain Bimetallic Nanoparticles
Microemulsions are frequently used as nanoreactors for the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles. The ability to manipulate the metal distribution in bimetallic nanoparticles is essential for optimizing applications, and it requires a deeper understanding of how compartmentalization of reaction medium affects nanoparticle synthesis. A simulation model was developed to predict the atomic structure of bimetallic nanoparticles prepared via microemulsion in terms of metals employed and microemulsion composition. The model was successfully proved by comparing theoretical and experimental Au/Pt STEM profiles. On this basis, the model becomes a strong tool to further enhance our knowledge of the complex mechanisms governing reactions in microemulsions and its impact on final nanostructures. The purpose of this study is to perform a comprehensive kinetic analysis of coreduction of different couple of metals in the light of the interplay between three kinetic parameters: intermicellar exchange rate, chemical reduction rates of the two metals, and reactants concentration. The particular combination of these factors determines the reaction rate of each metal, which in turn determines the final metal arrangement.
Part of the book: Microemulsion