Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food package. In an embodiment, the food package includes a microcapillary sheet having a first end and a second end and opposing surfaces. The microcapillary sheet includes a matrix composed of a polymeric material and a plurality of channels. The channels are disposed in parallel in the matrix and between the opposing surfaces. The channels extend from the first end to the second end of the microcapillary sheet. The microcapillary sheet includes a perforation traversing at least two channels. The perforation extends from a surface of the microcapillary sheet and through a wall of the at least two channels.

Abstract: An aqueous solution comprising a cationic polymer dissolved in water, wherein said cationic polymer comprises a hydrophobic quaternary ammonium group covalently attached to a hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer backbone. Also, a method of delivering a drug to a mucosal surface in a living body, said method comprising applying the aqueous solution to said mucosal surface.

Abstract: A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a methylcellulose, and a liquid diluent, wherein the methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: Materials are provided that combine certain antimicrobial compositions with substrates to provide materials suitable for the packaging of food products, such as meat products. In one aspect, the present invention provides a material suitable for packaging that comprises (a) a substrate, and (b) an antimicrobial composition comprising: (i) an active antimicrobial agent and (ii) a carrier, wherein the antimicrobial composition has a viscosity of at least 50 centipoise at temperatures between 2° C. and 12° C.

Abstract: Materials are provided that combine certain antimicrobial compositions with substrates to provide materials suitable for the packaging of food products, such as meat products. In one aspect, the present invention provides a material suitable for packaging that comprises (a) a substrate, and (b) an antimicrobial composition comprising: (i) an active antimicrobial agent and (ii) a carrier, wherein the antimicrobial composition is a hydrogel.

Abstract: Provided is a method of delivering a drug to a mucosal surface in a living body, said method comprising applying a solution to said mucosal surface, wherein said solution comprises a cationic polymer dissolved in water, wherein said cationic polymer comprises a cationic functional group covalently attached to a polysaccharide polymer backbone selected from the group consisting of amylodextrin polymers, methylcellulose polymers, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food package. In an embodiment, the food package includes a microcapillary sheet having a first end and a second end and opposing surfaces. The microcapillary sheet includes a matrix composed of a polymeric material and a plurality of channels. The channels are disposed in parallel in the matrix and between the opposing surfaces. The channels extend from the first end to the second end of the microcapillary sheet. The microcapillary sheet includes a perforation traversing at least two channels. The perforation extends from a surface of the microcapillary sheet and through a wall of the at least two channels.

Abstract: A method for reducing bacterial contamination on a food surface. The method comprises applying to the food surface an organic acid and a methylcellulose. The methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: A method for reducing bacterial contamination on a food surface. The method comprises applying to the food surface a quaternary ammonium salt and a methylcellulose. The methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: A method for reducing bacterial contamination on a food surface. The method comprises applying to the food surface an N—C6-C18 acyl amino acid ester and a methylcellulose. The methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Abstract: A composition comprising a gelling agent is provided. The gelling agent consists essentially of a cellulose ether based gelling polymer and the composition is a rigid foam at 20 degrees Celsius. The composition may also comprise an active ingredient. Also provided is a process of making the composition comprising drying a foamed liquid composition comprising the gelling agent at low temperatures. The foamed liquid composition may also comprise an active ingredient.

Abstract: A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose and a liquid diluent, wherein the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has a DS of from 1.6 to 2.7 and an MS of from 0.40 to 1.30, wherein DS is the degree of substitution of methoxyl groups and MS is the molar substitution of hydroxyalkoxyl groups, and at least 55 weight percent of the liquid diluent is water. When the composition comprises additionally a physiologically active agent, the composition may be used for transmucosal administration of the physiologically active agent to an individual.