Next Article in Journal
Short-Term Load Forecasting in Price-Volatile Markets: A Pattern-Clustering and Adaptive Modeling Approach
Next Article in Special Issue
An Exploratory Approach to Sustainable Esterase Production Through Co-Valorization of Cheese Whey and Vegetable Wax for Supported Solid-State Fermentation by Serratia marcescens 11E
Previous Article in Journal
Mechanical and Shrinkage Properties of Alkali-Activated Binder-Stabilized Expansive Soils
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Processes
Volume 14
Issue 1
10.3390/pr14010004
processes-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Green Synthesis of Silver Particles Using Pecan Nutshell Extract: Development and Antioxidant Characterization of Zein/Pectin Active Films

by
Karla Hazel Ozuna-Valencia
1,
Carlos Gregorio Barreras-Urbina
1,*,
José Agustín Tapia-Hernández
1,
María de Jesús Moreno-Vásquez
2,
Abril Zoraida Graciano-Verdugo
2,
Miguel Ángel Robles-García
3,
Idania Emedith Quintero-Reyes
4 and
Francisco Rodríguez-Félix
1,*
1
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado en Alimentos (DIPA), Universidad de Sonora, Blvd. Luis Encinas y Rosales, S/N, Colonia Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
2
Departamento de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad de Sonora, Blvd. Luis Encinas y Rosales, S/N, Colonia Centro, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
3
Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología Microbiana y Alimentaria, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Centro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Av. Universidad 1115, Ocotlán 47810, Jalisco, Mexico
4
Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Sonora, Campus Cajeme, Blvd. Bordo Nuevo Antiguo Ejido Providencia, Cd. Obregón 85199, Sonora, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Processes 2026, 14(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010004
Submission received: 11 November 2025 / Revised: 12 December 2025 / Accepted: 16 December 2025 / Published: 19 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technology for Food Engineering and Bioactive Compound Characterization)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

(1) Background: The replacement of petroleum-based plastics with sustainable biopolymer films is crucial for global food preservation. Biopolymers like zein and pectin offer biodegradable and compostable alternatives but often require functionalization. This study develops and characterizes a novel antioxidant film by incorporating silver microparticles (AgMp) derived from the valorization of an agricultural waste product: pecan nutshell extract. (2) Methods: AgMp were synthesized via green reduction method using the extract. These bioactive microparticles were subsequently incorporated into a zein/pectin polymeric solution using the solvent-casting technique. The particles and the active films were characterized using FTIR, SEM, and antioxidant assays (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP). (3) Results: The extract and AgMp exhibited a potent antioxidant activity (100% inhibition for ABTS/DPPH). SEM analysis confirmed the scale of 0.545–1.033 µm, classifying the material as microparticles. The final films retained a dose-dependent antioxidant activity (66.78% for ABTS and 53.67% for DPPH). (4) Conclusions: This work validates that pecan nutshell extract as an effective green reducing and capping agent. The resulting film possesses significant antioxidant activity, offering a promising alternative for active food packaging applications, such as bioactive pads or inserts.
Keywords: silver microparticle; active packaging; valorization; active compounds silver microparticle; active packaging; valorization; active compounds

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Ozuna-Valencia, K.H.; Barreras-Urbina, C.G.; Tapia-Hernández, J.A.; Moreno-Vásquez, M.d.J.; Graciano-Verdugo, A.Z.; Robles-García, M.Á.; Quintero-Reyes, I.E.; Rodríguez-Félix, F. Green Synthesis of Silver Particles Using Pecan Nutshell Extract: Development and Antioxidant Characterization of Zein/Pectin Active Films. Processes 2026, 14, 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010004

AMA Style

Ozuna-Valencia KH, Barreras-Urbina CG, Tapia-Hernández JA, Moreno-Vásquez MdJ, Graciano-Verdugo AZ, Robles-García MÁ, Quintero-Reyes IE, Rodríguez-Félix F. Green Synthesis of Silver Particles Using Pecan Nutshell Extract: Development and Antioxidant Characterization of Zein/Pectin Active Films. Processes. 2026; 14(1):4. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010004

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ozuna-Valencia, Karla Hazel, Carlos Gregorio Barreras-Urbina, José Agustín Tapia-Hernández, María de Jesús Moreno-Vásquez, Abril Zoraida Graciano-Verdugo, Miguel Ángel Robles-García, Idania Emedith Quintero-Reyes, and Francisco Rodríguez-Félix. 2026. "Green Synthesis of Silver Particles Using Pecan Nutshell Extract: Development and Antioxidant Characterization of Zein/Pectin Active Films" Processes 14, no. 1: 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010004

APA Style

Ozuna-Valencia, K. H., Barreras-Urbina, C. G., Tapia-Hernández, J. A., Moreno-Vásquez, M. d. J., Graciano-Verdugo, A. Z., Robles-García, M. Á., Quintero-Reyes, I. E., & Rodríguez-Félix, F. (2026). Green Synthesis of Silver Particles Using Pecan Nutshell Extract: Development and Antioxidant Characterization of Zein/Pectin Active Films. Processes, 14(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010004

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop