Search Results (8,173)

The global wine industry generates approximately 20 million tonnes of organic residues annually, representing a significant environmental and management challenge. While phenolic compounds from winery by-products have been extensively studied, protein and peptide fractions remain underutilised. This review provides a systematic overview of proteins derived from major winery side streams, including grapevine leaves, stems, pomace, seeds, and wine lees, with emphasis on their characterisation and recovery. Conventional and emerging extraction strategies are evaluated, with particular attention to green technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pulsed electric fields (PEF), and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) in the context of sustainable and resource-efficient processing. Enzymatic hydrolysis is discussed as a key approach for converting complex proteins into bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihypertensive properties. Potential applications in agriculture, plant protection, animal nutrition, and food systems are considered, together with the implications of the EU circular economy regulatory framework. Overall, winery by-products are highlighted as promising nitrogen-rich secondary resources, and the review outlines valorisation pathways supporting nutrient recycling, waste reduction, and the development of a more sustainable agricultural bioeconomy. Full article

Hesperidin, a flavonoid abundantly found in citrus fruits, has demonstrated a substantial role in the management of various pathogeneses. Furthermore, the wide range of health-promoting properties of hesperidin, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, and cardioprotective effects, has been well documented. Additionally, persuasive evidence from both in vivo and in vitro studies highlights its substantial roles in combating obesity, protecting the kidneys, liver, and lung tissue architecture, promoting wound healing, and modulating immune responses. This flavonoid acts as an effective antimicrobial agent against a wide range of microorganisms by inhibiting biofilm formation and disrupting the cell membrane. This review aims to deliver comprehensive insights into the therapeutic potential of hesperidin across different pathogenesis through distinct mechanisms. Moreover, it provides up-to-date evidence on the synergistic properties of this compound with other drugs as well as compounds, and emerging plans to enhance its efficiency in health management through various nanoformulation approaches. Despite its considerable therapeutic potential, the clinical application of hesperidin remains constrained by poor bioavailability, rapid degradation, and dosage-related limitations. Addressing these challenges will require extensive further research to clarify its mechanisms of action, safety profile, and therapeutic efficacy in managing underlying pathogenic conditions. Full article

Increased demands for protein have led to a search for alternatives to traditional protein sources like soy and animal protein. Black Soldier Fly Larvae can be reared on many feedstocks to produce a high-quality nutrient source for livestock and pets. These insects contain biologically meaningful compounds like antimicrobial peptides, lauric acid, and chitin. This combination of compounds highlights the need to investigate BSFL as a functional ingredient in broilers. This study examined the impact of BSFL inclusion on broiler performance with and without a subclinical Necrotic Enteritis (NE) challenge over two experiments. In both experiments, diets included 0%, 2.5%, or 5.0% BSFL from 0–42 d. During Experiment 2, birds were given a live coccidiosis vaccine at hatch and challenged with C. perfringens at 19, 20, and 21 d. Primary variables include growth performance, lesion scores, and NE-specific mortality. A BSFL inclusion of 2.5% and 5.0% significantly improved feed conversion ratio in both experiments (p < 0.001); 5% BSFL inclusion also significantly improved body weight gain in both experiments (p = 0.014, p = 0.023, respectively). Overall, results indicate that BSFL is an effective and safe feed ingredient option for commercial broiler production, providing biologically relevant improvements in performance with and without disease pressure. Full article

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major clinical problem due to its resistance, virulence, and biofilm formation, which diminish antibiotic efficacy. This review explores natural products and antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) as alternative and combined strategies for controlling MRSA. Natural compounds, such as plant metabolites, essential oils, antimicrobial peptides, and fungal products, act by disrupting membranes, interfering with cellular processes, and limiting biofilm formation. Antimicrobial NPs, especially metal and metal oxide materials, act through membrane damage, oxidative stress, and metal ion release, enabling activity against resistant bacteria and improving biofilm penetration. Combining natural products with NPs increases stability, delivery, and local activity, enhances antibacterial effects, and reduces effective doses. Green synthesis enables direct integration of bioactive compounds, while nano-delivery platforms optimize solubility and controlled release. Nanotechnology-based applications such as wound dressings, nanocarriers, and multifunctional platforms support localized and sustained treatment and promote tissue repair. Despite these advances, clinical use is still constrained by safety concerns, variability in NP properties, and the lack of standardized evaluation and regulatory frameworks. Overall, combining natural products with antimicrobial NPs offers a practical strategy to augment MRSA treatment, but further progress depends on consistent design, robust safety evaluation, and clinical translation. Full article

The high mortality rate from microbial infections underscores the need to discover new antimicrobials. This work produced antibacterial Chitosan biofilms with and without the incorporation of the ethanolic extract of Libidibia ferrea stem bark and its ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. The extract and fractions were subjected to FTIR and ¹H NMR analysis. The biofilms were characterized by FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The ¹H NMR and FTIR data, as well as the colorimetric quantification of total phenolics, demonstrated the presence of phenolic compounds. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus were the most susceptible bacteria for Chitosan/L. ferrea biofilms and fractions (growth inhibition zones values in the range of 10.8 ± 0.1 to 14.0 ± 0.1 mm, and minimum inhibitory or bactericidal concentration, MIC or MBC values of the fractions were in the range of 125 to 250 µg mL⁻¹. Only the fractions inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 250 µg mL⁻¹). Chitosan/L. ferrea biofilms exhibited efficient interactions between chitosan functional groups and secondary metabolites, good thermal stability, and increased rigidity in mechanical tests. This study reinforces the pharmacological potential of biodegradable Chitosan/L. ferrea biofilms as antibacterial agents biofilms. Full article

Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk. (carqueja) is widely used in traditional medicine and culinary practices in the Iberian Peninsula; however, most studies have focused on its flowers, while its stems remain largely unexplored, despite representing a significant proportion of the plant biomass. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of P. tridentatum stems as a source of bioactive compounds using different extraction methodologies. Aqueous, hydroethanolic, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) were applied, and the resulting extracts were characterized in terms of their extraction yield, protein and carbohydrate content, phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity in HaCaT and Caco-2 cell lines. Phenolic profiling by LC-ESI-QqTOF-HRMS tentatively identified 37 compounds, mainly corresponding to flavonoid and isoflavonoid glycosides, with genistein derivatives representing the dominant constituents across all extracts. Although extraction yields differed among methods, phenolic profiles were broadly similar. UAE and PLE extracts showed slightly higher antioxidant activity, while antimicrobial activity was limited, with only moderate inhibition observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Malassezia furfur. Additionally, cytotoxicity assays indicated low toxicity. Overall, the results demonstrate that P. tridentatum stems represent a promising yet underutilized biomass source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential and low cytotoxicity under the tested in vitro conditions. Full article

Astragalus species have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various conditions, and they have recently been used to treat dermatological diseases. Health benefits of Astragalus extracts, especially Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge (synonym of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge), result from the multitude of secondary metabolites identified in their genus, including saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides. Astragalus species, traditionally valued for their systemic medicinal properties, are increasingly recognized as potent sources of ingredients for the cosmeceutical industry. While A. membranaceus remains the most prominent representative, this review explores the broader genus as an emerging reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites. For this purpose, current publications regarding the topical effects of Astragalus species in the treatment of dermatological diseases were collected. Several Astragalus extracts and their compounds have been shown to display biological activities with skin rejuvenating, photoprotective and antimicrobial properties, wound-healing activity, and therapeutic effects on atopic dermatitis and alopecia. However, these articles have limitations because of their use of non-human mammals and the short duration of trials, and future research is needed to fill these gaps. Full article

Stone heritage deteriorates through physical, chemical, and biological processes driven by water, climate, and microbial colonization. Multifunctional polymeric coatings combining hydrophobic and antimicrobial moieties have emerged as a promising conservation strategy, yet a substantial gap remains between laboratory innovation and real-world performance. This review critically examines advances from 2021 to 2026, covering wetting theory, antimicrobial mechanisms, and material architectures, including molecularly integrated systems, Sol–Gel hybrids, nanocomposites, and layered systems. Long-term studies on the Aurelian Walls in Rome and stone in Reims show that biocidal efficacy typically declines within one to two years despite the chemical persistence of the coatings. In parallel, hydrophobic performance often deteriorates over time due to UV exposure, particulate deposition, and surface chemical changes, leading to increased wettability and reduced protective efficiency. Substrate porosity governs durability and visual compatibility (ΔE* < 5 threshold), while treatments can reshape microbial communities, favoring stress-tolerant meristematic fungi. Regulatory pressure on fluorinated compounds drives the development of more sustainable alternatives. Emerging directions include stimuli-responsive systems, self-healing materials, slippery interfaces, and precision polymer architectures. However, future progress will depend on tailoring formulations to major lithotypes, improving compatibility with porous substrates, and validating performance through standardized accelerated aging and multi-year field trials. Bridging laboratory design with environmental exposure data and conservation practice will be essential for achieving durable and culturally acceptable protection strategies. Full article

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) is an emerging crop valued for its nutritional and sensory properties and has been reported to exert health-promoting effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective activities, as well as potential benefits for gut health and metabolic regulation. Building on these features, the present study aimed to unlock the potential of sea fennel to produce novel pickles. Two independent batches were prepared using young leaves and stems of sea fennel fermented in brine. After fermentation, salt concentration was standardized in all prototypes, and two types of vinegar (apple and wine) were added at four acetic acid levels (0.05%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 0.7%). All prototypes were subsequently subjected to mild pasteurization. During fermentation, physicochemical and microbiological parameters were monitored, while after pasteurization additional physicochemical, microbiological, volatile organic compound (VOCs), and sensory analyses were performed during storage. In both batches and across all prototypes, fermentation resulted in a significant pH decrease, dominance of lactic acid bacteria, inhibition of Enterobacteriaceae, and a gradual increase in yeasts. Following vinegar addition and pasteurization, pH, titratable acidity, and salt content remained stable over six months of storage in most prototypes, particularly those with 0.2% acetic acid. Pasteurization effectively inactivated lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae in all prototypes, whereas yeasts and mesophilic bacteria persisted in low-acidity samples (0.05%). Therefore, the 0.05% acidity samples were later excluded due to mid-stage microbial spoilage. Batch-dependent differences were observed in color and sensory attributes, with batch 2 showing higher overall stability mainly in acidic flavor and aroma, particularly in prototypes with 0.2% acidity. VOCs analysis revealed profiles primarily driven by batch variation, with secondary modulation by vinegar type: sesquiterpenes remained stable, while γ-terpinene, limonene, and p-cymene were the dominant compounds, with greater stability observed in batch 2. Overall, the combined use of lactic acid fermentation, vinegar pickling, and mild pasteurization represents a promising strategy for preserving sea fennel and supports its potential as a vegetable crop. Full article

Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Less. is used as a traditional medicine in South Africa to treat tuberculosis, abdominal pains, heartburn, coughs, colds, female sterility, eczema and wounds. In Uganda, the leaves are used to treat dental/oral diseases. This review aims to provide detailed information on the traditional uses, essential oils, phytochemistry, in silico studies, and pharmacological studies and propose possible future research directions on this widely investigated species. The data was gathered from various online electronic databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, SciFinder, Wiley Online, SpringerLink, and PubMed. Reports on the essential oil composition of H. odoratissimum showed the dominance of monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid compounds. Several studies also reported the isolation of the non-volatile compounds, which were mainly flavonoids and terpenes. The species has been reported to have pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antimycobacterial, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory activity and antityrosinase activity. The most important study on H. odoratissimum was a clinical trial in human participants in South Africa addressing its in vivo irritancy potential. However, further research on the clinical and scientific aspects is needed to justify some of its other medicinal uses. Full article

Punica granatum L. is a nutritionally relevant fruit with a complex phytochemical profile that varies across its anatomical fractions, including peel, arils, juice, seeds, and seed oil. Although pomegranate is widely recognized for its health-promoting potential, the nutritional significance of its matrix-dependent composition, bioavailability, and gut microbiota-mediated metabolism remains insufficiently integrated. This review aimed to critically evaluate the phytochemical diversity of pomegranate and its nutrition-related multi-target biological functions, with particular emphasis on food matrices, bioaccessibility, and translational relevance. A structured review of peer-reviewed studies indexed in major scientific databases from 2000 to January 2026 was conducted. Eligible reports included analytical, preclinical, and clinical studies addressing the composition of pomegranate-derived materials and their biological effects, with attention to extraction matrix, processing, bioavailability, microbial biotransformation, and mechanisms of action. Pomegranate exhibits marked matrix-specific phytochemical diversity. Peel is particularly rich in ellagitannins, especially punicalagin and punicalin; arils and juices are enriched in anthocyanins and flavonols; and seed oil contains high levels of punicic acid. Reported biological activities include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, metabolic, anti-aging, and anticancer effects. These actions appear to result from synergistic interactions among multiple bioactive compounds rather than from a single dominant constituent. Importantly, gut microbiota-driven conversion of ellagitannins and ellagic acid into urolithins is a major determinant of systemic bioactivity and may contribute to interindividual variability in response. The health effects of pomegranate should be interpreted within a nutrition-focused, matrix-dependent framework integrating composition, processing, bioavailability, and microbiota-derived metabolism. Full article

Fermented foods and probiotics represent complementary yet distinct components of human nutrition. Fermented foods are shaped by biochemical transformations driven by microbial metabolism, whereas probiotics are live microorganisms that may confer health benefits to the host. In both cases, bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi mediate key metabolic activities that generate bioactive compounds and modulate host–microbiota interactions. During fermentation, microbial communities synthesize organic acids, peptides, exopolysaccharides, vitamins, and other metabolites that enhance food safety, sensory attributes, and potential health-promoting properties. Several microbial products, such as bacteriocins, reuterin, hydroxylated fatty acids, and exopolysaccharides, exhibit antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering activities. Advancing our understanding of microbial metabolism in fermented foods is essential for developing next-generation functional foods and nutraceuticals that leverage microbial biotransformations to support human health. Nonetheless, multiple challenges limit the translation of these advances into commercial products. Inadequately controlled fermentation may introduce microbiological or chemical hazards, regulatory frameworks governing microbial use in foods remain insufficiently defined, and standardized procedures for microbial strain handling and characterization are still lacking. This narrative review integrates current evidence on the nutraceutical properties of fermented foods and probiotics, while also examining the associated safety considerations and the technological factors that influence fermentation processes. Full article

Walnut septum (WS), a major by-product of walnut processing, represents a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to characterise the phytochemical composition of WS extracts from different habitat origins and evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Total amino acids were profiled by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, while phenolic compounds were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Both methods were evaluated according to ICH Q2 (R2) guidelines for analytical procedure validation. The results showed a complex composition of amino acids and polyphenols, including ellagic acid and quercitrin. However, it was clear that habitat variations in WS samples had a significant impact on the quantities and composition of phenolic compounds and total amino acids in WS extracts. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Variations in antimicrobial efficacy were associated with differences in phenolic composition and content due to habitat differences in WS sample origins. Collectively, this study highlights the WS as a valuable agro-industrial by-product with potential applications as a natural source of antimicrobial compounds in food and pharmaceutical systems. Full article

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB)-derived antimicrobial compounds are recognized as a promising source of novel antimicrobial agents, particularly for the treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), where the mode of action and associated cellular effects remain largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate antibacterial activity of Limosilactobacillus fermentum YTPP05 isolated from pickled radish against MRSA. Upon the initial antibacterial evaluations, it was found that strain YTPP05 inhibited the growth of MRSA isolates. Multiplex PCR identified multiple resistance genes in our MRSA strains, including mecA, blaZ, and aacA genes, aligning with antibacterial susceptibility profiles determined by the disc diffusion assay. An agar overlay assay showed that YTPP05 possessed antibacterial potential, with the largest inhibition zone diameters of 40.83 ± 8.43 mm, while the inhibition zones of the Cell Free Supernatant (CFS) of YTPP05 by an agar well diffusion were 27.16 ± 2.93 mm against the MRSA isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of YTPP05-derived CFS were 125 mg/mL. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) demonstrated YTPP05 extracts caused cell membrane disruption, bubble-like protrusion, and cell lysis. Collectively, this study highlights the anti-MRSA potential of YTPP05 as an alternative antimicrobial agent for combating MRSA infections. Full article

The increase in multidrug resistance in microorganisms and the rise of emergent infectious diseases worldwide is a threat to human and animal health. Therefore, research on new molecules with antibiotic potential is a priority. Lichens have a unique secondary metabolism with relatively untapped potential, yet their essential oils (EOs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remain a relatively untapped resource. This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with a comprehensive search performed in the Web of Science database for studies published up to 2023. From 254 identified records, six studies involving nine lichen species (Evernia prunastri, Evernia divaricata, Cladonia rangiformis, Cladonia furcata, Parmotrema perlatum, Lichina pygmaea, Parmelia perlata, Hypogymnia physodes, and Parmelia sulcata) met the eligibility criteria. The synthesized data show that these volatile fractions possess significant antimicrobial potential, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) generally lower than 1 mg/mL. Major bioactive constituents identified include atraric acid, orsellinates, and various sesquiterpenes. While the current evidence highlights a strong potential of lichen volatiles against pathogens, research is limited to a small fraction of known species. This review identifies a critical gap in testing these compounds directly against MDR clinical isolates and suggests that future research should focus on high-biomass species and the heterologous expression of lichen biosynthetic genes to develop sustainable antimicrobial applications. Full article