Search Results (548)

Power ultrasound has been investigated as an intensification tool for fermentation, aging, enzymatic hydrolysis, and extraction in food biomanufacturing. Treatment outcomes vary with matrix properties, application stage, acoustic exposure, and evaluation criteria, leaving optimization largely empirical. This review compares ultrasound applications across these four operations and evaluates combinations with pulsed electric fields, cold atmospheric plasma, microwave processing, and membrane separation. Potential roles in precision fermentation, microbial protein production, synthetic microbial communities, and cell-free or multi-enzyme biomanufacturing are also examined. Applications are organized by treatment stage for fermentation and hydrolysis and by product class for aging and extraction. Mechanistic evidence is interpreted according to the mechanical and chemical effects involved and the process limitation addressed. Substrate restructuring is most beneficial when physical accessibility limits conversion or compound release, whereas microbial and enzyme tolerance often constrains ultrasound intensity during fermentation and hydrolysis. Combining ultrasound with other technologies offers opportunities to exploit their complementary strengths. Emerging food biomanufacturing platforms are potential areas for expanding ultrasound applications. The value of ultrasound lies in addressing the main limitation of each process without compromising product quality. Industrial translation will require reproducible control of acoustic exposure, consistent product performance, and sufficient processing gains to justify electrical energy consumption and equipment costs. Full article

Background: Medically relevant biofilms are difficult to detect, characterize, and eradicate because their behavior depends on microbial species, biofilm maturity, extracellular matrix, surface properties, and environmental conditions. Physicochemical approaches provide complementary strategies for monitoring biofilm development and for preventing or disrupting established communities. This structured narrative review examines electrical and electrochemical methods, ultrasound, light-based and photodynamic treatments, plasma and thermal approaches, nanomaterials and photocatalysis, surface modification, and physicochemical detection methods, with particular emphasis on magnetic-field-based strategies. Contemporary primary studies published from January 2025 to July 2026 were considered together with selected earlier studies providing methodological or comparative context. Findings: Physicochemical approaches produced substantial effects across bacterial and fungal biofilm models, but outcomes were strongly dependent on experimental conditions and assessment methods. Cultivability, biomass, metabolic activity, adhesion, detachment, architecture, and physicochemical signals represent distinct aspects of biofilm behavior and should not be interpreted interchangeably. Real-time monitoring methods provide valuable temporal information but require validation against biological endpoints. Magnetic approaches particularly illustrate this methodological heterogeneity. Direct magnetic-field exposure produced variable and incompletely standardized responses, whereas magnetothermal, magnetomechanical, and magnetically guided systems generally showed more consistently quantified antibiofilm effects. Further progress requires standardized physicochemical characterization, appropriate mechanistic controls, clinically representative models, and complementary assessment of biofilm viability, biomass, structure, and regrowth. Full article

Postharvest losses (PHLs) present a critical bottleneck to global food security, with fresh fruit losses reaching 23–40% due to rapid physiological deterioration, mechanical stress, and microbial decay. This review evaluates the metabolic cascades, including respiration kinetics, transpiration, and hormone-mediated factors, that govern fruit degradation. We reviewed thermal and non-thermal treatments for affordability, including thermal interventions such as hot water treatment (HWT), microwave treatment, and radio frequency treatment, alongside emerging non-thermal preservation modalities such as edible coatings, cold plasma atmospheric treatments, and ultrasound processing. The review places particular emphasis on climacteric tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, banana, and citrus, for which postharvest losses and preservation challenges are especially acute due to their climacteric nature. To address the quality tracking highlighted by modern commercial chains, this review integrates an assessment of non-destructive quality evaluation technologies, focusing on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), and electronic noses (E-noses). Overall, this review seeks to deliver a unified blueprint, arguing that sustainable postharvest preservation can benefit from context-specific hurdle-technology concepts that align accessible postharvest treatments with monitoring networks. We synthesise current evidence on individual thermal, non-thermal, and sensing technologies and use this to motivate potential hurdle strategies and treatment–monitoring pairings for diverse fruit supply chains. Full article

Although the term “topical skin booster” has gained significant traction in Korean aesthetic medicine, the category remains loosely defined and often disconnected from established principles of transdermal pharmacology. To address this ambiguity, we critically reviewed the mechanistic foundations and clinical evidence surrounding these formulations, using the 500 Da permeability heuristic as an initial physicochemical screening framework rather than an absolute cutoff. We assessed key delivery platforms, including microneedling, ablative fractional lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, and cold atmospheric plasma. The available evidence indicates that macromolecular actives such as hyaluronic acid and polydeoxyribonucleotides generally face substantial barriers to passive penetration, whereas small-molecule agents have a stronger physicochemical rationale for topical use. We propose a hypothesis-generating “signal-and-support” framework for biologically plausible multi-ingredient formulation design. The field remains constrained by inconsistent, claim-specific verification of cutaneous exposure and dermal delivery, particularly for macromolecular actives. More rigorous target-compartment pharmacokinetic and target-engagement studies are needed to distinguish mechanistic plausibility from verified dermal delivery and clinical benefit. Full article

The development of protective coatings is a key requirement to extend the operating window of structural materials in lead-cooled fast reactors, particularly at temperatures where corrosion of conventional steels becomes increasingly challenging to control. In this work, a code-oriented, systematic and technology-agnostic screening of candidate coating systems was performed to assess their chemical compatibility with liquid lead under representative and controlled conditions. Different coating technologies and material systems were investigated. Part I of the work covers atmospheric plasma spraying, high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying, and cold gas spray of Al-rich austenitic and ferritic alloys, and chrome electrodeposition. The results show that, while Al-rich metallic coatings can effectively protect the underlying substrates under the investigated conditions, Cr-based materials studied here cannot. Such an outcome provides a comparative basis for the down-selection of coating technologies for LFR components. Full article

Background: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising experimental anticancer strategy, yet its influence on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) migration and viability remains moderately understood. The aim of this workpaper was to examine how CAP exposure influences wound closure, WST-1 metabolic signal, and key proteins involved in epithelial adhesion and cell-cycle regulation in OSCC models. Methods: HSC-3 and CAL27 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells were exposed to CAP generated via Piezoelectric Direct Discharge (PDD) technology for 20 s under standardized conditions. Wound closure was assessed by wound-healing assay under proliferation-restricted conditions (50 μM Ara-C), while relative cellular metabolic activity was measured using WST-1. E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Cyclin A were evaluated by Western blot. Publicly available baseline transcriptomic data were additionally analyzed to characterize migration- and cytoskeleton-related expression patterns in the two HNSCC models. These transcriptomic data were independent of CAP treatment. Results: A 20 s CAP exposure significantly delayed wound closure in both HNSCC cell lines under proliferation-restricted conditions and reduced the WST-1 signal. Cyclin A levels also decreased, supporting an effect on cell growth and cell-cycle regulation, although the available data do not establish cell-cycle arrest. E-cadherin increased after CAP treatment, whereas N-cadherin remained low without a statistically significant change. Baseline transcriptomic mapping further showed differences between HSC-3 and CAL27 in genes related to actin-cytoskeleton organization, focal adhesion, and migration. These data were used to contextualize the experimental phenotype and were not interpreted as CAP-induced transcriptional changes. Conclusions: In these in vitro OSCC models, CAP exposure was associated with slower wound closure, lower WST-1 signal, increased E-cadherin, and reduced Cyclin A expression. These findings suggest further investigation of CAP as a potential modulator of OSCC cellular metabolic activity, adhesion-related markers, and cell-cycle-associated proteins. Full article

Seed-associated microorganisms influence seed quality, seedling establishment, and plant health and also constitute a major source of seed-borne pathogens. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising alternative to chemical seed treatments because of its antimicrobial activity, although its effects on fungal communities associated with developing seedlings remain poorly understood. Here, Arabidopsis thaliana seeds from two ecotypes (Columbia and Landsberg erecta) were exposed to CAP for 5 or 15 min. Seed decontamination efficiency was assessed by culturing on malt extract agar and nephelometric analyses, while fungal communities associated with seedlings derived from treated and untreated seeds were characterized by ITS1 amplicon sequencing. CAP efficiently reduced fungal contamination without affecting seed germination. CAP altered the composition of fungal communities associated with developing seedlings, but the magnitude of these changes depended on seed batch and ecotype. Dominant taxa markedly declined after treatment, whereas several low-abundance taxa increased in relative abundance. These findings demonstrate that CAP is an effective pesticide-free technology for seed decontamination and can also reshape fungal communities associated with developing seedlings, highlighting broader ecological consequences of plasma-based seed treatments. Full article

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a non-thermal ionized gas, is gaining attention in biomedicine due to its unique properties such as the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), immunomodulatory effects, and selective cytotoxicity. This review explores the potential of CAP as a therapeutic tool in otorhinolaryngology (ORL). CAP has shown promising applications in wound healing, pathogen eradication, and antitumor strategies, particularly in head and neck cancers. Mechanistically, CAP promotes tissue regeneration through redox signaling, stimulates immune cell activity, induces immunogenic cell death, and enhances epithelial proliferation while offering broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy. The review also discusses the development of miniaturized CAP delivery systems, including endoscope-integrated plasma jets (e.g., PLASMASKOP), to facilitate clinical use in anatomically complex ORL regions. Given the nascent stage of clinical translation in ORL, the authors highlight the need for interdisciplinary research and device innovation to realize the full therapeutic potential of CAP in this field. Full article

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based treatment modality whose efficacy is often limited by poor photosensitizer stability and delivery. In this study, mesoporous silica-coated iron oxide nanoclusters (MNCs) were synthesized and loaded with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) to obtain a multifunctional PPIX@MNC nanoplatform. Physicochemical characterization was performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The biological effects of MNC, free PPIX, and PPIX@MNC were evaluated in HaCaT cells—as a general epithelial model—under dark conditions, light irradiation, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) exposure, and combined CAP-assisted photodynamic treatment. FTIR, DLS, and zeta potential analyses confirmed successful incorporation of PPIX into the nanoclusters. Cell viability assays revealed pronounced phototoxicity of free PPIX, with the IC50 value decreasing from 44.4 ± 3.5 nM under dark conditions to 14 ± 2 nM following light activation, corresponding to a phototoxicity index of 3.17. CAP further enhanced PPIX-mediated cytotoxicity, and the CAP-assisted photodynamic group exhibited the strongest response, with an IC50 value of 9.6 ± 1.1 nM. CAP further enhanced PPIX-mediated cytotoxicity. Increased ROS generation, enhanced apoptosis, and marked mitochondrial membrane potential disruption were observed particularly in CAP-Light-PPIX-treated cells. Although encapsulation of PPIX within MNCs reduced acute cytotoxicity compared with free PPIX, the nanoplatform retained responsiveness to light and CAP stimulation. These findings demonstrate that CAP potentiates PPIX-mediated photodynamic effects through enhanced oxidative stress and suggest that mesoporous silica-coated magnetic nanoclusters represent a promising platform for controlled photosensitizer delivery in CAP-assisted PDT applications. Full article

Endogenous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are activated in dentin during carious lesion progression and restorative procedures, degrading the tooth-restoration interface and contributing to restoration failure. This study investigated by means of in situ zymography whether cold atmospheric plasma activation (PA) of distilled water (DW) and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) modulates endogenous dentinal MMP activity. A Dielectric Barrier Discharge-rod source generated PA liquids, treating DW and PBS for 22 min. Chemical characterization demonstrated that PADW yielded 9.61 mg/L H₂O₂, 18.3 mg/L NO₂⁻, 375.70 mg/L NO₃⁻, and a pH of 3.2. PAPBS yielded 9.79 mg/L H₂O₂, 36.01 mg/L NO₂⁻, 505.74 mg/L NO₃⁻, and a pH of 7.13. Both liquids served as 1 min dentin pretreatments in a simulated restorative procedure using a universal adhesive and resin composite, tested after 24 h. MMP activity was assessed via in situ zymography with fluorescein-conjugated gelatin and confocal microscopy. Data were statistically analyzed (p < 0.05). PADW increased dentinal enzymatic activity, while PAPBS reduced it (p < 0.05). Non-activated PBS elicited higher baseline MMP activity than non-activated DW. The divergent responses likely reflect differences in RONS composition, pH, and initial ionic content between the two liquids. The precise mechanism underlying PA liquid interactions with dentinal MMPs warrants further investigation. Full article

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising tool used in medicine due to its broad spectrum of biological activity and the possibility of safe application on living tissues without the risk of thermal damage. CAP is a partially ionised gas containing electrons, ions and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS); it also emits ultraviolet radiation and an electromagnetic field. The aim of this study is to discuss the mechanisms of action of cold atmospheric plasma and to assess its significance in supporting the skin healing process. Analysis of the available data indicates that CAP acts in multiple ways: it stimulates the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, modulates the inflammatory response, exhibits antimicrobial properties, and improves microcirculation and enhances angiogenesis. The results of studies to date suggest that cold atmospheric plasma may provide valuable support for therapies, particularly in the context of skin regeneration, wound healing and the treatment of inflammatory lesions. However, further research is needed on the standardisation of treatment parameters, long-term safety, and the precise definition of indications and contraindications depending on the type of device used. Full article

Background: Biofilm-associated microbial burden is a major barrier to wound healing and is increasingly difficult to control in the era of antimicrobial resistance. This translational study evaluated the antimicrobial performance and tissue compatibility of a commercially available large-area cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) system (CPTpatch^®/CPTcube^®; Coldplasmatech GmbH, Greifswald, Germany) across in vitro, porcine, and clinical patient settings. Methods: CAP was tested against seven wound-relevant bacterial species, including multidrug-resistant strains, and the fungus Candida albicans in vitro, in two porcine MRSA-infected deep dermal wound models, and in a clinical service-evaluation cohort of 20 chronic lower-limb wounds in 14 patients; 17 wounds had evaluable longitudinal MolecuLight^® (Toronto, ON, Canada) fluorescence series. Results: In vitro, CAP induced rapid multi-log killing across the bacterial panel and showed a marked antifungal effect against C. albicans. In porcine MRSA wounds, CAP reduced bacterial burden versus sham by 1.65, 1.89, and 2.04 log10 CFU/g on Days 4, 8, and 11, equivalent to 97.8%, 98.7%, and 99.1% reductions. In a 72-h post-inoculation MRSA biofilm model, the strongest 5×/week regimen achieved 2.51 log10 (99.69%) and 3.18 log10 (99.93%) reductions versus baseline after 2- and 4-min CAP exposures, respectively. Clinically, twice-weekly CAP was associated with a significant decline in MolecuLight^® fluorescence grades over 5 weeks (p < 0.001); effective surface disinfection at 5 weeks was observed in 16/17 evaluable wounds. Conclusions: From bench to bedside, the investigated CAP system delivered rapid broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, reduced MRSA burden in biofilm-infected porcine wounds, and was associated with clinically measurable suppression of wound surface bioburden while remaining tissue-sparing. These findings support further controlled studies to define clinical benefit in wound care. Full article

Background: Wound infections are common sequelae of wound treatment in horses. Secondary bacterial colonization with antimicrobial resistant microorganisms is of particular concern and is of crucial importance regarding the “One Health Concept”. Due to frequent antimicrobial resistance (AMR), conventional treatments often involve determining resistance and sensitivity using time-consuming antibiograms. Infections with multi-resistant pathogens are especially challenging. This case series presents studies of four horses evaluating the efficacy of Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol (CAP-A) as a standalone treatment for equine wound infections. Methods: A sampling unit of horses aged 5 weeks to 11 years presented with various infected wounds which were treated with CAP-A. Treatment was administered once daily for up to two months; each session consisted of 2 × 3 min nebulization cycles. Following 10 days of treatment, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was no longer culturally detectable, and advanced wound healing was observed. Microbiological samples were collected before and after the treatment period, and the antibiotic resistance of pathogens was determined. Photographs were used to document wound progression and healing process. Results: Antibiograms and microbiological examinations identified several multi-resistant bacteria in all horses. CAP-A treatment decreased microbial load of pathogenic flora and removed MRSA without the use of antibiotics. Conclusions: CAP-A therapy demonstrated promising results as a non-pharmacological treatment option for equine wound infections with multi-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, achieving both clinical and microbiological improvement. Horses tolerated sessions without any signs of discomfort. Further research should be based on a clinical follow-up as part of a prospective study with a larger sample size and negative control to draw definite conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment. Full article

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a dysbiotic oral microbiome that leads to progressive periodontal tissue destruction. Current treatment primarily relies on scaling and root planing (SRP); however, this approach does not always completely eliminate pathogenic microorganisms or adequately modulate the host inflammatory response. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) with potential antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and immunomodulatory properties, making it a promising adjunctive therapeutic modality for the management of periodontitis. Literature Search Strategy: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and June 2025. The search included in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies evaluating the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects of CAP in periodontitis and related periodontal models. Reference lists of relevant articles were also manually screened to identify additional eligible studies. Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of CAP on periodontitis and to evaluate its potential as an adjunctive treatment modality. Furthermore, the review examines the regenerative potential and underlying mechanisms of CAP, while also addressing its clinical safety and biocompatibility. Key Findings: Preclinical evidence indicates that CAP reduces bacterial viability, disrupts biofilm architecture, and modulates host immune responses through RONS-mediated signaling pathways. In animal models of periodontitis, CAP has been shown to enhance markers of periodontal tissue repair, reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase LC3-associated phagocytosis in macrophages, and accelerate wound healing. Clinical studies evaluating CAP as an adjunct to SRP have reported improvements in clinical attachment level (CAL) and reductions in the recolonization of periodontal pathogens. Nevertheless, substantial heterogeneity in CAP treatment parameters and a lack of long-term safety and efficacy data limit direct comparisons across studies and highlight the need for further well-designed clinical investigations. Conclusions: CAP appears to be a potentially useful adjunct to SRP in the management of periodontitis. Current preclinical evidence demonstrates significant antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects; however, clinical evidence remains limited. Further high-quality clinical trials are required to validate these findings, establish standardized treatment protocols, optimize therapeutic parameters, and facilitate the development of regulatory frameworks for clinical implementation. Full article

Post-operative infections remain a challenge in implant surgery, leading to prolonged treatment, increased costs, and implant failure. Localized antibiotic-delivery coatings are a promising strategy to reduce infection risk while maintaining biocompatibility. Here, we evaluate cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) spraying as a solvent-free method to deposit polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layers containing amikacin on stainless steel and to identify plasma parameters that control release and antibacterial activity. A 3 × 3 factorial design varied nozzle distance (15, 20, 25 mm) and speed (10, 15, 20 cm/s). Surface morphology was assessed by optical microscopy, amikacin release quantified by HPLC-HRMS, and antibacterial activity tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion. Two-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests and nonparametric validation were applied. Cold plasma spraying speed significantly affected drug release, whereas distance and the interaction term were not significant. Lower spraying speeds produced thicker, more porous coatings with greater cumulative release and larger inhibition zones. Drug release profiles were best described by Weibull and first-order models, showing an initial burst followed by sustained release. These findings indicate that CAP spraying enables solvent-free fabrication of antibiotic-loaded PVA coatings with tunable release, and optimizing spraying speed improves coating mass, drug delivery, and antibacterial performance. Full article