Search Results (889)

Postharvest spoilage of cherry tomatoes caused by pathogenic microorganisms and oxidative browning leads to significant economic losses and food waste. Natural bioactive compounds are gaining increasing attention as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. In this study, a nanoemulsion (NED) formulation of nature-derived 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was developed and evaluated for its potential to preserve cherry tomato quality during storage. The NED was prepared using high-pressure homogenization, and demonstrated good water solubility and stability. The particles and polydispersity index of NED were an average size of 80–170 nm and 0.2389, respectively. The conductivity and zeta potential of the nanoemulsion were detected as 1.007 mS/cm and 1.611 mV, respectively. Antimicrobial assays showed that the nanoemulsion effectively inhibited the growth of major postharvest pathogens, including human-pathogenic bacterial S. aureus, and phytopathogenic fungal B. cinerea, with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1.0, 2.0 μL/mL, respectively. Preservation performance tests indicated that the nanoemulsion was effective under both room temperature and refrigerated conditions. When applied to cherry tomatoes, the NED significantly reduced surface bacterial quantity, and preserved fruit quality, as evidenced by a lower weight loss rate, and higher levels of soluble sugars, protein, total phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, and total antioxidant capacity (all comparisons were statistically evaluated by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test, p < 0.05). Importantly, the NED can be completely removed after three times of washing. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NED is an effective and safe bioactive preservative under laboratory-scale conditions. However, further validation under commercial postharvest handling conditions is necessary prior to practical application. This work provides a fundamental basis for the application of nanoencapsulated natural phenolic compounds in the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables. Full article

In-storage food loss is a persistent yet under-addressed source of economic, environmental, and social waste in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) cold chains, where continuous monitoring and lean workflows are typically absent. This study asks how such loss can be reduced under SME constraints and what benefits an intervention designed for that setting could yield. Following a design science approach in a Thai chilled warehouse case, it develops an integrated intervention coupling an Internet of Things (IoT) early-warning platform—ESP-32 and DHT22 sensing with commodity-specific alerting through the LINE Messaging API—with value stream mapping (VSM) of the depositing and withdrawing workflows. Monitoring showed that 7.4% of quality-controlled readings exceeded the 6 °C control threshold. Value stream analysis established that elapsed time is governed by information latency rather than physical work and that produce spends 290 min per handling cycle outside controlled conditions. The redesigned workflows project lead-time reductions of 47.5% and 69.4% and remove 125 min of that exposure. An ex ante Triple Bottom Line assessment estimates approximately 19,700 kg of avoided produce loss, 6500 kg CO₂e, and 590,000 THB retained annually. This study contributes a complementarity account of digital monitoring and process improvement, advancing SDG Target 12.3. Full article

Global population growth, climatic extremes and rising resource pressures necessitate innovative agricultural methods to boost food, feed, fibre and fuel production sustainably. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs), such as seed coating and priming, have emerged as effective strategies to improve seed viability and vigour, seedling establishment and overall crop yield. Conventional seed treatments include seed coating (film coating, encrusting, pelleting) and seed priming (hydro-, osmo-, halo- bio-, nutri-, hormonal-, chemical- and solid matrix priming). They offer advantages such as improved seed handling, uniform germination and promotion of early growth. However, they also have significant drawbacks, including on soil health and off-target pollution from synthetic polymers and pesticides, seed longevity issues from re-drying and outcomes that can vary among different crops, soils and environments. To tackle these issues, new non-traditional SETs are being investigated, including nanotechnology, novel biodegradable coatings and agrichemical-free biostimulants, such as plant growth promoting microorganisms. These innovative methods demonstrate great promise in enhancing active and crop performance while minimising environmental impacts by providing alternatives to materials derived from fossil fuels and that contribute to waste and pollution. This review critically examines both conventional and novel SETs, discusses their pros and cons and outlines strategic research and industry directions to enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity in light of global food and resource security challenges. Full article

In modern societies, the renewed concept of food as medicine coexists with unprecedented consumption of highly processed foods, food additives, environmental xenobiotics, and pharmacological agents, contributing to the increasing prevalence of metabolic and degenerative diseases and accelerated aging. Although modern pharmacotherapies have transformed disease management, long-term drug exposure introduces additional metabolic burdens, off-target effects, and cumulative toxicities that are profoundly influenced by nutritional status. Collectively, dietary constituents, environmental chemicals, endogenous metabolic by-products, and therapeutic agents constitute a complex exposome that requires continuous recognition, utilization, detoxification, and clearance. Within this context, the liver sinusoidal clearance system (LSCS) emerges as a central regulator of systemic homeostasis. We propose a conceptual framework in which circulating molecules are classified as self (S), modified self (M), and foreign (F) molecules according to their physiological handling by the LSCS. Through coordinated hepatic utilization of S molecules and selective clearance of M and F molecules, fenestrated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) maintain metabolic homeostasis, immune tolerance, and physiological pharmacokinetics. Conversely, chronic dietary overload, poor dietary quality, food processing, and sustained exposure to pro-inflammatory and oxidative dietary and environmental molecules initiate chronic low-grade inflammation, which promotes LSEC capillarization, impairs hepatic clearance, increases the modification of S molecules into M molecules and establishes a feed-forward cycle that further amplifies chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Finally, we discuss recent advances in the programmable modulation of the LSCS, including its transient suppression to prolong therapeutic exposure and its activation to enhance the clearance of metabolically harmful M and F molecules through coordinated upregulation of the endoglin–stabilin-2–FcγRIIb axis and the LSEC markers Oit3 and Dnase1L3. We highlight dual-function supramolecular nanofiber platforms that enable bidirectional regulation of the LSCS through nanofiber complexes with therapeutic proteins, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential and enhancing efficacy in the treatment of metabolic, inflammatory, and age-related diseases. Full article

Ocean deoxygenation is intensifying globally, and hypoxia is increasingly documented on tropical coral reefs; yet, its consequences for the physiology and social functioning of reef fishes remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally exposed the bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) to two repeated nocturnal severe hypoxia events (<2 mg O₂ L⁻¹), reflecting the upper range of currently observed reef conditions. We quantified aerobic performance using intermittent flow respirometry across three phases: baseline (n = 24, prior to exposure), post-hypoxia (n = 24, the morning following the first hypoxia event), and post-recovery (n = 22, three days later). Control fish were followed over the same time frame and tested with the same protocol to account for handling or timing effects. Cooperative performance (n = 22) was assessed separately using an ecologically relevant Feeding Against Preference (FAP) task conducted after the second hypoxic night, allowing us to test whether inhibitory control is sensitive to acute oxygen limitation. Brain morphology (n = 12) was subsequently quantified in a subset of individuals to assess potential changes in relative brain size and regional investment. Repeated hypoxia was associated with persistent reductions in aerobic performance. Maximum and resting metabolic rates declined across phases in hypoxia-exposed fish, resulting in reduced absolute and factorial aerobic scope relative to controls. Hypoxia also altered performance in the FAP task, with exposed fish feeding more often against their food preference, a result consistent with enhanced inhibitory control. In contrast, hypoxia exposure was associated with a significant reduction in relative telencephalon size, while other brain regions and overall brain size were unaffected. These findings suggest that severe nocturnal hypoxic events can impose lasting constraints on aerobic capacity and selectively alter brain structure, while also modifying self-control during cooperative interactions. Together, these results indicate that oxygen limitation can affect cognition both directly and through underlying physiological and neural mechanisms. As hypoxic events intensify under ongoing climate change, such constraints may have important implications for the stability of cleaner–client mutualisms, which could ultimately affect broader reef-level ecosystem stability. Full article

Food and beverage contamination by microbial and chemical hazards during product processing and handling has significant risks to quality, public health, and regulatory compliance. Cleaning and sanitation practices are essential components of food safety management systems, with their effectiveness dependent on factors such as product characteristics, residue composition, surface properties, biofilm formation, and environmental conditions during production and processing. A comprehensive analysis of cleaning agents and sanitizers, including alkaline, acidic, enzymatic, surfactants, and oxidizing compounds, as well as emerging and sustainable approaches (e.g., organic acid-based formulations, bio-based surfactants, electrolyzed water, and ozone), and their roles during the processing and handling of products, is key to minimizing risks but also to creating resilience in the entire food chain. This review highlights the importance of understanding food-soil composition when selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and methods, particularly for removing carbohydrate-, protein-, fat-, and mineral-based residues, as well as biofilms from food-contact surfaces. Sector-specific challenges, such as biofilm persistence in seafood processing, fouling in dairy operations, moisture control in low-moisture food facilities, and microbial contamination in fresh produce, meat, poultry, cereal grain, and beverage processing, are also discussed. The overall goal is to support researchers, food industry professionals, and regulatory stakeholders in selecting and optimizing cleaning and sanitizing protocols that ensure food safety and regulatory compliance across diverse food industries. Full article

Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs), defined as particles under 5 mm down to the submicron scale (<1 µm or 1–1000 nm), have shifted from an environmental concern into a general potential contaminant of our global food supply. As plastic production escalates, the fragmentation process disperses particles across soils, water bodies and the atmosphere, resulting in their reported detection in a variety of food products and, in some studies, in human biological matrices including the bloodstream to major organs. However, confirming their presence is not equivalent to tracing their journey. Current scientific understanding of how these contaminants migrate remains uncertain, since most studies focus on isolated sources rather than the interconnected stages of production and exposure. To address this, we propose the Farm-to-Table Microplastic Exposure Cascade (FT-MPEC), an integrated concept designed to describe the potential progressive accumulation of MNPs across the food continuum. This review synthesizes the trajectory of particles from primary production into the food chain, evaluating potential transfer pathways during post-harvest handling, industrial processing and domestic preparation. By mapping these routes, we identify critical knowledge gaps and research priorities necessary to improve future monitoring, exposure assessment and mitigation strategies for public health. Full article

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), the defining ingredient of “pesto alla Genovese”—a traditional uncooked Ligurian sauce prepared by blending fresh basil leaves with olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and aged cheeses- has become an increasingly important industrial raw material, yet current knowledge remains fragmented across agronomy, postharvest physiology, and food processing. This review critically proposes “raw material functionality” as an integrative framework describing the measurable ability of basil to retain the physicochemical, sensory, and technological properties required for high-quality pesto production throughout processing and storage. Evidence from the literature is critically analyzed to connect preharvest factors, postharvest handling, and processing technologies with key functional attributes, including pigment stability, phenolic content, volatile composition, enzymatic activity, microbial quality and oxidative stability. The review highlights how agronomic and technological variables jointly determine color retention, aroma preservation, shelf-life, and product consistency, while identifying major knowledge gaps in linking basil composition with industrial performance. Finally future perspectives are discussed, emphasizing predictive, quality-by-design approaches that integrate compositional markers with processing behavior and shelf-life outcomes to support more consistent and sustainable industrial pesto production. Full article

Cherry tomatoes are highly susceptible to Salmonella contamination during pre- and post-harvest handling, leading to foodborne illness outbreaks and significant economic losses. Edible coatings incorporating natural antimicrobials offer a promising alternative to conventional chemical treatments for enhancing food safety while maintaining produce quality. This study developed and evaluated a pectin-based edible coating enriched with zinc nanohydroxide-thymol nanohybrids (ZnNH-T) for controlling Salmonella contamination and extending shelf-life of cherry tomatoes. ZnNH-T nanohybrids were synthesized via precipitation, followed by thymol intercalation, and characterized by SEM. Four coating formulations were prepared: pectin alone (P), pectin-thymol (PT), pectin-ZnNH (PNH), and pectin-ZnNH-T (PNHT). Antibacterial activity of the four coatings was first screened in vitro by disc diffusion against six S. enterica serovars; three serovars (Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Montevideo) showing a statistically significant, coating-dependent inhibition response were selected for the postharvest assay. Cherry tomatoes were coated and dip-inoculated with three Salmonella serotypes (Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Montevideo) at approximately 10⁵ CFU/mL and stored at 25 °C for 12 days. Antimicrobial efficacy, antioxidant activity (ABTS assay), and physicochemical quality parameters (weight loss, color, pH, and total soluble solids) were evaluated. Zinc nanohydroxides were successfully synthesized, as observed in SEM morphology. ABTS radical scavenging activity of filmogenic solutions was highest for PT (92.4%) and moderate for PNHT (65.9%), while P and PNH showed minimal activity (20.1% and 17.8%, respectively). PNHT coating achieved an approximately 2-log CFU/g reduction in Salmonella populations compared to uncoated controls over 12 days of storage, demonstrating sustained antimicrobial efficacy. Coated tomatoes exhibited significantly reduced weight loss (8% for PNHT vs. 13% for control), better color retention, lycopene content, maintained firmness, and stable pH and TSS values compared to uncoated controls. The pectin-ZnNH-T coating system represents a novel multifunctional approach for enhancing cherry tomato safety and quality. The use of thymol from the layered hydroxide structure, combined with zinc ion antimicrobial effects, provides sustained pathogen reduction while maintaining desirable physicochemical properties. This natural, biodegradable coating technology has potential for commercial application in fresh produce preservation. Full article

Recent developments and applications of high-throughput omics technologies have modernised animal biotechnology, offering extraordinary comprehension of animal reproduction. The current review discusses the applications and advancement of high-throughput omics technologies in animal reproductive biology. The data for this review were sourced from old and recently published work in different journals. The internet databases used to access the manuscripts were ResearchGate, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, and the Directory of Open Access Journals. The results showed that omics technologies have been previously used in human biology, and with time, have come to be introduced in animal reproductive biology. Studies using these technologies showed that genomics analysis identified at least 180 CNVs and 49 candidate genes enriched in vital fertility pathways, including retinol metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and Hippo signalling, while transcriptomics analysis screened the molecular dynamics of reproductive indicators at both the cellular and molecular levels. Pig oocytes matured in vitro or in vivo were subjected to transcriptome analysis. These analyses generate large amounts of ‘Big Data’. As a result, omics can handle large amounts of data generated through the analyses, but it needs bioinformatics experts and advanced computers, making it less affordable at the farm level. However, widely utilised technologies, including assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), have hit their limit after years of use. To break this plateau of traditional ARTs, future research must give integrative ARTs and high-throughput omics technologies top priority, as they have clearly been shown to improve farm animals’ reproductive success. The synergy of increased reproductive efficiency and a smaller ecological footprint is crucial for improving the accuracy and sustainability of livestock systems, ultimately promoting global food security. Full article

This study investigated the microbiological quality of “aguas frescas” (fresh fruit drinks) by using fecal coliform and E. coli as microbiological indicators of food safety culture in three types of markets: those with reputable established quality systems (RMQSs), those of reputable brands governed solely by NOM-251 (RMNs), and popular markets (PMs). Additionally, other hygiene aspects outlined in the Mexican regulation NOM-251 were evaluated. Results showed that 100% of samples from RMQS met the permissible limits for both parameters. In contrast, 53% of RMN samples and 75% of PM samples were non-compliant for fecal coliforms. Similarly, non-compliance with E. coli was observed in 40% of RMN and 51% of PM samples. These findings highlight a clear disparity in “aguas frescas” quality across different market types. Moreover, a lack of food hygiene practices was detected in those RMN and PM establishments. Lower compliance rates were observed for the use of face masks (60%), hairnets (43%), and gloves (30%). Certain aspects of the study demonstrated deficiencies in food handling, encompassing both preparation and preservation methods. The data highlight a need for improved training and enforcement of hygiene practices. Full article

Horse mesenteric fat is a culturally significant and nutritionally valuable food product in Central Asia, yet the kinetics of its oxidative and hydrolytic deterioration under sub-optimal storage conditions remain poorly characterized. Raw mesenteric adipose tissue from ten free-grazing horses in Northern Kazakhstan was subjected to accelerated stress storage at 30 °C and 70% relative humidity for six days, with physicochemical and spectroscopic evaluation on days 0, 3, and 6. Parameters assessed included acid value, peroxide value, refractive index, density, melting point, sensory attributes, and Fourier-transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. The acid value increased markedly from 1.17 ± 0.46 to 32.60 ± 26.18 mg KOH/g by day 6, substantially exceeding the internationally accepted threshold of 2.0 mg KOH/g, while peroxide value rose progressively and density declined. Melting point decreased significantly between days 0 and 3, a physicochemical change that may be associated with hydrolytic and oxidative modification of the lipid matrix, as corroborated by infrared spectral analysis. These results demonstrate that raw horse mesenteric fat is highly susceptible to rancidity, reaching unacceptable quality thresholds within six days, underscoring the urgent need for cold-chain management and evidence-based handling guidelines for this product across the region. Full article

Portable sensing systems are increasingly important in biological and chemical analyses because they can provide analytical information at the point of decision-making. While traditional laboratory methods remain crucial for reference measurements, regulatory validation, and high-precision quantification, portable systems emphasize rapid response, convenience, cost-effectiveness, robustness, and relevance to decision-making. This paper views portable sensing systems as integrated analytical platforms rather than isolated sensing elements. The paper discusses recognition elements, including enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acid probes, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, nanomaterials, and hybrid recognition interfaces, as well as electrochemical, optical, mass-sensitive, thermal, field-effect, and hybrid sensing technologies. Furthermore, this paper reviews platform designs, including paper-based analytical devices, chip lab systems, smartphone-assisted sensors, wearable and flexible sensors, handheld instruments, and wireless sensor networks. It explores their applications in sample handling, calibration, data processing, and field deployment. Applications of this technology include point-of-care diagnostics, pathogen detection, wearable health monitoring, agriculture, veterinary medicine, environmental monitoring, food safety, industrial process control, forensic analysis, public safety, and occupational exposure assessment. The report focuses on sample acquisition, miniaturized preparation, reagent storage, matrix interference, calibration transfer, signal conditioning, machine learning, cloud platforms, analytical validation, and decision support. Furthermore, it identifies key obstacles to translating academic prototypes into industrial products, including reproducibility, stability, manufacturability, ease of use, cybersecurity, regulatory approval, and market acceptance. Future development requires fully integrated sample-to-result systems, multimodal sensing, artificial intelligence, sustainable single-use materials, self-powered devices, and system-level validation under real-world operating conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and related metabolic diseases arise from an interplay of lipid overload, insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACC2) controls malonyl-CoA production and thereby gates mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation, placing it at the intersection of lipid handling and redox-sensitive metabolic dysfunction. Dietary antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids and terpenoids are increasingly studied as modulators of these pathways, yet systematic prioritization of food-derived antioxidant compounds against defined metabolic targets remains challenging. We developed an integrated deep learning and structure-based workflow to prioritize FooDB compounds with predicted ACC2-binding potential. Methods: A curated set of 3983 ACC2 bioactivity records from ChEMBL 36 was used to train scaffold-split models, including graph neural-network and graph–Morgan fingerprint-fusion architectures. The calibrated ensemble screened 139,988 FooDB compounds; 200 candidates with predicted activity probability above 0.70 were docked against the ACC2 carboxyltransferase domain (PDB ID: 3FF6), and six prioritized complexes underwent 500 ns molecular dynamics and MM/GBSA analysis. Results: Redocking of the co-crystallized ligand reproduced the experimental pose (RMSD 1.2 Å). Although the highest-ranked screening hits were antioxidant terpenoids and alkaloids, docking-based prioritization from the top candidates selected six larger, more polar food-derived compounds, including glycosides and two nucleotide/cofactor-like conjugates, which showed docking scores from −7.47 to −6.65 kcal/mol versus −6.21 kcal/mol for the reference ligand. Glu539 emerged as a recurrent interaction hotspot. All candidates gave more favourable MM/GBSA binding free energies than the reference (ΔG = −22.52 kcal/mol), led by FDB029596 (−35.65), FDB021568 (−34.14) and FDB017807 (−33.87 kcal/mol). Conclusions: This workflow provides a reproducible framework for prioritizing food-derived compounds as candidate ACC2 binders relevant to obesity and metabolic disease, generating structurally supported hypotheses for biochemical and nutritional validation. The prioritized compounds are computational candidates only and require biochemical and cellular (experimental) validation before any ACC2-related biological relevance can be established. Full article

Food safety culture (FSC) is a structured, measurable and enforceable element of the food industry, which is essential for building consumer trust and safeguarding consumer wellness. Regardless of the size of the organisation, FSC plays a pivotal role in safety and quality assurance and should be embedded in the company’s values and beliefs, ultimately manifesting in employee behaviours. FSC’s principal denominators encompass the fundamental principles of leadership, knowledge, engagement, environment, performance, and outcome. These principles collectively form a holistic framework that is pivotal for enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of safety initiatives in the food supply chain. FSC should be integrated into existing food safety standards, aligning with management systems and enjoying support and ownership at all levels and portfolios. Attaining a strong FSC requires commitment and active participation, not only from departments and sections directly involved with food handling, but also from administrative departments and branches. A non-conducive or weak culture, on the other hand, creates barriers to the achievement of safety goals and creates environments that may lead to product safety failures and non-conformances, with potential detrimental impacts on both consumer and business well-being. The absence of a specific culture constitutes a culture in itself, and, therefore, regular, valid, and reliable assessment is crucial for understanding the current state of FSC, without drawing generalised, superficial, or biased conclusions. In this study, the history and context of FSC are discussed, as well as narratives on assessment protocols and improvement initiatives. A trustworthy and ethical assessment is the first step in a three-phase process, involving assessment, alignment, and intervention to improve FSC, constituting various subcategories. The ultimate intent of this study is to provide turn-key solutions through presenting ideas, debating concepts and proposing interventions to guide and inform FSC improvement, culminating in safe and wholesome products. Full article