Search Results (8,197)

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer which, due to its very high mechanical properties and high chemical resistance, has found application in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, food and medical (biomedical engineering) industries. Owing to the use of additive technologies, particularly the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) method, this material is the most widely used plastic to produce skull reconstruction implants, parts of dental implants and orthopedic implants, including spinal, knee and hip implants. PEEK enables the creation of personalized implants, which not only have greater elasticity compared to implants made of metal alloys but also resemble the physical properties of the cortical layer of human bone in terms of their mechanical properties. Therefore, the aim of this article is to characterize polyether ether ketone as an alternative material used in the manufacturing of implants in orthopedics and dentistry. Full article

With the growth of the plant-based food sector, increasing amounts of by-products are generated. Sea buckthorn pomace (SBP), a by-product of juice and other manufacturing products, is rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, oligosaccharides, proteins, and dietary fiber. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of modification methods, such as enzymatic hydrolysis and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE-CO₂), on the chemical composition and technological properties of SBP. SBP and SBP obtained after SFE-CO₂ (SBP-CO₂) were enzymatically modified using Pectinex^® Ultra Tropical, Viscozyme^® L, and Celluclast^® 1.5 L (Novozyme A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark). The SBP’s main constituent was insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), followed by crude proteins and lipids (respectively, 58.7, 21.1 and 12.6 g/100 in d.m.). SFE-CO₂ reduced the lipid content (by 85.7%) in the pomace while increasing protein and TDF content. Enzymatic hydrolysis decreased the content of both soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and IDF, and increased the content of mono- and oligosaccharides as well as free phenolics, depending on the commercial enzyme preparation used in SBP and SBP-CO₂ samples. Celluclast^® 1.5 L was the most effective in hydrolyzing IDF, while Viscozyme^® L and Pectinex^® Ultra Tropical were the most effective in degrading SDF. Enzymatic treatment improved water swelling capacity, water retention capacity, water solubility index, oil retention capacity of SBP and SBP-CO₂; however, it did not have a significant effect on the stability of the emulsions. Modification of SBP by SFE-CO₂ effectively increased WSC and WSI, however it reduced WRC. These findings highlight the potential of targeted modifications to enhance the nutritional and technological properties of SBP for functional food applications. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable and widely adopted technology for the treatment of organic solid wastes (OSWs). However, AD efficiency varies significantly across different substrates, primarily due to differences in the microbial community and metabolic pathways. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the AD processes for four types of typical OSWs (i.e., sewage sludge, food waste, livestock manure, and straw), with an emphasis on their universal characteristics across global contexts, focusing mainly on the electron transfer mechanisms, essential microbial communities, and key metabolic pathways. Special attention was given to the mechanisms by which substrate-specific structural differences influence anaerobic digestion efficiency, with a focused analysis and discussion on how different components affect microbial communities and metabolic pathways. This study concluded that the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway, TCA cycle, and the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway serve as critical breakthrough points for enhancing methane production potential. This research not only provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing AD efficiency, but also offers crucial scientific insights for resource recovery and energy utilization of OSWs, making significant contributions to advancing sustainable waste management practices. Full article

The rising demand for energy resources and industrial goods presents significant challenges to sustainable development. Sunflower oil, commonly utilized in the food sector, biofuels, and various industrial applications, is notably affected by this demand. In Bulgaria, it serves as a primary source of vegetable fats, ranking second to butter in daily consumption. The aim of this study is to evaluate and propose methods to improve energy and resource efficiency in sunflower oil production in Bulgaria. The analysis is based on data from an energy audit conducted in 2023 at an industrial sunflower oil production facility. Reconstruction and modernization initiatives, which included the installation of high-performance, energy-efficient equipment, led to a 34% increase in energy efficiency. The findings highlight the importance of adjusting the technological parameters such as temperature, pressure, grinding level, and pressing time to reduce energy use and operational costs. Additionally, resource efficiency is improved through more effective raw material utilization and waste reduction. These strategies not only enhance the economic and environmental performance of sunflower oil production but also support sustainable development and competitiveness within the industry. The improvement reduces hexane use by approximately 2%, resulting in energy savings of 12–15 kWh/t of processed seeds and a reduction in CO₂ emissions by 3–4 kg/t, thereby improving the environmental profile of sunflower oil production. Full article

Municipal wastewaters pose a severe risk to the environment and human health when discharged untreated. This is due to their high content of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, which can cause diseases like cholera. Herein, the research and development of porphyrin-modified polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes was conducted to improve bacterial inactivation in complex municipal wastewater and enhance the fouling resistance and filtration performance. The synthesis and fabrication of porphyrin nanofillers and the resultant membrane characteristics were studied. The incorporation of porphyrin-based nanofillers improved the membrane’s hydrophilicity, morphology, and flux (247 Lm⁻² h⁻¹), with the membrane contact angle (CA) decreasing from 90° to ranging between 58° and 50°. The membrane performance was monitored for its flux, antifouling properties, reusability potential, municipal wastewater, and humic acid. The modified membranes demonstrated an effective application in wastewater treatment, achieving notable antibacterial activity, particularly under light exposure. The In-BP@SW/PES membrane demonstrated effective antimicrobial photodynamic effects against both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli. It achieved at least a 3-log reduction in bacterial viability, meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for efficient antimicrobial materials. Among the variants tested, membranes modified with In-PB@SW nanofillers exhibited superior antifouling properties with flux recovery ratios (FRRs) of 78.9% for the humic acid (HA) solution and 85% for the municipal wastewater (MWW), suggesting a strong potential for long-term filtration use. These results highlight the promise of porphyrin-functionalized membranes as multifunctional tools in advanced water treatment technologies. Full article

Although beer fermentation has traditionally been carried out with Saccharomyces, the boom in craft brewing has led to the use of non-conventional yeast species for beer production. This group also includes non-Saccharomyces starters, which are commonly used in winemaking and which have different technological characteristics compared to standard representatives of the Saccharomyces genus. One of the important characteristics of the non-Saccharomyces group is the richer enzyme profile, which leads to the production of beverages with different taste and aroma profiles. The aim of this study was to investigate sweet and hopped wort fermentation with seven strains of active dry non-conventional yeasts of Lachancea spp., Metschnikowia spp., Torulaspora spp. and a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Torulaspora delbrueckii. One ale and one lager active dry yeast strain were used as control strains. The extract consumption, ethanol production, degree of fermentation, pH drop, as well as the yeast secondary metabolites formed by the yeast (higher alcohols, esters and aldehydes) in sweet and hopped wort were investigated. The results indicated that all of the studied types of non-conventional yeasts have serious potential for use in beer production in order to obtain new beer styles. For the purposes of this study, statistical methods, principle component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis were used, thus establishing the difference in the fermentation kinetics of the growth in the studied species in sweet and hopped wort. It was found that hopping had a significant influence on the fermentation kinetics of some of the species, which was probably due to the inhibitory effect of the iso-alpha-acids of hops. Directions for future research with the studied yeast species in beer production are presented. Full article

Background/Objectives: Health education plays a vital role in training health professionals and caregivers, supporting both prevention and the promotion of self-care. In this context, technology serves as a valuable ally by enabling continuous and flexible learning. Among the various domains of health education, nutrition stands out as a key element in the management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), helping to prevent malnutrition and enhance patient well-being. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching and learning processes within a learning pathway focused on food and nutrition in the context of ALS. Methods: This study adopted a longitudinal, quantitative design. The learning pathway, titled “Food and Nutrition in ALS,” consisted of four self-paced and self-instructional Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), offered through the Virtual Learning Environment of the Brazilian Health System (AVASUS). Participants included health professionals, caregivers, and patients from all five regions of Brazil. Participants had the autonomy to complete the courses in any order, with no prerequisites for enrollment. Results: Out of 14,263 participants enrolled nationwide, 182 were included in this study after signing the Informed Consent Form. Of these, 142 (78%) completed at least one course and participated in the educational intervention. A significant increase in knowledge was observed, with mean pre-test scores rising from 7.3 (SD = 1.8) to 9.6 (SD = 0.9) on the post-test across all courses (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The self-instructional, technology-mediated continuing education model proved effective in improving participants’ knowledge about nutrition in ALS. Future studies should explore knowledge retention, behavior change, and the impact of such interventions on clinical outcomes, especially in multidisciplinary care settings. Full article

Avocado (Persea americana), originally from Mesoamerica, has emerged as a focus of intense scientific and industrial interest due to its unique combination of nutritional richness, bioactive potential, and technological versatility. Its pulp, widely consumed across the globe, is notably abundant in monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, which can comprise over two-thirds of its lipid content. In addition, it provides significant levels of dietary fiber, fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K, carotenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols like β-sitosterol. These constituents are consistently associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, glycemic regulatory, and cardioprotective effects, supported by a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence. This review offers a comprehensive and critical synthesis of the chemical composition and functional properties of avocado, with particular emphasis on its lipid profile, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. It also explores recent advances in environmentally sustainable extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted processes, as well as the application of natural deep eutectic solvents. These technologies have demonstrated improved efficiency in recovering bioactives while aligning with the principles of green chemistry. The use of avocado-derived ingredients in nanostructured delivery systems and their incorporation into functional foods, cosmetics, and health-promoting formulations is discussed in detail. Additionally, the potential of native cultivars and the application of precision nutrition strategies are identified as promising avenues for future innovation. Taken together, the findings underscore the avocado’s relevance as a high-value matrix for sustainable development. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction protocols, clarifying pharmacokinetic behavior, and ensuring long-term safety in diverse applications. Full article

Sodium chloride is a chemical compound that has been encountered by people for thousands of years, and plays a significant role in their lives. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of table salt from the perspective of health, food technology, and cultural heritage. The article discusses salt extraction and production, its composition and consumption, and its effects on the human body. The authors draw attention to new trends, such as the use of micronized salt, microencapsulated salt, and salt with colors and shapes that differ from those of typical table salt. Scientific studies on the presence of undesirable substances and the use of salt additives were reviewed. The role of salt in dairy, meat, and bakery technology was illustrated. Gaps in research on salt were highlighted. In the last part, all types of salt with geographical indications are shown. The paper suggests that producers with a long tradition in the salt sector should apply for the European geographical indications to enhance their national and cultural heritage and promote their region. The review highlights the need for further research on all aspects discussed. Full article

Micronutrients play a prominent role in plant growth and development, and their bioavailability is a growing global concern. Zinc is one of the most important micronutrients in the plant life cycle, acting as a metallic cofactor for numerous biochemical reactions within plant cells. Zinc deficiency in plants leads to various physiological abnormalities, ultimately affecting nutritional quality and posing challenges to food security. Biofortification methods have been adopted by agronomists to increase Zn concentrations in crops through optimal foliar and soil applications. Changing climatic conditions and conventional agricultural practices alter edaphic factors, reducing zinc bioavailability in soils due to abrupt weather changes. Precision agriculture emphasizes need-based and site-specific technologies to address these nutritional deficiencies. Nanoscience, a multidimensional approach, reduces particle size to the nanometer (nm) scale to enhance their efficiency in precise amounts. Nanoscale forms of Zn⁺² and their broad applications across crops are gaining attention in agriculture under varied application methods. This review focuses on the significance of Zn oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and their extensive application in crop production. We also discuss optimum dosage levels, ZnONPs synthesis, application methods, toxicity, and promising future strategies in this field. Full article

Nanotechnologies bring a rapid paradigm shift in hard and soft bone tissue regeneration (BTR) through unprecedented control over the nanoscale structures and chemistry of biocompatible materials to regenerate the intricate architecture and functional adaptability of bone. This review focuses on the transformative analyses and prospects of current and next-generation nanomaterials in designing bioactive bone scaffolds, emphasizing hierarchical architecture, mechanical resilience, and regenerative precision. Mainly, this review elucidated the innovative findings, new capabilities, unmet challenges, and possible future opportunities associated with biocompatible inorganic ceramics (e.g., phosphates, metallic oxides) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved synthetic polymers, including their nanoscale structures. Furthermore, this review demonstrates the newly available approaches for achieving customized standard porosity, mechanical strengths, and accelerated bioactivity to construct an optimized nanomaterial-oriented scaffold. Numerous strategies including three-dimensional bioprinting, electro-spinning techniques and meticulous nanomaterials (NMs) fabrication are well established to achieve radical scientific precision in BTR engineering. The contemporary research is unceasingly decoding the pathways for spatial and temporal release of osteoinductive agents to enhance targeted therapy and prompt healing processes. Additionally, successful material design and integration of an osteoinductive and osteoconductive agents with the blend of contemporary technologies will bring radical success in this field. Furthermore, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can further decode the current complexities of material design for BTR, notwithstanding the fact that these methods call for an in-depth understanding of bone composition, relationships and impacts on biochemical processes, distribution of stem cells on the matrix, and functionalization strategies of NMs for better scaffold development. Overall, this review integrated important technological progress with ethical considerations, aiming for a future where nanotechnology-facilitated bone regeneration is boosted by enhanced functionality, safety, inclusivity, and long-term environmental responsibility. Therefore, the assimilation of a specialized research design, while upholding ethical standards, will elucidate the challenge and questions we are presently encountering. Full article

Climate change has a significant negative impact on agriculture and food production. This trend requires technological development and the adaptation of new technologies in both the grapevine production and winemaking sectors. High temperatures and heat accumulation during the growing season result in faster ripening and a higher sugar content, leading to a higher alcohol content during fermentation. The negative consequences are an imbalanced wine character and consumer reluctance, as lower alcoholic beverages are now in high demand. Over the last decade, several methods have been developed to handle this impact and reduce the alcohol content of wines. In this study, we used the MASTERMIND^® REMOVE membrane-based dealcoholization system to reduce the alcohol concentration in of Pinot gris wines from 12.02% v/v to 10.69% v/v and to investigate the effect on analytical parameters in three steps (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% reductions) along the treatment. To evaluate the impact of the partial alcohol reduction and identify correlations between the wine chemical parameters, data were analyzed with ANOVA, PCA, multivariate linear regression and cluster analysis. The results showed that except for the extract, sugar content and proline content, the treatment had a significant effect on the chemical parameters. Both free and total SO₂ levels were significantly reduced as well as volatile acid, glycerol and succinic acid levels. It must be highlighted that some parameters were not differing significantly between the untreated and the final wine, while the change was statistically verified in the intermediate steps of the partial alcohol reduction. This was the case for example for n-Propanol, i-Amylalcohol, Acetaldehyde, and Ethyl acetate. The multivariate linear regression model explained 18.84% of the total variance, indicating a modest but meaningful relationship between the alcohol content and the investigated analytical parameters. Our results showed that even if the applied instrument significantly modified some of the wine chemical parameters, those changes would not influence significantly the wine sensory attributes. Full article

In many developing African countries, milk safety is often managed through traditional methods such as fermentation or boiling over firewood. While these approaches reduce some microbial risks, they present critical limitations. Firewood dependency contributes to deforestation, depletion of agricultural residues, and loss of soil fertility, which, in turn, compromise environmental health and food security. Solar pasteurization provides a reliable and sustainable method for thermally inactivating pathogenic microorganisms in milk and other perishable foods at sub-boiling temperatures, preserving its nutritional quality. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal and microbial performance of a low-cost solar milk pasteurization system, hypothesized to effectively reduce microbial contaminants and retain milk quality under natural sunlight. The system was constructed using locally available materials and tailored to the climatic conditions of the Savanna ecological zone in West Africa. A flat-plate glass solar collector was integrated with a 0.15 cm thick stainless steel cylindrical milk vat, featuring a 2.2 cm hot water jacket and 0.5 cm thick aluminum foil insulation. The system was tested in Navrongo, Ghana, under ambient temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 43 °C. The pasteurizer successfully processed up to 8 L of milk per batch, achieving a maximum milk temperature of 74 °C by 14:00 GMT. Microbial analysis revealed a significant reduction in bacterial load, from 6.6 × 10⁶ CFU/mL to 1.0 × 10² CFU/mL, with complete elimination of coliforms. These results confirmed the device’s effectiveness in achieving safe pasteurization levels. The findings demonstrate that this locally built solar pasteurization system is a viable and cost-effective solution for improving milk safety in arid, electricity-limited regions. Its potential scalability also opens avenues for rural entrepreneurship in solar-powered food and water treatment technologies. Full article

Amylose content significantly influences the technological, quality, and nutritional properties of starchy foods. This study developed a rapid, non-destructive method to quantify amylose content in starch using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques. Manually prepared starch mixtures with varying amylose levels were scanned to obtain MIR spectra, which were preprocessed using smoothing and z-score normalization to reduce operational variability. Three variable selection methods, including bootstrap soft shrinkage (BOSS), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), and uninformative variable elimination (UVE), were applied to select the useful spectra. A partial least square (PLS) model was then constructed to correlate selected spectral data with amylose content. The results revealed that the number and position of selected variables differed across different optimization methods, which influenced the model’s performance. It is worth noting that the optimized PLS model significantly reduced the root mean squared error of cross-validation (RMSECV) and improved prediction accuracy in 50 runs. In particular, the CARS-PLS model showed superior performance, achieving a correlation coefficient (R_p) of 0.964 and a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 4.59, a 60% improvement over the original PLS model, which had an RMSEP of 11.56. These results highlight MIR spectroscopy’s potential, combined with optimized chemometric models, for accurate amylose quantification in food quality control. Full article

With the acceleration of the pace of life, increased stress levels, and changes in lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, the incidence of diseases such as cancer and immunodeficiency has been on the rise, which is closely associated with the impaired antioxidant capacity of the body. Polypeptides and polysaccharides derived from edible fungi demonstrate significant strong antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory effects. Auricularia auricula, the second most cultivated mushroom in China, is not only nutritionally rich but also offers considerable health benefits. In particular, its polysaccharides have been widely recognized for their immunomodulatory activities, while its abundant protein content holds great promise as a raw material for developing immunomodulatory peptides. To meet the demand for high-value utilization of Auricularia auricula resources, this study developed a key technology for the stepwise extraction of polypeptides (AAPP1) and polysaccharides (AAPS3) using a composite enzymatic hydrolysis process. Their antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects were assessed using cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immune-suppressed mice. The results showed that both AAPP1 and AAPS3 significantly reversed CTX-induced decreases in thymus and spleen indices (p < 0.05); upregulated serum levels of cytokines (e.g., IL-4, TNF-α) and immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA, IgG); enhanced the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT (p < 0.05); and reduced the content of MDA, a marker of oxidative damage. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that these compounds restored CTX-induced reductions in microbial α-diversity, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Paramuribaculum, Prevotella; p < 0.05), decreased the proportion of pro-inflammatory Duncaniella, and reshaped the balance of the Bacteroidota/Firmicutes phyla. This study represents the first instance of synergistic extraction of polypeptides and polysaccharides from Auricularia auricula using a single process. It demonstrates their immune-enhancing effects through multiple mechanisms, including “antioxidation-immune organ repair-intestinal microbiota regulation.” The findings offer a theoretical and technical foundation for the deep processing of Auricularia auricula and the development of functional foods. Full article