Search Results (2,450)

To reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging in the edible fungi supply chain, this study developed an edible natural chitosan composite film loaded with chlorogenic acid–chitosan oligosaccharide nanoparticles (CGA/COS NPs). The effects of CGA/COS NPs as additives on the structure and overall performances of chitosan-based films were systematically studied, and the application effect of nanoparticles/chitosan (NPs/CS) composite films in the preservation of Pleurotus geesteranus was explored. The results showed that the NPs had good compatibility with the film matrix, filled the voids of the chitosan matrix, enhanced the comprehensive performance of the film, and significantly improved the antioxidant activity of the film (DPPH free radical scavenging activity increased from 16.95% to 76.47%). Among all the films, the 5%NPs/CS composite film performed the best, not only having stronger barrier properties against moisture, oxygen, and ultraviolet rays, but also having the best thermal stability and mechanical properties, which can effectively extend the shelf life of Pleurotus geesteranus. This study developed a high-performance edible composite film, which provides a new path of great value for solving the preservation problem of perishable agricultural products such as Pleurotus geesteranus and promoting the innovative development of the green food packaging industry. Full article

Natural biodegradable polymers such as chitosan are gaining increasing importance due to their favorable mechanical properties. Conversely, their limited antimicrobial and antioxidant activity requires enhancement with bioactive components. This study investigated the effect of Teucrium montanum L. hydrolate on the functional properties of chitosan films. The hydrolate was obtained as a by-product of hydrodistillation, and films were prepared with 0.6% (CH-TMh1), 0.8% (CH-TMh2), and 1.2% (CH-TMh3) hydrolate, along with a control film without hydrolate (CH). Hydrolate-enriched films exhibited greater thickness and elongation at break, with the highest values observed in CH-TMh3. The addition of hydrolate reduced moisture content (from 30.09% in CH to 12.25% in CH-TMh3), solubility, and swelling degree. Antioxidant activity increased significantly, with CH-TMh2 showing the highest free radical scavenging activity (92.9%) and total polyphenol content (38.78 mg GAE/g). Films containing hydrolate also displayed pronounced antimicrobial activity, with the largest inhibition zones against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (16.33 mm). Moderate activity was observed against B. subtilis, while there was no activity against C. albicans ATCC 2091. These results confirm that chitosan films enriched with T. montanum L. hydrolate possess improved mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making them promising for potential application in the packaging of specific food products. Full article

The effects of soil organic carbon fractions and tea enzyme activities on the antioxidant quality of tea leaves were determined. The experiment set up single biogas slurry application and co-application of biochar and biogas slurry (50%, 100%, 150%, 200% slurry substitution for nitrogen fertilizer, 350 °C pig manure biochar at 1% and 2% application rates and 500 °C rice straw biochar at 1% and 2% application rates). The results showed that, compared with the control (CK), the combined application of biochar and biogas slurry had a synergistic effect, with the most significant effect observed when 350 °C pig manure was combined with biogas slurry at a ratio of 2%. This treatment resulted in peak levels of readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil, significantly increasing by 8.43 g/kg and 0.23 mg/kg, respectively, compared to the CK, and significantly enhancing the activity of key carbon cycle enzymes such as β-glucosidase (S-β-GC). These improvements in soil biochemical properties directly translated into improved tea quality: the tea leaves treated under this treatment had the highest content of tea polyphenols and amino acids, and the ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging rates increased by 3.25% and 5.97%, respectively, compared to the CK, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was the lowest. Mantel test and multivariate regression analysis further confirmed that particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were the main carbon components driving the accumulation of tea polyphenols, while catalase (CAT) and other enzymes were key co-regulatory enzymes. The optimal application ratio of biochar and biogas slurry not only improved tea leaf quality but also resulted in increased SOC content within the study period, providing preliminary evidence for promoting SOC accumulation in the short term. Full article

Active packages have become a significant center of attention, and especially those based on biodegradable materials, due to their ability to enhance food preservation and extend shelf life. A suitable base for obtaining such types of packages has turned out to be polymers with natural origin, such as hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and zein. Therefore, the present study is focused on developing films using the casting method based on pure HPMC and blends between HPMC and zein. Three types of polymer matrices were developed: pure HPMC film, HPMC 3:1 zein, and HPMC 1:1 zein. Further, all of them were loaded with curcumin to improve their biological activity, and mainly their antioxidant activity. In order to investigate the potential of these films, some of their most vital properties in terms of potential application as packaging material are established, such as mechanical properties (strain at break, Young’s modulus), barrier properties (water vapor transmission rate), and morphology. A significant change in the Young’s modulus was present after the addition of zein; it went from 276.98 ± 28.48 MPa for pure HPMC to 52.17 ± 10.19 MPa in a 1:1 ratio between the polymers. Meanwhile, strain at break showed a slight drop from 86.74 ± 8.64% to 72.44 ± 9.62%. Barrier properties were also influenced by the formation of composite film and the addition of polyphenol, lowering the water vapor transmission rate from 913.07 ± 74.01 g/m².24 h for pure HPMC to 873.05 ± 9.07 g/m².24 h for 1:1 ratio film and further to 826.35 ± 33.67 g/m².24 h after the addition of rutin to the latter. Additional characterization of radical scavenging ability towards DPPH free radicals showed a similar A-shaped trend to the values of Young’s modulus, due to the presence of hydrogen bonds, which affect both properties of the film structures. Thermal behavior and phase state investigation of the films obtained by differential scanning calorimetry prior to and after polyphenol addition was carried out, indicating full phase transition of rutin from crystalline to amorphous state. Full article

This study prepared carbon dots (CDs) from agricultural waste pineapple peel via an eco-friendly microwave method, optimizing their performance through copper ion and chitosan doping. Multiple characterization techniques and performance tests were employed for systematic analysis. Antioxidant assays revealed that PP-CDs have excellent concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity: the DPPH IC₅₀ values of Pineapple Peel Carbon Dots (PP-CDs), Copper-Doped Pineapple Peel Carbon Dots (Cu-PP-CDs) and Chitosan-Doped Pineapple Peel Carbon Dots (CS-PP-CDs) are 0.79, 0.95 and 0.98 mg/mL, while their ABTS IC₅₀ values are 0.22, 0.40 and 0.26 mg/mL, respectively. Antibacterial tests showed modified CDs have enhanced activity: Cu-PP-CDs exhibit inhibition zones of 23.1 ± 0.13 mm (E. coli) and 17.3 ± 0.05 mm (S. aureus) with MICs of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL, while CS-PP-CDs have respective zones of 12.8 ± 0.08 mm and 16.3 ± 0.12 mm with a 5.0 mg/mL MIC for both strains. All CDs present a quasi-spherical morphology and emit yellow fluorescence under UV excitation, with PP-CDs showing the strongest intensity. This study provides technical support for high-value utilization of pineapple peel and development of multifunctional CDs, which have food field potential but face large-scale production and toxicological evaluation challenges. Full article

The open ocean cage aquaculture system is facing considerable challenges with disease outbreaks resulting from over-farming and the rise of resistance to antimicrobial treatment. However, the environmental consequences of antibiotic usage, including ecological contamination and the acceleration of antimicrobial resistance, underscore the urgent need for sustainable alternatives in aquaculture disease management. Lipopeptides, which are a compound that can be produced by marine bacteria such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or Bacillus subtilis, could represent a new solution. This review article comprehensively evaluates the feasibility of marine bacterial lipopeptides for sustainable disease management in open sea cage aquaculture. Lipopeptides, including surfactins, fengycins, iturins, and the clinically used daptomycin, have notable antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, and can have positive effects on the immune system. Notably, lipopeptides have a remarkable antioxidant profile and excellent free radical scavenging ability, making them interesting candidates for improving disease resistance in fish relating to oxidative stress. The surfactins and iturins have amphiphilic structure and can destabilize pathogen cell membranes, inhibit biofilm formation and elicit host immune responses. This represents a paradigm shift in targeting multiple pathogens of aquaculture like Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. Surfactins and iturins show broad-spectrum activity, while fengycins are selectively active against fungal threats. Daptomycin, which is primarily derived from Streptomyces, demonstrates the potential of the lipopeptide class to be developed therapeutically, which is something that tends to be overlooked. Unlike synthetic antibiotics, they are also biodegradable; therefore, there is much less environmental impact from lipopeptides. The complexity of the structure may have also some impact on the rate of development of resistance, if any. Their commercialization is possible; however, the main hurdles that need to be solved to improve aquaculture are the biologically scalable production, the economically viable purification, and the stability for practical application at sea. Integrating lipopeptides into disease management systems could also ensure the sustainability of open ocean cage aquaculture and reduce unnecessary antibiotic application. Full article

Background: Humulus lupulus (Hops) possesses a diverse array of bioactive compounds with reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. However, most studies have focused on isolated components, whose purification is costly and yields limited quantities. Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether a complete Hops extract could exert antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Methods: First, the ability of Hops extract’s free radical scavenging capacity against superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and peroxynitrite was discovered using combinatorial chemical assays. Moreover, the used Hops extract prevented both DNA and protein degradation induced by hydroxyl radicals. Next, rats were orally administered with three different doses of Hops extract (10, 15, and 20 mg/kg/day) for 7 consecutive days. Results: Ex vivo analyses of brain tissues revealed that Hops pre-treatment attenuated FeSO₄-induced lipid peroxidation, increased the GSH/GSSG ratio and downregulated both glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities. Additionally, the expression of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) gene was significantly elevated in the striatum of Hops-treated animals. To further explore neuroprotection, we evaluated the effect of Hops (15 mg/kg/day) in an in vivo model of excitotoxicity induced by quinolinic acid (QUIN). Pre-treatment with the Hops extract reduced QUIN-induced circling behavior, increased the translocation of NRF2 to the nucleus and decreased apoptosis in the striatum. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the whole Hops extract enhances redox resilience in the brain and confers protection against oxidative and excitotoxic insults. Full article

Cedrus atlantica wood tar (CAWT) is traditionally used as a medicinal product, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its traditional use, scientific support for its efficacy remains limited. This study evaluated the biological properties of CAWT using an integrated approach that combined qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis, disc diffusion and microdilution tests for antimicrobial assays (disc diffusion and microdilution), antioxidant activity (DPPH and ferric-reducing power assays), in silico ADMET/toxicity, docking, and MD/MMGBSA and provided a balanced comparison with reference antioxidants. This study demonstrated that CAWT is rich in secondary metabolites linked to biological activity, including polyphenols (307.39 ± 58.45 mg GAE/g), tannins (124.42 ± 6.14 mg TAE/g), and flavonoids (15.62 ± 2.53 mg QE/g). For free radical scavenging, CAWT inhibited DPPH with an IC50 of 19.781 ± 2.51 µg/mL and showed ferric-reducing activity with an IC50 of 83.7 ± 2.88 µg/mL for its antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa; inhibition zones reached 35.66 ± 0.58 mm. In silico analysis, Swiss ADMET and pkCSM predicted ≥94% intestinal absorption, no cytochrome P450 liabilities, and low acute toxicity for six dominant terpenoids. Docking pinpointed trans-cadina-1(6),4-diene and α/β-himachalene as high-affinity ligands of LasR and gyrase B (ΔG ≈ −8 kcal mol⁻¹). A 100 ns GROMACS run confirmed stable hydrophobic locking of the lead LasR complex (RMSD 0.22 nm), while MM/GBSA calculated a dispersion-dominated binding free energy of −37 kcal mol⁻¹. Overall, CAWT showed in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ferric-reducing assays) and inhibitory effects in disc diffusion assays, while in silico predictions for major terpenoids suggested favorable oral absorption and low acute toxicity. However, chemical composition analysis and bio-guided fractionation are necessary to confirm the antimicrobial activity and to validate the compounds responsible for the observed effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chromium (III) oxide nanoparticles possess unique chemical properties, making them increasingly valuable in pharmaceutical applications, which had been neglected until the last few years. However, their use requires stable dispersion and surface functionalization to ensure their biocompatibility. This study aimed to synthesise, characterise, and determine the biocompatibility and antioxidant properties of chromium oxide nanoparticles coated with a natural, plant-derived stabilising agent: chia seed mucilage extract. Methods: The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and laser diffraction scattering particle size analysis (LD-PSA). Biological and biochemical assessments were conducted by the DPPH and FRAP assays to quantify antioxidant scavenging abilities and the Artemia salina lethality test for preliminary biocompatibility evaluation. Results: XRD, FTIR, and EDS confirmed the successful synthesis of pure chromium oxide NPs (CrNPs) and their effective coating by the chia mucilage (CM) extract. SEM analysis determined that a 4:1 mass ratio (CrNPs to CM) produced the most consistent morphology and narrowest size distribution, yielding spherical particles approximately 50 nm in diameter. LD-PSA confirmed the coating and identified a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 0.110 µm. Biological and biochemical assays showed high antioxidant activity, with over 80% free radical scavenging at concentrations of 250 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL. Furthermore, the biocompatibility assessment showed survival rates above 90% across all tested concentrations. Conclusions: The findings confirm that chia seed mucilage extract can serve as an effective, biocompatible coating agent for chromium (III) oxide nanoparticles. The resulting functionalized particles exhibit exquisite biocompatibility and significant antioxidant potential, supporting their further development for pharmaceutical use. Full article

This study aimed to fabricate an active film incorporating limonin (LM) and resveratrol (RES) within a zein/shellac (ZS) matrix for use in strawberry preservation. Zein/shellac composite films embedded with varying concentrations of LM (0–4% w/w) and RES were successfully fabricated using coaxial electrospinning. The prepared films were comprehensively characterized for their mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), and antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus. Mechanical properties and WVP results revealed that the ZSLM4R film exhibited an elongation at break (EBA) of 28.91%, tensile strength (TS) of 0.93 MPa, elastic modulus (EM) of 40.76 MPa, and a WVP of 1.55 g mm/m². h. kPa. Furthermore, LM and RES increased the antioxidant properties of the composite film. ZSLM4R’s free radical scavenging activities against DPPH and ABTS were 68.14% and 89.69%, respectively. The composite film also demonstrated strong antibacterial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus. When applied to strawberries, ZSLM4R packaging effectively extended the fruit’s shelf life compared to the unwrapped and commercial polyethylene (PE) controls. These obtained results indicate that LM/RES-incorporated zein/shellac composites are a promising eco-friendly packaging alternative for preserving perishable fresh produce and extending its shelf life. Full article

Infertility affects around 10–15% of couples worldwide, out of which male factor contributes to 30–50% of cases of infertility. Oxidative stress, which corresponds to an imbalance between antioxidant capacities and reactive oxygen species, is considered a leading cause of male infertility. Therefore, the ability to monitor antioxidant capacity in seminal fluid is critical as it sustains free radical balance in the sperm. Most currently available methods to assess antioxidant capacity in seminal fluid are time-consuming, require specialized equipment, or are not easily implemented in clinical routine practice. Here, we evaluate the applicability of an electrochemical approach to determine the antioxidant capacity of human seminal fluid. We show that the results of this electrochemical approach are comparable to those of two reference methods for evaluating free radical scavenging activity, namely 2,20-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), when measuring the antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma or antioxidant molecules such as 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchromane-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), ascorbic acid, and uric acid. Furthermore, we demonstrate the applicability of the method for the assessment of the antioxidant capacity of seminal fluid isolated from 30 normozoospermic patients (528.2 ± 142 nW). Further analysis demonstrates a positive correlation between the antioxidant capacity measured through the electrochemical approach and sperm concentration. Overall, this electrochemical approach provides a fast and accurate assessment of total antioxidant capacity in human seminal fluid. It may be implemented as a complementary tool in the routine evaluation of male infertility. Full article

This study focuses on the optimization of modern extraction techniques for selected by-product materials, including apple, lemon, and tangerine peels, and onion skins, using artificial neural network (ANN) models. The extraction methods included ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) with water as the extractant, as well as maceration (MAC) with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). Key parameters, such as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities, including reducing power (EC₅₀) and free radical scavenging capacity (IC₅₀), were evaluated to compare the efficiency of each method. Among the techniques, UAE outperformed both MAE and MAC in extracting bioactive compounds, especially from onion skins and tangerine peels, as reflected in the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. UAE of onion skins showed the best performance, yielding the highest TPC (5.735 ± 0.558 mg CAE/g) and TFC (1.973 ± 0.112 mg RE/g), along with the strongest antioxidant activity (EC₅₀ = 0.549 ± 0.076 mg/mL; IC₅₀ = 0.108 ± 0.049 mg/mL). Tangerine peel extracts obtained by UAE also exhibited high phenolic content (TPC up to 5.399 ± 0.325 mg CAE/g) and strong radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 0.118 ± 0.099 mg/mL). ANN models using multilayer perceptron architectures with high coefficients of determination (r² > 0.96) were developed to predict and optimize the extraction results. Sensitivity and error analyses confirmed the robustness of the models and emphasized the influence of the extraction technique and by-product type on the antioxidant parameters. Principal component and cluster analyses showed clear grouping patterns by extraction method, with UAE and MAE showing similar performance profiles. Overall, these results underline the potential of UAE- and ANN-based modeling for the optimal utilization of agricultural by-products. Full article

Background: The senescence of testicular Leydig cells (LCs) is a key cause of age-related testosterone deficiency, in which oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial dysfunction are critical driving mechanisms. We explore whether the bioactive peptide C248 of PRDX4, an intracellular antioxidant, exerts mitochondrial protection to ameliorate LCs’ function. Methods: Based on the antioxidant domains of the PRDX4 protein, small molecular peptides were designed, and bioactive peptide C248 stood out from the crowd. An OS-induced senescence model of LCs was constructed by treating the MLTC-1 cell line with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). C248 peptide or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), as the positive control, was administered in the culture medium. The cellular function-related indicators, including DPPH free radical scavenging rate, cell viability, testosterone level, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) level, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) level, were evaluated. The mitochondrial function and structural indicators, such as mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production, mitochondrial morphology, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, were subsequently tested. Results: In vitro experiments confirmed that C248 could scavenge DPPH free radicals in a dose-dependent manner, reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species, and increase antioxidant enzyme activity in LCs (p < 0.01). Both C248 and NMN increased testosterone secretion and improved cell viability (p < 0.01). Both C248 and NMN increased mitochondrial morphology and quantity, mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.01), ATP production (p < 0.01), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study reveals that the small molecular C248, a bioactive peptide of PRDX4, is a new candidate molecule for intervening in LC senescence and confirms that mitochondrial protection is a key strategy for improving age-related testicular dysfunction. Full article

Novel copper(II) coordination compounds with hemiaminal N,O-donor ligands were obtained and synthesized in a one-pot reaction from three appropriate substrates (aldehyde, amine, and copper(II) chloride) in methanol. A dinuclear complex with a [Cu₂Cl₂(hemiaminal)₂(amine)₂] coordination mode was obtained. The complex consists of two five-coordinated central Cu(II) cations with square pyramidal geometry and C_i molecular symmetry. The hemiaminal oxygen atom forms a bridge between the two metallic centers, and that coordination bond is a factor stabilizing these hemiaminal moieties, generally regarded as unstable intermediates. We analyzed the energetic and physicochemical properties of the [Cu₂Cl₂(hemiaminal)₂(amine)₂] complex using density functional theory (DFT). First of all, we predicted the geometrical parameters, molecular electrostatic potential, HOMO and LUMO energies, and reactivity indices to indicate the free radical scavenging capacity. Based on the topological analysis of charge densities, we also characterized the properties of hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the antimicrobial properties of the complex were investigated, and it exhibited the highest activity against Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. Full article

In this study, we present a new, facile, and eco-friendly approach to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract obtained from wasted goat bone, which acted as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Hydroxyapatite (GHAP) derived from the same biogenic source was then added to the Ag-NPs solution, resulting in the formation of a nanocomposite (Ag@GHAP). Biogenic GHAP and Ag@GHAP have been characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming the formation of crystalline GHAP with well-dispersed silver nanoparticles. According to AFM studies, the Ag@GHAP composite exhibits a higher surface roughness alteration than GHAP. XRD revealed that the crystalline sizes of GHAP and Ag@GHAP are 10.2 and 15.6 nm, respectively. Zeta potential showed that GHAP and Ag@GHAP possessed values of −12.4 and −11.7 mV, respectively. Ag@GHAP showed a promising performance in photocatalysis and antioxidant applications as compared to GHAP. The energy band gap (Eg) values are 5.1 eV and 4.5 eV for GHAP and Ag@GHAP, respectively. Ag@GHAP showed photocatalytic activity during the degradation of methylene blue dye (5 ppm) under solar irradiation with a removal efficiency of 99.15% in 100 min at the optimum conditions. The antioxidant activity of GHAP and Ag@GHAP was determined using the DPPH method. The results showed enhanced antioxidant activity of a silver decorated sample with IC50 values of 36.83 and 2.95 mg/mL, respectively. As a result, the Ag@GHAP composite is a promising candidate in environmental treatment and scavenging of free radicals. Full article