Search Results (1,435)

Background/Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to pose a significant challenge for infection prevention, particularly because of its ability to persist on surfaces and form resilient biofilms. Although bacteriophages have attracted renewed interest as alternatives or complements to chemical disinfectants, their applied use requires careful assessment of antimicrobial performance, formulation tolerance, and genomic context. Methods: Staphylococcus-infecting bacteriophages were isolated from environmental sources and examined against reference Staphylococcus isolates. Two phage isolates, designated MRSA-W3 and SA-W2, displayed lytic activity against a broad subset of clinical MRSA strains. Using a time-resolved agar-based infection assay, phage exposure resulted in a multiplicity-of-infection-dependent decline in viable MRSA populations. Results: Time-resolved infection assays revealed a multiplicity-of-infection-dependent reduction in viable MRSA, with a pronounced decrease observed approximately 40 min post-infection. At this time point, phage-treated cultures showed a reduction of 1.2–1.8 log₁₀ CFU/mL relative to untreated controls (mean Δlog₁₀ = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–1.9), while control cultures remained stable. Quantitative biofilm assays demonstrated that both phages reduced biofilm biomass compared with untreated conditions, with inhibition values ranging from 20% to 45% across isolates (p ≤ 0.05), reflecting strain-dependent but reproducible effects. Assessment of formulation compatibility indicated that both phages retained infectivity following exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate, Triton X-100, and Tween 80, whereas ethanol (≥10%) and higher concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide were associated with rapid loss of activity. In surface disinfection models, selected phage–surfactant formulations achieved a maximum reduction of 2.18 log₁₀ CFU/cm² compared with untreated controls (p ≤ 0.05). Infection-coupled whole-genome sequencing of MRSA-infecting phage MRSA-W3 produced a high-quality assembly (99.99% completeness; 0.13% contamination) and revealed a mosaic genome containing incomplete prophage-like regions, which were interpreted conservatively as evidence of shared phage ancestry rather than active temperate behavior. Conclusions: Therefore, these findings suggest that bacteriophage-based approaches may be feasible for MRSA surface decontamination, while clearly emphasizing the need for context-specific validation before practical implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cephalosporins represent one of the most important classes of β-lactam antibiotics, widely used in clinical practice due to their broad-spectrum activity and favorable safety profile. As generations evolved, structural modifications were introduced to expand antimicrobial coverage and overcome β-lactamase resistance. This study aimed to analyze the drug-like properties of cephalosporins across different generations using molecular descriptors to identify structural and pharmacokinetic patterns influencing bioavailability and oral administration profiles. Methods: Thirty-eight cephalosporins representative of different generations were selected. Molecular data were obtained from PubChem, and SMILES were extracted and validated. Molecular descriptors (including MW, logP, TPSA, HBA, HBD, rotatable bonds, and global complexity indices) were calculated using the SwissADME and ChemDes platforms. Statistical analysis included ANOVA followed by post hoc tests, and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: A progressive increase in molecular weight, polarity, and TPSA was observed across generations, with fourth-generation cephalosporins showing significantly higher values compared to first-generation compounds (p < 0.0001). LogP decreased significantly in fourth-generation agents (p < 0.0001), reflecting increased polarity. PCA revealed that most compounds from generations 1–2 cluster in regions consistent with Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules, whereas fourth- and fifth generation - cephalosporins deviated substantially, prioritizing antimicrobial efficacy over oral bioavailability. Recurrent structural modifications such as oximes, tetrazoles, and aminothiazoles were identified, with increasing frequency in modern generations. Conclusions: The evolution of cephalosporins reflects a strategic shift toward enhanced antimicrobial potency and β-lactamase stability at the expense of oral bioavailability. Understanding these structural transitions provides valuable insights for rational drug design, aiming to balance antimicrobial effectiveness with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles essential for therapeutic success. Full article

Background: Evidence on long-term visual field progression in childhood glaucoma compared with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is limited. We compared the rate and timing of visual field progression and identified predictors of final visual field status. Methods: Single-center, retrospective, observational study including childhood glaucoma and OAG, with ≥3 reliable visual field tests and ≥2 years of follow-up. Visual fields were obtained with Octopus perimeter (Haag-Streit Diagnostics, Köniz, Switzerland) with the G grid and TOP strategy. Visual field progression was evaluated using the rate of change in mean defect (MD, dB/year). Rates were compared with the Mann–Whitney U test. Timing was evaluated with Kaplan–Meier and restricted mean survival time (RMST). Cox models assessed risk of progression. Secondary analysis used multiple linear regression to identify predictors of final MD. The mean follow-up duration was 5.7 ± 2.6 years. Results: 171 eyes (87 childhood glaucoma, 84 OAG) were analyzed. Childhood glaucoma had worse baseline MD (10.7 ± 7.5 dB) than OAG (5.1 ± 6.5 dB, p < 0.001), and underwent more surgeries, while OAG used more medications. The median MD progression rate was −2.3 dB/year [IQR: −5.6 to 0.1] in childhood glaucoma vs. 0.0 dB/year [IQR: −1.2 to 1.3] in OAG (p < 0.001), a value consistent with functional stability under treatment, with some eyes showing negative slopes indicating relative improvement. In Octopus perimetry, MD is expressed on a positive scale, so a negative slope reflects absence of visual field worsening, suggesting comparatively greater deterioration in OAG. Kaplan–Meier curves showed similar progression-free survival between groups (Log-Rank p = 0.284). RMST at 12 years was 10.93 years in childhood glaucoma and 10.56 years in OAG (difference ≈ 4.4 months, not clinically relevant). These survival results should be interpreted cautiously due to the low number of progression events and the high censoring rate. In regression, baseline MD was the strongest predictor of final MD; a higher number of medications was associated with worse final MD; number of surgeries and follow-up duration were not significant predictors. Conclusions: MD slopes suggested faster deterioration in OAG than in childhood glaucoma, whereas the timing to first progression was similar between groups. Baseline differences and treatment patterns were consistent with functional stability in childhood glaucoma under current management strategies. These findings support individualized follow-up and timely intervention, especially in pediatric patients. Full article

Fresh baby leaves are commercially marketed in various mixing ratios and packaging amounts, creating very distinct microenvironmental conditions that significantly affect the postharvest quality of the fresh product. This study investigated the synergistic effect of mixing ratio (50LB, 50% lettuce + 50% spinach; 75LB, 75% lettuce + 25% spinach; 100LB, 100% lettuce) and packaging amount (125F, 125 g; 250F, 250 g) on the antioxidant qualities of baby lettuce and spinach mixes during 9 days of storage at 4 °C. The results showed that 50LB × 250F inhibited the degradation of chlorophyll and carotenoids and preserved 28% higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 43% higher total phenolic compounds (TPC), and 20% higher vitamin C (Vit.C) than the mean values of all samples, resulting in 0.8% lower O₂ and 14.7% higher CO₂ levels at the end of storage. TPC, Vit.C, and carotenoids were the main contributors to TAC, with strong correlations (p < 0.001). The total bacterial (TB) and yeast + mold (Y + M) counts were only affected by the mixing ratios, with TB increasing by only 1 Log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹ FW, and Y + M remaining within the same order of magnitude over time. After 9 days of storage, the leaves were still fresh and marketable. This study not only provides a practical strategy for the fresh-cut industry to enhance product quality but also underscores the significance of multifactorial synergism in salad mix packaging. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health threat. Current administration methods for anti-TB drugs, including oral or intravenous, suffer from systemic side effects, low lung distribution, and poor patient compliance. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) offer a promising alternative. This study investigates the aerodynamic performance of co-spray-dried DPIs containing rifampin or pyrazinamide and amino acids by using machine learning. Methods: Firstly, 72 formulations were prepared by varying drug-amino acid combinations, molar ratios, and spray-drying parameters. Subsequently, the aerodynamic performance of all 72 formulations was evaluated using a Next Generation Impactor, and the solid-state characterizations of optimal DPIs were carried out. Finally, four machine learning (ML) models were successfully developed and were utilized to predict the fine particle dose (FPD), FPF, MMAD, and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of DPIs based on the high-quality in-house data above. Results: Key results showed that the aerodynamic performance of DPIs was highly dependent on the specific drug-amino acid combination, with rifampin-L-lysine acetate and pyrazinamide-L-leucine formulations achieving the highest fine particle fraction (FPF, 73.37%, 87.74%) and optimal mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD, 2.59 µm, 1.88 µm). Notably, XGBoost (v3.1.3) exhibited the best predictive performance, with R² values ranging from 0.894 to 0.991 in the testing set for the four prediction tasks. Meanwhile, SHapley Additive exPlanations (v0.50.0) was used for model interpretability analysis. The molecular weights and LogP of the drug and amino acid were identified as two of the most important features affecting the prediction of FPD, FPF, MMAD, and GSD. Conclusions: This work demonstrates the feasibility of ML in accelerating the development of inhalable spray-dried anti-TB drugs by enabling the prediction of DPI formulations. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with rising cases in individuals under 50 years old, classified as early-onset CRC (EO-CRC). EO-CRC is characterized by having clinical features related to a worse prognosis and outcome. This underscores the critical need for early detection biomarkers. ncRNAs emerge as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response in other types of cancers. Sequencing data from the NCBI Bioproject PRJNA787417 were analyzed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in early- and late-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC and LO-CRC). Differential expressions were assessed with a log fold change threshold of 1 and an adjusted p-value of 0.05. Predicted mRNA targets were identified via ENCORI and analyzed for pathway enrichment using the SHINYGO algorithm. RNA-seq analysis identified a 25-ncRNA EO-CRC signature, including hsa-miR-195 (downregulated) and hsa-miR-549a (upregulated), with enrichment analyses suggesting associations with MAPK, PI3K, VEGF, and KRAS pathways commonly linked to angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. This preliminary report highlights a 25-gene deregulated signature in EO-CRC, in which hsa-miR-195 and hsa-miR-549a emerge as biomarkers of clinical relevance, regulating key genes involved in angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. Their dysregulation could contribute to the aggressive clinical features and poor outcomes observed in EO-CRC. Full article

Background: Physical activity (PA) and weight regulation are influenced by both genetic and lifestyle factors. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of Polygenic Risk Scores (PRSs) for PA and weight outcomes, and their interaction with dietary habits. Methods: Baseline phenotypic data from 202 participants enrolled in the iMPROVE study were analyzed. The sample included 59 men and 143 women, aged 19–65 years. Based on baseline Body Mass Index (BMI), 75 participants were classified as having overweight and 126 as having obesity. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated for 197 participants with available genetic data. PA was operationalized as metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week (MET-mins/week), derived from self-reported activity questionnaires. Weight-related outcomes included log-transformed weight loss from baseline to month 3 and change in BMI post-intervention. Interactions with diet were examined using both the randomized intervention dietary groups and previously extracted dietary patterns from the iMPROVE cohort. Correlation analyses and linear regression models were used to assess the main effects of PRSs and dietary patterns, as well as gene–diet interactions. Results: The measured PA PGS002254 presented a nominal significant interaction with diet group for weight loss post-intervention (B = 7.57, SE = 3.57 × 10⁰, p = 0.04; R² = 0.06). Similarly, the sedentary behavior PGS001923 presented a significant interaction with the “High in unsaturated fats and fruit juice consumption” pattern for baseline MET-mins/week (B = 1.51 × 10³, SE = 4.135 × 10², p = 0.001; R² = 0.091). Conclusions: Genetic predisposition influences short-term activity and weight outcomes, with dietary patterns moderating these effects. However, the multifactorial nature of lifestyle behaviors is being underscored by the modest variance explained. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare, histologically heterogeneous neoplasms lacking robust molecular biomarkers. Hippo pathway dysregulation—driving YAP/TEAD-dependent transcription—has been implicated across cancers, but transcript-level data in TETs are limited. Methods: We profiled 26 (23 TETs and three normal thymus) formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens by SYBR real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) across World Health Organization (WHO) subtypes, focusing on core Hippo components YAP1, TEAD4, MST1, SAV1, LATS1, and MOB1A. Expression was normalized to the geometric mean of HPRT1 and TBP and reported as log₂ fold change (log₂FC) using the 2^−ΔΔCq method relative to the pooled normal. Group differences were compared using non-parametric tests. Results: Median log₂FC values showed subtype-dependent upregulation of YAP1/TEAD4, notably in type A (YAP1 ≈ +3.43) and B3 (YAP1 ≈ +2.78) thymomas, with TEAD4 strongly increased in thymic carcinoma (TC; ≈ +3.49) and elevated in type A/B3. Upstream kinases tended to be subtype-specifically reduced, particularly in TC (MST1 ≈ −1.38; LATS1 ≈ −1.34), and modestly in B1. SAV1 was elevated in type A (≈+2.25) and B3 (≈+2.01), while MOB1A remained near baseline. Differential expression among WHO subtypes (Kruskal–Wallis) was significant for YAP1 (p = 0.003), TEAD4 (p = 0.015), SAV1 (p = 0.004), MST1 (p = 0.012), and LATS1 (p = 0.036), but not for MOB1A (p = 0.09). Conclusions: TETs seem to exhibit subtype-dependent expression patterns of core Hippo pathway components, characterized by enhanced YAP1–TEAD4 transcriptional output in selected subtypes and marked reduction of the MST1/LATS1 kinase module, most pronounced in TC. These exploratory patterns nominate candidate markers for subtype stratification and clinical validation. Full article

Background: Barnacles are important marine fouling organisms, and their complex life cycle involves key metamorphic nodes from nauplius to cyprid larvae and then to sessile adults. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their larval development remain poorly understood. Metabolomics and transcriptomics are powerful tools for exploring biological development pathways and regulatory networks. Methods: We employed non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics to analyze three key developmental stages of embryonic stage, nauplius stage, and cyprid stage. Differential metabolites were screened using fold change (FC), p-value, and variable importance in projection (VIP) values, while DEGs were identified with adjusted p-value and |log₂(fold change)| criteria. WGCNA was used to construct gene co-expression networks, and qRT-PCR validated RNA-seq results. Results: A total of 3683 metabolites were identified, with the bile secretion pathway serving as a core regulatory pathway throughout early development. Transcriptomic analysis identified 7234 DEGs, which were clustered into four modules corresponding to different developmental stages. Key pathways such as chitin metabolism, and linoleic acid metabolism were significantly enriched, and qRT-PCR confirmed the reliability of RNA-seq data. Conclusions: This study reveals the metabolic and molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the early development of M. volcano, highlighting stage-specific metabolic characteristics and core gene modules. The findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding barnacle developmental adaptation strategies and offer potential targets for the development of novel antifouling agents. Full article

Bacterial contamination of fresh produce remains a global food safety concern, with pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus frequently implicated in foodborne outbreaks. Understanding the physicochemical factors involved in bacterial adhesion to fresh produce surfaces is essential for developing effective sanitization strategies. This study evaluated the influence of surface roughness, hydrophobicity, thermodynamic free energy, and temperature on pathogen adhesion to apple, arugula, cucumber, and strawberry. Surface roughness varied significantly among produce types (2.51–5.86 µm), with arugula exhibiting the highest values. Hydrophobicity assessments revealed discrepancies between qualitative (contact angle-based) and quantitative (free energy-based) methods: while all produce were classified as hydrophobic qualitatively, strawberry was hydrophilic by quantitative analysis. All bacterial species tested were hydrophilic qualitatively, but E. coli showed hydrophobic character quantitatively. Thermodynamic predictions of adhesion (ΔG_adhesion) did not predict observed adhesion bacterial counts (5.07–6.20 log CFU·g⁻¹), with substantial bacterial attachment occurring even when thermodynamically unfavorable (positive ΔG_adhesion), indicating that biological factors override physicochemical interactions. Temperature deeply influenced adhesion, with 25 °C promoting 0.3–3.5 log CFU·g⁻¹-higher bacterial counts than 7 °C across all combinations (p-value ≤ 0.05). These findings demonstrate that bacterial adhesion to fresh produce is multifactorial, with temperature as the dominant controllable factor, and highlight the need for integrated sanitation approaches combining physical and chemical treatments applied before refrigerated storage. Full article

In the Trentino Alto Adige region, disposal of grape stalks (GS) represents a major cost for wineries, despite their content of phenolic and tannin-rich compounds with potential functional value in ruminant nutrition. This study evaluated whether dietary GS supplementation could influence milk microbiota and cheese quality, supporting local circular-economy strategies. GS from three red cultivars (L-GS, CS-GS, M-GS) were dried, milled, and assessed for safety; their average total polyphenol content was approximately 15 g/kg DM. 3 Holstein cows underwent a 7-week trial consisting of alternating control (CTRL) and GS-supplemented periods (2% DM). Weekly milk samples (n = 21) and corresponding mini-cheeses (n = 21) were analyzed. GS supplementation did not affect milk coliforms (2.3–2.5 log CFU/mL), while total mesophilic counts were significantly lower in M-GS (2.8 ± 0.46 log CFU/mL) than in CTRL (4.5 ± 0.71; p < 0.05). Acinetobacter dominated the milk microbiota but decreased from 34.0% in CTRL to 18.0% in L-GS. Cheese total polyphenols were highest in CS-GS (224 ± 34 mg/kg). ¹H-NMR and VOCs profiling indicated cultivar-dependent shifts in carbohydrate-related metabolites and short-chain fatty acids. Overall, GS supplementation subtly modulated cheese biochemical and aromatic traits without impairing technological performance, supporting the valorization of winery by-products within integrated dairy-viticulture systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and clinical outcomes of intraocular inflammation (IOI) associated with intravitreal faricimab (IVF) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and CENTRAL databases was performed from their inception to February 2025. Using the random-effects model, weighted proportions, standardized mean differences, and weighted log odds ratios (OR) were pooled and calculated. A two-tailed p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The χ² (z) test and the Higgins I² test were used to assess studies heterogeneity. Results: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies (4761 patients; 5652 eyes). The most common diagnoses were nAMD (n = 4782, 94.6%) and DME (n = 845, 37.1%). The pooled proportion for IOI incidence in eyes receiving IVF was 3.0% (95% CI: 1.0–6.0). The odds of developing IOI did not differ significantly between the DME and nAMD groups (OR: 1.13, p = 0.78). Unspecified IOI was the most common sign (n = 210, 2.9% [95% CI: 1.2–7.3]), followed by anterior uveitis (n = 80, 1.9% [95% CI: 0.1–34.8]), vitritis (n = 63, 2.9% [95% CI: 0.2–32.1]), retinal hemorrhage (n = 27, 0.7% [95% CI: 0.0–15.3]), and endophthalmitis (n = 8, 0.5% [95% CI: 0.3–1.1]). Conclusions: While IVF demonstrates therapeutic efficacy, our findings highlight a clinically relevant risk of IOI. We, therefore, recommend vigilant clinical monitoring in patients receiving this therapy. Full article

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of pre-treatment multi-phasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) radiomic features for treatment resistance in patients with rat sarcoma virus (RAS)-mutated colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) receiving bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. Seventy-three samples with RAS-mutated CRLMs receiving bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy regimens were evaluated. Radiomic features were extracted from arterial phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP), AP-PVP subtraction image, and Delta phase (DeltaP, calculated as AP-to-PVP ratio) images. Three groups of radiomics features were extracted for each phase, including peritumor, core tumor, and whole-tumor regions. For each of the four phases, a two-sided independent Mann–Whitney U test with the Bonferroni correction and K-means clustering was applied to the remnant features for each phase. Subsequently, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm was then applied for further feature selection. Six machine learning algorithms were then used for model development and validated on the independent testing cohort. Results showed peritumoral radiomic features and features derived from Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) filtered images were dominant in all the compared machine learning algorithms; NB models yielded the best-performing prediction (Avg. training AUC: 0.731, Avg. testing AUC: 0.717) when combining all features from different phases of CECT images. This study demonstrates that peritumoral radiomic features and LoG-filtered pre-treatment multi-phasic CECT images were more predictive of treatment response to bevacizumab-based chemotherapy in RAS-mutated CRLMs compared to core tumor features. Full article

Two structurally tunable (propyl-3-ol)triphenyltin(IV) (Ph₃SnL₁) and (butyl-4-ol)triphenyltin(IV) (Ph₃SnL₂) compounds were investigated at the human serum transferrin (Tf) molecular interface to resolve how ligand architecture and protein metallation modulate organotin(IV) biocompound stability and lobe-selective binding. Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy revealed efficient quenching of native Tf emission (λ_ex = 280 nm, 296–310 K, pH 7.4) without significant spectral displacement, indicating the predominant formation of non-fluorescent ground-state complexes. Calculated bimolecular quenching constants (K_q ~10¹² M⁻¹ s⁻¹) exceeded the diffusion-controlled aqueous limit, ruling out a collisional dynamic quenching mechanism and confirming static complexation as the principal origin of fluorescence suppression. Double-log binding analysis revealed moderate affinity (K_a ~10²–10³ M⁻¹) and an approximately single dominant binding event per protein (n ≈ 0.65–0.90). Temperature-dependent van’t Hoff evaluation yielded positive ΔH° and ΔS° values, supporting a spontaneous, entropy-favored association process largely governed by hydrophobic and dispersion-type contributions, consistent with lipophilic organotin(IV) scaffold accommodation. Iron (Fe³⁺) loading of Tf markedly enhanced ligand engagement, especially for Ph₃SnL₁, evidencing that metallation-induced lobe closure reshapes pocket accessibility and local polarity relevant for organotin(IV) binding presentation rather than simply strengthening empirical docking scores. Molecular docking localized the most stable Ph₃SnL₂ poses in the sterically confined, rigid C-lobe, while Ph₃SnL₁ preferentially penetrated the more adaptive N-lobe. ONIOM QM/MM refinement of docking poses confirmed strong interfacial stabilization (ΔE_int ≈ –38 to –62 kcal mol⁻¹) and clarified charge–packing interplay without invoking frontier orbital analysis. The results map multiscale structure–interaction relationships defining lobe preference and complex stability at the transferrin interface. Full article

This study aimed to design a new composite with promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties by a simple modification process of natural bentonite (B) with polysaccharide chitosan isolated from edible mushrooms Agaricus bisporus—ChM (sample B–ChM) and subsequently with a cationic surfactant—hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide—HB (sample B–ChM–HB) for effective removal of mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN). Characterization confirmed the presence of ChM in B–ChM and both ChM and HB in B–ChM–HB. Compared to non- or slightly inhibitory activity of B and B–ChM, B–ChM–HB showed fungicidal activity against yeast Candida albicans and mycotoxigenic mold Aspergillus flavus, with a reduction of 6.00 log10 (CFU/mL) and 5.32 log10 (CFU/mL), respectively. B–ChM–HB showed a very high neutralization ability on •DPPH (89.03%–95.99%) in the concentration range of 0.625–5.0 mg/mL, the highest ferrous ion chelating ability (80.25%) at a concentration of 0.625 mg/mL, and did not induce lipid peroxidation in the linoleic acid model system. While B and B–ChM exhibited low adsorption of ZEN, its adsorption by B–ChM–HB was significantly higher. The equilibrium results of B–ChM–HB for ZEN were in accordance with the linear isotherm model at pH 3 and 7, pointing out that hydrophobic interactions (partitioning process) were relevant for toxin adsorption by the composite. Similar maximum ZEN adsorbed amounts under the applied experimental conditions (14.4 mg/g) at both pH values suggested that its adsorption was independent of the pH. This study reported for the first time that a novel composite of B with ChM and HB showed promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and was an efficient adsorbent for mycotoxin ZEN. Full article