Search Results (339)

The global shift toward antibiotic-free poultry production has created an urgent need for sustainable feed additives that promote gut health and productivity. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel double-layered microencapsulated phytosynbiotic (DMP) comprising Tiliacora triandra extract, probiotics, and cereal by-products using lyophilization. In Experiment 1, we investigated the effects of cell wall materials (corn, defatted rice bran, and wheat bran) and different particle sizes (0.6 and 1.0 mm) on the physicochemical characteristics and probiotic encapsulation efficiency. Results revealed that wheat bran, particularly at the smaller particle size of 0.6 mm, enhanced probiotic viability, probiotic stability under simulated gastrointestinal and thermal conditions, and nutrient retention. Compared with other materials, wheat bran also provided superior powder flowability, lower density, and favorable color attributes. In Experiment 2, we assessed the influence of probiotic strains (P. acidilactici, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TISTR 926, and Streptococcus thermophilus TISTR 894) on functional properties of the DMP. All strains exhibited high encapsulation efficiency and stability during gastrointestinal simulation, thermal exposure, and storage. However, P. acidilactici had superior fermentation kinetics and produced greater levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, especially acetic and butyric acids. Antibacterial activity was strain-dependent, with notable inhibitory effects against Gram-positive pathogens, primarily through bacteriostatic mechanisms. Overall, these findings confirm that the developed DMP formulations effectively stabilize probiotics and bioactive phytochemicals, offering a promising strategy for enhancing gut health and performance in antibiotic-free broiler production systems. Full article

Pleurotus nebrodensis has raised the interest of the food and nutraceutical industry due to its valuable organoleptic characteristics coupled with antibacterial and antitumor properties. Given this interest, this study aimed to identify effective, cheap, and eco-friendly technologies to prepare extracts able to convey the bioactive compounds while retaining the typical mushroom aroma. Two aqueous extracts were prepared based on a freeze–thaw (FT) and ultrasound-assisted (UA) method. The extracts, both in liquid and lyophilized form, were analyzed by HPLC to determine the phenolic compounds. Moreover, the volatile organic compounds, total phenolics, total flavonoids, total phenolic acids, procyanidins, and ascorbic acid were determined, while the antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays. The UA extraction showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) phenolics (5.05 vs. 4.02 µg/g DW) and flavonoids (0.74 vs. 0.23 µg/g DW) but lower procyanidins (12.33 vs. 15.93 µg/g DW) and ascorbic acid (6.23 vs. 7.02 µg/g DW) than the FT extracts, resulting in lower antioxidant activity. Among the phenolic constituents, gallic acid was found to be the most abundant in all P. nebrodensis extracts. Regarding aroma, FT more effectively preserved volatile alcohols and aldehydes—particularly 1-octen-3-ol and hexanal—while UA led to greater volatile losses. These results highlight that the extraction method significantly affects both antioxidant composition and volatile integrity, with implications for designing P. nebrodensis-based food ingredients. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to develop botanical nanofibers loaded with Psidium guajava leaf extract to heal wounds effectively. Methods: A 2³ factorial design was conducted to study the impact of freeze-drying parameters—freezing time, vacuum, and lyophilization time—on the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the lyophilized extract. Then, a polyurethane-based nanofiber dressing loaded with Psidium guajava leaf extract was fabricated using a one-step electrospinning technique. The nanofiber was evaluated considering total polyphenol and flavonoid content, surface roughness, and morphological assessment by scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the nanofiber was evaluated using in vivo wound-healing studies, histopathological analyses, and assessments of tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase, and growth factors. Results: The optimal conditions for freeze-drying the aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves were a freezing time of 24 h, a vacuum adjusted to 0.02 bar, and a lyophilization time of 48 h. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content within the nanofiber was 96 ± 1.2% and 91.83 ± 2.4%, respectively. Incorporating lyophilized extract in the nanofiber led to a decreased roughness average and root mean square roughness of the nanofiber. The nanofiber was continuous and had a smooth, uniform surface. The in vivo wound-healing assay showed superior wound-healing compared to the commercial Panthenol cream. These results were confirmed with histopathological studies. Conclusions: The extraction technique and lyophilization parameters significantly affect the bioactive content of Psidium guajava leaf extract. The botanical-loaded nanofiber showed greater wound-healing potential than a commercial cream, confirming its potential in regenerative medicine and wound repair applications. Full article

This research focuses on the additional valorization of olive leaves, a by-product of regular olive pruning, by increasing their secondary metabolite content through the combined application of biochar and a phenolic extract from olive leaves. A suspension of biochar, obtained by the pyrolysis of grapevine pruning residues, was prepared by mixing it in demineralized water (1.5 g; 5 L; 24 h). The phenolic extract was obtained by extracting lyophilized and ground olive leaves in demineralized water (50 g; 5 L; 24 h), while the combined preparation was obtained in an analogous manner (1.5 g biochar; 50 g olive leaf powder; 5 L water; 24 h). Treatments were applied at the beginning of July, 50 days after anthesis (May 16th) and included the following: (i) control treatment (demineralized water), (ii) biochar solution, (iii) phenolic extract solution, and (iv) a combined aqueous preparation of biochar and phenolic extract, all with the addition of a wetting agent. Trees of the olive cultivars Leccino and Istarska bjelica were sprayed with the corresponding preparation until runoff. Olive leaves were sampled three weeks after treatment (July 26th) and, after washing and drying, and were prepared for LC-MSMS analysis. Both biochar-based treatments induced the most potent effects, although responses differed between cultivars. In particular, apigenin derivatives, hydroxytyrosol, luteolin-7-rutinoside, and the secoiridoid oleacein showed apparent differences between biochar treatments and the control. Overall, higher concentrations of the sum of detected secoiridoids were observed in the leaf samples of ‘Istarska bjelica’ under BCH and BCH+PH treatments, whereas no such differences were found for ‘Leccino’ cultivar. Further research is needed to clarify the cultivar-dependent response of secondary metabolism in these olive cultivars and the mechanisms by which biochar foliar application modulates metabolite profiles. Full article

Banana pseudostem is an abundant lignocellulosic residue with potential for value-added applications. This study evaluated five banana varieties to determine their suitability for bioplastic production, with Williams showing the highest cellulose yield (26.99% ± 0.23). Cellulose extracted from this variety was combined with corn-starch (1:1 w/w) to synthesize a bioplastic through gelatinization and lyophilization. FTIR confirmed effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose from the pseudostem and evidenced new hydrogen-bond interactions between cellulose and starch through O–H band shifts (3335 → 3282 cm⁻¹). SEM revealed a porous laminar morphology with cellulose particles (40–52 µm) embedded within the starch matrix. DSC analysis showed that the bioplastic exhibits an intermediate thermal profile between its components, while mechanical compression increased the endothermic transition temperature (from 69 °C to 85 °C) and reduced molecular mobility. Tensile testing demonstrated that compression markedly improved mechanical performance, increasing tensile strength from 0.094 MPa to 0.69 MPa and density from 110 to 638.7 kg/m³. These findings indicate that cellulose–starch bioplastics derived from banana pseudostem possess favorable structural, thermal, and mechanical characteristics for short-use applications. The approach also contributes to the valorization of agricultural waste through biodegradable material development. Full article

Mycotoxigenic molds pose a threat to human health and cause economic losses in bread production. To address this issue, postbiotics have emerged as promising natural bioprotective agents due to their antifungal properties. In this study, postbiotics were obtained from Lactiplantibacillus (Lp.) plantarum Y48, Liquorilactobacillus (Lq.) hordei SK-6, and Lp. plantarum VB-29 strains and subsequently lyophilized. The functional groups of the bioactive components in these postbiotics were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. Samples extracted with different solvents were analyzed for their volatile compound profiles by GC-MS, and the results were compared using principal component analysis (PCA). The antifungal activities of postbiotics were tested. Subsequently, the antifungal activity of Lp. plantarum Y48 postbiotic was evaluated on bread contaminated with Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum. The postbiotic was incorporated into the bread formulation both alone and in combination with potassium sorbate, and it was also applied to the bread surface as a spray. Notably, the formulation containing 3% postbiotic + 0.1% potassium sorbate completely inhibited the growth of A. niger and P. expansum. These results indicate that the combined use of Lp. plantarum Y48 postbiotic and potassium sorbate can effectively prevent mold growth in bread and holds potential as a natural bioprotective approach in food preservation applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Consuming apples regularly has positive effects on human health due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which have been associated with their phenolic composition. To enhance the bioactive properties of apple phenolic compounds, high-pressure processing (HPP) has been studied as a tool to improve their extraction during gastrointestinal digestion with the aim of increasing their bioaccessibility and the amount that reaches the colon unchanged, which can serve as substrates for bacterial fermentation. This study aimed to analyze the impact of an HPP-apple ingredient on the metabolism of human gut microbiota using an in vitro dynamic simulator of gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation (GID-CF) that allowed us to study the three colon regions separately (ascending—AC; transverse—TC; and descending—DC). Methods: Apples were HPP-treated (400 MPa/5 min) and lyophilized to obtain an HPP-apple ingredient in powder form. A GID-CF was employed to study the continuous intake of the HPP-apple ingredient for 14 days at 37.5 g/day. Results: The HPP-apple ingredient produced a significant accumulation of phenolic metabolites mainly in the DC, with benefits on human health. The main phenolic metabolites formed were phloroglucinol, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid, and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid. A PCA revealed a perfect separation of the three colon regions based on the phenolic precursors and metabolites. The microbiota-modulatory effects were attributed to the increase in Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. populations and the butyric acid (SCFA) concentration. Conclusions: The results obtained highlight the health benefits and potential prebiotic-like effect of the HPP-apple ingredient on the gut microbiota. Full article

Lyophilized Vial is the primary packaging form for injectable pharmaceuticals. However, conventional vision-based inspection methods have shown limited effectiveness in detecting Lyophilized Vial defects. Because the defect regions in Lyophilized Vials are typically small and exhibit weak feature responses, while YOLOv11 employs convolutional layers with a fixed structure, resulting in a limited receptive field and insufficient cross-scale feature interaction. Thisdiminishes the model’s ability to perceive fine-grained textures and large-scale structural features in Lyophilized Vial defect detection. To address this issue, we propose a defect detection network—SAF-YOLO (Spectrum and Attention Fusion YOLO)—built upon YOLOv11 and enhanced from the perspectives of spectrum perception and attention mechanisms. For spectrum perception, we introduce the Wavelet-C3K2 (WTC3K2) module into the backbone network. Leveraging wavelet-based spectral perception, this module enables the network to capture multi-spectral features, thereby expanding the receptive field without compromising the extraction of small-object features. For attention enhancement, we design two modules. First, the Global Context Feature Refine (GCFR) module is added between the backbone and neck networks, where spatial adaptive pooling and attention mechanisms improve the network’s capacity to model contextual information. Second, within the neck network, we deploy the Multi-Scale Attention Fusion Module (MSAFM), which integrates multi-branch convolutions with a dual-channel attention mechanism to further strengthen feature perception. Experimental results demonstrate that, across various typical Lyophilized Vial defect categories, the proposed algorithm achieves a 2.6% improvement in mAP@50 compared to the baseline YOLOv11, validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Full article

Passiflora ligularis (granadilla), widely cultivated in Colombia, contains secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenols, and pectins. Owing to their strong water-retention capacity, pectins are promising candidates for moisturizing cosmetic formulations. This study optimized pectin extraction from fruit peel and mesocarp using aqueous reflux at 90 °C and acid extraction with citric or hydrochloric acid (0.25 N and 0.125 N) at 40–60 °C. The effects of solvent, method (reflux or microwave-assisted), time (15–25 min), and temperature (50–60 °C) were investigated. Extracted pectins were dried, lyophilized, and incorporated into eight gel-type cosmetic formulations subjected to seven-day preliminary stability testing (physicochemical and organoleptic evaluation). Optimal extraction was achieved with citric acid under microwave irradiation at 60 °C for 15 min, yielding 45.23%. The pectin exhibited low moisture (0.13%), acidity (0.42%), methoxyl content (9.05%), and degree of esterification (57.6%), along with high swelling capacity (12.46 mL/g) and water-retention capacity (12.26%). The resulting gel formulation was homogeneous and stable. In vitro assays confirmed significant moisturizing activity. These findings highlight P. ligularis pectins as sustainable biopolymers with potential as natural gelling and moisturizing agents in cosmetic products. Full article

The medicinal plants industry generates approximately 30 million tons of by-products annually, most of which remain underutilized. The common nettle (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae) is a valuable medicinal plant, rich in polyphenols, vitamins, and essential fatty acids, widely used in food and pharmaceutical applications. Its by-products still lack sustainable valorization strategies. This study aimed to valorize nettle tea by-products and flowers using green extraction techniques and microbial biotransformation. Lyophilized aqueous/ethanolic extracts were fermented with Ligilactobacillus salivarius ATCC 11741 to assess whether fermentation could enhance the content and bioavailability of phenolic compounds while maintaining probiotic viability. The results showed that fermentation significantly increased phenolic content and antioxidant activity, with chlorogenic acid concentrations increasing up to 4-fold and caffeic acid derivatives up to 2.5-fold. L. salivarius remained viable during fermentation, demonstrating the potential for the production of added-value extracts and probiotic biomass. These findings indicate that nettle by-products can be efficiently converted into functional ingredients through low-energy, environmentally friendly processes, supporting sustainable production and waste valorization. Full article

Background: Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (C. erythraea) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in European folk medicine for the treatment of wounds, skin inflammations, and other dermatological conditions, in addition to its well-documented systemic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its topical applications remain insufficiently investigated, particularly using plant material collected from Romania. The purpose of this study was to prepare different ointment formulations containing C. erythraea Rafn. extract obtained from the aerial parts of the plant, using various excipients, and to evaluate their in vitro and in vivo efficacy. Methods: The phytochemical profile of C. erythraea extract was characterized using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The lyophilized extract was pre-dissolved in different solubilizing agents—Transcutol^® P (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether), Capryol^® 90 (propylene glycol monocaprylate), or a combination of both—and then incorporated into five ointment formulations. Texture analysis and an in vitro membrane diffusion study were performed. The antioxidant capacity of the formulations was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total phenolic content (TPC) assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro using tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) production in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, and in vivo using a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Results: LC–MS/MS identified 18 polyphenolic compounds, with hyperoside (3.78 ± 0.05 µg/mL), protocatechuic acid (1.13 ± 0.06 µg/mL), chlorogenic acid (1.07 ± 0.06 µg/mL), and quercetin (0.53 ± 0.03 µg/mL) as the principal constituents. The formulation containing both Transcutol^® P and Capryol^® 90 exhibited the most pronounced antioxidant activity (65% DPPH inhibition; 69.71 ± 0.83 mg gallic acid equivalent/mL) and significantly reduced IL-1β levels by 45.7% compared to the inflamed control. In vivo, this formulation showed comparable anti-edematous effects to a methylprednisolone ointment. Furthermore, it demonstrated the highest skin permeation efficiency, with a quercetin diffusion coefficient of 35.12 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/min. Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of C. erythraea extract from aerial parts in topical formulations and underscore the enhancing role of Transcutol^® P and Capryol^® 90 in improving both the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of bioactive compounds. Full article

Actinomycetes, especially Streptomyces, are prolific producers of bioactive metabolites, including pigments with potential applications in foods, textiles, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Motivated by increasing concerns about the safety and environmental impact of synthetic pigments, this study aimed to optimize the production of an extracellular pigment-rich fraction from Streptomyces parvulus and to evaluate its bioactivities relevant for cosmeceuticals. A Plackett–Burman design was used to identify key variables influencing metabolite production, followed by optimization with a Box–Behnken design. The pigment-rich fraction was obtained after extraction with ethyl acetate from lyophilized supernatants and chemically characterized by IR and LC–MS. Biological assays were conducted to assess anti-tyrosinase, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial activities. Temperature, incubation time, and agitation speed were identified as the most significant factors, with optimal conditions of 30 °C, 50 rpm, and 7 days yielding a pigment concentration of 465.3 μg/mL. LC–MS analysis revealed three 1,4-naphthoquinone-containing compounds, annotated as juglomycin Z (1), WS-5995B (2), and naphthopyranomycin (3), as the main constituents. The pigment-rich fraction showed modest anti-tyrosinase activity (10.9% at 300 μg/mL), immunomodulatory effects (TNF-α inhibition up to 36.9% and IL-10 stimulation up to 38.4% in macrophages), and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (15.8 mm inhibition halo, 91% growth reduction). The optimized fermentation model enhances pigment yield while reducing resource consumption, and the pigment-rich fraction exhibits multifunctional bioactivities, underscoring its potential as a natural cosmeceutical ingredient. Full article

The Ericaceae family encompasses several berries with recognized health-promoting properties; however, Macleania rupestris, a neotropical species endemic to the Andean region, remains poorly characterized. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to identify the chemical composition of M. rupestris ethanolic extracts and evaluate their biological activities, including antitumoral, hemolytic, anti-inflammatory, and leishmanicidal effects. Methods: The M. rupestris ethanolic extracts were obtained from lyophilized fruits and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS for phytochemical profiling. Bioactivities were assessed in vitro using tumor and non-tumor cell lines (MTT assay), erythrocyte hemolysis assays, RAW 264.7 macrophage inflammation models, and Leishmania mexicana promastigotes. Results: The chemical analysis revealed anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-arabinoside), flavonols (quercetin and myricetin derivatives), and coumaroyl iridoids. The extract showed modest antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ 10.4–22.5 mg/mL) across tumor cell lines with low therapeutic indices, indicating limited selectivity. In contrast, hemolytic activity was negligible (<5% at all tested concentrations), suggesting high biocompatibility. Anti-inflammatory assays indicated a dose-dependent reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production, while no significant leishmanicidal activity was detected. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the previously listed M. rupestris bioactivities. While its antitumoral effects appear limited, its strong hemocompatibility and presence of antioxidant metabolites highlight its potential for biomedical and nutraceutical applications where biocompatibility is critical. Further studies are needed to optimize bioactivity and explore potential synergistic effects. Full article

Natural melanins represent an emerging class of bio-based materials with exceptional properties for advanced technological applications. This study presents a comprehensive analytical characterization of eumelanin produced from organically cultivated Mucuna ceniza seeds through sustainable biotechnological processes. A high-quality L-DOPA extract containing 56% w/w L-DOPA was first obtained using green extraction protocols with organic acids, followed by lyophilization. Then, optimized stirred-tank bioreactor conditions achieved remarkable melanin production rates of 1526.23 ± 10.78 mg L⁻¹ h⁻¹ with complete L-DOPA conversion, yielding 9.5 g/L of purified eumelanin. Spectroscopic characterization using UV-visible, FTIR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy confirmed the authentic eumelanin structure, characterized by a characteristic absorption at 225 nm, diagnostic FTIR bands, Raman signatures at 1380 and 1580 cm⁻¹, and NMR peaks. The elemental composition (C: 48.04%, H: 6.14%, N: 11.85%, O: 33.94%) classified the pigment as eumelanin, with an inferred empirical formula of C₄₈H₇₄N₁₀O₂₅. This melanin has already demonstrated practical utility in optoelectronic applications. By harnessing the unique biocatalytic potential of organically grown Mucuna ceniza, this study validates a green, high-yield production platform for eumelanin, paving the way for its commercially viable application in advanced functional materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the present study, ergosterol, a novel natural and animal-free alternative sterol, was investigated, and its effects on liposomal properties were assessed. Importantly, ergosterol’s fungal origin offers a sustainable substitute for cholesterol, aligning with current trends in natural and vegan-friendly formulations. Methods: This study explored the effect of ergosterol content (10 mol% vs. 20 mol%) on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), physical properties, morphology, antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation, and storage stability of Serpylli herba extract-loaded liposomes. Results: Liposomes with 20 mol% ergosterol exhibited significantly higher EE (~81.0%) than those with 10 mol% (~75.6%), along with improved resistance to UV- and freeze-drying-induced reduction in EE. Extract loading resulted in a reduced particle size, indicating favorable bilayer interactions, whereas lyophilization increased size and polydispersity, reflecting structural destabilization. However, 20 mol% ergosterol improved vesicle uniformity and surface charge stability, suggesting enhanced bilayer rigidity. Zeta potential and mobility trends supported improved colloidal stability in ergosterol-enriched systems under all tested conditions. Over 28 days at 4 °C, non-treated extract-loaded liposomes with a higher ergosterol content demonstrated enhanced vesicle integrity. During storage, UV-treated and lyophilized liposomes with 20 mol% ergosterol maintained more consistent size and charge profiles, indicating better membrane reorganization and stability. Nanoparticle tracking analysis demonstrated that ergosterol content modulates vesicle concentration in a dose-dependent manner, highlighting the role of membrane composition in liposome formation and potential dose uniformity. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of extract-loaded liposomes demonstrated well-defined vesicles with intact structural features. A study in a Franz diffusion cell revealed that ergosterol-enriched liposomes significantly delayed polyphenol release compared to free extract, confirming their potential for controlled delivery. Antioxidant activity was preserved in all liposomal systems, with higher ergosterol content supporting improved ABTS radical scavenging potential after stress treatments. FRAP assay results remained stable across formulations, with no major differences between sterol levels. TBARS analysis demonstrated that Serpylli herba extract significantly reduced UV-induced lipid peroxidation in ergosterol-enriched liposomes, underscoring its protective antioxidant role. Conclusions: Higher ergosterol content enhanced liposomal performance in terms of encapsulation, structural resilience, and antioxidant retention, particularly under UV and lyophilization stress. Ergosterol-containing liposomes exhibited improved stability, favorable particle size distribution, and high encapsulation efficiency, while maintaining the antioxidant functionality of the incorporated Serpylli herba polyphenol-rich extract. These findings highlight the potential of ergosterol-based liposomes as robust carriers for bioactive compounds in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications that align with current trends in green and vegan-friendly formulations. Full article