Search Results (470)

This study explores the development of a topical film-forming spray infused with phytobiotic herbs to extend egg shelf life and maintain its quality. Unlike traditional surface treatments, film-forming sprays provide uniform drug distribution, better bioavailability, effective CO₂ retention by sealing pores, and antibacterial effects. The spray includes a polymer to encapsulate phytoconstituents and form the film. The resulting film is highly water-resistant, glossy, transparent, and dries within two minutes. SEM analysis showed a fine, uniform morphology, while zeta analysis revealed a negative potential of −0.342 mV and conductivity of 0.390 mS/cm, indicating stable dispersion. The spray’s effectiveness was tested on 640 chicken eggs stored at varying temperatures. Eggs treated and kept at 2–8 °C showed the best results, with smaller air cells, higher specific gravity, and superior quality indicators such as pH, albumen weight, albumen height and index, Haugh unit, yolk weight, and yolk index. Additionally, the spray significantly reduced microbial load, including total plate count and E. coli. Eggs stored at 28 °C remained safe for 24–30 days, while those at 2–8 °C lasted over 42 days. This innovative film-forming spray offers a promising approach for preserving internal and external egg quality during storage. Full article

Soil respiration (Rt), consisting of heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra), plays a vital role in terrestrial carbon cycling and is sensitive to soil temperature and moisture. In dryland agriculture, plastic film mulching (PM) is widely used to regulate soil hydrothermal conditions, but its effects on Rt components and their temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) across regions remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted at two rain-fed maize sites: Anding (warmer, semi-arid) and Yuzhong (colder, drier). PM significantly increased Rt, Rh, and Ra, especially Ra, due to enhanced root biomass and improved microclimate. Yield increased by 33.6–165%. Peak respiration occurred earlier in Anding, aligned with maize growth and soil temperature. PM reduced Q₁₀ of Rt and Ra in Anding, but only Ra in Yuzhong. Rh Q₁₀ remained stable, indicating microbial respiration was less sensitive to temperature changes. Structural equation modeling revealed that Rt and Ra were mainly driven by soil temperature and root biomass, while Rh was more influenced by microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Despite increased CO₂ emissions, PM improved carbon emission efficiency (CEE), particularly in Yuzhong (+67%). The application of PM is recommended to enhance yield while optimizing carbon efficiency in dryland farming systems. Full article

Developing innovative, low-cost halochromic materials for diagnosing microbial contamination in wounds and burns can effectively facilitate tissue regeneration. Here, we combine the pH-sensing capability of highly colorful red cabbage anthocyanins (RCAs) with their healing potential within a unique cellulose polymer film that mimics the skin matrix. Biological activities of RCA extract in bacterial cellulose (BC) showed no cytotoxicity and skin-sensitizing potential to human cells at concentrations of RCAs similar to those released from BC/RCA dressings (4.0–40.0 µg/mL). A decrease in cell viability and apoptosis was observed in human cancer cells with RCAs. The invisible eye detection of the early color change signal from RCAs in response to pH alteration by bacteria was recorded with a smartphone application. The incorporation of RCAs into BC polymer has altered the morphology of its matrix, resulting in a denser cellulose microfibril network. The complete coincidence of the vibrational modes detected in the absorption spectra of the cellulose/RCA composite with the modes in RCAs most likely indicates that RCAs retain their structure in the BC matrix. Affordable, sensitive halochromic BC/RCA hydrogels can be recommended for online monitoring of microbial contamination, making them accessible to patients. Full article

The rising demand for sustainable protein is driving interest in insects as a raw material for advanced food ingredients. This review collates and critically analyses over 300 studies on the conversion of crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies, and other farmed species into powders, protein isolates, oils, and chitosan-rich fibers with targeted techno-functional roles. This survey maps how thermal pre-treatments, blanch–dry–mill routes, enzymatic hydrolysis, and isoelectric solubilization–precipitation preserve or enhance the water- and oil-holding capacity, emulsification, foaming, and gelation, while also mitigating off-flavors, allergenicity, and microbial risks. A meta-analysis shows insect flours can absorb up to 3.2 g of water g⁻¹, stabilize oil-in-water emulsions for 14 days at 4 °C, and form gels with 180 kPa strength, outperforming or matching eggs, soy, or whey in specific applications. Case studies demonstrate a successful incorporation at 5–15% into bakery, meat analogs and dairy alternatives without sensory penalties, and chitin-derived chitosan films extend the bread shelf life by three days. Comparative life-cycle data indicate 45–80% lower greenhouse gas emissions and land use than equivalent animal-derived ingredients. Collectively, the evidence positions insect-based ingredients as versatile, safe, and climate-smart tools to enhance food quality and sustainability, while outlining research gaps in allergen mitigation, consumer acceptance, and regulatory harmonization. Full article

Antimicrobial food packaging with natural antimicrobials and biodegradable polymers presents an innovative solution to mitigate microbial contamination, prolong freshness, reduce food waste, and alleviate environmental burden. This study developed antimicrobial hemicellulose-based films by incorporating carvacrol (1% and 2%) as a natural antimicrobial agent through micro-emulsification produced by high-pressure homogenization (M-films). For comparison, films with the same formula were constructed using coarse emulsions (C-films) without high-pressure homogenization. These films were investigated for their antimicrobial efficacy, mechanical and barrier properties, and physicochemical attributes to explore their potential as sustainable antimicrobial packaging solutions. The M-films demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, achieving reductions exceeding 4 Log CFU/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica, compared to the C-films. High-pressure homogenization significantly reduced the emulsion’s particle size, from 11.59 to 2.55 μm, and considerably enhanced the M-film’s uniformity, hydrophobicity, and structural quality. Most importantly, the M-films exhibited lower oxygen transmission (35.14 cc/m²/day) and water vapor transmission rates (52.12 g/m²/day) than the C-films at 45.1 and 65.5 cc/m²/day, respectively, indicating superior protection against gas and moisture diffusion. Markedly improved mechanical properties, including foldability, toughness, and bubble-free surfaces, were also observed, making the M-films suitable for practical applications. This study highlights the potential of high-pressure homogenization as a method for enhancing the functional properties of hemicellulose-based films (i.e., M-films). The fabricated films offer a viable alternative to conventional plastic packaging, paving the way for safer and greener solutions tailored to modern industry needs. Full article

As the primary biological risk threatening safe dairy production, bovine mastitis control highly relies on environmental disinfection measures. However, the mechanisms by which chemical disinfectants influence host–environment microbial interactions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the disinfection efficacy and regulatory effects on microbial community composition and diversity of glutaraldehyde-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and glutaraldehyde-didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DAB) at recommended concentrations (2–5%), using 80 environmental samples from intensive dairy farms in Xinjiang, China. Combining 16S rDNA sequencing with culturomics, the results showed that BAC achieved a disinfection rate of 99.33%, higher than DAB’s 97.87%, and reduced the environment–gut microbiota similarity index by 23.7% via a cationic bacteriostatic film effect. Microbiome analysis revealed that BAC selectively suppressed Fusobacteriota abundance (15.67% reduction) and promoted Bifidobacterium proliferation (7.42% increase), enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function through butyrate metabolism. In contrast, DAB induced Actinobacteria enrichment in the environment (44.71%), inhibiting pathogen colonization via bioantagonism. BAC’s long-acting bacteriostatic properties significantly reduced disinfection costs and mastitis incidence. This study first elucidated the mechanism by which quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants regulate host health through “environment-gut” microbial interactions, providing a critical theoretical basis for developing precision disinfection protocols integrating “cost reduction-efficiency enhancement-risk mitigation.” Full article

Soil bacteria drive biogeochemical cycles and influence disease suppression, playing pivotal roles in sustainable agriculture. Using Illumina MiSeq sequencing, we assessed how six ridge-furrow film mulching patterns affect soil bacterial diversity in a continuous potato system. The Shannon index showed significantly higher diversity in fully mulched treatments (T2–T3) versus controls (CK), suggesting mulching enhances microbial community richness. This result suggests that complete mulching combined with ridge planting (T2) may significantly enhance bacterial proliferation in soil. The bacterial communities were predominantly composed of Acidobacteria, Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexota, and Planctomycetota. Among these, Acidobacteria showed the highest abundance, with ridge planting patterns favoring greater Acidobacteria richness compared to furrow planting. In contrast, Pseudomonadota exhibited higher abundance under half-mulching conditions than under complete mulching. At class level, Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria emerged as the most abundant groups, with Proteobacteria constituting 22.6–35.7% of total microbial populations. Notably, Proteobacteria demonstrated particular dominance under the complete mulching with ridge planting pattern (T2). At the genus level, Subgroup_6_norank represented the most dominant taxon among the 439 identified bacterial genera, accounting for 14.0–20.2% of communities across all treatments, with half-mulching ridge planting (T4) showing the highest relative abundance. Our findings demonstrate that different ridge-furrow film mulching patterns significantly influence soil microbial diversity. While traditional non-mulched (CK) and mulched flat plots (T1) exhibited similar impacts on bacterial community structure, other treatments displayed distinct taxonomic profiles. Complete mulching patterns, particularly ridge planting (T2), appear most conducive to microbial development, suggesting their potential to enhance soil biogeochemical cycling in continuous cropping systems. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing mulching practices to improve soil health in agricultural ecosystems. Full article

This study conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of biodegradable (BD) mulching film in onion cultivation, with a focus on plant growth, yield, soil environment, weed suppression, and film degradation, in comparison to conventional polyethylene (PE) film and non-mulching (NM) treatment across multiple regions and years (2023–2024). The BD and PE films demonstrated similar impacts on onion growth, bulb size, yield, and weed suppression, significantly outperforming NM, with yield increases of over 13%. There were no consistent differences in soil pH, electrical conductivity, and physical properties in crops that used either BD or PE film. Soil temperature and moisture were also comparable regardless of which film type was used, confirming BD’s viability as an alternative to PE. However, areas that used BD film had soils which exhibited reduced microbial populations, particularly Bacillus and actinomycetes which was likely caused by degradation by-products. BD film degradation was evident from 150 days post-transplantation, with near-complete decomposition at 60 days post-burial, whereas PE remained largely intact (≈98%) during the same period. These results confirm that BD film can match the agronomic performance of PE while offering the advantage of environmentally friendly degradation. Further research should optimize BD film durability and assess its cost-effectiveness for large-scale sustainable agriculture. Full article

Utilizing edible films/coatings promises to extend the shelf life of fruits by controlling various physiological parameters (e.g., respiration and transpiration rates), maintaining firmness, and delaying fruit senescence. The influence of composite-based edible coatings made from sodium or calcium caseinate: carboxymethyl chitosan (75:25) on the postharvest quality of fresh blueberries was assessed over a 28-day storage period, on the basis of weight loss and changes in pH, firmness, color, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, mold and yeast count, and respiration rate. The pH of the blueberries increased over the period of storage, with significant differences observed between uncoated and coated (e.g., pH was 3.89, 3.17, and 3.62 at the end of the storage time for uncoated, Ca 75-1% SO, and Na 75-1% SO, respectively. Desirable lower pH values at the end of storage were obtained with the calcium caseinate formulations. Over the duration of storage, other quality parameters (e.g., firmness) were better retained in coated fruits compared to the uncoated (control) one. At the last storage day, the firmness of the uncoated sample was 0.67 N·mm⁻¹ while the sodium and calcium caseinate was 0.63 and 0.81 N.mm⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, the microbial growth was reduced in coated fruits, indicating the effectiveness of coatings in preserving fruit quality. The mold /yeast count was 1.4 and 2.3 log CFU/g for CaCa 75-1% SO and NaCa 75-1% SO compared with uncoated with 4.2 log CFU/g. Adding soybean oil to the caseinate–carboxymethyl chitosan composite edible coating has the potential to positively influence retention of various quality parameters of blueberries, thereby extending their shelf life and maintaining overall quality. Further research could explore the optimization of coating formulations and application methods to enhance their effectiveness in preserving fruit quality during storage. Full article

The present study aimed to develop biodegradable films formulated with pectin/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and cinnamon essential oil, investigating the effects of CP treatment time on the properties of the films. The developed films were used as packaging to evaluate the shelf life of chicken meat. Biodegradable films were produced from a film-forming solution containing pectin/CMC, glycerol (30%), and cinnamon essential oil (2%). All formulations included the essential oil, and the control group corresponded to the film that was not subjected to CP treatment. The CP treatments were applied at 22.5 L/min, 20 kV, and 80 kHz for 10, 20, and 30 min. The results showed that increasing CP treatment time led to a progressive reduction in apparent viscosity, indicating improved homogeneity of the polymer system. Hydrophobicity increased with treatment time, as shown by a higher contact angle (from 51.15° to 62.38°), resulting in lower water solubility. Mechanical properties were also enhanced, with tensile strength rising from 3.29 MPa to 6.74 MPa after 30 min of CP. Biodegradability improved with treatment time, reaching 99.51% mass loss after 15 days for the longest exposure. Films produced from the solution treated for 30 min (FCP30) were most effective in extending the shelf life of chicken breast fillets, reducing lipid oxidation (TBARS: 61.9%), peroxide content (58.7%), and microbial spoilage (TVB-N: 59.2%) compared to the untreated film. Overall, the results highlight the importance of CP treatment time as a key factor in enhancing film performance, supporting its application in sustainable active packaging. Full article

Microbial contamination is a global concern with impacts on a variety of industries ranging from marine to biomedical applications. Recent research on hydrophilic polymer-based coatings is focused on combining antifouling polymers with nanomaterials to enhance mechanical, optical, and stimuli-responsive properties, yielding colour changing, self-healing, and super hydrophilic materials. This study combines the hydrophilic and antifouling properties of vitamin B5 analogous methacrylamide (B5AMA)-based polymers with stimuli-responsive anthocyanin-dye-loaded cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to develop antifouling materials with colour changing capabilities upon bacterial contamination. Poly(B5AMA)-grafted CNCs were prepared through surface-initiated photoiniferter reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (SP-RAFT) polymerization and characterized through proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the formation of surface-grafted polymer chains. The bare CNCs and poly(B5AMA)-grafted CNCs were loaded with anthocyanin dye and evaluated for pH-dependent colour changing capabilities. Interestingly, anthocyanin-loaded CNCs demonstrated vibrant colour changes in both solution and dried film form upon bacterial contamination; however, limited colour changing capabilities of the composites, specifically in dried film form, were attributed to the enhanced dispersibility and antifouling capabilities of the polymer-coated CNCs. Full article

Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, driven by chronic inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and complex tumor microenvironment interactions. Current therapies are limited by systemic toxicity and poor tumor accumulation. This study aimed to develop a ROS/enzyme dual-responsive oral drug delivery system, KGM-CUR/PSM microspheres, to achieve precise drug release in CRC and enhance tumor-specific drug accumulation, which leverages high ROS levels in CRC and the β-mannanase overexpression in colorectal tissues. Methods: In this study, we synthesized a ROS-responsive prodrug polymer (PSM) by conjugating polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (mPEG) and mesalazine (MSL) via a thioether bond. CUR was then encapsulated into PSM using thin-film hydration to form tumor microenvironment-responsive micelles (CUR/PSM). Subsequently, konjac glucomannan (KGM) was employed to fabricate KGM-CUR/PSM microspheres, enabling targeted delivery for colorectal cancer therapy. The ROS/enzyme dual-response properties were confirmed through in vitro drug release studies. Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and cell migration were assessed in SW480 cells. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in AOM/DSS-induced CRC mice, monitoring tumor growth, inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MPO), and gut microbiota composition. Results: In vitro drug release studies demonstrated that KGM-CUR/PSM microspheres exhibited ROS/enzyme-responsive release profiles. CUR/PSM micelles demonstrated significant anti-CRC efficacy in cytotoxicity assays, cellular uptake studies, and cell migration assays. In AOM/DSS-induced CRC mice, KGM-CUR/PSM microspheres significantly improved survival and inhibited CRC tumor growth, and effectively reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Histopathological and microbiological analyses revealed near-normal colon architecture and microbial diversity in the KGM-CUR/PSM group, confirming the system’s ability to disrupt the “inflammation-microbiota-tumor” axis. Conclusions: The KGM-CUR/PSM microspheres demonstrated a synergistic enhancement of anti-tumor efficacy by inducing apoptosis, alleviating inflammation, and modulating the intestinal microbiota, which offers a promising stimuli-responsive drug delivery system for future clinical treatment of CRC. Full article

A fungal strain with comparably high chitosan yield was isolated from the Shivaganga hills and identified as Aspergillus versicolor AD07 through molecular characterization. Later, the strain was cultivated on Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB) and wild jackfruit-based media to evaluate its potential for chitosan production. Among the various media formulations, the highest chitosan yield (178.40 ± 1.76 mg/L) was obtained from the jackfruit extract medium with added peptone and dextrose. The extracted chitosan was characterized through FTIR, XRD (reported a crystallinity index of 55%), TGA/DTG, and DSC analysis, confirming the presence of key functional groups and high thermal resistance. The extracted chitosan was fabricated into a sheet incorporated with 1% lemongrass oil; the sheet exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (30 mm) and Bacillus megaterium (48 mm). The biodegradation studies reported a weight loss of 38.93 ± 0.51% after 50 days of soil burial. Further, the chitosan film was tested as a packaging material for paneer, demonstrating better preservation by maintaining nutritional quality and reducing microbial load over a 14-day storage period. These findings highlight the potential of A. versicolor AD07-derived chitosan, cultivated on a waste substrate medium, as a sustainable biopolymer for food packaging applications. Full article

Fruit and vegetable production is often impacted by microbial pathogens that compromise the quality of produce and lead to significant economic losses at the postharvest stages. Due to their efficacy, agrochemicals are widely applied in disease management; nevertheless, this practice has led to the appearance of microbial strains resistant to these types of agrochemicals. Additionally, there is growing concern among consumers about the presence of these chemical residues in fruits and the negative impacts they cause on multiple ecosystems. In response, there is a growing need for safe, effective, green, and sustainable disease control technologies. Bionanocomposites, with their unique ability to combine nanomaterials and biopolymers that have attractive properties, represents a promising alternative for postharvest disease control. These technologies allow for the development of functional coatings and films with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and barrier properties, which are critical for extending shelf life and preserving fruit quality. Recent advances have demonstrated that integrating nanoparticles, such as ZnO, TiO₂, Ag, and chitosan-based nanosystems, into biopolymeric matrices, like alginate, pectin, starch, or cellulose, can enhance mechanical strength, regulate gas exchange, and control the release of active agents. This review presents systematized information that is focused on the creation of coatings and films based on bionanocomposites for the management of disease in fruits and vegetables. It also discusses the use of diverse biopolymers and nanomaterials and their impact on the quality and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Full article

Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional corrosion inhibitors due to their eco-friendly nature, biodegradability, and functional versatility. Secreted by diverse microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and algae, EPSs are composed mainly of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These biopolymers, chiefly polysaccharides and proteins, are accountable for surface corrosion prevention through biofilm formation, allowing microbial survival and promoting their environmental adaptation. Usually, EPS-mediated corrosion inhibitions can take place via different mechanisms: protective film formation, metal ions chelation, electrochemical property alteration, and synergy with inorganic inhibitors. Even though efficacious EPS corrosion prevention has been demonstrated in several former studies, the application of such microbial inhibitors remains, so far, a controversial topic due to the variability in their composition and compatibility toward diverse metal surfaces. Thus, this review outlines the microbial origins, biochemical properties, and inhibition mechanisms of EPSs, emphasizing their advantages and challenges in industrial applications. Advances in synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and machine learning are also highlighted and could provide new opportunities to enhance EPS production and functionality. Therefore, the adoption of EPS-based corrosion inhibitors represents a promising strategy for environmentally sustainable corrosion control. Full article