Search Results (143)

Fumonisin B1, deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) are toxic secondary metabolites produced by Fusarium molds. These mycotoxins are common food and feed pollutants and represent a risk to human and animal health. Although the mycotoxins produced by this genus can cross the blood–brain barrier in many species, their effect on neuronal function remains unclear. We investigated the cell viability effects of these toxins on specified neural cell types, including mouse primary neuronal, astroglial, and mixed-cell cultures 24 or 48 h after mycotoxin administration. DON decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, independent of the culture type. Fumonisin B1 was toxic in pure neuronal cultures only at high doses, but toxicity was attenuated in mixed and pure astroglial cultures. ZEA had significant effects on all culture types in 10 nM by increasing cell viability and network activity, as revealed by multi-electrode array measurements. Since ZEA is a mycoestrogen, we analyzed the effects of ZEA on the expression of estrogen receptor isotypes ERα and ERβ and the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel via qRT-PCR. In neuronal and mixed cultures, ZEA administration decreased ERα expression, while in astroglial cultures, it induced the opposite effect. Thus, our results emphasize that Fusarium mycotoxins act in a cell-specific manner. Full article

Biodegradable polymer composites offer promising alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, supporting the principles of a zero waste and circular economy. This study investigates the reinforcing potential of alkali-treated wood flour derived from recycled pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) and poplar (Populus alba L.) waste wooden pallets in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites. Wood flour was initially recovered through grinding and screening during recycling, followed by alkali treatment via a green chemistry approach to enhance interfacial bonding with the PLA matrix. The impact of alkali concentration and two fabrication methods—additive manufacturing (AM) and injection molding (IM)—on the properties of developed biocomposite materials was assessed through mechanical, physical, morphological, and thermal analyses. IM samples outperformed AM counterparts, with the IM PLA containing 30 wt% wood flour (alkali-treated with 10% solution) showing the highest mechanical gains: tensile (+71.35%), flexural (+64.74%), and hardness (+2.62%) compared to untreated samples. Moreover, the AM sample with 10 wt% wood flour and 10% alkali treatment showed a 49.37% decrease in water absorption compared to the untreated sample, indicating improved hydrophobicity. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that alkali treatment reduced void content and enhanced morphological uniformity, while thermal properties remained consistent across fabrication methods. This work introduces a green composite using non-toxic materials and treatments, facilitating eco-friendly production aligned with zero waste and circular economy principles throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. Full article

Dental caries can cause premature loss of deciduous teeth, affecting children’s growth and development. Endodontic treatment using polymer posts is an effective solution. This study explores biodegradable root canal posts made from Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polycaprolactone (PCL), and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), aiming to enhance mechanical properties, minimize polymer degradation acidity, and prevent inflammation. A root canal post with a spherical head and serrated structure was designed and produced via micromolding and optimized using the Taguchi experimental method. The melt temperature, injection speed, and holding speed were analyzed for their influence on shrinkage, revealing an optimal rate of 2.575%, representing the sum of axial and radial shrinkage. The melt temperature had the highest impact (55.932%), followed by holding speed (33.575%), with there being minimal effect from injection speed. The composite exhibited a flexural strength of 21.936 MPa, a modulus of 2.083 GPa, and a hydrophilic contact angle of 73.73 degrees. Cell survival tests confirmed biocompatibility, with a survival rate exceeding 70% and no toxicity. These findings highlight the potential of PLA/PCL/ACP composites, combined with injection molding, for developing biodegradable root canal posts in primary teeth. Full article

Herein, we address the peculiar lack of scientific reporting on odor potent chloroanisoles (CAs) in the built environment. We have searched and critically examined sources beyond peer-reviewed scientific journals, namely research conferences, parliamentary records, newspaper articles, and cartoons. We provide evidence that CAs evolved on a large scale in Swedish buildings in the early 1970s and evoked a typical sticky malodor that was attributed to mold and gave rise to the term “mold houses”. The term first appeared in Swedish newspapers in 1978, and the media attention increased rapidly. The malodorous “mold houses” reached the Swedish parliament and led to economic compensation for afflicted homeowners. The “mold houses” became “sick houses” as researchers, predominantly from Sweden, introduced and became world leaders on the “sick buildings syndrome” (SBS). Researchers became aware of the CAs but did not mention them in peer-reviewed articles, just as they did not mention a well-known source of the sticky malodor, namely, legacy preserved wood where CAs were formed through microbial methylation of toxic chlorophenols (CPs). Thus, the mold story from the early 1970s was maintained and prevented the malodorous CAs from becoming recognized as indicators of the presence of hazardous CPs. Our study is the first to report the impact of an indoor malodor, not only on a few people, but on society. Full article

Fruits are a significant source of natural nutrition for human health. However, the perishable nature and short shelf life of fruits lead to spoilage, nutrition safety challenges, and other substantial postharvest losses. Edible coatings have emerged as a novel approach in order to enhance the shelf life of perishable fruits by forming a protective barrier against adverse environmental conditions and microbial infections. Sodium alginate is recognized as an excellent polysaccharide (derived from algae, seaweed, etc.) in the food industry for edible fruit coatings because of its non-allergic, biodegradable, non-toxic (safe for human health), inexpensive, and efficient gel/film-forming properties. However, the hydrophilicity of the polysaccharides is a significant concern to prevent the growth of mold and yeast. In recent years, various plant extracts (containing multiple bioactive compounds, including polyphenolic acids) and nanoparticles have been applied in sodium alginate-based edible films and fruit coatings to enhance antimicrobial activity. This review study summarized recent advancements in fabricating plant extracts incorporating sodium alginate-based films and coatings to enhance fruit shelf life. In addition, approaches to preparing edible films and the basic mechanism behind the role of coating materials in enhancing fruit shelf life are discussed. Moreover, the limitations associated with sodium alginate-based fruit coatings and films have been highlighted. Full article

The rapid growth of the world’s population is generating escalating demands for food production. Global food demand is expected to increase by 35% to 56% between 2010 and 2050. Therefore, food mass production is becoming more challenging. The chemicalization of food production, processing, transport, packaging, and storage is almost impossible to avoid. These factors, along with environmental pollution, contribute to the increase in food product contamination. Xenobiotics appearing in food, including a variety of toxic substances (heavy metals, acrylamide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and pathogens (pathogenic bacteria, fungi, molds, and yeast-producing mycotoxins) can threaten consumers’ safety and have negative economic implications. In this regard, the introduction of effective detoxification methods appears to be very important. It can be accomplished by physical, chemical, and biological means. Many reports have proved that probiotics are useful in food biodetoxification. Probiotics effectively reduce food contamination (at various stages of food production) and, moreover, annihilate toxins present in the human body. Many in vitro studies have confirmed the biodetoxification properties of probiotics, demonstrating that they diminish the toxic effects of the main types of food contaminants (heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, mycotoxins, nitrates and nitrites, acrylamide, alkylphenols, biogenic amines, and dioxins). Probiotics produce various bioactive compounds, including antimutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-carcinogenic compounds. Their protective and beneficial influence on human microbiota can modulate host inflammatory processes, inhibit carcinogenesis, and modify immune resistance. Detoxification with probiotics is environment-friendly and, unlike physical and chemical methods, does not adversely affect the nutritional value and quality of food. In addition, probiotics in food are associated with well-known human health benefits; therefore, as a functional food, they have gained common consumer acceptance. The large-scale application of biodetoxification methods in both agriculture and the food industry is a challenge for the future. Based on contemporary research, this review provides the mechanism of probiotic biodetoxification, possible applications of various probiotics, and future trends. Full article

Cheese is a globally consumed dairy product, with Europe leading the world in its consumption. Italy, as the third-largest cheese producer within the European Union, plays a crucial role in the sector, particularly through its production of Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) cheeses, including Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano. These hard cheeses are widely utilized in pre-packaged grated cheese products, owing to their broad appeal and recognized quality. While mold is a common and often necessary component in cheese production for the development of flavor and texture, fungal growth can also detrimentally affect the quality of cheese, potentially causing economic losses and posing food safety risks. Some molds are capable of producing mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin A (OTA), a toxic compound that has been identified in cheese. This study aims to quantitatively assess the prevalence of OTA contamination in various pre-packaged grated cheese products using the high-performance liquid chromatography method while also exploring the potential implications for food safety. The results revealed a high incidence of OTA, with 97.6% of the samples tested positive for contamination, ranging from below the limit of detection (<LOD) to 19.15 ng g⁻¹. Among the cheeses tested, the Parmigiano Reggiano brand exhibited the significantly highest average level of OTA contamination (5.06 ± 0.66 ng g⁻¹), followed by pecorino (2.25 ± 0.31 ng g⁻¹), mixed (2.15 ± 0.18 ng g⁻¹), and the Grana Padano cheeses (1.53 ± 0.21 ng g⁻¹). Given the widespread consumption of pre-packaged grated cheese products, these findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and risk assessment of cheese products, particularly pre-packaged grated varieties, due to the potential health risks associated with OTA exposure. Further investigations are essential to identify the factors contributing to OTA contamination in cheese and to support the development of regulatory standards to ensure consumer safety. Full article

The present study aimed to identify airborne molds of the Aspergillus genus and to determine the secondary metabolite profiles and toxicity of dominant fungal species isolated from various locations in the Wroclaw Zoological Garden. Air samples were collected using a MAS-100 air sampler and analyzed for fungal colony-forming units (CFU). Morphological and molecular methods, including ITS sequencing, were employed for dominant mold identification. The most frequently encountered species were A. fumigatus and A. niger, while A. pseudoglaucus and A. nomius were the least common. The high prevalence of species from sections Nigri, Flavi, and Fumigati suggests their adaptability to the zoo environment. A total of 17 Aspergillus isolates were analyzed for both their capacity to induce cellular toxicity and their production of mycotoxins. The results indicated that all isolates exhibited cellular toxicity, with 70.6% displaying levels of toxicity that were medium to high. Furthermore, the mycotoxicological analysis revealed that only A. fumigatus strains were capable of producing mycotoxins, specifically gliotoxin. The study underscores the discrepancy between the levels of toxicity and the production of mycotoxins, thereby suggesting the presence of additional cytotoxic metabolites. These findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between fungal metabolites and their consequences for human health. Full article

The discovery of efficient and stable nanopesticides with improved water solubility and sustained release effects has become particularly important. Pyrimethanil (Pyr) as a low toxicity fungicide of an aniline pyrimidine group is widely used for the prevention and control of gray mold in crops and ornamental plants, however, poor water solubility hinders its further development. Herein, we use a supramolecular self-assembly process to encapsulate a pyrimethanil in a hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HPγCD) via electrostatic interactions, thereby constructing the inclusion complex nanofibers. The HPγCD as an environmentally friendly carrier material for pesticide delivery is favorable for facilitating the control efficacy, water solubility, and thermostability with Pyr. The diameter of the prepared inclusion nanofiber is 426.6 ± 82.1 nm. Pyr/HPγCD inclusion complex nanofibers could be completely dissolved in water within 3 s. As predicted, the fungicidal activity of Pyr/HPγCD inclusion complex nanofibers is much higher than that of either Pyr, and the EC₅₀ value of Pyr/HPγCD inclusion nanofibers is 0.437 μg/mL, which is about half of that of Pyr (0.840 μg/mL). The inclusion strategy achieved by Pyr and HPγCD is important for improving the safety of nanopesticides. This work provides a versatile insight to promote the development of water-based pesticide dosage forms and reduce pesticide losses in agricultural production. Full article

Monascus is a fungus widely used in food fermentation. This study employed microbial technology, combined with microscopic morphological observations and ITS sequence analysis, to isolate, purify, and identify 10 strains of red yeast mold from various Monascus products. After the HPLC detection of metabolic products, the M8 strain containing the toxic substance citrinin was excluded. Using the EWM-TOPSIS model, the remaining nine safe Monascus strains were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme. The M2 strain with the highest comprehensive scores for lowering blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure was selected. Its fermentation product at a concentration of 3 mg/mL had inhibition rates of 96.938%, 81.903%, and 72.215%, respectively. The contents of the blood lipid-lowering active substance Monacolin K and the blood sugar and blood pressure-lowering active substance GABA were 18.078 mg/g and 5.137 mg/g, respectively. This strain can be utilized for the biosynthesis of important active substances such as Monacolin K and GABA, as well as for the fermentation production of safe and effective functional foods to address health issues like high blood lipids, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure in people. This study also provides insights into the use of natural fungi to produce healthy foods for combating chronic diseases in humans. Full article

Insect infestation and microbial, particularly mold contamination, are the major causes of stored grain deterioration during postharvest storage, which results in a significant loss in grain quality and quantity, and the formation of toxic chemicals such as mycotoxins. Pesticides, together with physical protection strategies, have been widely used to control insects and molds in stored grains, but their uses present significant environmental and health problems. This has led to the exploration of safer pesticide alternatives. Essential oils (EOs) are highly concentrated materials extracted from leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, roots, fruit rinds, resins, or barks. They are multifunctional due to their complex chemical composition. Thus, EOs are frequently used for their therapeutic, antimicrobial, odoriferous, and flavor properties in a wide range of products like medicine, cosmetics, and foods. This review provides comprehensive information on the chemical compositions of EOs commonly used in the food industry, factors influencing EO composition, and recent studies on the potential of EOs as alternatives to synthetic pesticides and fungicides for stored grain protection. The relationship between chemical compositions of EOs and their anti-insects and antimicrobial potentials, as well as current approaches/technologies of using EOs for food preservation, are also covered. However, this review also highlights the need for research on the development of feasible and affordable methodologies to apply effective EOs or encapsulated EOs in grain storage settings, particularly for organic grain protection. Full article

As significant fungal pathogens of crops, Fusaria species contaminate various food and feed commodities. Some of the Fusarium spp. secondary metabolites (e.g., trichothecenes, zearalenone, and fumonisins) are widely known toxic molecules (mycotoxins) with chronic and acute effects on humans and animals. The growing demand for safer, pesticide-free food drives us to increase biological control during crop growing. Recent research suggests that lactic acid bacteria (LABs) as biocontrol are the best choice for extenuating Fusarium mycotoxins. Newly isolated LABs were tested as antifungal agents against Fusarium verticillioides, F. graminearum, and F. oxysporum. The characterized and genetically identified LABs belonged to Limosilactobacillus fermentum (SD4) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (FCW4 and CB2) species. All tested LABs and their cell-free culture supernatants showed antagonism on the MRS solid medium. The antifungal activity was also demonstrated on surface-sterilized wheat and peanuts. The germination test of corn kernels proved that the LAB strains SD4 and FCW4 significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced root and shoot development in plantlets while simultaneously suppressing the outgrowth of F. verticillioides. Small-scale corn silage fermentation revealed the significant effects of SD4 supplementation (decreased zearalenone, lower mold count, and total reduction of deoxynivalenol) within the mixed populations. Full article

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely utilized synthetic polymer, favored in various applications for its desirable physicochemical characteristics and widespread accessibility. However, its extensive utilization, coupled with improper waste disposal, has led to the alarming pollution of the environment. Thus, recycling PET products is essential for diminishing global pollution and turning waste into meaningful materials. Therefore, this study proposes the fabrication of electrospun membranes made of recycled PET nanofibers as a cost-effective valorization method for PET waste. ZnO nanoparticles were coated onto polymeric materials to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the PET fibers. Morphostructural investigations revealed the formation of fibrillar membranes made of unordered nanofibers (i.e., 40–100 nm in diameter), on the surface of which zinc oxide nanoparticles of 10–20 nm were attached. PET@ZnO membranes demonstrated effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds, while imparting no toxicity to amniotic fluid stem cells. In vivo tests confirmed the materials’ biocompatibility, as no side effects were observed in mice following membrane implantation. Altogether, these findings highlight the potential of integrating ZnO nanoparticles into recycled PET to develop multifunctional materials suitable for healthcare facilities (such as antimicrobial textiles) and biomedical devices, including applications such as textiles, meshes, and sutures. Full article

The rapid perishability of strawberries due to factors such as fungal decay, mechanical damage, and respiration significantly limits their shelf life. In this study, a novel multi-component edible coating composed of bacterial cellulose, chitosan, and gellan gum (BChG) was developed to enhance the postharvest quality and extend the shelf life of strawberries. The coated fruits were evaluated over a 15-day storage period for key parameters such as weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), enzymatic activity, color retention, antioxidant activity, and microbiological analysis. The results demonstrated that coated strawberries exhibited significantly lower weight loss, reduced cellulase activity, and higher retention of TSS and TA compared to uncoated controls. The evaluation of microbial quality indicated that coatings, particularly those with higher concentrations of chitosan, control the growth of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) and molds and yeasts (MY), due to the antimicrobial properties of chitosan. This contributed to extending the shelf life of the fruit by preventing spoilage and reducing the risk of toxic compound formation. Additionally, the BChG coatings also preserved the characteristic red color of the fruit and maintained higher antioxidant activity, with BChG-4 being the most effective formulation. The inclusion of chitosan in the coatings was found to play a crucial role in reducing respiration, delaying ripening, and enhancing the fruit’s resistance to oxidative damage. Overall, multi-component coatings, particularly those with higher chitosan concentrations, offer a promising method for extending the shelf life of strawberries, reducing postharvest losses, and preserving fruit quality under ambient storage conditions. Full article

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a variety of the human gamma-herpesvirus that often leads to the occurrence of malignant tumors. In addition, the occurrence of Kaposi’s sarcoma is a major cause of death among AIDS patients. Ganciclovir (GCV) is the most widely used drug against KSHV infection in the clinic. GCV can restrict the in vivo synthesis of DNA polymerase in KSHV, thereby inhibiting the replication of the herpesvirus. However, GCV still suffers from poor specificity and transmembrane capabilities, leading to many toxic side effects. Therefore, developing a drug delivery system that increases GCV concentrations in target cells remains a significant clinical challenge. In this study, zeolite imidazole salt framework-8 (ZIF-8), a biocompatible porous material constructed by coordinating zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole, was used to load GCV. A nano-delivery system with a microneedle structure was also constructed using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microneedle mold to fabricate MN/GCV@ZIF-8 arrays. These arrays not only offered good skin-piercing capabilities but also significantly inhibited the cleavage and replication of the virus in vivo, exerting an anti-KSHV function. For these reasons, the arrays were able penetrate the skin’s stratum corneum at the tumor site to deliver GCV and play an anti-KSHV role. Full article