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International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Anthocyanins are amazing plant-derived colorants with highly valuable properties; however, their chemical and color instability issues limit their wide application in...
Anthocyanins are amazing plant-derived colorants with highly valuable properties; however, their chemical and color instability issues limit their wide application in different food industry-related products such as active and intelligent packaging. In a previous study, it was demonstrated that anthocyanins could be stabilized into green plasticizers namely deep eutectic solvents (DESs). In this work, the fabrication of edible films by integrating anthocyanins along with DESs into biocompatible chitosan (CHT)-based formulations enriched with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PVA nanoparticles was investigated. CHT/PVA-DES films' physical properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, water vapor permeability, swelling index, moisture sorption isotherm, and thermogravimetry analysis. Innovative red-to-blue formulation films were achieved for CHT/PVA nanoparticles (for 5 min of sonication) at a molar ratio 1:1, and with 10% of ternary DES (TDES)-containing malvidin-3-glucoside (0.1%) where the physical properties of films were enhanced. After immersion in solutions at different pH values, films submitted to pHs 5-8 were revealed to be more color stable and resistant with time than at acidic pH values.
Topics: Polyvinyl Alcohol; Anthocyanins; Chitosan; Solvents; Biofilms; Nanoparticles; Food Packaging; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Color; Permeability
PubMed: 38892341
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116154 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Food safety and quality are major concerns in the food industry. Despite numerous studies, polyethylene remains one of the most used materials for packaging due to...
Food safety and quality are major concerns in the food industry. Despite numerous studies, polyethylene remains one of the most used materials for packaging due to industry reluctance to invest in new technologies and equipment. Therefore, modifications to the current materials are easier to implement than adopting whole new solutions. Antibacterial activity can be induced in low-density polyethylene films only by adding antimicrobial agents. ZnO nanoparticles are well known for their strong antimicrobial activity, coupled with low toxicity and UV shielding capability. These characteristics recommend ZnO for the food industry. By incorporating such safe and dependable antimicrobial agents in the polyethylene matrix, we have obtained composite films able to inhibit microorganisms' growth that can be used as packaging materials. Here we report the obtaining of highly homogenous composite films with up to 5% ZnO by a melt mixing process at 150 °C for 10 min. The composite films present good transparency in the visible domain, permitting consumers to visualize the food, but have good UV barrier properties. The composite films exhibit good antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity from the lowest ZnO composition (1%), against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The homogenous dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles into the polyethylene matrix was assessed by Fourier transform infrared microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The optimal mechanical barrier properties were obtained for composition with 3% ZnO. The thermal analysis indicates that the addition of ZnO nanoparticles has increased thermal stability by more than 100 °C. The UV-Vis spectra indicate a low transmittance in the UV domain, lower than 5%, making the films suitable for blocking photo-oxidation processes. The obtained films proved to be efficient packaging films, successfully preserving plum (Rome) tomatoes for up to 14 days.
Topics: Zinc Oxide; Food Packaging; Polyethylene; Solanum lycopersicum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Infective Agents; Biofilms
PubMed: 38892267
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116073 -
MedComm Jun 2024Spike-protein-based pseudotyped viruses were used to evaluate vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they cannot be used to evaluate the envelope (E), membrane...
Spike-protein-based pseudotyped viruses were used to evaluate vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they cannot be used to evaluate the envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. The first generation of virus-like particle (VLP) pseudotyped viruses contains these four structural proteins, but their titers for wild-type severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are relatively low, even lower for the omicron variant, rendering them unsuitable for neutralizing antibody detection. By optimizing the spike glycoprotein signal peptide, substituting the complexed M and E proteins with SARS-COV-1, optimizing the N protein with specific mutations (P199L, S202R, and R203M), and truncating the packaging signal, PS9, we increased the titer of the wild-type VLP pseudotyped virus over 100-fold, and successfully packaged the omicron VLP pseudotyped virus. The SARS-CoV-2 VLP pseudotyped viruses maintained stable titers, even through 10 freeze-thaw cycles. The key neutralization assay parameters were optimized, including cell type, cell number, and viral inoculum. The assay demonstrated minimal variation in both intra- and interassay results, at 11.5% and 11.1%, respectively. The correlation between the VLP pseudotyped virus and the authentic virus was strong ( = 0.9). Suitable for high-throughput detection of various mutant strains in clinical serum. In summary, we have developed a reliable neutralization assay for SARS-CoV-2 based on VLP pseudotyped virus.
PubMed: 38881676
DOI: 10.1002/mco2.615 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Mucilage is a gelatinous mixture of polysaccharides secreted from the seed coat and/or pericarp of many plant seeds when soaked in water. Mucilage affected seed... (Review)
Review
Mucilage is a gelatinous mixture of polysaccharides secreted from the seed coat and/or pericarp of many plant seeds when soaked in water. Mucilage affected seed germination while maintaining hydration levels during scarcity. Cydonia oblonga (quince) seeds are natural hydrocolloids extruding biocompatible mucilage mainly composed of polysaccharides. Quince seed mucilage (QSM) has fascinated researchers due to its applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. On a commercial scale, QSM preserved the sensory and physiochemical properties of various products such as yogurt, desserts, cakes, and burgers. QSM is responsive to salts, pH, and solvents and is mainly investigated as edible coatings in the food industry. In tablet formulations, modified and unmodified QSM as a binder sustained the release of various drugs such as cefixime, capecitabine, diclofenac sodium, theophylline, levosulpiride, diphenhydramine, metoprolol tartrate, and acyclovir sodium. QSM acted as a reducing and capping agent to prepare nanoparticles for good antimicrobial resistance, photocatalytic characteristics, and wound-healing potential. The present review discussed the extraction optimization, chemical composition, stimuli-responsiveness, and viscoelastic properties of mucilage. The potential of mucilage in edible films, tissue engineering, and water purification will also be discussed.
PubMed: 38876235
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133016 -
Farmacia Hospitalaria : Organo Oficial... Jun 2024To describe the process of implementing a traceability and safe manufacturing system in the clean room of a pharmacy service to increase patient safety, in accordance...
OBJECTIVE
To describe the process of implementing a traceability and safe manufacturing system in the clean room of a pharmacy service to increase patient safety, in accordance with current legislation.
METHODS
The process was carried out between September 2021 and July 2022. The software program integrated all the recommended stages of the manufacturing process outlined in the "Good Practices Guide for Medication Preparation in Pharmacy Services" (GBPP). The following sections were parameterised in the software program: personnel, facilities, equipment, starting materials, packaging materials, standardised work procedures, and quality controls.
RESULTS
A total of 50 users, 4 elaboration areas and 113 equipments were included. 435 components were parameterized (195 raw materials and 240 pharmaceutical specialties), 54 packaging materials, 376 standardised work procedures (123 of them corresponding to sterile medicines and 253 to non-sterile medicines, of which 52 non-sterile were dangerous), in addition, 17 were high risk, 327 medium risk, and 32 low risk, and 13 quality controls.
CONCLUSIONS
The computerization of the production process has allowed the implementation of a traceability and secure manufacturing system in a controlled environment in accordance with current legislation.
PubMed: 38871538
DOI: 10.1016/j.farma.2024.05.003 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Aug 2024The microplastics and organic additives formed in routine use of plastic takeaway food containers may pose significant health risks. Thus, we collected plastic...
The microplastics and organic additives formed in routine use of plastic takeaway food containers may pose significant health risks. Thus, we collected plastic containers made of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid and simulated two thermal usages, including hot water (I) and microwave treatments (M). Nile Red fluorescence staining was developed to improve accurate counting of microplastics with the aid of TEM and DLS analysis. The quantity of MPs released from thermal treatments was determined ranging from 285.7 thousand items/cm to 681.5 thousand items/cm in containers loaded with hot water with the following order: IPS>IPP>IPET>IPLA, while microwave treatment showed lower values ranging from 171.9 thousand items/cm to 301.6 thousand items/cm. In vitro toxicity test using human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells indicated decrease of cell viability in raw leachate, resuspended MPs and supernatants, which might further lead to cell membrane rupture, ROS production, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, the leachate inhibited the expression of key genes in the electron transport chain (ETC) process, disrupted energy metabolism. For the first time, we isolate the actually released microplastics and organic substances for in vitro toxicity testing, and demonstrate their potential impacts to human intestine. SYNOPSIS: Plastic take-out containers may release microplastics and organic substances during daily usage, both of which can cause individual and combined cytotoxic effects on human colon adenocarcinoma cells Caco-2.
Topics: Humans; Microplastics; Caco-2 Cells; Food Packaging; Plastics; Cell Survival; Reactive Oxygen Species; Microwaves; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Intestines; Hot Temperature
PubMed: 38870856
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134866 -
IMeta Nov 2023The Professional Committee of Microbiology of the National Pharmacopoeia Commission organized the drafting of the Technical Guidelines for Microbial Whole Genome...
The Professional Committee of Microbiology of the National Pharmacopoeia Commission organized the drafting of the Technical Guidelines for Microbial Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), aiming to standardize the method process and technical indicators of microbial WGS and ensure the accuracy of sequencing and identification. On the basis of the Guidelines, we developed an integrated microbial identification and source tracking (MIST) system, which could meet the needs of microbial identification and contamination investigation in food and drug quality control. MIST integrates three analysis pipelines: 16S/18S/internal transcribed spacer amplicon-based microbial identification, WGS-based microbial identification, and single-nucleotide polymorphism-based microbial source tracking. MIST can analyze sequence data in a variety of formats, such as Fasta, base call file, and FASTQ. It can be connected to a high-throughput sequencing instrument to acquire sequencing data directly. We also developed a publicly accessible web server for MIST (http://syj.i-sanger.cn).
PubMed: 38868214
DOI: 10.1002/imt2.146 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Developing a packaging material with integrated cushioning, intelligent and active functions is highly desired but remains challenging in the food industry. Here we show...
Developing a packaging material with integrated cushioning, intelligent and active functions is highly desired but remains challenging in the food industry. Here we show that a sponge-like porous hydrogel with pH-indicating and antibacterial additives can meet this requirement. We use polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan as the primary polymers to construct a hydrogel with hierarchical structures through a freeze-casting method in combination with salting-out treatment. The synergy of aggregated polymer chains and the sponge-like porous structure makes the hydrogel resilient and efficient in energy absorption. It also enables rapid movement of molecules/particles and fast reaction due to the large specific surface area of the pore structures and the large amount of free water in it, leading to a sensitive pH-indicating function. The hydrogel shows an obvious color variation within a wide pH range in 3 min. The silver nanoparticles are fixed in the dense polymer networks, enabling a lasting release of silver ions. The porous structure makes the silver ion reach the protected item in a short time, achieving an antibacterial effect against S. aureus and E. coli with little cytotoxicity. This work paves the way for fabricating multifunctional hydrogels for diverse advanced packaging systems.
Topics: Polyvinyl Alcohol; Chitosan; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Porosity; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrogels; Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli; Silver; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38862323
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132904 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) endowed with polymer coatings present a versatile platform, offering notable advantages such as targeted, pH-controlled, and... (Review)
Review
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) endowed with polymer coatings present a versatile platform, offering notable advantages such as targeted, pH-controlled, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery. Surface functionalization, particularly through amine and carboxyl modification, enhances their suitability for polymerization, thereby augmenting their versatility and applicability. This review delves into the diverse therapeutic realms benefiting from polymer-coated MSNs, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), chemotherapy, RNA delivery, wound healing, tissue engineering, food packaging, and neurodegenerative disorder treatment. The multifaceted potential of polymer-coated MSNs underscores their significance as a focal point for future research endeavors and clinical applications. A comprehensive analysis of various polymers and biopolymers, such as polydopamine, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, polycaprolactone, alginate, gelatin, albumin, and others, is conducted to elucidate their advantages, benefits, and utilization across biomedical disciplines. Furthermore, this review extends its scope beyond polymerization and biomedical applications to encompass topics such as surface functionalization, chemical modification of MSNs, recent patents in the MSN domain, and the toxicity associated with MSN polymerization. Additionally, a brief discourse on green polymers is also included in review, highlighting their potential for fostering a sustainable future.
PubMed: 38862066
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124314 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Sep 2024This study introduces a novel multi-functional double-layer intelligent packaging. It focuses on developing a dual-function system capable of real-time monitoring and...
This study introduces a novel multi-functional double-layer intelligent packaging. It focuses on developing a dual-function system capable of real-time monitoring and freshness preservation. Specifically, cellulose nanocrystalline (CNC) was obtained through acid hydrolysis, and then CNC/soybean protein isolate (CNC/SPI) complex colloid particles were prepared via antisolvent method. These particles served as stabilizers to prepare oil-in-water (O/W) cinnamon essential oil Pickering emulsion (CSCEO). The CSCEO was then integrated into the emulsified hydrophobic layer of a konjac glucomannan (Kgm) matrix through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Finally, alginate (Alg) matrix containing alizarin (Al) as an indicator was added to construct the bilayer structure using a layer-by-layer casting strategy. The inner layer Alg/Al was the pH/NH-responsive indicator layer, while the outer layer Kgm/CSCEO acted as the high-barrier bacteriostatic layer. The obtained dual-function, double-layer film (Alg/Al-Kgm/CSCEO), which possesses a sensitive, reversible and rapid response towards pH/NH, shows exceptional antibacterial and antioxidant properties, as well as excellent mechanical property, light-blocking capability and hydrophobicity. For monitoring and maintaining the actual freshness of shrimp, such a bilayer packaging displays smallest change of ∆E and TVB-N (18.65 mg/100 g) even after 72 h, which further highlighting its potential in enhancing food safety and extending shelf life.
Topics: Alginates; Food Packaging; Seafood; Mannans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Animals; Antioxidants; Food Preservation; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Penaeidae; Soybean Proteins; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Escherichia coli
PubMed: 38858017
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122244