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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to evaluate and validate methylene blue migration from printed time-temperature indicators (TTIs) into food. It also highlights the...
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and validate methylene blue migration from printed time-temperature indicators (TTIs) into food. It also highlights the importance of establishing regulatory measures and safety standards for food packaging, suggesting that this can contribute to improving food packaging safety. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify methylene blue migration in various food simulant and food matrix samples. The results show that the level of methylene blue migration varies significantly depending on the chemical properties of the food mimetic and the composition of the food matrix. The established method demonstrated a high sensitivity, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.0019-0.0706 μg/L (kg) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of 0.0057-0.2138 μg/L (kg). This study highlights the need for a regulatory framework to mitigate the health risks associated with methylene blue in intelligent packaging systems and argues that regulatory thresholds should be set to ensure food safety and quality.
PubMed: 38928829
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121888 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Increasing the number of resistant bacteria resistant to treatment is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. These bacteria are created in wounds and injuries and... (Review)
Review
Increasing the number of resistant bacteria resistant to treatment is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. These bacteria are created in wounds and injuries and can be transferred through hospital equipment. Various attempts have been made to treat these bacteria in recent years, such as using different drugs and new sterilization methods. However, some bacteria resist drugs, and other traditional methods cannot destroy them. In the meantime, various studies have shown that cold atmospheric plasma can kill these bacteria through different mechanisms, making cold plasma a promising tool to deactivate bacteria. This new technology can be effectively used in the food industry because it has the potential to inactivate microorganisms such as spores and microbial toxins and increase the wettability and printability of polymers to pack fresh and dried food. It can also increase the shelf life of food without leaving any residue or chemical effluent. This paper investigates cold plasma's potential, advantages, and disadvantages in the food industry and sterilization.
Topics: Food Packaging; Plasma Gases; Sterilization; Atmospheric Pressure; Food Preservation; Bacteria
PubMed: 38928343
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126638 -
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 -
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 -
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 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 -
Tobacco Control Jun 2024In the UK in May 2016, standardised packaging of tobacco products was implemented, including minimum pack sizes of 20 sticks or 30 g loose tobacco. The change was...
BACKGROUND
In the UK in May 2016, standardised packaging of tobacco products was implemented, including minimum pack sizes of 20 sticks or 30 g loose tobacco. The change was intended to reduce uptake by increasing upfront costs to young people, but there was concern it may unintentionally increase consumption among people smoking. This study aimed to assess whether the introduction of the policy was associated with changes in (1) mean daily factory-made (FM)/roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes consumption among people smoking predominantly (a) FM and (b) RYO cigarettes; and (2) current smoking prevalence among 16-24-year-olds.
METHODS
Data (N=257 929) were from a representative monthly cross-sectional survey of adults (≥16 years) in England, collected between November 2007 and January 2020. Outcome measures were mean daily (FM/RYO) cigarette consumption among those smoking FM/RYO cigarettes, and prevalence of current smoking among 16-24-year-olds. Time-series analyses were conducted using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogenous variables (ARIMAX) regression models including a gradual level change starting in June 2017 and ending in May 2018 for cigarette consumption and a step change in June 2016 for prevalence of current smoking.
RESULTS
The ARIMAX model was not able to detect a change in mean daily cigarette consumption-for FM (B=-0.543, 95% CI -1.381 to 0.296) or RYO (B=0.002, 95% CI -0.518 to 0.522) following the implementation of standardised packaging. The unadjusted analysis suggested the implementation of standardised packaging was associated with a small (3%) decrease in smoking prevalence among 16-24-year-olds (B=-0.031, 95% CI -0.062 to 0.000), but this association was attenuated after adjustment for covariates (B=-0.010, 95% CI -0.039 to 0.019).
CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of standardised packaging of tobacco products was not associated with a meaningful change in the mean number of FM or RYO cigarettes consumed by people smoking in England, suggesting the larger pack size has not had an unintended consequence of substantially increasing cigarette consumption. However, there was also little evidence that the policy substantially reduced smoking among 16-24-year-olds.
PubMed: 38851292
DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058560 -
JAMA Network Open Jun 2024
Topics: Ontario; Cannabis; Humans; Plant Oils; Product Labeling; Drug Labeling
PubMed: 38837163
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.14922