Search Results (4)

The use of antioxidants has become a fundamental approach in food preservation to mitigate the adverse effects of oxidative deterioration, such as lipid rancidity and protein degradation. As a result, chlorogenic acids (CGAs), natural phenolic compounds, have attracted considerable attention due to their potent antioxidant and antibacterial activity as well as their diverse bioactivities, which are primarily achieved through the direct scavenging of free radicals and indirect inhibition of signaling pathways. Based on this, this review introduces the various derivatives of CGAs and their numerous health benefits, such as hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects, anti-obesity activity, and gastrointestinal flora regulation, and discusses innovative added forms involving novel encapsulation methods such as microcapsules, nanocapsules, and hydrogels. Moreover, this paper also provides a comprehensive summary of the preservation effects and sensory evaluation of CGAs in the food field, which have been proven to significantly extend the shelf life and enhance antioxidant capability in seafood products, meat, and baked goods. Finally, it also highlights the practical limitations of CGAs, including their poor liposolubility, chemical instability, and high thermal sensitivity, as well as the need for their application in a wider range of foods and further research on their influence on sensory evaluation, in order to broaden their application as antioxidants in the future. Full article

This study explored the synthesis and characterization of pectin-based composites containing encapsulated propolis and sea buckthorn oil. Both propolis and sea buckthorn oil are well known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. To mitigate their sensitivity to environmental degradation, these compounds were encapsulated within a pectin matrix. The composites were prepared using an emulsification technique and subsequently for their physicochemical properties via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as color and mechanical testing. The results showed that freeze-dried samples exhibited heterogeneous, bubble-like structures containing nanocapsules (800–2000 nm), whereas for the film samples, the capsules were visibly embedded within the matrix. The study shows that this three-component system exhibits synergistic potential. Encapsulation significantly improved the UV barrier properties and the antioxidant activity of the nanocomposites, which demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity. Microbiological assays revealed that the pectin-based composites containing encapsulated propolis and sea buckthorn oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp. The composites also demonstrated hydrophobic surface characteristics and reduced crystallinity, which correlates with their potential for controlled release. These results underscore the applicability of pectin–propolis–sea buckthorn oil composites as effective natural preservatives or functional ingredients in food systems, due to their high antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy. Full article

A new insight into the synthesis of the herbal plant (White poplar, Poplus alba) leave extract using chitosan nanocapsule was studied. The in vitro antibacterial activity of chitosan white poplar nanocapsule (CWPNC) against Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) was determined. About 120 fish were categorized for 7 days into four groups. The first and second (CWPNC) groups were treated with 0 mg/L and 3 mg/L CWPNC in the water, respectively, without being challenged; the first group was a control. The third (S. agalactiae) and fourth (CWPNC + S. agalactiae) groups were treated with 0 and 3 mg/L CWPNC, respectively, and challenged with S. agalactiae (0.5 × 10⁷ CFU/mL). The obtained results revealed that CWPNC had an in vitro antibacterial activity against S. agalactiae. Moreover, S. agalactiae infection caused a significant elevation (p < 0.05) in the lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and hepatorenal biomarkers, as well as the lowest significant (p < 0.05) survival rate (33.33%). Moreover, a significant depletion (p < 0.05) in the level of antioxidants (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and the immune indicators (immunoglobulin, lysozyme activity, and complement 3) were the consequences of S. agalactiae infection. Treatment of the infected fish with 3 mg/L CWPNC alleviated these bad circumstances. Full article

Acne is a common chronic skin condition with serious physical and psychosocial consequences. In some cases, the appearance of pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads on the face, neck, and back may lead to scarring, disfiguring, depression, frustration, and anxiety in patients. Current treatments rely on antibiotics to eradicate Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), the bacterium responsible for this skin condition. However, these approaches do not scavenge the reactive oxidative species (ROS) generated during disease development and raise concerns about the increase in antimicrobial resistance. In this study, an environmentally friendly and cost-effective self-assembly nanoencapsulation technology based on zein, a bio-based hydrophobic protein, was employed to produce multifunctional essential oil (EO)-loaded nanocapsules (NCs) with superior antioxidant and bactericidal activity toward C. acnes. The NCs displayed “smart” release of the active cargo only under the conditions that were conducive to acne proliferation on skin. Once incorporated into creams, the EO-loaded NCs led to a complete inhibition of C. acnes and demonstrated the capacity to scavenge ROS, thus preventing damage to human skin cells. The in vitro permeation studies revealed that the nanoformulated EO was able to penetrate through the epidermis, indicating its potential for the treatment of skin diseases, such as acne. Full article