Search Results (1,012)

The growing accumulation of non-biodegradable petrochemical plastics and increasing food waste present urgent environmental and public health challenges. This study addresses both issues by developing biodegradable food packaging films from agar and starch, enhanced with antimicrobial properties by incorporating silver nanoparticles. The innovation of this work is the synthesis of novel agar–starch–silver nanoparticle coatings, where the contained nanoparticles were produced via green methods using two agro-industrial by-products of Greek olive oil production—olive stone extract and olive mill wastewater—as reducing agents. The morphology of the novel coatings was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, revealing nanoscale particles with variable sizes. Additional film characterization was performed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and surface profilometry. Infrared spectroscopy analysis suggested the presence of functional groups responsible for nanoparticle stabilization, while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed silver aggregation in both olive stone extract and olive mill wastewater-derived films. Profilometry showed that films with olive mill wastewater-based nanoparticles had a rougher surface than those synthesized from olive stone extract. Antibacterial efficacy was tested against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive) using a spot-on-film assay with high (10⁶ CFU/film) and low (10³ CFU/film) bacterial loads. After 72 h of incubation at 4 °C, both film types showed strong antibacterial activity at high bacterial concentrations, demonstrating their potential for active food packaging. These findings highlight a promising approach to sustainable food packaging within the circular economy, utilizing agricultural waste to create biodegradable materials with effective antimicrobial functionality. Full article

This study valorizes onion peel, an agro-industrial by-product rich in phenolic compounds and structural carbohydrates, for the development of cassava starch-based biodegradable films. The films were prepared using the solution casting method; a cassava starch matrix was mixed with a 2.5% glycerol solution and heated to 85 °C for 30 min. A separate solution of onion peel powder (OPP) in distilled water was prepared at 25 °C. The two solutions were then combined and stirred for an additional 2 min before 25 mL of the final mixture was cast to form the films. Onion peel powder (OPP) incorporation produced darker and more opaque films, suitable for packaging light-sensitive foods. Film thickness increased with OPP content (0.138–0.218 mm), while moisture content (19.2–32.6%) and solubility (24.0–25.2%) decreased. Conversely, water vapor permeability (WVP) significantly increased (1.69 × 10⁻⁹–2.77 × 10⁻⁹ g·m⁻¹·s⁻¹·Pa⁻¹; p < 0.0001), reflecting the hydrophilic nature of OPP. Thermal analysis (TGA/DSC) indicated stability up to 245 °C, supporting applications as food coatings. Morphological analysis (SEM) revealed OPP microparticles embedded in the starch matrix, with FTIR and XRD suggesting electrostatic and hydrogen–bond interactions. Mechanically, tensile strength improved (up to 2.71 MPa) while elongation decreased (14.1%), indicating stronger but less flexible films. Biodegradability assays showed slightly reduced degradation (29.0–31.8%) compared with the control (38.4%), likely due to antimicrobial phenolics inhibiting soil microbiota. Overall, OPP and cassava starch represent low-cost, abundant raw materials for the formulation of functional biopolymer films with potential in sustainable food packaging. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, particularly in surgical site infections (SSIs), where multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens complicate treatment. Objective: This study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistance genes and assess their prevalence in bacterial species causing SSIs in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: The present research is a multicenter and prospective study that included patients who developed SSIs after surgery in seven hospitals, within the period of January 2024–September 2024. Bacterial isolates from wound swabs or tissue samples were identified using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion, and resistance genes were detected by PCR. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Among 6933 surgical patients, 63 developed SSIs (0.91%; 95% CI [0.70–1.15]). Gram-negative bacteria predominated (73%), mainly Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while Gram-positive isolates accounted for 27%, mostly Staphylococcus aureus. MDR was observed in 71% of Gram-positive and 61% of Gram-negative isolates. The most frequent genes were mecA in S. aureus (100%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (83.3%); bla_CTX-M in E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae (100%); and bla_NDM in E. cloacae (100%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (60%). bla_KPC was less common, and no isolates carried Imipenemase (IMP), Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM), and Oxacillinase-48-like β-lactamase (OXA-48). Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in agents causing SSIs in Lebanese hospitals. Resistance genes, particularly mecA, bla_CTX-M, and blaNDM, were highly prevalent in SSI pathogens, underscoring the urgent need for surveillance and judicious antibiotic use in Lebanese hospitals. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health issue. Like other low- and middle-income countries, the misuse of antimicrobial medicine, including widespread self-medication, exacerbates AMR in Bangladesh. Making future generations aware of AMR through educational interventions is an effective tool in combating AMR. This research focuses on understanding the effects of AMR awareness interventions on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the schoolchildren in the selected district of Bangladesh. Methods: In this study, 241 students of the 12- to 16-year-old age group participated in a two-day program. The programs include four hours of activities, including reading comics and coloring books, presentations, quizzes, and watching an animation about AMR on the first day, followed by an art competition on the second day. To assess changes in knowledge earlier and after the intervention, pre- and post-tests were conducted. Results: This pilot study demonstrates that using age-appropriate interactive educational tools can significantly improve students’ knowledge about AMR, showing a mean difference of 1.28 (p < 0.001). The regulatory step of the Directorate General of Drug Administration, incorporating red identification marks on antibiotic packaging, makes it easier and shows that 93.36% of students could identify antibiotics, which helps them to be aware of these types of medicines. Interventions were equally effective for boys and girls and science and commerce students, and these helped participants recognize the inappropriate practices of antibiotic use in their daily lives. Conclusions: This study identified the importance of incorporating AMR issues into the educational curriculum to address AMR for future generations. Full article

The development of sustainable, active food packaging materials is essential for reducing plastic waste and improving food preservation. This study investigated the fabrication and characterization of bio-based films composed of sodium alginate (Na-alginate), bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), and grape seed extract (GSE) as a natural antioxidant. Films were prepared via casting solutions with 2% Na-alginate, 1% and 2% of BNC, glycerol as a plasticizer, and varying GSE concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w). The films’ physicochemical properties, including thickness, mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), were evaluated. To assess practical applicability, blueberries were packaged in these films and stored at 4 °C for four weeks, with spoilage, weight loss, and visual quality monitored. The results demonstrated that GSE significantly enhanced the films’ antioxidant capacity, with 1% GSE achieving an optimal balance between mechanical integrity and bioactivity. Blueberries packaged in GSE-enriched films exhibited lower spoilage, reduced weight loss, and maintained better visual appearance compared to controls. These findings suggest that Na-alginate/BNC/GSE films possess potential as biodegradable active packaging materials for extending the shelf life of perishable fruits. Full article

Chitosan films are promising for food packaging but are limited by poor solubility, weak mechanical strength, and insufficient functional properties. Most conventional chitosan is derived from crustacean shells, with limited exploration of alternative biosources. To overcome these drawbacks, this study utilized silkworm pupae chitosan as a substrate and graft-modified it with gallic acid (GA-g-CS) to develop functional composite films for blueberry preservation. The results showed that the synthesized GA-g-CS exhibited a grafting efficiency of 83.8%. Compared to chitosan films, the GA-g-CS composite films showed enhanced physical properties, mechanical properties, UV-blocking capacity, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity. Water solubility increased by 21%, and water vapor permeability was reduced by approximately 91%. In blueberry preservation trials, GA-g-CS composite films reduced weight loss by 12%, decreased decay incidence by 30%, and better maintained firmness and nutritional content. This study modified silkworm pupae-derived chitosan to overcome the inherent limitations of native chitosan. The resulting GA-g-CS film represents a high-performance active packaging material with significant potential. The resulting GA-g-CS film represents a high-performance active packaging material with potential for preserving perishable foods prone to oxidation and spoilage. Full article

This study investigates the potential of acetylated xylan as a functional component in coatings for biodegradable paper-based food packaging. Acetylated xylan was synthesized in the laboratory via the reaction of native beechwood xylan with acetic anhydride. Multilayer coatings composed of acetylated xylan, chitosan, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were applied to paper substrates as single and double layers (approximately 5 g/m²) to enhance their barrier and antimicrobial properties. The coated papers were evaluated for mechanical properties, resistance to water, oil, and grease, antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, and biodegradability in soil. The combination of xylan derivatives with chitosan significantly improved surface hydrophobicity (contact angle ~87°) and achieved complete inhibition (100%) of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp., without compromising biodegradability. Incorporation of ZnO NPs further enhanced both the barrier properties and antimicrobial efficacy, particularly against S. aureus. A high biodegradation rate (~92%) was recorded after 42 days of soil burial. These results demonstrate the suitability of xylan-based multilayer coatings as sustainable alternatives for food packaging applications. Full article

In this study, multilayer biopolymer films composed of furcellaran, chitosan, and gelatin were incorporated with aqueous extracts of Lavandula angustifolia and Clitoria ternatea. These materials were engineered as sustainable, biodegradable substrates suitable for screen-printing applications. The primary objective was to enhance the films’ functional properties, including their mechanical integrity, barrier performance, and printability, thereby broadening their potential utility in environmentally responsible technological applications. FTIR and UV–Vis analyses confirmed the presence of functional groups associated with the contained plant extracts and showed significantly improved UV-blocking properties. Thermal and mechanical tests showed that the films maintained good structural integrity, and only high extract concentrations slightly affected tensile strength. Importantly, the materials exhibited gradual but limited thermal shrinkage (<3.7%) up to 130 °C, while maintaining their multilayer structure. Water-related evaluations, including WCA, solubility, pH, and conductivity, confirmed their biodegradability in aqueous environments without exceeding ecotoxicological thresholds. Microbiological tests demonstrated selective antimicrobial activity. The key novelty of this work is the evaluation of these active multilayer biopolymer films as screen-printing substrates. This is the first report in which screen-printing compatibility with active multilayer biopolymer systems is presented, highlighting their potential in sustainable packaging that integrates biodegradable matrices with printed sensor layers. Full article

Edible coatings and films are gaining the attention of researchers, consumers, and the food industry as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging. This review provides an overview of recent advances in their development, with a particular focus on new natural sources of biomaterials (e.g., proteins and polysaccharides) and natural additives (antioxidants and antimicrobials). Special attention is given to high-technology preparation methods, including electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA), as well as controlled release systems for bioactive compounds designed to preserve foodstuffs and extended their shelf life. The application of edible coatings as carriers of nutrients (vitamins) and bioactives (probiotics and polyphenols) to improve the nutritional value and support the development of functional foods is also discussed. In addition, this review addresses safety considerations and regulatory aspects that are crucial for commercialization and consumer acceptance. Finally, key challenges are highlighted, including the improvement of mechanical and barrier properties, scalability of innovative technologies, consumer education, regulatory support, and the integration of circular economy principles, to encourage the adoption of these sustainable solutions. Full article

This work aims to develop bio-based and biodegradable materials for active food packaging purposes by comparing the properties of avocado seed flour (ASF) and avocado extracted starch (AES). A 36.4% dry basis yield is obtained for the extracted AES from ASF. ASF presents a higher crystallinity, and SEM images show a mixture of starch granules and other materials, whereas AES presents lower ash, protein, and lipid content relative to ASF. To make a comparison between the two, ASF or AES are mixed with glycerol at different concentrations, then twin-screw extruded and injection-molded to develop thermoplastic starch-based materials. The morphological, mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and disintegrability properties are evaluated to compare their different compositions. ASF-based films exhibit better barrier properties and a 134% higher intrinsic antioxidant capacity. Conversely, the homogenous nature of AES-based materials results in better interactions with the plasticizer, allowing a wide range of mechanical properties. Moreover, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was incorporated into the preferred compositions of both ASF and AES to improve antimicrobial properties. Adding a 5% concentration of CEO to samples was sufficient to completely inhibit the growth of P. expansum. These results support waste valorization for developing active packaging materials with high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties without competing for resources with the food industry. Full article

Apple by-products represent a valuable source of phenolic compounds with significant antimicrobial potential, aligning with sustainable strategies for waste valorisation within the circular bioeconomy. This review focuses on the phenolic profile and antimicrobial relevance of ‘Maçã de Alcobaça,’ a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) apple variety from Portugal. The main phenolics identified include phloridzin, phloretin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin glycosides, catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins, which exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-positive pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. Their structure–activity relationships and mechanisms of action, namely membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, oxidative stress induction, and quorum sensing interference, are discussed. Different extraction methods and solvents influence phenolic yield and bioactivity, with ethyl acetate and hydromethanolic extracts generally showing stronger effects. Studies reveal the potential of phenolics to interact synergistically with antibiotics and the promising applications in food preservation, medical formulations, and antimicrobial packaging. Overall, apple-derived phenolics, particularly those derived from industrial by-products, have significant potential as natural antimicrobial agents. Further exploration of these phenolics in the context of One Health and antimicrobial resistance mitigation is recommended. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerated by inappropriate antibiotic use in community settings. While most EU countries have achieved a statistically significant reduction in antibiotic consumption, Bulgaria has shown the opposite trend. The aim of this study is to investigate the implementation of mandatory electronic prescriptions (e-Rx) for antibiotics in Bulgarian primary care and to analyse community-level sales trends (2022–Q1 2025) in the context of related policy changes. Methods: The study applied a content analysis approach to publicly available policy documents and antibiotic sales and prescription data (IQVIA Bulgaria, NHIS). Participatory approaches facilitated the contextual interpretation of the data. The Health Policy Triangle framework guided the analysis of e-Rx implementation across four dimensions: content, context, process, and key actors involved in the e-Rx policy rollout. Trends in sales were assessed before and after the policy’s full enforcement in April 2024. Results: Sales data from IQVIA Bulgaria show a steady ≈10% decline in outpatient antibiotic sales from 2022 to 2024, with over 1.1 million fewer packages dispensed. Although the estimated annual and quarterly declines in community sales did not reach statistical significance in the short term, the consistent downward trajectory remains noteworthy. Conclusions: Mandatory e-Rx has shown early potential as a policy instrument to reduce antibiotic overuse in Bulgaria. It is expected to contribute to the reduction in AMR and to support the implementation of integrated national One Health policies. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered significant attention due to their potent antimicrobial properties and broad-spectrum efficacy against pathogens. Recent advances in polymer science have enabled the development of AgNPs-integrated hydrogels and membranes, offering multifunctional platforms for biomedical and food-related applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent strategies for synthesizing and incorporating AgNPs into polymeric matrices, highlighting both natural and synthetic polymers as carriers. The structural and functional properties of these nanocomposite systems, such as biocompatibility, mechanical stability, controlled silver ion release, and antimicrobial activity, are critically examined. The focus is placed on their application in wound healing, drug delivery, food packaging, and preservation technologies. Challenges such as cytotoxicity, long-term stability, and regulatory concerns are discussed alongside emerging trends and safety paradigms. This work underscores the potential of AgNPs–polymer hybrids as next-generation materials and outlines future directions for their sustainable and targeted application in biomedical and food systems. Full article

Food packaging systems play a critical role in reducing resource wastage, extending shelf-life, and enhancing supply chain sustainability. Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as promising nanofillers for sustainable active and smart packaging due to their exceptional optical properties, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity. This review synthesizes recent advances in CD-based food packaging technologies, focusing on their multifunctional applications and performance enhancements. We systematically analyze how CDs improve packaging materials’ mechanical strength, gas barrier properties, and functional performance (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and smart sensing capabilities). Current research demonstrates CDs’ ability to enable intelligent functions such as pH responsiveness and freshness monitoring while maintaining excellent biocompatibility. However, challenges remain in scaling up production, long-term toxicological evaluation, and matrix compatibility. Future research directions should address these limitations while exploring the full potential of CD-based multifunctional films as sustainable alternatives for next-generation food packaging systems. Full article

The palo prieto (Lysiloma divaricata) is a tree with grayish bark and pinnate leaves that is native to Mexico. This tree can reach heights close to 15 m and is a source of phytochemical compounds, including polyphenols. The optimized extraction method is important for preserving phytochemical compounds, particularly gallic acid. In general, solid-liquid extraction methods are the most commonly used methods for obtaining phytochemical compounds from Lysiloma divaricata. Herein, we report the results of a complex experimental design in which different parts of the plant (leaf, stem, and fruit) were used to investigate their antioxidant activities and gallic acid contents. In this design, we included variations in the type of solvent, time, and temperature. This method yields an extract rich in phytochemical components that may exhibit significant antioxidant activity, making it suitable for isolating natural antioxidant compounds. For these compounds, bromatological analysis, quantification of phenolic content, and identification and quantification of phytochemical compounds via UPLC-MS/MS identified 27 compounds, with gallic epicatechin, catechin, kaemferol-3-glucoside, procyanidin B1, and gallic acid as the major compounds. For the quantification of gallic acid by HPLC, the highest concentration of gallic acid was detected in the water-leaf-40 °C-90 min fraction. In addition, antioxidant activity via 1,1-diphenyl-1,2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was studied, and color measurements were performed. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the fruit samples was evaluated via the DPPH method with an ethanol/water ratio of 30:70 % v/v at 60 °C for 60 min, which resulted in the highest percentage of inhibition. There was no significant difference in the antioxidant activity when ABTS was used between the samples. For the antioxidant activity determined via FRAP, the leaf sample exhibited the most significant activity when ethanol was used as the solvent at 50 °C for 90 min, with a value of 195,861 ± 44.20 µM eq Trolox/g DM. The phenol compounds of Lysiloma divaricata are promising sources of natural antimicrobials and antioxidants for potential applications in food packaging. Full article