The specific antibacterial activity of liposome-encapsulated Clove oil and its application in tofu

Salicylic acid nanoliposomes treatment alleviates chilling injury in postharvest baby ginger by regulating membrane lipid metabolism

In this study, salicylic acid nanoliposomes (SA@NLs) were used to alleviate chilling injury (CI) in baby ginger by modulating membrane lipid metabolism. SA@NLs were prepared using thin-film hydration method, and characterized in term of morphology, particle size, and stability. The results showed that SA@NLs were nanosized vesicles with an average particle size of 129 nm, demonstrating favorable dispersibility and encapsulation efficiency. SA@NLs treatment effectively maintained the quality index of baby ginger. The SA@NLs-treated group showed lower levels of phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine compared to the SA-treated and control groups, indicating the mitigation of the degradation of phospholipids. Meanwhile, SA@NLs treatment exhibited higher unsaturated fatty acid content and the unsaturation index of fatty acids (IUFA) reached 68.96 % at the end of storage, which enhanced cell membrane fluidity and chilling tolerance. These results demonstrated that SA@NLs had potential applications in controlling CI in baby ginger and other cold-sensitive fruits and vegetables.

Bionic cell wall models: Utilizing TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers for fucoxanthin delivery systems

Fucoxanthin (FX) has various excellent biological properties but suffers from poor bioavailability. In this work, we build a bionic cell wall model using TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy)-oxidized cellulose. The bionic cell wall enhances the environmental stability of the liposomes and serves as a pH-responsive mechanism. The coating processes protect the structure of liposomes and fucoxanthin under the acidic conditions of the stomach. The bionic cell wall disperses and releases the fucoxanthin in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Overall, the protective and release capabilities highlight the potential of cellulose in a bionic cell wall model and provide diversity for the structural design of carriers for delivering functional bioactive components.

Risk assessment and monitoring of tranquilizers in live seafood: Analysis of natural essential oil and 2-phenoxyethanol by GC-MS/MS

An analytical method for nine tranquilizer compounds, including eight major natural oil components and 2-phenoxyethanol, was developed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and validated under CODEX and National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation guidelines. Subsequently, 315 live seafood samples under Korean preference for sashimi (eight species) were monitored with sales distribution channels and place of origin. A total of 76 detection cases in 65 seafood samples contained the target tranquilizer compounds at concentrations ranging from 2.0 to 40.6 ng/g ww. Among the analytes, methyl salicylate and isoeugenol were mainly detected. The sales distribution and place of origin were similar, but predatory fish species appear to contain more tranquilizer compounds. Methyl salicylate and isoeugenol, the most commonly detected tranquilizers in seafood, were evaluated for their safety in Korean seafood by calculating their estimated daily intake (EDI) values, which were found to be safe for consumption.

Nanoliposomal system for augmented antibacterial and antiproliferative efficacy of Melissa officinalis L. extract

Objective

This study focused on the nanoliposomal encapsulation of bioactive compounds extracted from Melissa officinalis L. (ME) using ethanol as a strategy to improve the antibacterial activity, anticytotoxic, and antiproliferative properties.

Methods

Nanoliposomes loaded with ME (MEL) were characterized for total phenolic content, particle size, polydispersity, and encapsulation efficiency. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for MEL and ME were determined to evaluate antibacterial activity. To examine the toxicity profiles of ME and MEL, tests were conducted on the A549 and BEAS-2B cell lines using the MTT assay. Furthermore, an in vitro sctrach assay was conducted to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of ME and MEL on A549 cells.

Results

Nanoliposomes presented entrapment efficiency higher than 80%, nanometric particle size, and narrow polydispersity. The MIC values for MEL and ME were observed as 93.75 μg/μL against E. coli. MIC values for MEL and ME were achieved as 4.68 μg/μL and 9.375 μg/mL against S. aureus, respectively. The IC50 values for ME were determined to be 1.13 mg/mL and 0.806 mg/mL, while the IC50 values for MEL were found to be 3.5 mg/mL and 0.868 mg/mL on A549 and BEAS-2B cell lines, respectively. Additionally, The MEL showed an antiproliferative effect against A549 cells at 500 μg/mL concentration.

Conclusion

All experimental findings unequivocally demonstrate that the novel nanoliposomal system has effectively augmented the antibacterial activities and antiproliferative effects of ME. The initial findings indicate that nanoliposomes could effectively serve as carriers for ME in pharmaceutical applications.

Microencapsulation of Essential Oils and Oleoresins: Applications in Food Products

Essential oils (EOs) and oleoresins (ORs) are plant-derived extracts that contain both volatile and non-volatile compounds used for flavoring, coloring, and preservation. In the food industry, they are increasingly used to replace synthetic additives, aligning with consumer demand for natural ingredients, by substituting artificial flavors, colorants, and preservatives. Microcapsules can be added to a vast range of foods and beverages, including bakery products, candies, meat products, and sauces, as well as active food packages. However, incorporating EOs and ORs into foods and beverages can be difficult due to their hydrophobic nature and poor stability when exposed to light, oxygen, moisture, and temperature. Microencapsulation techniques address these challenges by enhancing their stability during storage, protecting sensitive molecules from reacting in the food matrix, providing controlled release of the core ingredient, and improving dispersion in the medium. There is a lack of articles that research, develop, and optimize formulations of microencapsulated EOs and ORs to be incorporated into food products. Microencapsulated ORs are overlooked by the food industry, whilst presenting great potential as natural and more stable alternatives to synthetic flavors, colorants, and preservatives than the pure extract. This review explores the more common microencapsulation methods of EOs and ORs employed in the food industry, with spray drying being the most widely used at an industrial scale. New emerging techniques are explored, with a special focus on spray drying-based technologies. Categories of wall materials and encapsulated ingredients are presented, and their applications in the food and beverage industry are listed.

Advancing therapeutic efficacy: nanovesicular delivery systems for medicinal plant-based therapeutics

The utilization of medicinal plant extracts in therapeutics has been hindered by various challenges, including poor bioavailability and stability issues. Nanovesicular delivery systems have emerged as promising tools to overcome these limitations by enhancing the solubility, bioavailability, and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. This review explores the applications of nanovesicular delivery systems in antibacterial and anticancer therapeutics using medicinal plant extracts. We provide an overview of the bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants and their therapeutic properties, emphasizing the challenges associated with their utilization. Various types of nanovesicular delivery systems, including liposomes, niosomes, ethosomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles, among others, are discussed in detail, along with their potential applications in combating bacterial infections and cancer. The review highlights specific examples of antibacterial and anticancer activities demonstrated by these delivery systems against a range of pathogens and cancer types. Furthermore, we address the challenges and limitations associated with the scale-up, stability, toxicity, and regulatory considerations of nanovesicular delivery systems. Finally, future perspectives are outlined, focusing on emerging technologies, integration with personalized medicine, and potential collaborations to drive forward research in this field. Overall, this review underscores the potential of nanovesicular delivery systems for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plant extracts in antibacterial and anticancer applications, while identifying avenues for further research and development.

Liposomes delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition

Natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other biological activities are vital for maintaining the body's physiological functions and enhancing immunity. These compounds have great potential as nutritional therapeutic agents, but they can be limited due to their poor flavor, color, unstable nature, and poor water solubility, and degradation by gastrointestinal enzymes. Liposomes, as ideal carriers, can encapsulate both water-soluble and fat-soluble nutrients, enhance the bioavailability of functional substances, promote the biological activity of functional substances, and control the release of nutrients. Despite their potential, liposomes still face obstacles in nutrient delivery. Therefore, the design of liposomes for special needs, optimization of the liposome preparation process, enhancement of liposome encapsulation efficiency, and industrial production are key issues that must be addressed in order to develop food-grade liposomes. Moreover, the research on surface-targeted modification and surface functionalization of liposomes is valuable for expanding the scope of application of liposomes and achieving the release of functional substances from liposomes at the appropriate time and site. The establishment of in vivo and in vitro digestion models of nutrient-loaded liposomes, in-depth study of gastrointestinal digestive behavior after liposome ingestion, targeted nutrient release, and deciphering the nutritional intervention of human diseases and positive health promotion are promising fields with broad development prospects.

Comparative study of a liposome and emulsion system with cinnamon essential oil on the quality and proteolysis of refrigerated minced pork

Essential oils have been recognized for their strong antibacterial property, making them an innovative approach for preserving meat. However, their chemical instability and direct impact on meat proteins limit their application. To overcome these limitations, various loading systems have been explored. This study aimed to compare the effect of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) loaded in a liposome and emulsion system on the proteolysis of minced pork and to evaluate the advantages of each delivery system in preventing microorganism-induced quality deterioration of meat. Minced pork treated with CEO-liposomes exhibited lower pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable count (TVC) values than CEO-emulsions and provided better protection against microorganisms. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis confirmed that CEO-liposome was more effective in protecting proteins from degradation. Moreover, CEO-liposome produced lower amount of bitter amino acids and harmful biogenic amines. Antibacterial mechanisms indicated that CEO-liposome exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect against major spoilage bacteria in meat products by increasing cell membrane permeability. The membrane damage was further supported by an increase in conductivity and the leakage of nucleic acids. Compared to the CEO-emulsion system, CEO-liposome emerged as an effective preservative for minced pork. These results provided important theoretical support for using a bioactive compound delivery system to prevent microorganism-induced quality deterioration in meat.

Clove Essential Oil: Chemical Profile, Biological Activities, Encapsulation Strategies, and Food Applications

Plants have proven to be important sources for discovering new compounds that are useful in the treatment of various diseases due to their phytoconstituents. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), an aromatic plant widely cultivated around the world, has been traditionally used for food preservation and medicinal purposes. In particular, clove essential oil (CEO) has attracted attention for containing various bioactive compounds, such as phenolics (eugenol and eugenol acetate), terpenes (β-caryophyllene and α-humulene), and hydrocarbons. These constituents have found applications in cosmetics, food, and medicine industries due to their bioactivity. Pharmacologically, CEO has been tested against a variety of parasites and pathogenic microorganisms, demonstrating antibacterial and antifungal properties. Additionally, many studies have also demonstrated the analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory effects of this essential oil. However, CEO could degrade for different reasons, impacting its quality and bioactivity. To address this challenge, encapsulation is viewed as a promising strategy that could prolong the shelf life of CEO, improving its physicochemical stability and application in various areas. This review examines the phytochemical composition and biological activities of CEO and its constituents, as well as extraction methods to obtain it. Moreover, encapsulation strategies for CEO and numerous applications in different food fields are also highlighted.

p-Coumaric acid-loaded nanoliposomes: Optimization, characterization, antimicrobial properties and preservation effects on fresh pod pepper fruit

Novel p-coumaric acid (pCA)-loaded nanoliposomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method, assisted with ultrasonic treatment, and optimized by the response surface methodology. The characterization showed that the fabricated pCA-loaded liposomes were nanosized spherical vesicles (83.55 ± 0.34 nm), exhibiting favorable dispersibility and encapsulation efficiency (55.70 ± 0.10 %). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that pCA was encapsulated into phospholipid bilayer through hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding. Tests of temperature stability and centrifugal stability suggested that pCA-loaded nanoliposomes were less sensitive to aggregation and fusion during storage. Incubation experiments revealed that pCA-loaded nanoliposomes had a good inhibitory effect on the expansion of disease area on fresh pod pepper fruit caused by Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, pCA-loaded nanoliposomes effectively extended shelf life of fresh pod peppers by reducing weight loss and naturally-infected decays. The findings presented a viable strategy for designing liposomal encapsulation technology to efficiently enhance antimicrobial activity of pCA in food preservation.

Foeniculum vulgare essential oil nanoemulsion inhibits Fusarium oxysporum causing Panax notoginseng root-rot disease

Background

Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) is the primary pathogenic fungus that causes Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) root rot disease. To control the disease, safe and efficient antifungal pesticides must currently be developed.

Methods

In this study, we prepared and characterized a nanoemulsion of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (Ne-FvEO) using ultrasonic technology and evaluated its stability. Traditional Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (T-FvEO) was prepared simultaneously with 1/1000 Tween-80 and 20/1000 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The effects and inhibitory mechanism of Ne-FvEO and T-FvEO in F. oxysporum were investigated through combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses.

Results

Results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Ne-FvEO decreased from 3.65 mg/mL to 0.35 mg/mL, and its bioavailability increased by 10-fold. The results of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed that T-FvEO did not contain a high content of estragole compared to Foeniculum vulgare essential oil (FvEO) and Ne-FvEO. Combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis showed that both emulsions inhibited the growth and development of F. oxysporum through the synthesis of the cell wall and cell membrane, energy metabolism, and genetic information of F. oxysporum mycelium. Ne-FvEO also inhibited the expression of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase and reduced the content of 2-oxoglutarate, which inhibited the germination of spores.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that Ne-FvEO effectively inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum in P. notoginseng in vivo. The findings contribute to our comprehension of the antifungal mechanism of essential oils (EOs) and lay the groundwork for the creation of plant-derived antifungal medicines.

Effect of beta glucan coating on controlled release, bioaccessibility, and absorption of β-carotene from loaded liposomes

Recently, the use of biopolymers as coating material to stabilise phospholipid-based nanocarriers has increased. One such class of biopolymers is the dietary fibre beta-glucan (βG). In this study, we developed and characterized beta-carotene (βC) loaded βG coated nanoliposomes (GNLs) to investigate the effect of βG coating on the stability, controlled release, bioaccessibility, diffusion and subsequent absorption of the lipophilic active agent. The size, charge (Z-potential), and FTIR spectra were measured to determine the physicochemical stability of GNLs. βG coating reduced the bioaccessibility, provided prolonged release and improved the antioxidant activity of the nanoliposomes. Multiple particle tracking (MPT) data suggested that βC-GNLs were less diffusive in porcine intestinal mucus (PIM). Additionally, the microviscosity of the PIM treated with GNLs was observed to be higher (0.04744 ± 0.00865 Pa s) than the PIM incubated with uncoated NLs (0.015 ± 0.0004 Pa s). An Ex vivo experiment was performed on mouse jejunum to measure the absorption of beta-carotene from coated (βC-GNLs) and uncoated nanoliposomes (βC-NLs). Data showed that after 2 hours, 27.7 ± 1.3 ng mL-1 of βC encapsulated in GNLs and 61.54 ± 3 ng mL-1 of the βC encapsulated in uncoated NLs was absorbed by mouse intestinal mucosa. These results highlight that coating with βG stabilise NLs during gastrointestinal digestion and provides more sustained release of βC from nanoliposomes.

Progress of nanopreparation technology applied to volatile oil drug delivery systems

Traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil has a long history and possesses extensive pharmacological activity. However, volatile oils have characteristics such as strong volatility, poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and poor targeting, which limit their application. The use of volatile oil nano drug delivery systems can effectively improve the drawbacks of volatile oils, enhance their bioavailability and chemical stability, and reduce their volatility and toxicity. This article first introduces the limitations of the components of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils, discusses the main classifications and latest developments of volatile oil nano formulations, and briefly describes the preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oil nano formulations. Secondly, the limitations of nano formulation technology are discussed, along with future challenges and prospects. A deeper understanding of the role of nanotechnology in traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils will contribute to the modernization of volatile oils and broaden their application value.

Enhancement of liposomal properties of thyme essential oil using lysozyme modification: Physicochemical, storage, and antibacterial properties

Thyme essential oil (TEO) is a natural food antimicrobial agent derived of spice, but suffers from volatility and poor water solubility, which problem can be effectively solved by the encapsulation of liposomes. On this basis, a safe and common natural antibacterial protein, LYZ was used to modify the TEO liposomes (TEO-lips) for gaining better properties. 2.5 mg/mL TEO and 0.05 % LYZ/S100 mass ratio were the best formula for the preparation of LYZ-TEO-lips. After LYZ modification, the particle size and PDI increased, and the zeta potential decreased slightly. The modification of LYZ not only improves the thermal stability of TEO-Lips, weakens the influence of acid and salt ions on liposomes, but also improves the antibacterial properties of TEO-Lips. In brief, LYZ has the potential to improve the overall properties of liposomes and can provide a reference for the development of antimicrobial liposomes.

Fabrication, characterization and antimicrobial activity of chitosan/tragacanth gum/polyvinyl alcohol composite films incorporated with cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsion

The aim of this investigation was to prepare and characterize active composite films made of chitosan (CS), tragacanth gum (TG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and loaded with different concentrations of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) nanoemulsion (CEO, 2 and 4 % v/v). For this purpose, the amount of CS was fixed and the ratio of TG to PVA (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40) was considered variable. The physical (thickness and opacity), mechanical, antibacterial and water-resistance properties of the composite films were evaluated. According to the microbial tests, the optimal sample was determined and evaluated with several analytical instruments. CEO loading increased the thickness and EAB of composite films, while decreasing light transmission, tensile strength, and water vapor permeability. All the films containing CEO nanoemulsion had antimicrobial properties, but this activity was higher against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) than Gram-negative types (Escherichia coli (O157:H7) and Salmonella typhimurium). According to the results of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the interaction between the components of the composite film was confirmed. It can be concluded that the CEO nanoemulsion can be incorporated in CS/TG/PVA composite films and successfully used as active and environmentally friendly packaging.

Designing Nanoliposome-in-Natural Hydrogel Hybrid System for Controllable Release of Essential Oil in Gastrointestinal Tract: A Novel Vehicle

In this study, thyme essential oil (essential oil to total lipid: 14.23, 20, 25, and 33.33%)-burdened nanoliposomes with/without maltodextrin solution were infused with natural hydrogels fabricated using equal volumes (1:1, v/v) of pea protein (30%) and gum Arabic (1.5%) solutions. The production process of the solutions infused with gels was verified using FTIR spectroscopy. In comparison to the nanoliposome solution (NL₁) containing soybean lecithin and essential oil, the addition of maltodextrin (molar ratio of lecithin to maltodextrin: 0.80, 0.40, and 0.20 for NL₂, NL₃, and NL₄, respectively) to these solutions led to a remarkable shift in particle size (487.10-664.40 nm), negative zeta potential (23.50-38.30 mV), and encapsulation efficiency (56.25-67.62%) values. Distortions in the three-dimensional structure of the hydrogel (H2) constructed in the presence of free (uncoated) essential oil were obvious in the photographs when compared to the control (H1) consisting of a pea protein-gum Arabic matrix. Additionally, the incorporation of NL₁ caused visible deformations in the gel (HNL₁). Porous surfaces were dominant in H1 and the hydrogels (HNL₂, HNL₃, and HNL₄) containing NL₂, NL₃, and NL₄ in the SEM images. The most convenient values for functional behaviors were found in H1 and HNL₄, followed by HNL₃, HNL₂, HNL₁, and H2. This hierarchical order was also valid for mechanical properties. The prominent hydrogels in terms of essential oil delivery throughout the simulated gastrointestinal tract were HNL₂, HNL₃, and HNL₄. To sum up, findings showed the necessity of mediators such as maltodextrin in the establishment of such systems.

Cinnamon Oil-Loaded Nanoliposomes with Potent Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities

Despite recent scientific advances, the global load of bacterial disease remains high and has been established against a backdrop of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, there is a pressing need for highly effective and natural antibacterial agents. In the present work, the antibiofilm effect provided by essential oils was evaluated. Of these, cinnamon oil extract showed potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus at an MBEC of 75.0 µg/mL. It was revealed that benzyl alcohol, 2-propenal-3-phenyl, hexadecenoic acid, and oleic acid were the major components of the tested cinnamon oil extract. In addition, the interaction between the cinnamon oil and colistin showed a synergistic effect against S. aureus. Cinnamon oil that had been combined with colistin was encapsulated by liposomes to enhance the essential oil's chemical stability, demonstrating a particle size of 91.67 nm, a PDI of 0.143, a zeta potential of -0.129 mV, and an MBEC of 50.0 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the morphological changes in the Staphylococcus aureus biofilm that was treated with the encapsulated cinnamon oil extract/colistin. As a natural and safe option, cinnamon oil exhibited satisfactory antibacterial and antibiofilm performance. The application of liposomes further improved the stability of the antibacterial agents and extended the essential oil release profile.

Current Applications of Liposomes for the Delivery of Vitamins: A Systematic Review

Liposomes have been used for several decades for the encapsulation of drugs and bioactives in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. On the other hand, the use of these phospholipid vesicles in food applications is more recent and is increasing significantly in the last ten years. Although in different stages of technological maturity-in the case of cosmetics, many products are on the market-processes to obtain liposomes suitable for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactives are highly expensive, especially those aiming at scaling up. Among the bioactives proposed for cosmetics and food applications, vitamins are the most frequently used. Despite the differences between the administration routes (oral for food and mainly dermal for cosmetics), some challenges are very similar (e.g., stability, bioactive load, average size, increase in drug bioaccessibility and bioavailability). In the present work, a systematic review of the technological advancements in the nanoencapsulation of vitamins using liposomes and related processes was performed; challenges and future perspectives were also discussed in order to underline the advantages of these drug-loaded biocompatible nanocarriers for cosmetics and food applications.

Enhanced inactivation of Escherichia coli by ultrasound combined with peracetic acid during water disinfection

Peracetic acid (PAA) is a desirable disinfectant for municipal wastewater because of its potent disinfection performance and limited toxic by-products. This study explored the efficiency and mechanism of Escherichia coli inactivation by PAA combined with ultrasound simultaneously (ultrasound + PAA) or (ultrasound → PAA) sequentially. The result showed that 60 kHz ultrasound combined with PAA sequentially (60 kHz → PAA) had excellent inactivation performance on E. coli, up to 4.69-log₁₀. The result also showed that the increase of pH and humic acid concentration in solution significantly reduced the inactivation efficiency of 60 kHz → PAA treatment. We also observed that the increase of temperature was beneficial to the disinfection, while anions (Cl^-; HCO₃^-) had little effect. With 60 kHz → PAA, the PAA and the synergism between PAA and ultrasound played major contribution to the inactivation, which we assumed might be due to both the diffusion of PAA into the cells and the damage to the cytomembrane by ultrasound, as evidenced through the laser confocal microscopy (LSCM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The inactivation mechanism involved the destruction of cell membrane and loss of intracellular material. Empirically, 60 kHz → PAA was found to be effective for the inactivation of E. coli in actual wastewater, and the regrowth potential of E. coli treated by 60 kHz → PAA was significantly lower than that treated only by PAA.

Enrichment of Cellulose Acetate Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Retinyl Palmitate and Clove Essential Oil for Wound Healing Applications

The use of biocompatible materials and fabrication methods is of particular importance in the development of wound dressings. Cellulose acetate (CA) has excellent properties for wound dressing applications, but it is insufficient for the wound healing process due to its lack of bioactive and antibacterial properties. In this study, CA was electrospun with retinyl palmitate (RP) and clove essential oil (CLV) to fabricate a novel antibacterial and antioxidant biomaterial. The effects of RP and CLV incorporation on the surface morphology, fiber diameter, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, cell viability, and release behavior of the fabricated CA mats were investigated. In light of these studies, it was determined that the nanofiber mat, fabricated with a 15% w/v CA polymer concentration, a 1% w/w RP ratio, and a 5% w/w CLV ratio, was biocompatible with L929 fibroblast cells with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Overall, results showed that this nanofiber offers promise for use as a wound dressing.

Antimicrobial Activity of Spices Popularly Used in Mexico against Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious diseases worldwide. These infections are common in all people; however, they are more prevalent in women than in men. The main microorganism that causes 80-90% of UTIs is Escherichia coli. However, other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae cause UTIs, and antibiotics are required to treat them. However, UTI treatment can be complicated by antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Therefore, medicinal plants, such as spices generally added to foods, can be a therapeutic alternative due to the variety of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenes present in their extracts that exert antimicrobial activity. Essential oils extracted from spices have been used to demonstrate their antimicrobial efficacy against strains of pathogens isolated from UTI patients and their synergistic effect with antibiotics. This article summarizes relevant findings on the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano, pepper, and rosemary, spices popularly used in Mexico against the uropathogens responsible for UTIs.

Development of Novel Lipid-Based Formulations for Water-Soluble Vitamin C versus Fat-Soluble Vitamin D3

The aim of this study was to develop a facile and novel lipid-based formulation of vitamin C and vitamin D3. Liposomes loaded with vitamin C and D3 were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential measurements for evaluating morphology, particle size and physical stability. HPLC was employed to quantify the content of vitamin C and vitamin D3 in their liposomal forms. The UHPLC analysis of the lipid-based vitamin formulation is an easy and rapid method for the characterization as well as the quantification of all components. In addition, encapsulation efficiency, vitamin loading and stability analysis were performed by the UHPLC method, in order to evaluate the reliability of the optimized lipid-based formulation. The TEM results provided key support for the core type of liposome structure in the formulations, whereas the HPLC results indicated that the liposomal vitamin C and D3 systems were homogeneous, and did not undergo phase separation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that liposomal encapsulated vitamins (vitamin C and D3) possess a unilamellar vesicle morphology with uniform particle size, despite differences in the hydrophile-lipophile profiles of the vitamins. The highly efficient encapsulation properties of such liposomal constructs are proposed to contribute to enhanced vitamin bioavailability.

Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Nanoliposomes Loaded with Rosemary Oleoresin and Their Oxidative Stability Application in Dried Oysters

Lipid and protein oxidation is a main problem related to the preservation of dried aquatic products. Rosemary oleoresin is widely used as an antioxidant, but its application is limited due to its instability and easy degradation. Nanoliposome encapsulation is a promising and rapidly emerging technology in which antioxidants are incorporated into the liposomes to provide the food high quality, safety and long shelf life. The objectives of this study were to prepare nanoliposome coatings of rosemary oleoresin to enhance the antioxidant stability, and to evaluate their potential application in inhibiting protein and lipid oxidation in dried oysters during storage. The nanoliposomes encapsulating rosemary oleoresin were applied with a thin-film evaporation method, and the optimal amount of encapsulated rosemary oleoresin was chosen based on changes in the dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of the nanoliposomes. The Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy of rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes showed no new characteristic peaks formed after rosemary oleoresin encapsulation, and the particle size of rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes was 100-200 nm in transmission electron microscopy. The differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the nanoliposomes coated with rosemary oleoresin had better thermal stability. Rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes presented good antioxidant stability, and still maintained 48% DPPH radical-scavenging activity and 45% ABTS radical-scavenging activity after 28 d of storage, which was 3.7 times and 2.8 times higher than that of empty nanoliposomes, respectively. Compared with the control, the dried oysters coated with rosemary oleoresin nanoliposomes showed significantly lower values of carbonyl, sulfhydryl content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, Peroxide value, and 4-Hydroxynonenal contents during 28 d of storage. The results provide a theoretical basis for developing an efficient and long-term antioxidant approach.

Nano-vesicular carriers for bioactive compounds and their applications in food formulations

The most commonly used vesicular systems in the food industry include liposomes, niosomes, phytosomes, or transfersomes. This review focuses on showing how nano-vesicular carriers (NVCs) amend the properties of bioactive compounds (bioactives), making them suitable for food applications, especially functional foods. In this research, we elaborate on the question of whether bioactive-loaded NVCs affect various food aspects such as their antioxidant capacity, or sensory properties. This review also shows how NVCs improve the long-term release profile of bioactives during storage and at different pH values. Besides, the refinement of digestibility and bioaccessibility of diverse bioactives through NVCs in the gastrointestinal tract is elucidated. NVCs allow for stable vesicle formation (e.g. from anthocyanins) which reduces their cytotoxicity and proliferation of cancer cells, prolongs the release bioactives (e.g. d-limonene) with no critical burst, reduces the biofilm formation capacity of both Gram-positive/negative strains and their biofilm gene expression is down-regulated (in the case of tannic acid), low oxidation (e.g. iron) is endured when exposed to simulated gastric fluid, and unpleasant smell and taste are masked (in case of omega-3 fatty acids). After the incorporation of bioactive-loaded NVCs into food products, their antioxidant capacity is enhanced, maintaining high encapsulation efficiency and enduring pasteurization conditions, and they are not distinguished from control samples in sensory evaluation despite the reverse situation about free bioactives.

Liposome System for Encapsulation of Spirulina platensis Protein Hydrolysates: Controlled-Release in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions, Structural and Functional Properties

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, structural, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of chitosan-coated (0.5 and 1% CH) nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed protein of Spirulina platensis and its stability in simulated gastric and intestine fluids. The chitosan coating of nanoliposomes containing Spirulina platensis hydrolyzed proteins increased their size and zeta potential. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) test showed an effective interaction between the hydrolyzed protein, the nanoliposome, and the chitosan coating. Increasing the concentration of hydrolyzed protein and the percentage of chitosan coating neutralized the decreasing effect of microencapsulation on the antioxidant activity of peptides. Chitosan coating (1%) resulted in improved stability of size, zeta potential, and poly dispersity index (PDI) of nanoliposomes, and lowered the release of the hydrolyzed Spirulina platensis protein from nanoliposomes. Increasing the percentage of chitosan coating neutralized the decrease in antibacterial properties of nanoliposomes containing hydrolyzed proteins. This study showed that 1% chitosan-coated nanoliposomes can protect Spirulina platensis hydrolyzed proteins and maintain their antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Nano-Encapsulation of Citrus Essential Oils: Methods and Applications of Interest for the Food Sector

Citrus essential oils possess many health-promoting benefits and properties of high interest in the food and agri-food sector. However, their large-scale application is limited by their sensitivity to environmental factors. Nanostructures containing citrus essential oils have been developed to overcome the high volatility and instability of essential oils with respect to temperature, pH, UV light, etc. Nanostructures could provide protection for essential oils and enhancement of their bioavailability and biocompatibility, as well as their biological properties. Nano-encapsulation is a promising method. The present review is mainly focused on methods developed so far for the nano-encapsulation of citrus essential oils, with emphasis on lipid-based (including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid particles, and nano- and micro-emulsions) and polymer-based nanostructures. The physico-chemical characteristics of the obtained structures, as well as promising properties reported, with relevance for the food sector are also discussed.

Characterization of Recombinant Antimicrobial Peptide BMGlv2 Heterologously Expressed in Trichoderma reesei

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) serve as alternative candidates for antibiotics and have attracted the attention of a wide range of industries for various purposes, including the prevention and treatment of piglet diarrhea in the swine industry. Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens are the most common pathogens causing piglet diarrhea. In this study, the antimicrobial peptide gloverin2 (BMGlv2), derived from Bombyx mandarina, was explored to determine the efficient prevention effect on bacterial piglet diarrhea. BMGlv2 was heterologously expressed in Trichoderma reesei Tu6, and its antimicrobial properties against the three bacteria were characterized. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the peptide against E. coli ATCC 25922, S. derby ATCC 13076, and C. perfringens CVCC 2032 were 43.75, 43.75, and 21.86 μg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of BMGlv2 was not severely affected by high temperature, salt ions, and digestive enzymes. It had low hemolytic activity against rabbit red blood cells, indicating its safety for use as a feed additive. Furthermore, the measurements of the leakage of bacterial cell contents and scanning electron microscopy of C. perfringens CVCC 2032 indicated that BMGlv2 exerted antimicrobial activity by destroying the cell membrane. Overall, this study showed the heterologous expression of the antimicrobial peptide BMGlv2 in T. reesei and verified its antimicrobial properties against three common pathogenic bacteria associated with piglet diarrhea, which can provide a reference for the applications of AMPs as an alternative product in industrial agriculture.

A comprehensive study on decontamination of food-borne microorganisms by cold plasma

Food-borne microorganisms are one of the biggest concern in food industry. Food-borne microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Hepatitis A are commonly found in food products and can cause severe ailments in human beings. Hence, disinfection of food is performed before packaging is performed to sterilize food. Traditional methods for disinfection of microorganisms are based on chemical, thermal, radiological and physical principles. They are highly successful, but they are complex and require more time and energy to accomplish the procedure. Cold plasma is a new technique in the field of food processing. CP treatments has no or very low effect on physical, chemical and nutritional properties of food products. This paper reviews the effect of plasma processing on food products such as change in colour, texture, pH level, protein, carbohydrate, and vitamins. Cold plasma by being a versatile, effective, economical and environmentally friendly method provides unique advantages over commercial food processing technologies for disinfection of food.

Differentiation of PC12 cell line into neuron by Valproic acid encapsulated in the stabilized core-shell liposome-chitosan Nano carriers

Valproic acid (VPA) usage in high dose is teratogen with low bioavailability. Hence to improve its efficacy and reduce its side effect it was encapsulated by the Nano liposomes and stabilized by the chitosan at different concentrations. The cellular uptake, biocompatibility, loading and encapsulation efficiency of the six-different formulations (1:1, 2:1, and 4:1 of chitosan-phospholipids: VPA), PC12 differentiation to neuron cells assays (gene-expression level by qRT-PCR) were conducted for the efficacy assessment of the Nano carriers. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) results revealed that the encapsulation of the VPA corresponds to the phospholipids dose, where 2:1 formulations showed higher encapsulating rate (64.5% for non-coated and 80% for coated by chitosan). The time monitored released of VPA also showed that the chitosan could enhance its controlled release too. The cellular uptake exhibited similar uptake behavior for both the coated and the non-coated Nano carriers and cytoplasmic distribution. We witnessed no toxicity effects, at different concentrations, for both formulations. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene expression level of SOX2, NeuroD1, and Neurofilament 200 increased from 1 to 5 folds for different genes. The qRT-PCR data were confirmed by the immunofluorescence antibodies staining, where Neurofilament 68 and SOX2 cell markers were modulated during differentiation of PC12 cells. Finally, our findings suggest promising potential for the Lip-VPA-Chit Nano carrier in inducing the differentiation of PC12 into neuron for treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Effects of citronellal on growth and enterotoxins production in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is known to be one of the most common foodborne pathogens capable of secreting a wide range of exotoxins such as enterotoxin, which severely threatens the health of consumers. Over the past few years, the development of safe and effective strategies in inhibiting the growth and enterotoxins generation of S. aureus in food turns out to be the research focus and emphasis. This research explores citronellal (CIT), a native compound with extensive existence in spices, which could effectively inhibit the growth and enterotoxins generation of S. aureus (ATCC 29213). Results from minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill curves, showed that CIT could tremendously inhibit the growth of S. aureus. Analysis on hemolysin showed that CIT at sub-MIC could significantly (p < 0.05) inhibit the hemolytic activity of S. aureus. As revealed by the results of ELISA, the production of enterotoxins in the culture supernatant and pork meat decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after exposure to CIT at sub-MIC. Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in dose-dependent was found in the transcription levels of virulence-related genes. In all, CIT proved to be a possible inhibitor of the growth and enterotoxins production of S. aureus with highly promising application in the food industry.

Naturally-Sourced Antibacterial Polymeric Nanomaterials with Special Reference to Modified Polymer Variants

Despite the recent advancements in treating bacterial infections, antibiotic resistance (AR) is still an emerging issue. However, polymeric nanocarriers have offered unconventional solutions owing to their capability of exposing more functional groups, high encapsulation efficiency (EE) and having sustained delivery. Natural polymeric nanomaterials (NMs) are contemplated one of the most powerful strategies in drug delivery (DD) in terms of their safety, biodegradability with almost no side effects. Every nanostructure is tailored to enhance the system functionality. For example, cost-effective copper NPs could be generated in situ in cellulose sheets, demonstrating powerful antibacterial prospects for food safety sector. Dendrimers also have the capacity for peptide encapsulation, protecting them from proteolytic digestion for prolonged half life span. On the other hand, the demerits of naturally sourced polymers still stand against their capacities in DD. Hence, Post-synthetic modification of natural polymers could play a provital role in yielding new hybrids while retaining their biodegradability, which could be suitable for building novel super structures for DD platforms. This is the first review presenting the contribution of natural polymers in the fabrication of eight polymeric NMs including particulate nanodelivery and nanofabrics with antibacterial and antibiofilm prospects, referring to modified polymer derivatives to explore their full potential for obtaining sustainable DD products.

Applications and Prospects of Nanotechnology in Food and Cosmetics Preservation

Cosmetic and food products containing water are prone to contamination during the production, storage, and transit process, leading to product spoilage and degraded organoleptic characteristics. The efficient preservation of food and cosmetics is one of the most important issues the industry is facing today. The use of nanotechnology in food and cosmetics for preservation purposes offers the possibility to boost the activity of antimicrobial agents and/or promote their safer distribution into the end product upon incorporation into packaging or film constructions. In this review, current preservation strategies are discussed and the most recent studies in nanostructures used for preservation purposes are categorized and analyzed in a way that hopefully provides the most promising strategies for both the improvement of product safety and shelf-life extension. Packaging materials are also included since the container plays a major role in the preservation of such products. It is conclusively revealed that most of the applications refer to the nanocomposites as part of the packaging, mainly due to the various possibilities that nanoscience offers to this field. Apart from that, the route of exposure being either skin or the gastrointestinal system involves safety concerns, and since migration of nanoparticles (NPs) from their container can be measured, concerns can be minimized. Conclusion: Nanomaterial science has already made a significant contribution to food and cosmetics preservation, and rapid developments in the last years reinforce the belief that in the future much of the preservation strategies to be pursued by the two industries will be based on NPs and their nanocomposites.

Nanocapsule-Based Reactive Nano-Fragrances with Slow-Release and Antibacterial Performances for Applications of Commodities

Fragrances are widely used in everyday life. However, too fast volatilization rates and poor adhesion on substrates limit their applications. In this study, reactive nano-fragrance based on cyanuric chloride (CYC)-modified chitosan (CSCYC) were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. First, CS-CYC was synthesized. Subsequently, CS and CS-CYC were utilized to prepare nano-fragrances. The results demonstrated that adding CS and CS-CYC could significantly improve the fragrance encapsulation efficiency and reduce the release rate of phenylethanol. phenylethanol Moreover, the adhesion of nano-capsules on commodities was improved with CS by forming hydrogen bonds. CYC on the surface of the nanocapsules further enhanced the conglutination of nano-fragrances on commodities by a condensation reaction with wallpaper. Additionally, the addition of both CS and CS-CYC imparted antibacterial activity for the nano-fragrances against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with excellent biosafety. Therefore, the reactive nano-fragrances with antimicrobial activity and slow-release properties could provide a comfortable and healthy living environment, making them have vast application potential.

Systematic review on activity of liposomal encapsulated antioxidant, antibiotics, and antiviral agents

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical, can be formed as normal products of aerobic metabolism. Overproduction or insufficient removal of ROS results in significant damage to cell structure and functions. Antioxidants applied directly and at relatively high concentrations to cellular systems are effective in protection against the damaging actions of ROS. Microorganisms including Gram-positive and negative bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, etc., can be disease causing microorganism. Antimicrobial agents have the capability to inhibitor destroy the microorganisms. The problems arising from the use of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents include poor solubility, instability during storage, low bioavailability, and difficulty to reach target organs with sufficient doses. Liposomal antimicrobial agent and liposomal antioxidants enhance the solubility, bioavailability, and stability of antimicrobial agent and antioxidants.

Encapsulation of volatile compounds in liquid media: Fragrances, flavors, and essential oils in commercial formulations

The first marketed example of the application of microcapsules dates back to 1957. Since then, microencapsulation techniques and knowledge have progressed in a plethora of technological fields, and efforts have been directed toward the design of progressively more efficient carriers. The protection of payloads from the exposure to unfavorable environments indeed grants enhanced efficacy, safety, and stability of encapsulated species while allowing for a fine tuning of their release profile and longer lasting beneficial effects. Perfumes or, more generally, active-loaded microcapsules are nowadays present in a very large number of consumer products. Commercial products currently make use of rigid, stable polymer-based microcapsules with excellent release properties. However, this type of microcapsules does not meet certain sustainability requirements such as biocompatibility and biodegradability: the leaking via wastewater contributes to the alarming phenomenon of microplastic pollution with about 4% of total microplastic in the environment. Therefore, there is a need to address new issues which have been emerging in relation to the poor environmental profile of such materials. The progresses in some of the main application fields of microencapsulation, such as household care, toiletries, cosmetics, food, and pesticides are reviewed herein. The main technologies employed in microcapsules production and the mechanisms underlying the release of actives are also discussed. Both the advantages and disadvantages of every technique have been considered to allow a careful choice of the most suitable technique for a specific target application and prepare the ground for novel ideas and approaches for encapsulation strategies that we expect to be proposed within the next years.

A Systematic Review on Nanoencapsulation Natural Antimicrobials in Foods: In Vitro versus In Situ Evaluation, Mechanisms of Action and Implications on Physical-Chemical Quality

Natural antimicrobials (NA) have stood out in the last decade due to the growing demand for reducing chemical preservatives in food. Once solubility, stability, and changes in sensory attributes could limit their applications in foods, several studies were published suggesting micro-/nanoencapsulation to overcome such challenges. Thus, for our systematic review the Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and Pub Med databases were chosen to recover papers published from 2010 to 2020. After reviewing all titles/abstracts and keywords for the full-text papers, key data were extracted and synthesized. The systematic review proposed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy between nanoencapsulated NA (nNA) and its free form in vitro and in situ studies, since although in vitro studies are often used in studies, they present characteristics and properties that are different from those found in foods; providing a comprehensive understanding of primary mechanisms of action of the nNA in foods; and analyzing the effects on quality parameters of foods. Essential oils and nanoemulsions (10.9-100 nm) have received significant attention and showed higher antimicrobial efficacy without sensory impairments compared to free NA. Regarding nNA mechanisms: (i) nanoencapsulation provides a slow-prolonged release to promote antimicrobial action over time, and (ii) prevents interactions with food constituents that in turn impair antimicrobial action. Besides in vitro antifungal and antibacterial, nNA also demonstrated antioxidant activity-potential to shelf life extension in food. However, of the studies involving nanoencapsulated natural antimicrobials used in this review, little attention was placed on proximate composition, sensory, and rheological evaluation. We encourage further in situ studies once data differ from in vitro assay, suggesting food matrix greatly influences NA mechanisms.