DNA/Nano based advanced genetic detection tools for authentication of species: Strategies, prospects and limitations

A comprehensive review of analytical techniques for spice quality and safety assessment in the modern food industry

The rapid evolution of analytical techniques has revolutionized spice quality assessment, offering unprecedented opportunities for ensuring the safety, authenticity, and desirable characteristics of these valuable commodities. This review explores the innovative integration of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic, sensory and molecular methods, combined with chemometrics and machine learning, to provide a comprehensive and standardized approach to spice analysis. The development of portable, rapid screening devices and the application of cutting-edge technologies, such as hyperspectral imaging, molecular and electronic sensory technologies, and their combined applications with other technologies are discussed in the review. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of global collaboration and the shift toward non-targeted approaches to detect novel adulterants and contaminants. By adopting these innovative strategies, the modern food industry can effectively address the challenges of spice quality control, safeguarding consumer health and maintaining the integrity of these essential ingredients in the global culinary landscape.

Advancements in Aptamer-Driven DNA Nanostructures for Precision Drug Delivery

DNA nanostructures exhibit versatile geometries and possess sophisticated capabilities not found in other nanomaterials. They serve as customizable nanoplatforms for orchestrating the spatial arrangement of molecular components, such as biomolecules, antibodies, or synthetic nanomaterials. This is achieved by incorporating oligonucleotides into the design of the nanostructure. In the realm of drug delivery to cancer cells, there is a growing interest in active targeting assays to enhance efficacy and selectivity. The active targeting approach involves a "key-lock" mechanism where the carrier, through its ligand, recognizes specific receptors on tumor cells, facilitating the release of drugs. Various DNA nanostructures, including DNA origami, Tetrahedral, nanoflower, cruciform, nanostar, nanocentipede, and nanococklebur, can traverse the lipid layer of the cell membrane, allowing cargo delivery to the nucleus. Aptamers, easily formed in vitro, are recognized for their targeted delivery capabilities due to their high selectivity for specific targets and low immunogenicity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the formation and modification of aptamer-modified DNA nanostructures within drug delivery systems.

Agriculture and environmental management through nanotechnology: Eco-friendly nanomaterial synthesis for soil-plant systems, food safety, and sustainability

Through the advancement of nanotechnology, agricultural and food systems are undergoing strategic enhancements, offering innovative solutions to complex problems. This scholarly essay thoroughly examines nanotechnological innovations and their implications within these critical industries. Traditional practices are undergoing radical transformation as nanomaterials emerge as novel agents in roles traditionally filled by fertilizers, pesticides, and biosensors. Micronutrient management and preservation techniques are further enhanced, indicating a shift towards more nutrient-dense and longevity-oriented food production. Nanoparticles (NPs), with their unique physicochemical properties, such as an extraordinary surface-to-volume ratio, find applications in healthcare, diagnostics, agriculture, and other fields. However, concerns about their potential overuse and bioaccumulation raise unanswered questions about their health effects. Molecule-to-molecule interactions and physicochemical dynamics create pathways through which nanoparticles cause toxicity. The combination of nanotechnology and environmental sustainability principles leads to the examination of green nanoparticle synthesis. The discourse extends to how nanomaterials penetrate biological systems, their applications, toxicological effects, and dissemination routes. Additionally, this examination delves into the ecological consequences of nanomaterial contamination in natural ecosystems. Employing robust risk assessment methodologies, including the risk allocation framework, is recommended to address potential dangers associated with nanotechnology integration. Establishing standardized, universally accepted guidelines for evaluating nanomaterial toxicity and protocols for nano-waste disposal is urged to ensure responsible stewardship of this transformative technology. In conclusion, the article summarizes global trends, persistent challenges, and emerging regulatory strategies shaping nanotechnology in agriculture and food science. Sustained, in-depth research is crucial to fully benefit from nanotechnology prospects for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Methods for detection and quantification of gelatin from different sources

Gelatin is a water-soluble protein obtained from the collagen of various animal origins (porcine, bovine, fish, donkey, horse, and deer hide) and has diverse applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Porcine and bovine gelatins are extensively used in food and non-food products; however, their acceptance is limited due to religious prohibitions, whereas fish gelatin is accepted in all religions. In Southeast Asia, especially in China, gelatin obtained from donkey and deer skins is used in medicines. However, both sources suffer from adulteration (mixing different sources of gelatin) due to their limited availability and high cost. Unclear labeling and limited information about actual gelatin sources in gelatin-containing products cause serious concern among societies for halal and fraud authentication of gelatin sources. Therefore, authenticating gelatin sources in gelatin-based products is challenging due to close similarities between the composition differences and degradation of DNA and protein biomarkers in processed gelatin. Thus, different methods have been proposed to identify and quantify different gelatin sources in pharmaceutical and food products. To the best of our knowledge, this systematic and comprehensive review highlights different authentication techniques and their limitations in gelatin detection and quantification in various commercial products. This review also describes halal authentication and adulteration prevention strategies of various gelatin sources, mainly focussing on research gaps, challenges, and future directions in this research area.

Rapid and sensitive detection of box turtles using an electrochemical DNA biosensor based on a gold/graphene nanocomposite

The Southeast Asian box turtle, Cuora amboinensis, is an ecologically important endangered species which needs an onsite monitoring device to protect it from extinction. An electrochemical DNA biosensor was developed to detect the C. amboinensis mitochondrial cytochrome b gene based on an in silico designed probe using bioinformatics tools, and it was also validated in wet-lab experiments. As a detection platform, a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) enhanced with a nanocomposite containing gold nanoparticles and graphene was used. The morphology of the nanoparticles was analysed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and structural characteristics were analysed by using energy-dispersive X-ray, UV-vis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The thiol-modified synthetic DNA probe was immobilised on modified SPCEs to facilitate hybridisation with the reverse complementary DNA. The turtle DNA was distinguished based on hybridisation-induced electrochemical change in the presence of methylene blue compared to their mismatches, noncomplementary, and nontarget species DNA measured by DPV. The developed biosensor exhibited a selective response towards reverse complementary DNAs and was able to discriminate turtles from other species. The modified electrode displayed good linearity for reverse complementary DNAs in the range of 1 × 10-11-5 × 10-6 M with a limit of detection of 0.85 × 10-12 M. This indicates that the proposed biosensor has the potential to be applied for the detection of real turtle species.

Strategic Priorities of the Scientific Plan of the European Research Infrastructure METROFOOD-RI for Promoting Metrology in Food and Nutrition

The pan-European distributed Research Infrastructure for Promoting Metrology in Food and Nutrition (METROFOOD-RI) has evolved in the frame of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) to promote high-quality metrology services across the food chain. The METROFOOD-RI comprises physical facilities and electronic facilities. The former includes Reference Material plants and analytical laboratories (the ‘Metro’ side) and also experimental fields/farms, processing/storage plants and kitchen-labs (the ‘Food’ side). The RI is currently prepared to apply for receiving the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) legal status and is organised to fulfil the requirements for operation at the national, European Union (EU) and international level. In this view, the METROFOOD-RI partners have recently reviewed the scientific plan and elaborated strategic priorities on key thematic areas of research in the food and nutrition domain to which they have expertise to contribute to meet global societal challenges and face unexpected emergencies. The present review summarises the methodology and main outcomes of the research study that helped to identify the key thematic areas from a metrological standpoint, to articulate critical and emerging issues and demands and to structure how the integrated facilities of the RI can operate in the first five years of operation as ERIC.