Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) mucilage is a polysaccharide-rich, natural bioactive compound known for its functional and therapeutic properties. This study aimed to microencapsulate okra mucilage using cassava starch as the wall material and to characterize the microcapsules, with a focus on their application as a natural clarifying agent in the processing of sugarcane juice/jaggery. The freeze-drying technique was used to microencapsulate the mucilage from okra fruit (without peduncle) and peduncle. The mucilage was extracted using three distinct methods: solvent precipitation, grinding-centrifugation-solvent, and ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction. The ultrasonic-assisted solvent extraction method yielded the highest mucilage recovery of 11.67
Although flower-derived bioactive compounds have gained attention as potential functional additives in edible packaging materials, no recent review has critically focused on their extraction strategies, interactions with film-forming biopolymers, and applications in food preservation. This review critically discusses recent research on the extraction, characterization, and application of important flower-derived bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and essential oils, in active and intelligent edible packaging. Contemporary extraction techniques, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, deep eutectic solvents, and supercritical fluid CO2, provide higher yields (up to 14 mg/g phenolics and over 70
Essential oils have been valued for centuries by communities worldwide. These aromatic and volatile compounds possess antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These therapeutic properties are primarily attributed to the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Further, these oils are utilized as valuable ingredients in the industrial sector. Extraction from plant materials is a fundamental aspect of natural product research. There has been driving continuous efforts to develop more efficient and sustainable extraction techniques. Consequently, several green extraction methods, including supercritical fluid, microwave, ultrasound-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid, and pulsed electric field extraction, have been developed. This review describes and discusses the various extraction methods used to obtain essential oils from various plant matrices. These include conventional methods, such as solvent extraction, steam distillation, and hydrodistillation. This review provides comprehensive comparison of some conventional and novel techniques, highlighting their operating principles, applications, advantages, limitations, and their influence on the chemical composition of essential oils. This comparison offers valuable guidance for selecting the most appropriate selection technique based on the desired application and extraction objectives. Studies discussed in this review suggest that novel techniques used for oil extraction provide higher extraction yields, improved recovery of bioactive compounds, and reduced degradation of thermolabile constituents. Future research should focus integration of green extraction technologies with novel food applications. This review also summarizes recent advances in the essential oil extraction. Moreover, this review uniquely incorporates sustainability metrics, including energy consumption, solvent usage, and carbon footprint, to compare essential oil extraction techniques. It also highlights the role of biorefinery approaches and green solvents to improve process efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support the development of sustainable industrial applications.
Processing passion fruit beverages generates substantial agro-industrial by-products that are rich in bioactive compounds. Valorizing these by-products through green extraction offers a sustainable route to transform them into high-value oils while supporting responsible food-waste reduction. The present study evaluated two sustainable compressed gas extraction alternatives, supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SF-CO₂) and liquefied dimethyl ether (LDME), alongside conventional cold pressing and solvent extraction, focusing on the retention of nutraceutical compounds in the crude oils to identify the most effective recovery method. LDME gave the highest oil yield (27.36
Zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans, represent a major global public health concern, particularly through the consumption of contaminated animal-derived food products such as meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood. These foods, while nutritionally essential, can act as carriers of pathogenic microorganisms, such as Brucella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and Salmonella. This review explores the risk of zoonotic pathogens in the food supply chain and presents an integrated approach to control contamination at various stages of food production and distribution. Key strategies include pre-harvest controls on farms, such as improved husbandry, vaccination, and biosecurity measures; post-harvest interventions aimed at reducing microbial contamination during slaughter, processing, storage, and transport; and the promotion of hygienic food handling and distribution practices. At the consumer level, education and awareness campaigns play a critical role in reducing foodborne infections. Furthermore, continuous monitoring through veterinary inspections and pathogen surveillance enables early detection of and response to outbreaks. The adoption of food safety standards, regulatory frameworks, and advanced traceability systems, enhanced by biosensor technologies, further strengthens food safety management. These coordinated efforts are essential for ensuring the safety of animal-derived foods, preventing zoonotic disease transmission, and safeguarding public health.
