Chronic and infected wounds continue to pose significant clinical challenges due to microbial infections, biofilm development, inflammation, and poor tissue regeneration. Traditional antibiotics medications often show low efficacy and lack stability. The demand for new therapeutic approaches is increasing due to bacterial resistance. Metal-based nanozymes have intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic activity and emerged as a promising class of antibacterial agents for wound-healing applications. The functionalization with metals such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cerium (Ce), platinum (Pt) and gold (Au) enhances peroxidase (POD)-, oxidase (OXD)-, and catalase (CAT)-like biomimetic activities. This improvement enables efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, biofilm inhibition, and microenvironment-responsive antibacterial activity. These metal-nanozymes also alter the immune response, increase angiogenesis, and promote extracellular matrix remodeling when combined with metals and also polysaccharides. This review summarizes recent advances in metal-incorporated antibacterial nanozymes including their design, catalytic mechanisms, structure–activity relationships, and integration into hydrogels, films, and fibers for wound healing. Key challenges such as biosafety, metal ion release, the inflammatory balance, and clinical translation are critically discussed. Emerging directions such as single-atom nanozymes, cascade enzyme systems, and stimuli-responsive platforms are highlighted as promising routes for next-generation wound therapeutics. Overall, this review underscores the clinical potential of metal-functionalized nanozymes for infected wound management; however, concerns regarding ion leakage and long-term safety persist emphasizing the need for controlled designs and biocompatible systems to enable safe translation.

The electrocatalytic reaction associated with 2NA-AMG-Ca, 2NA-AMG-Sr, and 2NA-AMG-Ba was studied systematically and evaluated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under acidic conditions. The catalyst, 2NAAMG-Ba exhibited superior HER performance, with a low overpotential of 30.02 mV, a small Tafel slope of 65.57 mV/dec, and a high double-layer capacitance (33.79 mF/cm2), indicating abundant active sites. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed fast charge transfer, while stability tests demonstrated excellent durability at 10 mA/cm2. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis revealed favorable hydrogen adsorption energies (Delta GH*) and strong metal-support interactions across multiple facets. These combined experimental and theoretical insights establish 2NA-AMG-Ba as an extremely efficient and stable HER catalyst for the overall water splitting process.

Microbial biofilms are highly resistant to conventional antibiotics, leading to persistent infection and rapid food spoilage. In this study, pentabromophenol (PBP) loaded liposomes were synthesized as a dual-functional nanocarrier for antibiofilm activity and postharvest grape preservation. The optimized formulation 3 showed lipid vesicles, strong colloidal stability, and a high encapsulation efficiency of 94%. Encapsulation significantly improved the antibiofilm activity of PBP against Staphylococcus aureus, achieving 86.9% inhibition at 0.1 µg/mL, which is fivefold higher than that of free PBP. A lipid-mixing assay confirmed concentration-dependent membrane fusion that facilitated sustained PBP release and efficient biofilm inhibition. When applied as a coating, PBP liposomes reduced microbial growth by more than 80%, maintained grape firmness, and minimized weight loss during 7 days of storage. Biocompatibility assays using Raphanus sativus and Caenorhabditis elegans demonstrated no potential toxicity. Overall, PBP liposomes offer a safe and efficient platform for controlling S. aureus and extending grape shelf life.

Diabetic wounds remain a major clinical challenge due to impaired angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and persistent infection, all of which delay tissue repair. Conventional dressings provide only passive protection and fail to modulate the wound microenvironment effectively. Chitosan (CS) is a naturally derived polysaccharide inspired by biological structures in crustaceans and fungi. It has emerged as a multifunctional biomimetic polymer with excellent biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and hemostatic properties. Recent advances in biomimetic materials science have enabled the development of stimuli-responsive CS hydrogels. These systems can sense physiological cues such as pH, temperature, glucose level, light, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). These smart systems emulate natural wound healing mechanisms and adapt to environmental changes. They release bioactive agents on demand and promote tissue homeostasis through controlled angiogenesis and collagen remodeling. This review discusses the biomimetic design rationale, crosslinking mechanism, and emerging strategies underlying single and dual-responsive hydrogel systems. It further emphasizes how nature-inspired structural and functional designs accelerate diabetic wound repair and outlines the current challenges and future prospects for translating these bioinspired intelligent hydrogels into clinical wound care applications.

This study explored an eco-friendly coating system combining seagrass-derived cellulose fiber (SCF) from Cymodocea rotundata with marine type I collagen (MC) for tomato preservation. The SCF/MC composite was prepared through enzymatic and natural crosslinking processes and subsequently characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results demonstrated that SCF/MC possessed a compact morphology, strong hydrogen bonding interactions, high crystallinity, and excellent thermal stability. When applied as a coating, SCF/MC composite significantly reduced weight loss in tomatoes, preserved firmness (>39 Units), regulated acidity, maintained moisture levels (~90%), and delayed increase in pH compared to the uncoated control. Additionally, the SCF/MC coating sustained ascorbic acid and moderated lycopene accumulation, indicating delayed ripening. At 0.5% of SCF/MC composite, spoilage was limited to 22% versus ~80% in control samples, demonstrating a substantial reduction in decay. Antifungal assay showed strong inhibition of Aspergillus flavus, with the highest suppression of mycelial growth observed at 0.5% of SCF/MC. Overall, the SCF/MC coating effectively enhanced fungal safety and maintained the physicochemical quality of tomatoes, thereby extending shelf life while valorizing seagrass biomass as a sustainable postharvest resource.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) biofilm infections characterized by densely packed microbial communities encased in protective extracellular matrices pose a formidable challenge to conventional antimicrobial therapies and are a major contributor to chronic, recurrent and device-associated infections. These biofilms significantly reduce antibiotic penetration, facilitate the survival of dormant persister cells and promote horizontal gene transfer, all of which contribute to the emergence and persistence of MDR pathogens. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as promising alternatives due to their potent antibiofilm properties. However, conventional synthesis methods are associated with high costs, complexity, inefficiency and negative environmental impacts. To overcome these limitations there has been a global push toward the development of sustainable and eco-friendly synthesis approaches. Recent advancements have demonstrated the successful use of various plant extracts, microbial cultures, and biomolecules for the green synthesis of MNPs, which offers biocompatibility, scalability, and environmental safety. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent trends and the latest progress in the green synthesis of MNPs including silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and selenium (Se), and also explores the mechanistic pathways and characterization techniques. Furthermore, it highlights the antibiofilm applications of these MNPs emphasizing their roles in disrupting biofilms and restoring the efficacy of existing antimicrobial strategies.

As the world searches for the transition towards a sustainable energy future, there is an growing interest in alternative energy resources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Ammonia has emerged as a potential candidate for sustainable energy applications owing to its high energy density, low carbon combustion, and ease of storage and transportation compared to highly flammable gaseous fuels. Additionally, ammonia liquefies at moderate pressure. However, the conventional Haber-Bosch process is high energy intensive process and it heavily depends on the fossil fuels. Therefore, the ammonia production from the HB process is not environmentally friendly. This review systematically evaluates emerging sustainable ammonia production technologies as alternatives to the conventional Haber-Bosch process contributing 1.8 % of global CO2 emissions. This review examines sustainable alternatives including chemical looping utilizing redox active metal oxides, plasma technologies activating nitrogen and hydrogen at atmospheric pressure, electrochemical reduction using metal and phosphide catalysts, and solar-powered systems with hybrid configurations. Recent HB process improvements through Na +-gated membranes achieve high energy savings than cryogenic condensation. Storage advantages include liquefaction at 8.6 bar against 700 bar for hydrogen with low costs. Pipeline transportation costs were significantly lower than hydrogen. The discussion was also made on the challenges in terms of energy efficiency, cost-competitiveness with conventional methods, and scaling these technologies. By continued research into catalyst design, reactor optimization, and process integration carbon footprint for the ammonia production can be reduced without compromising the production efficiency. The review also discusses the application of ammonia in energy-based systems, such as internal combustion engines, gas turbine engines and other propulsion systems. Studies have investigated the use of ammonia blended with hydrogen, biodiesel, or other biofuels, as well as neat ammonia, in these applications. This review provides quantitative benchmarks and systematically identifies priority research directions to ammonia role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.

Polysaccharide-based nanomaterials and hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials in medical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and enhanced functional properties. This review presents an update on recent advancements in the application of polysaccharide-based nanomaterials and hydrogel systems for antibiofilm and wound healing purposes. The persistent challenge of biofilm-associated infections and the need for effective wound healing strategies have driven significant research into these innovative materials. We examine various types of polysaccharides such as chitin, chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, cellulose, pectin, pullulan, carrageenan, xanthan gum, and their functionalization with nanoparticles and hydrogels to enhance antibiofilm efficacy and promote wound healing. This review explores the mechanisms by which these materials disrupt biofilms, inhibit microbial growth, and facilitate wound healing. Furthermore, we highlight the latest in vitro, in vivo studies, clinical trials, and potential commercial applications providing insights into future research directions. Through this comprehensive review, we aim to underscore the progress and future prospects of polysaccharide-based nanomaterials and hydrogels in combating biofilm-related infections and enhancing wound healing outcomes.

The widespread use of plastics in food packaging, particularly during heat processing, has raised significant concerns about the release of micro- and nanoplastics into food. This review comprehensively examines the sources, detection methods, health impacts, and environmental consequences of micro- and nanoplastics generated from heat-packed food. The mechanisms by which these particles are released during heating, sophisticated analytical methods for their detection, potential health risks from consumption, and the effects of these particles have on the environment are covered in detail. Current regulatory frameworks and mitigation strategies are critically assessed, highlighting challenges and opportunities in managing plastic contamination. Key research areas are identified to address knowledge gaps and improve food packaging safety. This review informs decision-making and policy development to mitigate the risks associated with micro- and nanoplastics in heat-packaged food.

In this study, garlic-oil-combined cellulose fibers were prepared by using Borassus flabellifer (Asian Palmyra palm) to enhance the post-harvest shelf life of tomatoes. The physicochemical properties of the prepared cellulose fibers were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The B. flabellifer cellulose fibers combined with garlic oil (BCF/GO) coatings exhibited significant antifungal properties against Aspergillus flavus. In addition, the BCF/GO coating resulted in a notable extension in the shelf life of tomatoes regarding parameters such as weight loss, firmness, pH, ascorbic acid content, lycopene level, moisture content, and titratable acidity after 25 days of storage at 25-29 degrees C with 85 % relative humidity. The synergistic combination of BCF and GO presents a natural and sustainable solution for extending the shelf life of tomatoes with the potential to significantly reduce post-harvest losses in the food industry.

Crystal Violet (CV) is a vibrant and harmful dye known for its toxicity to aquatic life and potential carcinogenic effects on humans. This study explores the removal of CV through photocatalysis driven by visible light, as well as examining the antibacterial and antibiofilm characteristics of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized from the aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis. Various characterization techniques were employed to confirm the optical properties, crystal lattices, and morphology of ZnO NPs. TEM images showed that the ZnO NPs had a spherical shape, with an average size of 40 to 80 nm. The photocatalytic analysis revealed that the synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited substantial activity under visible light, effectively degrading 90.6% of CV in an aqueous solution. The antibacterial activity of synthesized ZnO NPs was evaluated against clinically relevant bacterial strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis, revealing notable zones of inhibition. Moreover, the ZnO NPs exhibited antibiofilm activity of 96.8 ± 0.5% and 98.3 ± 0.3% against P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the potential of the synthesized ZnO NPs as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and antibacterial applications.

Biofilm-associated infections have a significant challenge in healthcare sectors due to their inherent resistance to conventional antimicrobial therapies. In this study, we examined the potential of alizarin-loaded liposomes as a new approach to combat biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The liposomes were prepared via an emulsification method using soy lecithin and alizarin as the key components. The physico-chemical properties of the most potent alizarin loaded liposomal formulation were characterized using a Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (FT-NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Microscopic examination of the effective liposome demonstrated the development of a unilamellar liposomal structure, measuring the mean DLS apparent diameter of 740.3 nm, with a corresponding zeta value of −28.6 mV. Liposomal formulation 3 loaded with alizarin (5 µg/mL) demonstrated 92.6 % antibiofilm against S. aureus, 96.3 % for C. albicans and 91.5 % for its dual biofilms. Moreover, the occurrence of single and dual biofilms on plates was diminished, as evidenced by observations from scanning electron microscopy analyses. Moreover, membrane analysis showed that liposomes neutralized S. aureus surface charge and reduced C. albicans hyphae production. In conclusion, our findings highlight the promising potential of alizarin-loaded liposomes as an enhanced therapeutic strategy for combating biofilm-associated infections caused by S. aureus, C. albicans and also their dual biofilms.

Regarding food security and waste reduction, preserving fruits and vegetables is a vital problem. This comprehensive study examines the innovative potential of coatings and packaging made of nanocellulose to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. The distinctive merits of nanocellulose, which is prepared from renewable sources, include exceptional gas barrier performance, moisture retention, and antibacterial activity. As a result of these merits, it is a good option for reducing food spoilage factors such as oxidation, desiccation, and microbiological contamination. Nanocellulose not only enhances food preservation but also complies with industry-wide environmental objectives. This review explores the many facets of nanocellulose technology, from its essential characteristics to its use in the preservation of fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, it deals with vital issues including scalability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory constraints. While the use of nanocellulose in food preservation offers fascinating potential, it also wants to be cautiously careful to assure affordability, effectiveness, and safety. To fully use the potential of nanocellulose and advance the sustainability plan in the food business, collaboration between scientists, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders is important as we stand on the cusp of a revolutionary era in food preservation.

Microbial biofilms are protected surface-attached communities of bacteria or fungi with high drug tolerance that typically cause persistent infections. Smart drug carriers are being explored as a promising platform of antimicrobials to address their recalcitrance to antibiotic agents and minimize the side effects of current therapies. In this study, soy lecithin liposomes loaded with lauric acid (LA) and myristoleic acid (MA) were formulated using an emulsification method, and their antibiofilm properties were evaluated. The physio-chemical properties of the most potent liposome were characterized using a zeta sizer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. TEM and zeta sizer analysis of the liposome revealed a homogeneous spherical structure with an average size of 159.2 nm and zeta potential of - 5.4 mV. The unilamellar liposomes loaded with LA at 0.1-0.5 mu g/mL achieved obvious antibiofilm efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and their dual biofilms. Also, LA-loaded liposome formulation efficiently disrupted preformed biofilms of S. aureus and C. albicans. Furthermore, formulated liposomal LA (0.1 mu g/mL) exhibited 100-fold increased dual biofilm inhibition compared to LA alone. The single biofilms and dual biofilm formation on polystyrene were reduced as determined by 3D-bright field and scanning electron microscopy. Zeta potential measurements exhibited neutralized surface charge of S. aureus, and the liposomes inhibited hyphae formation in C. albicans. These findings demonstrated that the LA-incorporated liposomes have great potential to become a new, effective, and good antibiofilm agent for treating S. aureus and C. albicans infections.

The present work describes the fabrication of the quaternary Zn-Cd-Sn-S nanostructure and its use in photocatalytic remediation of the biological contaminant pyrene from water resources. Nanostructures fabricated were characterized by XRD, UV-DRS, FTIR, DLS, EDX, and SEM. In addition, an agar well diffusion test was conducted to determine the antimicrobial activity. Zn-Cd-Sn-S (ZCSS) nanostructures were evaluated for their photocatalytic degrading potential by using pyrene as a model pollutant and evaluating the effects of parameters like initial pyrene concentration, nanocatalyst dosage, solution pH, and light sources during batch adsorption. Nanostructures had a size of 16.74 nm according to the XRD analysis. With a 300 min time interval, ZCSS nanostructures achieved the highest removal rate of 86.3%. Pyrene degradation metabolites were identified using GC-MS analysis of the degraded samples. A Freundlich isothermal (R2 0.9) and pseudo-first-order (R2 0.952) reaction kinetic path best fit the adsorption results for pyrene by the fabricated ZCSS nanostructure, based on the adsorption and kinetic studies. Zn-Cd-Sn-S exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcusaureus (22.4 mM). Due to the combined synergistic actions of the constituent metals, this quaternary nanostructure exhibited exceptional photocatalytic activity. To our est knowledge, the ZCSS nanostructure was made and used to remove pyrene by photocatalysis and fight microbes. Ultimately, the ZCSS nanostructure was found to be an effective photocatalyst for eradicating pathogenic microbes from water.

The release of industrial wastewater has adverse effects on both aquatic ecosystems and the environment. Discharging untreated organic dyes into aquatic environments significantly amplifies pollution levels in these ecosystems. Ensuring the appropriate disposal of organic colorants and their derivatives before introducing them into wastewater streams is essential to prevent environmental contamination. This study aimed to develop an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to synthesize a chitosan-functionalized silver (Ag) nanocomposite using Solanum trilobatum for color pollutant mitigation. The synthesized CS-Ag nanocomposite was analyzed using various techniques such as UV–visible, FTIR, TEM, and EDS. TEM analysis revealed that the CS-Ag nanocomposite had a spherical nanostructure, with diameters ranging from 17.4 to 43.9 nm. These nanocomposites were tested under visible light irradiation to analyze their photocatalytic character against Congo red (CR). The nanocomposite exhibited a remarkable dye removal efficiency of over 93.6

The removal of color-causing compounds from wastewater is a significant challenge that industries encounter due to their toxic, carcinogenic, and harmful properties. Despite the extensive research and development of various techniques with the objective of effectively degrading color pollutants, the challenge still persists. This paper introduces a simple technique for producing iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) using orange fruit peel for sustainable dye degradation in aqueous environment. The observation of color change and the measurement of UV–visible absorbance at 240 nm provided a confirmation for the development of Fe2O3 NPs. Transmission electron microscopy examination demonstrated that the Fe2O3 NPs have an agglomerated distribution and forming spherical structures with size ranging from 25–80 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis supported the existence of Fe and O. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy conducted to investigate the involvement of orange peel extract in the reduction, capping, and synthesis of Fe2O3 NPs from the precursor salt. Fe2O3 NPs showed a photocatalytic remediation of 97

Benzopyrene (BaP) stands as a potent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecule, boasting five fused aromatic rings, making its way into the human food chain through soil contamination. The persistent environmental presence of PAHs in soil, attributed to industrial exposure, is primarily due to their low molecular weight and hydrophobic nature. To preemptively address the entry of BaP into the food chain, the application of nanocomposites was identified as an effective remediation strategy. Post-synthesis, comprehensive characterization tests employing techniques such as UV-DRS, XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and DLS unveiled the distinctive features of the g–C3N4–SnS nanocomposites. These nanocomposites exhibited spherical shapes embedded on layers of nanosheets, boasting particle diameters measuring 88.9 nm. Subsequent tests were conducted to assess the efficacy of eliminating benzopyrene from a combination of PAH molecules and g–C3N4–SnS nanocomposites. Varied parameters, including PAH concentration, adsorbent dosage, and suspension pH, were systematically explored. The optimized conditions for the efficient removal of BaP utilizing the g–C3N4–SnS nanocomposite involved 2 μg/mL of benzopyrene, 10 μg/mL of the nanocomposite, and a pH of 5, considering UV light as the irradiation source. The investigation into the mechanism governing BaP elimination closely aligned with batch adsorption results involved a thorough exploration of adsorption kinetics and isotherms. Photocatalytic degradation of benzopyrene was achieved, reaching a maximum of 86 % in 4 h and 36 % in 2 h, with g–C3N4–SnS nanocomposite acting as the catalyst. Further validation through HPLC data confirmed the successful removal of BaP from the soil matrix.