Food spoilage caused by microbial activity is one of the main challenges in food safety, that the use of antioxidant and antibacterial compounds is one of the strategies to reduce it. The aim of this study was to produce a nanocomposite combining the postbiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum with curcumin and a chitosan-alginate matrix and evaluate its ability to reduce food spoilage caused by microbial activity. To synthesize the nano-composite, L. plantarum was cultivated and extracting its postbiotic using filtration. Then, the extracted post-biotic was combined with a chitosan-alginate mixture containing curcumin solution. The produced compound was treated using a reducing agent in an ultrasonic environment, and FT-IR and FE-SEM were used to confirm the structure of the nanocomposite. The results showed significant efficiency (92%) of the chitosan-alginate matrix in encapsulating postbiotics and curcumin. The highest efficiency of reducing inflammation (84.52%) and free radical scavenging capacity (88.92%) was observed in the chitosan-alginate/curcumin/postbiotics mixture. Curcumin was the most effective single antibacterial agent, showing the ability to produce 14.5 mm zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and 14 mm zones against Escherichia coli. The antibacterial effects of postbiotics showed higher effectiveness when combined with curcumin compared to their separate application. The study found that lactic acid bacteria reduced aflatoxin levels by 65% through their effect on AFM1 concentrations. The produced nanocomposite may functions as a biological control agent which helps enhance food quality and shelf life while providing safe natural methods for food preservation and safety.

Phlorotannins (PTs) are compounds with notable bioactive characteristics obtained from brown algae. In the present study, PTs from the Sargassum ilicifolium seaweed were extracted, characterized, and evaluated for their anti-polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity and in vitro antifungal activity against spoilage molds (Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium expansum) of button mushrooms. Then, PTs were used as a coating in combination with alginate (AL) to improve the shelf life of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms under storage conditions. HPLC analysis identified phloroglucinol as the predominant component in the PT extract (18.1 %), which demonstrated an 86 +/- 1.02% radical scavenging activity in the DPPH test. The PPO enzyme activity significantly decreased from 320.34 +/- 2.1 units to 34.4 +/- 1.4 units in the presence of 1.5 mL of PT extract. The PT extract's antifungal properties were observed through well diffusion assays, mycelial growth inhibition, and scanning electron microscopy on treated spoilage mold colonies. Better preservation of the physicochemical properties of mushrooms coated with AL + PT was confirmed through various tests, including assessments of weight loss, browning, malondialdehyde levels, total phenol content, and vitamin C content. Additionally, sensorial tests and evaluations of visual and microstructure changes during storage at 4 degrees C confirmed the enhanced preservation after treatment. Findings indicated that in addition to the antifungal properties of S. ilicifolium-derived PT, which can act as a natural antifungal, this substance, when used in combination with AL coating, can increase the shelf life of A. bisporus mushrooms 12 d of storage at 4 degrees C.

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about using natural and bio-based materials as bio-adsorbents to clean up toxic stuff in food. With everyone getting more concerned about food safety and all the ways things can go wrong, we really need smart, out-of-the-box ideas to handle threats like heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and other nasty environmental contaminants. This review jumps into the world of bio-adsorbents think things like leftover farm scraps, seaweed, or even microbial gunk and checks out how well they can grab and zap those harmful substances. It also takes a deep dive into the different ways to wrap up these bio-adsorbents for better performance, from physical methods like coacervation and spray-drying to chemical ones like polymerization. It digs into how these methods beef up the stability, reusability, and overall punch of bio-adsorbents. Encapsulation doesn’t just make these materials work betterit also acts like a shield, protecting them from breaking down in tough environments, which is super handy for using them in food. The review also tackles some big questions about safety and biocompatibility, pointing out why it’s crucial to stick to regulations when applying these materials in food settings. After all, making sure they’re non-toxic and effective is key to keeping people safe and pushing for greener practices in food safety. All in all, this review shines a light on why encapsulated bio-based materials are such a game-changer for coming up with green, creative ways to fight food contamination. It paves the way for more research into bio-adsorbents and how they can step up food safety while keeping things sustainable for the planet.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21386.].

Heavy metals (HMs) leaching during cooking greatly threatens food safety and human health. This study intended to prepare and evaluate alginate-carboxymethyl cellulose/curcumin (ALG/CMC/Curcumin) bionanocomposite that could remove HMs leached from aluminum, stone, and copper cookware. The nanocomposite was synthesized by using cross-linking and ultrasonic dispersion methods and characterized by means of FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, and TEM methods, thereby confirming a semi-crystalline structure and uniform dispersion. Adsorption experiments at two pH values (3 and 7) with cooking durations of 1-3 h confirmed removal efficiencies of up to 90 % for Al, 75 % for Pb in copper cookware, 86 % for Al, 88 % for Zn in stone cookware, 85 % for Fe and 80 % for Pb in aluminum cookware (under optimun condition: 0.2 g/L dose, pH of 3, cooking duration of 3 h). Kinetic studies obeyed pseudo-second-order models indicating that the chemisorption mechanism was a dominant one, while the thermodynamic studies verified that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous at the elevated temperature. These results highlight the eco-friendly nature of ALG/CMC/Curcumin nanocomposite for minimizing dietary exposure to toxic metals and hence better food safety and public health.

Milk containing Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) has high health risks that may lead to serious disease because of its carcinogenic and hepatotoxic effectiveness. A novel Fe3O4/Chitosan/Curcumin/Postbiotics (Fe3O4/Cs/Cur/ Postbiotics) nanocomposite was examined for AFM1 removal from milk. The nanocomposite's synthesis, characterization, and adsorption efficiency were related by FTIR, XRD, TEM, FE-SEM, and VSM tests ensuring that the material had the correct morphology and superparamagnetic properties. Absorption experiments showed that the Fe3O4/Cs/Cur/Postbiotics nanocomposite unlike curcumin and postbiotics exhibited a much better AFM1 removal rate. The highest removal rate was 72.8 % at 0.2 g and 80 min. The adsorption process was related to the electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and it-it interaction that made the binding and removal of AFM1 more efficient. Besides, Fe3O4 nanoparticles' magnetic properties assisted in the separation of the nanocomposite from the milk matrix easily. The benefits of the magnetic nanocomposites are the successful detoxification of AFM1 such as the dairy products providing megatonnes of applications and a biocompatible, sustainable alternative. Further studies on scale up use in the food industry, as well as on reusability and the development of new and better technology, should be focused on.

ABSTRACT Marine algae are rich sources of essential bioactive compounds, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. These compounds exhibit various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Their properties make algal bioactive compounds valuable for enhancing nutritional value, improving texture, and serving as natural preservatives in the food industry. These chemicals are used in farming as biostimulants, biofertilizers, and biopesticides. They enhance soil fertility and promote increased crop productivity. Integrating nanotechnology into algal applications further enhances the efficacy and delivery of these compounds. However, safety and regulatory compliance challenges—such as heavy metal contamination and potential allergic reactions—pose risks to consumer health. Additionally, the grassy taste and fishy odor associated with marine algae can limit consumer acceptance. Despite these challenges, algal biomass provides sustainable solutions for low‐carbon agriculture through carbon sequestration and recycling, supporting a circular economy and reducing environmental impact. This review looks at the main biomolecular compounds from marine algae and how they are used in food and agriculture. It also talks about the safety, regulatory, and consumer acceptance issues associated with these compounds, as well as possible future directions and innovations.

The current study tries to find the impact of the integration of laccase enzyme (Lac) onto magnetized chitosan (Cs) nanoparticles composed of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 NPs) (Fe3O4/Cs/MoS2/Lac NPs) on the removal of AFM1 in milk samples. The Fe3O4/Cs/MoS2/Lac NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, BET, TEM, FESEM, EDS, PSA, and VSM analysis. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles in different concentrations was evaluated using the MTT method. The results show that the synthesized nanoparticles don't have cytotoxic activity at concentrations less than 20 mg/l. The ability of the prepared nanoparticles to remove AFM1 was compared by bare laccase enzyme, MoS2, and Fe3O4/Cs/MoS2 composite, indicating that the Fe3O4/Cs/MoS2/Lac NPs the highest adsorption efficiency toward AFM1. Besides, the immobilization efficiency of laccase with a concentration range of 0.5-2.0 was investigated, indicating that the highest activity recovery of 96.8% was obtained using 2 mg/ml laccase loading capacity. The highest removal percentage of AFM1 (68.5%) in the milk samples was obtained by the Fe3O4/Cs/MoS2/Lac NPs at a contact time of 1 h. As a result, Fe3O4/MoS2/Cs/Lac NPs can potentially be utilized as an effective sorbent with high capacity and selectivity to remove AFM1 from milk samples.

The study investigated the use of Allium Jesdianum plant extract as a natural preservative in sausage dough at varying concentrations. After preparation, chemical and microbial tests were conducted on the samples at zero, 14, 28, and 42 days. The study found no significant changes in pH, moisture, fat, or protein content, but the control samples consistently had the highest total volatile nitrogen (TVN) levels. The peroxide test revealed a significant difference between the control and extract samples. Sensory analysis indicated a significant difference between the control and the 200 and 300 ppm extracts (P < 0.05). Addition of Jesdianum extract significantly reduced the total viable count and psychrophilic bacteria compared to the control, subsequently extending the shelf-life of the product to over 42 days. Overall, Allium Jesdianum extract, with its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, is beneficial in preserving sausage products and can be recommended as a nitrite substitute.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), toxic persistent pollutants, result in adverse impacts to human being health. Among the variety contaminant remediation approaches, nanotechnology was found promising in terms of its efficiency and exceptional size-dependent properties. Nanomaterials also possess high particular surface area, rapid dissolution characteristics, high sorption, magnetic -properties and quantum confinement. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been employed as sorbents in the assessment of PAHs, including carbon NPs, mesoporous silica NPs, metallic species, metal oxides, as well as magnetic and magnetized NPs. Magnetic nanocomposites have demonstrated high efficiency (>99 %) in removing PAHs from food products. Similarly, a magnetic chitosan/molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite exhibited excellent adsorption capacities for PAHs in milk samples. Present research was conducted on multiple academic platforms, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, Springer, Scopus, and PubMed from 2017 to 2024. Various combinations of keywords, such as “PAHs,” “extraction,” “removal,” and “nanomaterials,” were used in the search. The aim of this manuscript is to reviews the application of nanotechnologies for the elimination and extraction of PAHs from contaminated food products. The findings of this study offer novel insights into efficient and cost-saving approach and suggest the potential of NPs as promising agents for preconcentration and remediation of PAHs from variety food samples. Also, the obtained results will pave the way for future explorations that will lead to the achievement of maximum efficiency for the analysis and extraction of materials in more diverse matrices. Therefore, it is suggested to investigate the potential of various nanomaterials regarding various matrices in future.

Nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in food science, particularly in the nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds, to enhance their stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic potential. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the encapsulation of bioactive compounds, emphasizing the characteristics, food applications, and implications for human health. This work offers a detailed comparison of polymers such as sodium alginate, gum Arabic, chitosan, cellulose, pectin, shellac, and xanthan gum, while also examining both conventional and emerging encapsulation techniques, including freeze-drying, spray-drying, extrusion, coacervation, and supercritical anti-solvent drying. The contribution of this review lies in highlighting the role of encapsulation in improving system stability, controlling release rates, maintaining bioactivity under extreme conditions, and reducing lipid oxidation. Furthermore, it explores recent technological advances aimed at optimizing encapsulation processes for targeted therapies and functional foods. The findings underline the significant potential of encapsulation not only in food supplements and functional foods but also in supportive medical treatments, showcasing its relevance to improving human health in various contexts.

This study aimed to develop a highly efficient nanocomposite composed of magnetic chitosan/molybdenum disulfide (CS/MoS2/Fe3O4) for the removal of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-pyrene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. Novelty was introduced through the innovative synthesis procedure and the utilization of magnetic properties for enhanced adsorption capabilities. Additionally, the greenness of chitosan as a sorbent component was emphasized, highlighting its biodegradability and low environmental impact compared to traditional sorbents. Factors influencing PAH adsorption, such as nanocomposite dosage, initial PAH concentration, pH, and contact time, were systematically investigated and optimized. The results revealed that optimal removal efficiencies were attained at an initial PAH concentration of 150 mg/L, a sorbent dose of 0.045 g, pH 6.0, and a contact time of 150 min. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model exhibited superior fitting to the experimental data, indicating an equilibrium time of approximately 150 min. Moreover, the equilibrium adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm model, with kf and n values exceeding 7.91 mg/g and 1.20, respectively. Remarkably, the maximum absorption capacities for phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene on the sorbent were determined as 217 mg/g, 204 mg/g, and 222 mg/g, respectively. These findings underscore the significant potential of the CS/MoS2/Fe3O4 nanocomposite for efficiently removing PAHs from milk and other dairy products, thereby contributing to improved food safety and public health.

The issue of material migration from cookware to food is one of the main concerns of consumers, and which cookware is suitable for cooking is a challenge. The answer to this question can effectively maintain the safety of consumed food. Therefore, this study investigated heavy metals' migration from the usual cookware used in cooking food in two new and old forms. Migration Cr, As, Ni, Pb, Al, Cu, Cd, Se, and Co from copper, glass, aluminium, stone, cast iron, plastic, Teflon, and stainless steel cookware was quantified by the ICP device. The results showed that the release of heavy metals increases in old containers due to frequent use and damage or abrasion. On the other hand, cooking time had a significant relationship with the release of metals in food, especially in old cookware. This study showed the release of some heavy metals into food from old cookware. Therefore, the use of high-risk damaged cookware should be restricted.

The food industry has always sought to produce products enriched with vitamins, probiotics, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds to improve physiological function, enhance nutritional value, and provide health. These compounds are essential for human health, and their deficiency can lead to adverse effects. Therefore, food enrichment is an important strategy to improve the nutritional value and, in some cases, improve the quality of food. Recently, functional foods have been very popular around the world. Among food products, dairy products constitute a major part of people's diet, and due to the high consumption of dairy products, including yogurt, the enrichment of this product effectively reduces or prevents diseases associated with nutritional deficiencies. Most consumers generally accept yogurt due to its high nutritional value and low price. So, it can be considered a good candidate for enrichment with micronutrients and probiotics. In recent years, using functional foods to prevent various diseases has become a popular topic for research. In this study, the effect of fortified yogurt in preventing diseases and improving deficiencies has been investigated, and it has been proven that super healthy yogurt has a positive effect on human health.

Abstract Background Following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (SC2), the human immune system produces neutralizing antibodies (NAb) that block the virus from entering host cells. These NAb levels are highly predictive of protection against SC2 infection and progression to severe disease [1]. Unfortunately, individual humoral responses vary and NAb titers decay over time, making measurement of NAb important in timing vaccine boosters, especially for at-risk individuals. Microneutralization assays (MNA) can be used to measure vaccine effectiveness by quantifying virus-specific NAb titers. However, these assays have long turnarounds, require a BSL3 lab, and have high inter-lab variability [2]. The Q-NAb™ test was developed to quantitatively measure NAb levels and correlate with MNA [3]. Q-NAb is available as both an ELISA for central laboratories, and a multiplexed POC centrifugal disc assay that measures NAb, anti-Nucleocapsid protein (NP), and anti-Spike antibodies. Methods The heart of the Q-NAb test is a recombinant fusion protein (FP) that blocks anti-RBD non-neutralizing antibodies (NNAb). FP consists of human ACE2 fused to the Wuhan-RBD of the SC2 Spike. Designed to conceal the the NAb binding epitopes of RBD, FP serves as a specific depleting agent for NNAb. The pretreated sample is then incubated with immobilized Wuhan-RBD to obtain a NAb readout. Both Q-NAb formats were calibrated to WHO international standard 20/136 using a set of 7 calibrators and correlated to MNA results. NAb levels were determined using >200 clinical samples collected 2–12 weeks post monovalent or bivalent vaccine booster and compared across age groups (<60, 60–70, 70–80, 80+ years). Results Both Q-NAb Disc and ELISA show correlation to each other (n = 167, WLS, R2 = 0.85) and are traceable to international standards. Q-NAb also correlated with MN50: ELISA (n = 137, Spearman's ρ = 0.88) and Disc (n = 208, Spearman's ρ = 0.91). After receiving a bivalent booster, no difference in median NAb levels across age groups was observed (Kruskal-Wallis, P = 0.3). While 99.4% of samples had a positive anti-Spike, using a NAb cutoff of 1000 IU/mL derived from the literature [2, 4–5], we found the percentage of individuals below that cutoff increased with age (9.8% for <60 years, 20.4% for 60–70 years, 19.5% for 70–80 years, and 34.1% for 80+ years). In addition, 32% of samples had an anti-NP level indicating recent infection. Conclusion The Q-NAb test, available in both central lab and POC formats, measures NAb levels, correlates to MNA, and is traceable to international standards. Q-NAb was used to assess humoral responses following vaccine boosters in a clinical sample set. While virtually all subjects had anti-Spike levels, the percentage of individuals falling below a NAb cutoff of 1000 IU/mL ranged from 9.8% to 34.1%, depending on age. Additionally, about one-third of patients had anti-NP activity, indicating NAb levels resulted from a combination of vaccination and infection. This data shows Q-NAb is an easily accessible and more accurate tool to identify a subset of at-risk patients that anti-Spike antibody tests alone do not discriminate.

Biofilm is considered as a community of microorganisms in which cells adhere to each other on surfaces in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymer compounds. In recent years, efforts to use the beneficial aspects of biofilm in probiotic research have intensified. In this study, probiotic biofilms of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus were manufactured using milk and transferred to yogurt in whole and pulverized forms to test in real food conditions. Survival was assessed during 21 days of storage time as well as gastrointestinal conditions. The results indicated that Lp. plantarum and Lc. rhamnosus can form a very desirable and strong biofilm that can have a good protective effect on the survival of these bacteria in probiotic yogurt during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal conditions, in a way that, after 120 min of treatment in high acidic gastrointestinal conditions (pH 2.0), the survival rate decreased by only 0.5 and 1.1 log CFU/ml. Probiotic biofilm can be used as a natural way of utilizing bacteria in biotechnology and fermentation, which is an excellent way to increase the utility of probiotics.

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products called volatile oils or aromatic and ethereal oils derived from various parts of plants. They possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which offer natural protection against a variety of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. Studies conducted in the last decade have demonstrated the unique applications of these compounds in the fields of the food industry, agriculture, and skin health. This systematic article provides a summary of recent data pertaining to the effectiveness of EOs and their constituents in combating fungal pathogens through diverse mechanisms. Antifungal investigations involving EOs were conducted on multiple academic platforms, including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, Springer, Scopus, and PubMed, spanning from April 2000 to October 2023. Various combinations of keywords, such as “essential oil,” “volatile oils,” “antifungal,” and “Aspergillus species,” were used in the search. Numerous essential oils have demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity against different species of Aspergillus, including A. niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, and A. ochraceus. They have also exhibited efficacy against other fungal species, such as Penicillium species, Cladosporium, and Alternaria. The findings of this study offer novel insights into inhibitory pathways and suggest the potential of essential oils as promising agents with antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic properties. These properties could make them viable alternatives to conventional preservatives, thereby enhancing the shelf life of various food products.

Foods are contaminated with natural and man-made radionuclides. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the amount and type of radionuclides in eggs, as well as the biomarker capability of eggs. The research studies with keywords radionuclide, radioisotopes, contamination and egg were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases, regardless of publication time. A number of 70 studies were obtained and only 13 articles were finally selected according to exclusion, inclusion criteria and quality assessment results. Studies which detected radionuclide in the hen eggs were selected. The highest frequency of radionuclides belonged to Ra-226 and Cs-137. The index of natural radionuclides is Ra-226 and the index of synthetic radionuclides is Cs-137. The local eggs, in addition to determining food contamination, can also be a good biomarker for identifying environmental contamination.

Traditional dairy products are a unique source which have been considered for the extraction of indigenous probiotic strains in recent years. In this study, biofilm formation power of Levilactobacillus brevis that isolated from Mutal traditional cheese were investigated. Survival was assessed during 21 days of storage time and at the presence of residues antibiotics as well as gastrointestinal conditions. The results showed after 120 min of treatment in high acidic conditions (pH 2.0), the survival rate decreased only 0.75 log CFU/mL in biofilm formed. The antibiotic susceptibility evaluated of probiotic to enrofloxacin, sulfadimidine, tetracycline, and oxytetracycline showed reducing the bacterial population in the biofilm form only 2.6 log. probiotic strain that isolated from indigenous dairy sources showed excellent resistance in the biofilm state. Therefore, extracting strong probiotic strains from indigenous resources, it can significantly improve functional products and fermentory engineering.

Background: Water quality is the most important factor for consumers. Therefore, monitoring and controlling water quality is of particular significance in different human communities such as universities. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of drinking water in some universities in Iran. Methods: In this study, the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals including lead, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and chromium in drinking water were determined in nine Iranian universities. Then, the efficacy of several treatment methods was evaluated in the removal of heavy metals, including boiling process in two stages, 5 min boiling, 5 h boiling, and filtration process. Results: Physicochemical properties of drinking water in all samples were appropriate. Hardness levels were higher than the World Health Organization standards. However, this parameter was lower than the national standard of Iran (500 mg/l caco3). Nevertheless, cadmium content was not detected in any samples, and nickel and chromium content was below the permissible limit. Lead content was equal to the limit in three samples, and arsenic content was equal to the limit in four samples. Water purification methods including boiling and water purifier were satisfactory and significantly reduced pollutants. Conclusion: It is suggested to check drinking water quality in universities randomly.