The growing global demand for sustainable food sources has intensified interest in macroalgae as an ecologically efficient and nutrient-rich biomass. Macroalgae are an important industrial source of hydrocolloids such as carrageenan, agar, alginate, ulvan, and fucoidan, which are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to their gel-forming, thickening, and stabilizing properties. These polysaccharides exhibit not only outstanding techno-functional capabilities such as gel formation, thickening, stabilization, and viscosity europemodification, but also important biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. Furthermore, the chemical composition and bioactivity of macroalgae vary significantly depending on the species, environment, and extraction conditions, which requires systematic comparisons and optimization. This review summarizes the chemistry of hydrocolloids derived from macroalgae, extraction techniques, structure-function interactions, and recent developments in their practical applications in food processing. Additionally, their bioactive properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and metabolism-related effects, are evaluated from a health perspective based on current experimental data. This study specifically compares traditional and newly emerging extraction strategies and relates their technological-functional performance in food systems to their potential roles as health-promoting agents. In contrast to previous studies that typically emphasize technological applications or biological activity separately, this review synthesizes both perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of macroalgal hydrocolloids. This synthesis consolidates existing knowledge and establishes a perception-focused integrated framework that can guide future innovations in the development of next-generation food applications and advanced biomaterials.

The green synthesis of nanoparticles for antimicrobial, optical, and other electrical applications has attracted growing attention because it reduces chemical burden while maintaining higher efficacy. However, the environmental impacts associated with green NP synthesis have not been thoroughly studied and remain underexplored. Here, we present a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of AgZnO NPs synthesized via thermal/hot plate (HP) and ultrasonication-assisted (US) green methods. Using a gate-to-gate approach and the TRACI midpoint method in OpenLCA 2.0, we evaluated key environmental impact categories, including ecotoxicity, global warming, carcinogens, and fossil fuel depletion, for a functional unit of 1 kg of AgZnO NPs. Results indicate that the US method reduces carcinogens by 29%, ecotoxicity by 26%, global warming by 27%, and fossil fuel depletion by similar to 20% compared to the HP method, primarily due to lower energy and solvent consumption. Sensitivity analysis revealed that ethanol, water, and energy inputs are the dominant contributors to the environmental burden, and optimizing these parameters can further decrease the impacts. Implementing 90% solvent recycling significantly enhances sustainability by reducing ecotoxicity by approximately 32-49%, fossil fuel depletion by 17-70%, and global warming potential up to 18-63% relative to the base case scenario. The result supports the idea that the US process, coupled with ethanol recovery, exhibits the lowest overall environmental impact. This study highlights the critical role of early process optimization and solvent recovery in green nanoparticle synthesis and provides a framework for developing resource-efficient, safer, and environmentally benign process pathways suitable for scale-up.

The protocol described in this chapter details the synthesis of Desotamides, a class of cyclic hexapeptide antibiotics from Streptomyces species. These peptides, which often include D-amino acids and non-proteogenic amino acids, are challenging to produce using molecular biology techniques. Their synthesis involves loading the first amino acid onto 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin, followed by fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) solid phase synthesis of the linear peptide, cleavage of a protected peptide fragment from the resin using mild acidic conditions, and head-to-tail cyclization in solution. These synthetic processes permit the scalable production and engineering of Desotamides and novel-related antimicrobial species, without the limitations of biological synthesis methods.

The increasing demand for multifunctional nanomaterials has highlighted the significance of environmentally sustainable synthesis methods. This study presents an innovative green and efficient approach to the encapsulation of green silver (Ag) nanoparticles with metal oxide of zinc (Zn) to produce ZnO@Ag nanocomposite (NC), employing aqueous neem extract as both a stabilizer and reducing agent. NCs are materials synthesized with two or more components, with at least one component falling in then nanometer scale. Such combined materials bring the properties of both components together, resulting in unique properties distinct from those of individual materials. Thus, this study provides a strong mechanistic approach to the biosynthesis process of nanocomposites and their antibacterial and catalytic activities. The one-pot biosynthesis, performed in an ultrasonicated bath, produced uniformly dispersed nanoparticles in 1 h, representing a quick and efficient way to synthesize nanocomposites. UV-vis spectra revealed a broad absorption peak (320-500 nm), confirming ZnO@Ag integration, while FTIR unveiled neem-derived polyphenolic groups as stabilizers; TEM and HRTEM highlighted spherical nanostructures (25 +/- 3 nm) with crystalline SAED patterns and a bioprotective phytochemical coating. The chemical states and surface composition of the ZnO@Ag nanocomposites were analyzed through XPS. The produced ZnO@Ag NC exhibited remarkable antibacterial effectiveness, producing inhibition zones of 30 and 29 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Furthermore, the nanocomposite exhibited exceptional catalytic activity, effectively decomposing methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes by 96 and 93%, respectively. Overall, this study demonstrates an ultrasonic-assisted approach of combining the properties of Ag and Zn metal oxides that integrates exceptional antibacterial and catalytic efficacy while adhering to green chemistry principles. This research identifies ZnO@Ag nanocomposite as a transformative innovation for health and environmental applications, offering a sustainable solution to worldwide issues of antibiotic resistance and pollutant cleanup.

The all-wine industry is projected to generate over US$528 billion in sales globally by 2025, and like many mass-producing industries, it too generates significant waste and by-products, much of which ends up in landfill. Among the various agricultural and industrial by-products, residues from winemaking stand out for their exceptionally rich and diverse bioactive compound content, primarily originating from grape skins, seeds and stems, all of which are rich in polyphenols, organic acids and tannins. These compounds have remarkable antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and can therefore be diverted to agricultural, food preservation, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The mechanism of action of the array of bioactive compounds includes disruption of microbial cell membranes, reduction of oxidative stress, and modulation of inflammatory responses. The current literature is limited to highlights of the scale of waste generated, and the application of its bioactive agents, however, it is notably absent of critical appraisal and discussion in sustainable avenues for development and value-added products, which are comprehensively elaborated herein.

Food safety and environmental concerns are global challenges that require innovative solutions, and alternative protein sources like insect proteins, plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs), and single-cell proteins offer promising alternatives. These proteins are produced through processes such as extrusion, fermentation, and cell cultivation, with advanced technologies like 3D printing and shear cell structuring enhancing their texture and nutritional quality. These alternatives have significant environmental benefits, helping bridge the protein gap while offering sustainable, nutritious options. However, challenges related to production, safety, and ethics must be addressed to meet regulatory standards and gain consumer trust. Microbial safety is a major concern for alternative proteins, including plant-based proteins, insect proteins, and single-cell proteins. Contamination risks during production, processing, and storage can lead to pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Bacillus cereus. Employing food pathogen-reducing techniques and proper processing methods such as heat treatments and drying is critical to reducing microbial loads. Research gaps remain, particularly in the microbial safety of microalgal products, requiring more stringent quality control and decontamination practices. Allergens also present a significant risk, with common allergens found in plant-based proteins such as nuts, legumes, and cereals. Insects, particularly crickets and mealworms, are also allergenic, with proteins like tropomyosin causing cross-reactivity with shellfish allergens. Additionally, mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins and ochratoxins, and heavy metals like lead and cadmium, can accumulate in alternative proteins, necessitating careful monitoring to protect vulnerable populations, such as children and allergy sufferers. Despite these challenges, continued research and innovation hold great potential to further improve the safety, efficiency, and scalability of alternative protein sources in the future.

Conformational flexibility is one of the main disadvantages of peptide-based compounds. We focus on their molecular ‘chameleonicity’ related to forming pseudo-cyclic motifs via modulation of weak intramolecular interactions. It is an appealing strategy for controlling equilibrium between the polar open and the nonpolar closed conformations. Within this context, we report here the crystal structure of the (R)-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-1-oxo-3-phenyl)propyl)-1-cyclopentene (1), synthesis of which in high yield was achieved by a facile multi-step protocol. Our Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) overview for the peptide-based crystals revealed the exclusivity of this compound from the viewpoint of the unusual pseudo-bicyclic system via C–H…O and C–O…π interactions, in which cyclopentene shields the amide bond. Notably, cyclopentene as a bioisostere of proline is an appealing scaffold in medicinal chemistry. An extensive combined experimental and computational study provided more profound insight into the supramolecular landscape of 1 with respect to similar derivatives deposited in the CSD, including the tendency of cyclopentene for the generation of pseudo-cyclic motifs through weak H-bonding and π-based intramolecular interactions. These weak interactions have been examined by either the quantum theory of ‘atoms-in-molecules’ (QTAIM) or complex Hirshfeld surface methodology, including enrichment ratios, molecular electrostatic potential surfaces and energy frameworks. In all analysed crystals, all types of H-bonded motifs involving cyclopentene are formed at all levels of supramolecular architecture. A library of cyclopentene-based H-bonding synthons is provided. A molecular docking study depicted vital interactions of cyclopentene with key amino acid residues inside the active sites of two prominent protein kinases, uncovering the therapeutic potential of 1 against breast cancer. To a large extent, dispersion forces have significance in stabilizing the supramolecular structure of both ligand and bio-complex ligand–protein. Finally, the satisfactory in silico bio-pharmacokinetic profile of 1 related to drug-likeness and blood–brain barrier permeation was also revealed.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has caused millions of infections and fatalities worldwide. Extensive SARS-CoV-2 research has been conducted to develop therapeutic drugs and prophylactic vaccines, and even though some drugs have been approved to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment efficacy remains limited. Therefore, preventive vaccination has been implemented on a global scale and represents the primary approach to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Approved vaccines vary in composition, although vaccine design has been based on either the key viral structural (spike) protein or viral components carrying this protein. Therefore, mutations of the virus, particularly mutations in the S protein, severely compromise the effectiveness of current vaccines and the ability to control COVID-19 infection. This review begins by describing the SARS-CoV-2 viral composition, the mechanism of infection, the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the host defence responses against infection and the most common vaccine designs. Next, this review summarizes the common mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and how these mutations change viral properties, confer immune escape and influence vaccine efficacy. Finally, this review discusses global strategies that have been employed to mitigate the decreases in vaccine efficacy encountered against new variants.

The unique physicochemical properties and fascinating bioisosterism of tetrazole scaffolds have received significant attention in medicinal chemistry. We report recent efforts using tetrazoles in drug design strategies in this context. Despite the increasing prevalence of tetrazoles in FDA-approved drugs for various conditions such as cancer, bacterial viral and fungal infections, asthma, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, malaria, and tuberculosis, our understanding of their structure-activity relationships, multifunctional mechanisms, binding modes, and biochemical properties remains limited. We explore the potential of tetrazole bioisosteres in optimising lead molecules for innovative therapies, discussing applications, trends, advantages, limitations, and challenges. Additionally, we assess future research directions to drive further progress in this field.

The increasing prevalence of paraben compounds in the environment has given rise to concerns regarding their detrimental impacts on both ecosystems and human health. Over the past few decades, photocatalytic reactions have drawn significant attention as a method to accelerate the otherwise slow degradation of these pollutants. The current study aims to evaluate the current efficacy of the photocatalytic method for degrading parabens in aqueous solutions. An extensive literature review and bibliometric analysis were conducted to identify key research trends and influential areas in the field of photocatalytic paraben degradation. Studies were screened based on the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, which led to 13 studies that were identified as being appropriate for the meta-analysis using the random effects model. Furthermore, experimental parameters such as pH, paraben initial concentration, catalyst dosage, light intensity, and contact time have been reported to have key impacts on the performance of the photocatalytic degradation process. A comprehensive quantitative assessment of these parameters was carried out in this work. Overall, photocatalytic techniques could eliminate parabens with an average degradation efficiency of >80 %. The findings of the Egger's test and the Begg's test were statistically not significant suggesting potential publication bias was not observed. This review provides a holistic understanding of the photocatalytic degradation of parabens and is anticipated to encourage more widespread adoption of photocatalytic procedures as a suitable method for the elimination of parabens from aqueous solutions, opening new avenues for future research in this direction.

Citrus peels constitute around 8-10% of total fruit biomass and are an abundant source of functional organic compounds, however, they are commonly regarded as waste and discarded. This study presents a facile one-pot synthesis method for the fabrication of multifunctional silver nanoparticles using the biowaste as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent for the synthesis. The utilization of biowaste not only aligns with sustainable practices but also imparts unique characteristics to the nanoparticles for diverse functionalities. Extensive spectroscopic and microscopic characterization validate the stability of the resulting AgNPs with an average diameter of 40nm. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibit enhanced catalytic activities for complete degradation of toxic nitroaromatic pollutant 4-nitrophenol within 21 min. Additionally, the sensing capabilities of AgNPs render them highly sensitive to heavy metal mercury, offering potential applications in environmental monitoring. Furthermore, the AgNPs demonstrate comprehensive bactericidal properties tested against S. aureus at 0.0625 mg/mL, highlighting their potential in biomedical applications. Moreover, density-functional theory (DFT) studies were performed to compare the reducing and stabilizing characteristics of the main components present in the fruit peel extract, with ferulic acid identified as theoretically the most potent compound. This research introduces a promising avenue for the development of versatile nanoparticles with multifaceted properties utilizing the potential of biowaste to address crucial challenges in environmental remediation.

This study investigates the synthesis and radiolabeling of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) with the radioisotope technetium-99 m (99mTc) using a solvothermal method in methanol. The methanolic medium facilitated the formation of nanoparticles with favorable characteristics, including a smaller particle size (198 ± 9.8 nm) and a low polydispersity index (PDI = 0.219 ± 0.011). Radiolabeling efficiency (RE

Biofilm-associated infections account for a large proportion of chronic diseases and pose a major health challenge. Metal nanoparticles offer a new way to address this problem, by impairing microbial growth and biofilm formation and by causing degradation of existing biofilms. This review of metal nanoparticles with antimicrobial actions included an analysis of 20 years of journal papers and patent applications, highlighting the progress over that time. A network analysis of relevant publications showed a major focus on the eradication of single-species biofilms formed under laboratory conditions, while a bibliometric analysis showed growing interest in combining different types of metal nanoparticles with one another or with antibiotics. The analysis of patent applications showed considerable growth over time, but with relatively few patents progressing to be granted. Overall, this profile shows that intense interest in metal nanoparticles as anti-biofilm agents is progressing beyond the confines of simple laboratory biofilm models and coming closer to clinical application. Looking to the future, metal nanoparticles may provide a sustainable approach to combatting biofilms of drug-resistant bacteria.

Biofilms are structured microbial communities that adhere to various abiotic and biotic surfaces, where organisms are encased in an exo-polysaccharide matrix. Organisms within biofilms use various mechanisms that help them resist external challenges, such as antibiotics, rendering them more resistant to drugs. Therefore, researchers have attempted to develop suitable laboratory models to study the physical features of biofilms, their resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial agents, and their gene and protein expression profiles. However, current laboratory models suffer from various limitations. In this comprehensive review, we have summarized the various designs that have been used for laboratory biofilm models, presenting their strengths and limitations. Additionally, we have provided insight into improving these models to more closely simulate real-life scenarios, using newly developed techniques in additive manufacturing, synthetic biology, and bioengineering.

The rapid advancements in nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine have the potential to significantly enhance therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. There is considerable promise for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy through the manufacture of innovative nanocomposite materials. Metallic nanoparticles have been found to enhance the release of anticancer medications that are loaded onto them, resulting in a sustained release, hence reducing the dosage required for drug administration and preventing their buildup in healthy cells. The combination of nanotechnology with biocompatible materials offers new prospects for the development of advanced therapies that exhibit enhanced selectivity, reduced adverse effects, and improved patient outcomes. Chitosan (CS), a polysaccharide possessing distinct physicochemical properties, exhibits favorable attributes for controlled drug delivery due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Chitosan nanocomposites exhibit heightened stability, improved biocompatibility, and prolonged release characteristics for anticancer medicines. The incorporation of gold (Au) nanoparticles into the chitosan nanocomposite results in the manifestation of photothermal characteristics, whereas the inclusion of silver (Ag) nanoparticles boosts the antibacterial capabilities of the synthesized nanocomposite. The objective of this review is to investigate the recent progress in the utilization of Ag and Au nanoparticles, or a combination thereof, within a chitosan matrix or its modified derivatives for the purpose of anticancer drug delivery. The research findings for the potential of a chitosan nanocomposite to deliver various anticancer drugs, such as doxorubicin, 5-Fluroacil, curcumin, paclitaxel, and 6-mercaptopurine, were investigated. Moreover, various modifications carried out on the chitosan matrix phase and the nanocomposite surfaces to enhance targeting selectivity, loading efficiency, and pH sensitivity were highlighted. In addition, challenges and perspectives that could motivate further research related to the applications of chitosan nanocomposites in cancer therapy were summarized.

Phenol is a well-known organic pollutant that poses a threat to environmental sustainability due to its prevalence in industrial effluents. This chemical is frequently found in industrial waste and can have detrimental effects on ecosystems. In order to address this issue, effective remediation strategies are essential. Carbon-based adsorbents have emerged as a popular solution in current research. These adsorbents have demonstrated exceptional efficiency in removing phenol from water, presenting a promising solution for phenol adsorption and promoting sustainable water management. The current study aims to evaluate the capacity of a novel hybrid aerogel synthesized from spent catalyst-generated carbon nanotubes (GO/CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO). The phenol adsorption efficiency and behavior of GO/CNTs were compared with three different carbon-based adsorbents: graphene oxide (GO), magnetic graphene oxide (MGO), and graphene oxide aerogel (GOA). The adsorption isotherm modeling of experimental data showed that GO/CNTs exhibited the highest phenol adsorption efficiency of 204 mg/g, followed by GOA (141 mg/g), according to the Langmuir isotherm model. The detailed adsorption mechanism was correlated with isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamics datasets, and further validated by in-depth statistical analysis of models, confirming the superior phenol adsorption capacity of the wastederived hybrid aerogel. This research provides valuable insights into effective phenol removal from wastewater, emphasizing the promising performance of the novel GO/CNTs hybrid aerogel and providing optimized conditions for the adsorption process with statistical significance.

OBJECTIVES:The co-occurrence of melanoma and Parkinson's disease (PD) is higher than expected. We review the relationship between melanoma and PD, then proffer a hypothesis of how dysregulated human tyrosinase could be involved in both diseases via the loss of dopamine and neuromelanin-positive neurons in PD and the genesis alterations in melanin content during melanoma.KEY FINDINGS:There are a surprising number of links between skin disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Some risk factors related to the co-occurrence of PD and melanoma have been extensively investigated over the past 15 years. It has been proposed that human tyrosinase, an enzyme participating in the biosynthesis of neuromelanin in the brain and of melanin in the skin, plays a role. Abnormally dysregulated human tyrosinase impacts the genesis and progression of melanoma and PD.SUMMARY:The dual role of human tyrosinase places it as the potential critical link between these seemingly distinct conditions. Detecting and monitoring human tyrosinase activity in the progression of melanoma and PD opens new opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment of both diseases.