Release study and inhibitory activity of thyme essential oil-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and nanocapsules against foodborne bacteria

Chitosan nanoparticles incorporate with curry leaf essential oil: Physicochemical characterization and in vitro release properties

The use of essential oils as natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and insect repellent agent was limited by the loss of bioactive components especially volatile compounds. This study aimed to improve biological properties of curry leaf essential oil (CLEO) by producing nanometer sized particles through two different synthesis techniques; nanoencapsulation and nanoprecipitation. The methods produced different nanostructures; nanocapsules and nanospheres distinguished by the morphological structure (TEM analysis). Successful loading of CLEO into chitosan nanocarrier was proven by FTIR spectra. Zeta potential values for both nanostructures were more than +30 mV implying their stability against aggregation. CLEO loaded nanocapsules exhibited highest antibacterial properties against Gram-positive bacteria compared to nanospheres. Meanwhile, CLEO loaded nanospheres recorded up until 90.44 % DPPH radical scavenging properties, higher compared to nanocapsules. Both nanostructures demonstrated further improvement in antioxidant and antibacterial activities with the incorporation of higher chitosan concentration. In vitro release analysis indicated that CLEO undergo two-stage discharge mechanism where fast discharge occurred up until 12 h followed by sustained released afterwards. The two synthesis methods applied synergistically with greater chitosan concentration successfully produced nanostructures with >60 % encapsulation efficiency (EE). This concluded that both techniques were reliable to protect the bioactive constituents of CLEO for further used.

Novel Niosome-Encapsulated 2,5-Diketopiperazine (BHPPD): Synthesis, Formulation, and Anti-breast Cancer Activity

In the course of this investigation, a brand-new noisome-encapsulated 2,5-diketopiperazine (BHPPD) was developed, synthesized, and assessed. Utilizing CCK-8, invasion screens, MTT test, flow cytometry, and cell cycle analysis, we evaluated the anti-breast cancer properties of niosome-encapsulated BHPPD. Apoptosis-related gene expression and cytotoxicity was measured using quantitative real-time PCR and MTT assays. This meta-analysis showed a significant drug-binding affinity for intestinal protease. The spherical mean diameters of the free BHPPD, the F1 niosomal-BHPPD, and the F2 niosomal-BHPPD were all determined to be108.91 ± 4.2, 129.13 ± 7.2 nm, and 149.43 ± 3.2 nm, respectively. Also, it was found that the entrapment efficiency (EE%) of the F1 formulations of BHPPD that was niosome-encapsulated was 81.01 0.09% and that it was 70.22 0.13%, respectively. Early, late, necrotic, and viable MCF-7 cells were present in the cells with F1 formulation in proportions of 38.24%, 34.34%, 4.02%, and 23.40%, respectively. Compared to the control group, the treatment group's expression of the genes P57, Prkca, MDM4, Map2k6, and FADD was considerably greater (P < 0.001). Furthermore, compared to control cells, cells in the treatment group expressed less BCL2 and survival genes (P < 0.001). Moreover, formulations of BHPPD encapsulated in niosomes showed a biocompatible nanoscale delivery method and exhibited little cytotoxicity against the HEK-293 standard cell line. According to the findings, formulations of BHPPD with niosome-encapsulation might be viable for boosting anticancer activity.

Eco-friendly management strategies of insect pests: long-term performance of rosemary essential oil encapsulated into chitosan and gum Arabic

This study focused on encapsulation of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (EO) on chitosan and gum Arabic matrix in various ratios and with varying essential oil concentrations. Additionally, UV/VIS spectroscopy was used to determine cumulative-release profiles. The insecticidal activity was tested against Tribolium castaneum and Oryzaephilus surinamensis, both pests of stored products. In terms of encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and loading capacity (LC%), capsules had EE at 45.8% and LC at 2.31%. Furthermore, many minor compounds were lost after encapsulation, until identifying only 1,8-cineole, α-terpineol, and camphor after 60 d of storage. The fumigant tests demonstrated that encapsulated EO exhibited an effective control against insect pest during storage periods, namely, 30, 45, and 60 d with 99, 66, and 46% mortality for T. castaneum and 100, 84, 82% mortality for O. surinamensis.

Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization, and Stability Study of Lippia origanoides Essential Oil-based Nanoemulsion as a Topical Delivery System

INTRODUCTION

Fungal diseases are a priority in research, development, and health care, according to the WHO, mainly due to Candida spp. Essential oils (EOs) of the genus Lippia have demonstrated broad antimicrobial biological activity. Previous studies identified the anti-Candida potential of a thymol/p-cymene chemotype EO from Lippia origanoides H.B.K coded "0018". Nanoemulsions favor the biological activity of EOs and overcome limitations such as low solubility, instability against oxidizing agents, pH, light, and low permeability. To develop, characterize, and adjust a prototype of an O/W nanoemulsion containing the "0018" EO from Lippia origanoides for its evaluation in an in vitro permeability study.

METHODS

Nanoemulsions were obtained using a high energy high shear method. Their particle size distribution, Z potential, viscosity, pH, encapsulation efficiency (EE), thermodynamic stability and the Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) were evaluated. The nanoemulsion prototype was adjusted to improve performance characteristics and microbiological efficacy. Thymol was used as an analyte in the EO quantification using UHPLC-DAD.

RESULTS

An O/W nanoemulsion with hydrodynamic diameter <200 nm and polydispersity index <0.3, EE >95%, with TSI < 1.5, anti-Candida albicans efficiency >95% was obtained; permeable with a flow of 6.0264 μg/cm2/h and permeability coefficient of 1.3170x10-3 cm/h.

CONCLUSION

A pharmaceutical formulation prototype is obtained that maintains the physical and physicochemical characteristics over time. Permeability is verified in an in-vitro model. It is proposed to evaluate its antifungal activity in preclinical or clinical studies as a contribution to the treatment of topical fungal diseases caused by Candida spp., through the use of biological resources and Colombian biodiversity.

Unraveling the Adsorption Behavior of Thymol on Carbon and Silica Nanospheres for Prolonged Antibacterial Activity: Experimental and DFT Studies

Functionalization of thymol (Thy) on nanocarriers is a key step in achieving prolonged antimicrobial activity. This requires nanomaterials with uniform particle diameters and suitable thymol sorption. Herein, hollow carbon (HC) and SiO2-carbon core-shell (SiO2@C) were investigated due to their diverse morphologies and ease of surface modification. HC (14 ± 1 nm size) and SiO2@C (10 ± 1.5 nm size) were synthesized by the Stöber method before thymol was loaded by incipient wetness impregnation. Nanoparticle physicochemical properties were characterized by advanced techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). Adsorption energies of thymol on the carbon and SiO2 surfaces were elucidated by density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Moreover, the in vitro thymol release profiles and antibacterial activity were evaluated. The experimental results indicated that the oxy-carbon surface species of HC led to longer thymol release profiles than the -OH group of SiO2@C. The DFT calculations revealed that the weaker physical interaction of thymol on HC was better for drug release than that on SiO2@C. Thus, a longer thymol release profile of HC with hollow structures showed better antibacterial performance against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus than that of SiO2@C with core-shell structures. This work confirms the important role of carbon morphology and specific functional groups in thymol release profiles for the further development of inhibition products.

The characterization of antimicrobial nanocomposites based on chitosan, cinnamon essential oil, and TiO2 for fruits preservation

The freshness and safety of fruits have always been crucial issues in the development of the industry. However, the existing fresh-keeping methods have limited effect, meanwhile, the preservation mechanism of different materials. In this study, Cinnamon essential oil (CEO), TiO_2, and chitosan (CS) were compounded to prepare safe and renewable nanocomposites (CS-T-C) for fruit preservation. The results showed that CEO mainly destroyed the bacterial cell wall through penetration, while TiO₂ is through destruction. The strawberry coated with CS-T-C showed better hardness, lower weight loss and mildew rate, and the shelf-life at 20℃ was extended for four days compared with the control. And all four nanocomposites were not cytotoxic. In summary, nanocomposites can deal with many problems through different mechanisms to maximize the fresh-keeping effect, and the nanocomposites developed in this work might be a good choice for fruit preservation.

Nanoencapsulation of garlic essential oil using chitosan nanopolymer and its antifungal and anti-aflatoxin B1 efficacy in vitro and in situ

The present study investigated the comparative efficacy of garlic essential oil (GEO) and its nanoencapsulated within chitosan nanomatrix (GEO-CSNPs) as a novel preservative for the protection of stored food commodities from fungal infestations, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination and lipid peroxidation against a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus. GC-MS examination of GEO showed the presence of allyl methyl tri-sulfide (23.10 %) and diallyl sulfide (19.47 %) as the major components. GEO-CSNPs were characterized through TEM micrograph, DLS, XRD, and FTIR instrumentation. During the in-vitro investigation, GEO-CSNPs at 1.0 μL/mL dose completely inhibited the growth of A. flavus while preventing the synthesis of AFB₁ at 0.75 μL/mL compared to the pure GEO. The biochemical analysis reveals that A. flavus exposed to GEO-CSNPs significantly changed its ergosterol level, ions leakage, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and antioxidant system. Additionally, GEO-CSNPs exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity against DPPH compared with GEO. Likewise, during in-situ experiments on A. hypogea GEO-CSNPs MIC and 2 MIC concentration prohibited fungal development, AFB₁ synthesis, and lipid peroxidation or inflicting any negative impacts on germinating seeds. Overall, investigations concluded that GEO-CSNPs could be used as a novel preservative agent to improve the shelf life of stored food commodities.

Anti-arthritic effects of geranium essential oil loaded chitosan nanoparticles in Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritic rats through down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines

Geranium essential oil (GEO) has been widely used in aromatherapy and traditional medicines. Nanoencapsulation, a novel technique has emerged to overcome the environmental degradation and less oral bioavailability of essential oils. This work was undertaken to encapsulate geranium essential oil in chitosan nanoparticles (GEO-CNPs) by ionic gelation technique and to explore anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory potential in FCA-induced arthritic model in rats. The GEO was characterized by gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GCFID) and the nanosuspension was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-rays diffraction (XRD). The Wistar albino rats (n = 32) were separated into four groups; Group 1 and 2 were considered as normal and arthritic controls. Group 3 was positive control that received oral celecoxib for 21 days while Group 4 was treated with oral GEO-CNPs after the induction of arthritis. Hind paw ankle joints diameters were weekly measured throughout the study and significant decrease (5.5 ± 0.5 mm) was observed in GEO-CNPs treatment group in comparison to arthritic group (9.17 ± 0.52 mm). Blood samples were drawn at end for evaluation of hematological, biochemical and inflammatory biomarkers. A significant upregulation of red blood cells and hemoglobin while downregulation of white blood cells, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) was observed. Ankles were transected for the histopathological and radiographic examination after animals were sacrificed which confirmed the alleviation of necrosis along cellular infiltration. It was concluded that GEO-CNPs were found to possess excellent therapeutic potential and promising candidates to reduce FCA-induced arthritis.

Development of ternary nanoformulation comprising bee pollen-thymol oil extracts and chitosan nanoparticles for anti-inflammatory and anticancer applications

Due to the beneficial nutritional and medicinal characteristics of bee honey and thymol oil as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibacterial agents, they have been used since ancient times. The current study aimed to construct a ternary nanoformulation (BPE-TOE-CSNPs NF) through the immobilization of the ethanolic extract of bee pollen (BPE) with thymol oil extract (TOE) into the matrix of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). The antiproliferative activity of new NF (BPE-TOE-CSNPs) against HepG2 and MCF-7 cells was investigated. The BPE-TOE-CSNPs showed significant inhibitory activity for the production of the inflammatory cytokines in HepG2 and MCF-7, with p < 0.001 for both TNF-α and IL6. Moreover, the encapsulation of the BPE and TOE in CSNPs increased the efficacy of the treatment and the induction of valuable arrests for the S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, the new NF has a great capacity to trigger apoptotic mechanisms through caspase-3 expression upregulation in cancer cells by two-fold among HepG2 cell lines and nine-fold among MCF-7 which appeared to be more susceptible to the nanoformulation. Moreover, the nanoformulated compound has upregulated the expression of caspase-9 and P53 apoptotic mechanisms. This NF may shed light on its pharmacological actions by blocking specific proliferative proteins, inducing apoptosis, and interfering with the DNA replication process.

Chitosan nanocarriers containing essential oils as a green strategy to improve the functional properties of chitosan: A review

Large amounts of agricultural waste, especially marine product waste, are produced annually. These wastes can be used to produce compounds with high-added value. Chitosan is one such valuable product that can be obtained from crustacean wastes. Various biological activities of chitosan and its derivatives, especially antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, have been confirmed by many studies. The unique characteristics of chitosan, especially chitosan nanocarriers, have led to the expansion of using chitosan in various sectors, especially in biomedical sciences and food industries. On the other hand, essential oils, known as volatile and aromatic compounds of plants, have attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. Like chitosan, essential oils have various biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer. In recent years, one of the ways to improve the biological properties of chitosan is to use essential oils encapsulated in chitosan nanocarriers. Among the various biological activities of chitosan nanocarriers containing essential oils, most studies conducted in recent years have been in the field of antimicrobial activity. It was documented that the antimicrobial activity was increased by reducing the size of chitosan particles in the nanoscale. In addition, the antimicrobial activity was intensified when essential oils were in the structure of chitosan nanoparticles. Essential oils can increase the antimicrobial activity of chitosan nanoparticles with synergistic effects. Using essential oils in the structure of chitosan nanocarriers can also improve the other biological properties (antioxidant and anticancer activities) of chitosan and increase the application fields of chitosan. Of course, using essential oils in chitosan nanocarriers for commercial use requires more studies, including stability during storage and effectiveness in real environments. This review aims to overview recent studies on the biological effects of essential oils encapsulated in chitosan nanocarriers, with notes on their biological mechanisms.

An eco-friendly chitosan/cellulose acetate hybrid nanostructure containing Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oils for active food packaging applications

This work presents the fabrication and characterization of a hybrid nanostructure, Ziziphora clinopodioides essential oils (ZEO)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs-ZEO) embedded into cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers (CA-CSNPs-ZEO). The CSNPs-ZEO were first synthesized through the ionic gelation method. Then, through simultaneous electrospraying and electrospinning processes, the nanoparticles were embedded in the CA nanofibers. The morphological and physicochemical characteristics of the prepared nanostructures were evaluated using different methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor permeability (WVP), moisture content (MC), mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and release profile studies. The antibacterial activity of the nanostructures was explored on raw beef as a food model during 12 days of storage at 4 °C. The obtained results indicated the successful synthesis of CSNPs-ZEO nanoparticles with an average size of 267 ± 6 nm and their incorporation into the nanofibers matrix. Moreover, the CA-CSNPs-ZEO nanostructure showed a lower water vapor barrier and higher tensile strength compared with ZEO-loaded CA (CA-ZEO) nanofiber. The CA-CSNPs-ZEO nanostructure also exhibited strong antibacterial activity, which effectively extended the shelf-life of raw beef. The results demonstrated a strong potential for innovative hybrid nanostructures in active packaging to maintain the quality of perishable food products.

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Essential Oil against Foodborne Illness Pathogens, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Typhimurium and Bacillus cereus

Nowadays, the wide spread of foodborne illness and the growing concerns about the use of synthetic food additives have shifted the focus of researchers towards essential oils (EOs) as possible antimicrobials and preservatives of natural origin. Thanks to their antimicrobial properties against pathogenic and food spoilage microorganisms, EOs have shown good potential for use as alternative food additives, also to counteract biofilm-forming bacterial strains, the spread of which is considered to be among the main causes of the increase in foodborne illness outbreaks. In this context, the aim of this study has been to define the antibacterial and antibiofilm profile of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil (TEO) against widespread foodborne pathogens, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium and Bacillus cereus. TEO chemical composition was analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Preliminary in vitro antibacterial tests allowed to qualitatively verify TEO efficacy against the tested foodborne pathogens. The subsequent determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values allowed to quantitatively define the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of TEO. To evaluate the ability of essential oils to inhibit biofilm formation, a microplate assay was performed for the bacterial biofilm biomass measurement. Results suggest that TEO, rich in bioactive compounds, is able to inhibit the growth of tested foodborne bacteria. In addition, the highlighted in vitro anti-biofilm properties of TEO suggest the use of this natural agent as a promising food preservative to counteract biofilm-related infections in the food industry.

Recent Advances in Using Natural Antibacterial Additives in Bioactive Wound Dressings

Wound care is a global health issue with a financial burden of up to US $96.8 billion annually in the USA alone. Chronic non-healing wounds which show delayed and incomplete healing are especially problematic. Although there are more than 3000 dressing types in the wound management market, new developments in more efficient wound dressings will require innovative approaches such as embedding antibacterial additives into wound-dressing materials. The lack of novel antibacterial agents and the misuse of current antibiotics have caused an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which is estimated to cause 10 million deaths by 2050 worldwide. These ongoing challenges clearly indicate an urgent need for developing new antibacterial additives in wound dressings targeting microbial pathogens. Natural products and their derivatives have long been a significant source of pharmaceuticals against AMR. Scrutinising the data of newly approved drugs has identified plants as one of the biggest and most important sources in the development of novel antibacterial drugs. Some of the plant-based antibacterial additives, such as essential oils and plant extracts, have been previously used in wound dressings; however, there is another source of plant-derived antibacterial additives, i.e., those produced by symbiotic endophytic fungi, that show great potential in wound dressing applications. Endophytes represent a novel, natural, and sustainable source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications, including as efficient antibacterial additives for chronic wound dressings. This review examines and appraises recent developments in bioactive wound dressings that incorporate natural products as antibacterial agents as well as advances in endophyte research that show great potential in treating chronic wounds.

Zingiber officinale essential oil-loaded chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles: Fabrication, characterization and in-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities

Zingiber officinale essential oil (ZEO) was encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles at different concentrations using the emulsion-ionic gelation technique and its antioxidant and antibacterial effects were investigated. The results indicated that ZEO level had a significant effect on encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), particle size and zeta potential. The value obtained for EE, LC, mean particle size and zeta potential were 49.11%-68.32%, 21.16%-27.54%, 198.13-318.26 nm and +21.31-43.57 mV, respectively. According to scanning electron micrographs, the nanoparticles had a spherical shape with some invaginations due to the drying process. The presence of essential oil within the chitosan nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In vitro release studies in simulated gastrointestinal fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) indicated an initial burst effect followed by slow release with higher release rate in acidic medium of SGF. ZEO-loaded nanoparticles showed DPPH radical scavenging activity of 20%-61% which increased by raising the ZEO level. Moreover, results of antibacterial activity revealed that Staphylococcus aureus (with inhibition zones of 19-35.19 mm2) and Salmonella typhimurium (with inhibition zones of 9.78-17.48 mm2) were the most sensitive and resistant bacteria to ZEO, respectively. Overall, chitosan nanoparticles can be considered as suitable vehicles for ZEO and improve its stability and solubility.

Chitosan Nanoparticle Encapsulation of Antibacterial Essential Oils

Chitosan is the most suitable encapsulation polymer because of its natural abundance, biodegradability, and surface functional groups in the form of free NH₂ groups. The presence of NH₂ groups allows for the facile grafting of functionalized molecules onto the chitosan surface, resulting in multifunctional materialistic applications. Quaternization of chitosan's free amino is one of the typical chemical modifications commonly achieved under acidic conditions. This quaternization improves its ionic character, making it ready for ionic-ionic surface modification. Although the cationic nature of chitosan alone exhibits antibacterial activity because of its interaction with negatively-charged bacterial membranes, the nanoscale size of chitosan further amplifies its antibiofilm activity. Additionally, the researcher used chitosan nanoparticles as polymeric materials to encapsulate antibiofilm agents (such as antibiotics and natural phytochemicals), serving as an excellent strategy to combat biofilm-based secondary infections. This paper provided a summary of available carbohydrate-based biopolymers as antibiofilm materials. Furthermore, the paper focuses on chitosan nanoparticle-based encapsulation of basil essential oil (Ocimum basilicum), mandarin essential oil (Citrus reticulata), Carum copticum essential oil ("Ajwain"), dill plant seed essential oil (Anethum graveolens), peppermint oil (Mentha piperita), green tea oil (Camellia sinensis), cardamom essential oil, clove essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllata), cumin seed essential oil (Cuminum cyminum), lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon commutatus), summer savory essential oil (Satureja hortensis), thyme essential oil, cinnamomum essential oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and nettle essential oil (Urtica dioica). Additionally, chitosan nanoparticles are used for the encapsulation of the major essential components carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde, the encapsulation of an oil-in-water nanoemulsion of eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus), the encapsulation of a mandarin essential oil nanoemulsion, and the electrospinning nanofiber of collagen hydrolysate-chitosan with lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and dill (Anethum graveolens) essential oil.

Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Modified Starch/Chitosan/Sweet Orange Oil Microcapsules

Aquatic products have an important role in global agriculture, but the challenges associated with preservation have limited their marketability. Essential oil (EO), such as sweet orange oil (SOEO), has been widely used for preservation due to its excellent antibacterial ability. However, the volatilization of EO limits its application in food preservation. In this study, SOEO was extracted from sweet orange peel by steam distillation and then stored in microcapsules. The components of the microcapsules were as follows: the porous starch was chosen as an adsorbed substrate to store SOEO (PS/SOEO), and sodium alginate (SA) and chitosan (CMCS) were used as shell material to delay the volatilization of SOEO using the sharp pore coagulation method. Our results showed that the main antibacterial ingredients in SOEO were aldehydes (33.93%) and d-limonene (15.38%). The microcapsules were of an irregular shape (oval), and the size of the microcapsules was 1.2 ± 0.1 cm as measured by a digital micrometer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that there were a lot of pores on the surface of the starch after modification, but sodium alginate and chitosan could well encapsulate these pores. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis also showed that SOEO was successful encapsulated into the porous starch. The results of compression test and releasing kinetics studies suggested that CMCS and SA improved the mechanical and slow-releasing ability of SOEO microcapsules. The best antibacterial performance was obtained when 0.8 g of SOEO microcapsules was added. Finally, the shelf life of crawfish could be extended to 6 days by SOEO microcapsule (1/10 g, SOEO microcapsule/crawfish) under room temperature. These results provide a systematic understanding of the antibacterial capabilities of sweet orange essential oil microcapsules, which can contribute to the development of preservation methods for aquatic products.

Polymeric Nanorepellent Systems Containing Geraniol and Icaridin Aimed at Repelling Aedes aegypti

Repellents are among the leading products used against diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. However, their indiscriminate use or high concentrations can cause severe adverse reactions, particularly in children and pregnant women. To protect them, nanotechnology is a promising tool to encapsulate active compounds against degradation, increase their effectiveness, and decrease their toxicity, as it can promote the modified release of the active compound. This study aimed to develop polymeric nanocapsules containing the repellent actives geraniol and icaridin using low concentrations of the active component, with the objective of promoting effective activity and greater safety against adverse reactions. The nanocapsules were developed by the interfacial deposition method, and the physicochemical properties of the nanocapsules were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), zeta potential, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), release kinetics assay, and mathematical modeling. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay and genotoxicity analysis using the comet assay. The developed nanocapsules containing geraniol and icaridin showed mean diameters of 260 nm and 314 nm, respectively, with a polydispersity index < 0.2. The nanocapsules showed encapsulation efficiency values of 73.7 ± 0.1% for icaridin and 98.7 ± 0.1% for geraniol. Morphological analysis showed spherical nanocapsules with low polydispersity. The kinetic parameters calculated using the Korsmeyer−Peppas model indicated an anomalous release profile. Cell viability and genotoxicity analyses showed that the nanocapsules did not alter cell viability or damage DNA. The results demonstrate a promising nanostructured system with good physicochemical characteristics and good stability, with repellent activity against Aedes aegypti.

Essential Oil-Based Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents in the Food Industry

The use of essential oils (EO) loaded with nanoparticles is the most promising alternative to increase food quality and safety. Interesting works describe the antimicrobial properties of EO for pathogen control in natural and processed foods for human health and animal production, also contributing to sustainability. Their association with different nanosystems allows novel developments in the micronutrition, health promotion, and pathogen control fields, preventing the aggravation of bacterial microevolution and combating antibiotic resistance. Benefits to the environment are also provided, as they are biodegradable and biocompatible. However, such compounds have some physicochemical properties that prevent commercial use. This review focuses on recent developments in antimicrobial EO-based nanoparticles and their application in different food matrices.

Nanomedicine as an Emerging Technology to Foster Application of Essential Oils to Fight Cancer

Natural prodrugs extracted from plants are increasingly used in many sectors, including the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Among these prodrugs, essential oils (EOs) are of particular importance. These biologically active volatile oily liquids are produced by medicinal and aromatic plants and characterized by a distinctive odor. EOs possess high anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant potential but often are associated with low stability; high volatility; and a high risk of deterioration with exposure to heat, humidity, light, or oxygen. Furthermore, their bioavailability is limited because they are not soluble in water, and enhancements are needed to increase their potential to target specific cells or tissues, as well as for controlled release. Nanomedicine, the application of nanotechnology in medicine, may offer efficient solutions to these problems. The technology is based on creating nanostructures in which the natural prodrug is connected to or encapsulated in nanoparticles or submicron-sized capsules that ensure their solubility in water and their targeting properties, as well as controlled delivery. The potential of EOs as anticancer prodrugs is considerable but not fully exploited. This review focusses on the recent progress towards the practical application of EOs in cancer therapy based on nanotechnology applications.

Biopolymeric Nanoparticles-Multifunctional Materials of the Future

Nanotechnology plays an important role in biological research, especially in the development of delivery systems with lower toxicity and greater efficiency. These include not only metallic nanoparticles, but also biopolymeric nanoparticles. Biopolymeric nanoparticles (BPNs) are mainly developed for their provision of several advantages, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal toxicity, in addition to the general advantages of nanoparticles. Therefore, given that biopolymers are biodegradable, natural, and environmentally friendly, they have attracted great attention due to their multiple applications in biomedicine, such as drug delivery, antibacterial activity, etc. This review on biopolymeric nanoparticles highlights their various synthesis methods, such as the ionic gelation method, nanoprecipitation method, and microemulsion method. In addition, the review also covers the applications of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles in different areas-especially in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and agricultural domains. In conclusion, the present review highlights recent advances in the synthesis and applications of biopolymeric nanoparticles and presents both fundamental and applied aspects that can be used for further development in the field of biopolymeric nanoparticles.

Multi-responsive poly N-isopropylacrylamide/poly N-tert-butylacrylamide nanocomposite hydrogel with the ability to be adsorbed on the chitosan film as an active antibacterial material

Nanocomposite hydrogel composed of Poly N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM), poly N-tert-Butylacrylamide (PBAM) and poly acrylic acid (PAA) was synthesized by free radical polymerization, and then thymol was embedded in it, to design an active antibacterial material that could control release. The characterization of products used SEM, AFM, FTIR, Zeta sizer to analyze the sensitivity of nanoparticles to pH, temperature and salt ions, and the agar diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial effect of the polymers. The results showed that nanoparticles had pH, temperature and salt ion responsiveness, PNIPAM/PBAM (65:35) nanoparticles loaded thymol had longer release time (more than 24 h) at lower temperature than that (around 6 h) at high temperature. In addition, the nanoparticles could also be adsorbed on the chitosan film, which makes it have a wider range of applications. All thymol-loaded nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against both B. subtilis and E. coli, while the chitosan film adsorbed nanoparticles showed weak effect, which was related to the controlled and slow release of bacteriostatic agents. Thus, these copolymers have potential value in the development and application of bacteriostatic packaging films for food.

Contribution of polysaccharides from crustacean in fermented food products

Fermented foods are of great importance for their role in preserving nutrients and enriching the human diet. Fermentation ensures longer shelf life and microbiological safety of food. Natural bioactive compounds have been paid attention as nutraceuticals or functional ingredients, which have health-promoting components since polysaccharides, especially chitosan, chitin and their derivatives, are biocompatible and biodegradable, biorenewable, without toxic properties and environmentally friendly. They have been applied in several fields such as medicine, agriculture, and food industry. This chapter provides information on polysaccharides obtained from crustacean as bioactive compounds as well as their effects in fermented foods.

Targeted delivery and controlled released of essential oils using nanoencapsulation: A review

Essential oils (EOs) contain a complex mixture of volatile and non-volatile molecules with diverse biological activities, including flavoring, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutraceutical properties. As a result, EOs have numerous potential applications in the agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical industries. However, their hydrophobicity, chemical instability, and volatility pose a challenge for many of their applications. These challenges can often be overcome by encapsulation EOs in colloidal delivery systems. Over the last decade or so, nanoencapsulation and microencapsulation technologies have been widely explored for their potential to improve the handling, dispersibility, and stability of hydrophobic substances, as well as to control their release profiles (e.g., targeted, triggered, sustained, or burst release). These technologies include emulsification, coacervation, precipitation, spray-drying, spray-cooling, freeze-drying, fluidized bed coating, and extrusion. This article reviews some of the most important developments in EOs encapsulation, the physicochemical mechanisms underlying the behavior of encapsulated EOs, current challenges, and potential applications in the food and biomedical sciences. This review has found that nanoencapsulation has countless of potential advantages for the utilization of EOs in the food industry and can improve their water-dispersibility, food matrix compatibility, chemical stability, volatility, and bioactivity.

Nanodelivery of essential oils as efficient tools against antimicrobial resistance: a review of the type and physical-chemical properties of the delivery systems and applications

This review provides a synthesis of the last ten years of research on nanodelivery systems used for the delivery of essential oils (EOs), as well as their potential as a viable alternative to antibiotics in human and veterinary therapy. The use of essential oils alone in therapy is not always possible due to several limitations but nanodelivery systems seem to be able to overcome these issues. The choice of the essential oil, as well as the choice of the nanodelivery system influences the therapeutic efficacy obtained. While several studies on the characterization of EOs exist, this review assesses the characteristics of the nanomaterials used for the delivery of essential oils, as well as impact on the functionality of nanodelivered essential oils, and successful applications. Two classes of delivery systems stand out: polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) including chitosan, cellulose, zein, sodium alginate, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), and lipidic NPs including nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid NPs, nanoemulsions, liposomes, and niosomes. While the advantages and disadvantages of these delivery systems and information on stability, release, and efficacy of the nanodelivered EOs are covered in the literature as presented in this review, essential information, such as the speed of emergence of a potential bacteria resistance to these new systems, or dosages for each type of infection and for each animal species or humans is still missing today. Therefore, more quantitative and in vivo studies should be conducted before the adoption of EOs loaded NPs as an alternative to antibiotics, where appropriate.

Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil

Nanoencapsulation has been verified to be an effective technique to improve the physical stability of essential oils. In this study, Ocimum basilicum L. essential oil (BEO) was encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles by emulsion and ionic gelation. The success of BEO loading was revealed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and dynamic light scattering (DLS) illustrated regular distribution and spherical morphology with a particle size range of 198.7 - 373.4 nm. The prepared samples had an encapsulation efficiency (EE) range of 50.39 - 5.13% and a loading capacity (LC) range of 7.22-19.78%. Encapsulation of BEO into chitosan nanocarriers demonstrated strong antibacterial and antibiofilm capacity against E. coli and S. aureus with inhibition diameter of 15.3 mm and 21.0 mm, respectively, and the obtained nanoparticles were found to damage cell membranes and cause the leakage of biological macromolecules.

Fabrication and characterization of thymol-loaded chitosan nanogels: improved antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities with negligible cytotoxicity

Thymol is a monoterpene phenolic derivative extracted from the Thymus vulgaris which has antimicrobial effects. In the present study, thymol-loaded chitosan nanogels were prepared and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The encapsulation efficiency of thymol into chitosan and its stability were determined. The in-vitro antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of thymol-loaded chitosan nanogel (Ty-CsNG), free thymol (Ty), and free chitosan nanogel (CsNG) were evaluated against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus , Acinetobacter baumanii , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains using the broth microdilution and crystal violet assay, respectively. After treatment of MDR strains with sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (Sub-MIC) of Ty-CsNG, free Ty and CsNG, biofilm gene expression analysis was studied. Moreover, cytotoxicity of Ty-CsNG, free Ty, and CsNG against HEK-293 normal cell line was determined using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method. The average size of Ty-CsNG was 82.71±9.6 nm, encapsulation efficiency was 76.54 ± 0.62% with stability up to 60 days at 4 o C. Antibacterial activity test revealed that Ty-CsNG reduced the MIC by 4-6 times in comparison to free thymol. In addition, the expression of biofilm-related genes including ompA , and pgaB were significantly down-regulated after treatment of strains with Ty-CsNG ( p <0.05). In addition, free CsNG displayed negligible cytotoxicity against HEK-293 normal cell line and presented a biocompatible nanoscale delivery system. Based on the results, it can be concluded that Ty-CsNG can be considered a promising candidate for enhancing antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) essential oil as an anticancer agent on MCF-7 cell line

Essential oils (EOs) of greater celandine (GC) roots and leaves were extracted, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for analyzing them. Then they were loaded into chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) using emulsion-ionic gelation method. CNPs loaded with greater celandine root essential oil (GCREO) and leave essential oil (GCLEO) were synthesized (size 76.5-115.3 nm) using an emulsion-ionic gelation method. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used for characterization of the formed NPs. Good encapsulation efficiency was confirmed for GCREO (62.5%) and GCLEO (69.1%) in CNPs. According to the MTT results, the synthesized NPs showed a dose-dependent effect on MCF-7 cell line. The inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for GCREO, GCLEO, CSNRs-GCREO and CNPs-GCLEO samples were 126.4, 90.2, 77.6, and 41.5 μg/mL, respectively. The highest rate of apoptosis was obtained in the CNPs-GCLEO group (63.73%). The results revealed that the cytotoxicity of CSNRs-GCREO and CNPs-GCLEO against MCF-7 cell line was significantly higher than that of their free form, implying that encapsulation of GCREO and GCLEO in CNPs is an efficient technique for improving their anti-cancer activity against MCF-7 cell line.

Encapsulation of volatile compounds in liquid media: Fragrances, flavors, and essential oils in commercial formulations

The first marketed example of the application of microcapsules dates back to 1957. Since then, microencapsulation techniques and knowledge have progressed in a plethora of technological fields, and efforts have been directed toward the design of progressively more efficient carriers. The protection of payloads from the exposure to unfavorable environments indeed grants enhanced efficacy, safety, and stability of encapsulated species while allowing for a fine tuning of their release profile and longer lasting beneficial effects. Perfumes or, more generally, active-loaded microcapsules are nowadays present in a very large number of consumer products. Commercial products currently make use of rigid, stable polymer-based microcapsules with excellent release properties. However, this type of microcapsules does not meet certain sustainability requirements such as biocompatibility and biodegradability: the leaking via wastewater contributes to the alarming phenomenon of microplastic pollution with about 4% of total microplastic in the environment. Therefore, there is a need to address new issues which have been emerging in relation to the poor environmental profile of such materials. The progresses in some of the main application fields of microencapsulation, such as household care, toiletries, cosmetics, food, and pesticides are reviewed herein. The main technologies employed in microcapsules production and the mechanisms underlying the release of actives are also discussed. Both the advantages and disadvantages of every technique have been considered to allow a careful choice of the most suitable technique for a specific target application and prepare the ground for novel ideas and approaches for encapsulation strategies that we expect to be proposed within the next years.

Synthesis, Controlled Release, and Stability on Storage of Chitosan-Thyme Essential Oil Nanocapsules for Food Applications

The nanoencapsulation of thyme essential oil has been greatly important in food science, given its remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. However, its analysis in storage has not been established in terms of physical stability, antioxidant capacity, and release studies. In this paper, chitosan-thyme oil nanocapsules were prepared by the ionic gelation method. These were characterized for differential calorimetry, release kinetic, and infrared spectroscopy. The chitosan-thyme oil nanocapsules were stored at 4 and 25 °C for 5 weeks, the changes in particle size, zeta potential, stability (diffuse reflectance), and antioxidant capacity were analyzed and associated with nanocapsules' functionality. The results show that the storage time and temperature significantly modify the particle size (keeping the nano-size throughout the storage), the release of the bioactive was Fickian with t^0.193 according to Korsmery & Peppas and best described by Higuchi model associated with changes in the zeta potential from 8 mV to -11 mV at 4 °C. The differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy results confirm the good integration of the components. The antioxidant capacity revealed a direct relationship with residual oil concentration with a decrease in the ABTS test of 15% at 4 °C and 37% at 25 °C. The residual bioactive content was 77% at 4 °C and 62% at 25 °C, confirming nanoencapsulation effectiveness. The present investigation provides helpful information so that these systems can be applied in food conservation.

High antibacterial performance of hydrophobic chitosan-based nanoparticles loaded with Carvacrol

Bacterial infections have become one of the top ten public health concerns worldwide. These problems are aggravated with the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains. Thus, it is necessary to adopt novel technological strategies, such as development of bionanomaterials to prevent the infection, and treat this kind of bacteria. At this regard, the chemical modification of chitosan (Cs), by the covalent attachment of a hydrocarbon chain (octanoic acid), was developed to obtain hydrophobic chitosan (HCs). Then, HCs was used to synthetize nanoparticles using the well-known ionotropic gelation approach, optimizing the parameters, such as the TPP/HCs ratio and pH solution to get stable nanoparticles. Then, carvacrol (CAR) was loaded into NPs (HCs-CAR NPs) using different concentrations of 25%, 50% and 75% (%w/w CAR/HCs). The physicochemical properties for HCs-CAR NPs prepared at 50% of CAR stood out from the rest, showing a spherical morphology, with a size of 200 nm, Z potential of 10.4 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 56.28%. These formulations were chosen to evaluate the antibacterial activity, using Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacterial model (Staphylococcus aureus). The HCs-CAR NPs showed great activity against both bacterial models, being more effective against Gram (+) strain (S. aureus), suggesting the potential application of these NPs as novel biomaterial to treat bacterial infection.

Preparation and Antibacterial Activity of Thermo-Responsive Nanohydrogels from Qiai Essential Oil and Pluronic F108

Essential oils (EOs) have been used in cosmetics and food due to their antimicrobial and antiviral effects. However, the applications of EOs are compromised because of their poor aqueous solubility and high volatility. Qiai (Artemisia argyi Levl. et Van. var. argyi cv. Qiai) is a traditional Chinese herb and possesses strong antibacterial activity. Herein, we report an innovative formulation of EO as nanohydrogels, which were prepared through co-assembly of Qiai EO (QEO) and Pluronic F108 (PEG-b-PPG-b-PEG, or PF108) in aqueous solution. QEO was efficiently loaded in the PF108 micelles and formed nanohydrogels by heating the QEO/PF108 mixture solution to 37 °C, by the innate thermo-responsive property of PF108. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of QEO reached 80.2% and 6.8%, respectively. QEO nanohydrogels were more stable than the free QEO with respect to volatilization. Sustained QEO release was achieved at body temperature using the QEO nanohydrogels, with the cumulative release rate reaching 95% in 35 h. In vitro antibacterial test indicated that the QEO nanohydrogels showed stronger antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli than the free QEO due to the enhanced stability and sustained-release characteristics. It has been attested that thermo-responsive QEO nanohydrogels have good potential as antibacterial cosmetics.

Assessing the efficiency of essential oil and active compounds/poly (lactic acid) microcapsules against common foodborne pathogens

Essential oils' active compounds present great potential as a bactericidal agent in active packaging. The encapsulation in polymeric walls promotes their protection against external agents besides allowing controlled release. This work produced PLA capsules with three different active compounds, Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CEO), eugenol (EEO), and linalool (LEO), by emulsion solvent evaporation method. Characterizations included SEM, Zeta potential, FTIR, TGA, and bactericidal activity against E. coli, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella. The active compounds showed microbiological activity against all pathogens. CEO capsules showed superior colloidal stability. The active compounds' presence in all capsules was confirmed by FTIR analysis, with possible physical interaction between CEO, EEO, and the polymeric matrix, while LEO had a possible chemical interaction with PLA. TGA analysis showed a plasticizing effect of active compounds, and the loading efficiency was 39.7%, 50.7%, and 22.3% for CEO-PLA, EEO-PLA, and LEO-PLA, respectively. The capsules presented two release stages, sustaining activity against pathogens for up to 28 days, indicating a satisfactory internal morphology. This study presented methodology for encapsulation of antimicrobial compounds that can be suitable for active food packaging. CEO-PLA capsules regarding stability and antibacterial activity achieved the best results.

Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils Encapsulated in Chitosan Nanoparticles as Effective Antimicrobial Agents against Foodborne Pathogens

The use of natural compounds with biocidal activity to fight the growth of bacteria responsible for foodborne illness is one of the main research challenges in the food sector. This study reports the preparation and physicochemical characterization of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Thymus capitatus (Th-CNPs) and Origanum vulgare (Or-CNPs) essential oils. The nanosystems were obtained by ionotropic gelation technique with high encapsulation efficiency (80-83%) and loading capacity (26-27%). Nanoparticles showed a spherical shape, bimodal particle size distribution, and good stability (zeta potential values > 40 mV). The treatment of the nanosuspensions at different temperatures (4 and 40 °C) and storage times (7, 15, 21, and 30 days) did not affect their physicochemical parameters and highlights their reservoir ability for essential oils also under stressful conditions. Both Or-CNPs and Th-CNPs exhibited an enhanced bactericidal activity against foodborne pathogens (S. aureus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes) than pure essential oils. These ecofriendly nanosystems could represent a valid alternative to synthetic preservatives and be of interest for health and food safety.

Bioactivity of Chitosan-Based Particles Loaded with Plant-Derived Extracts for Biomedical Applications: Emphasis on Antimicrobial Fiber-Based Systems

Marine-derived chitosan (CS) is a cationic polysaccharide widely studied for its bioactivity, which is mostly attached to its primary amine groups. CS is able to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the microenvironments in which it is integrated, consequently reducing cell-induced oxidative stress. It also acts as a bacterial peripheral layer hindering nutrient intake and interacting with negatively charged outer cellular components, which lead to an increase in the cell permeability or to its lysis. Its biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of processability (particularly in mild conditions), and chemical versatility has fueled CS study as a valuable matrix component of bioactive small-scaled organic drug-delivery systems, with current research also showcasing CS’s potential within tridimensional sponges, hydrogels and sutures, blended films, nanofiber sheets and fabric coatings. On the other hand, renewable plant-derived extracts are here emphasized, given their potential as eco-friendly radical scavengers, microbicidal agents, or alternatives to antibiotics, considering that most of the latter have induced bacterial resistance because of excessive and/or inappropriate use. Loading them into small-scaled particles potentiates a strong and sustained bioactivity, and a controlled release, using lower doses of bioactive compounds. A pH-triggered release, dependent on CS’s protonation/deprotonation of its amine groups, has been the most explored stimulus for that control. However, the use of CS derivatives, crosslinking agents, and/or additional stabilization processes is enabling slower release rates, following extract diffusion from the particle matrix, which can find major applicability in fiber-based systems within ROS-enriched microenvironments and/or spiked with microbes. Research on this is still in its infancy. Yet, the few published studies have already revealed that the composition, along with an adequate drug release rate, has an important role in controlling an existing infection, forming new tissue, and successfully closing a wound. A bioactive finishing of textiles has also been promoting high particle infiltration, superior washing durability, and biological response.

Essential Oils and Their Application in Food Safety

Food industries are facing a great challenge due to contamination of food products with different microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, etc. These microbes deteriorate food items by producing different toxins during pre- and postharvest processing. Mycotoxins are one of the most potent and well-studied toxic food contaminants of fungal origin, causing a severe health hazard to humans. The application of synthetic chemicals as food preservatives poses a real scourge in the present scenario due to their bio-incompatibility, non-biodegradability, and environmental non-sustainability. Therefore, plant-based antimicrobials, including essential oils, have developed cumulative interest as a potential alternative to synthetic preservatives because of their ecofriendly nature and generally recognized as safe status. However, the practical utilization of essential oils as an efficient antimicrobial in the food industry is challenging due to their volatile nature, less solubility, and high instability. The recent application of different delivery strategies viz. nanoencapsulation, active packaging, and polymer-based coating effectively addressed these challenges and improved the bioefficacy and controlled release of essential oils. This article provides an overview of essential oils for the preservation of stored foods against bacteria, fungi, and mycotoxins, along with the specialized mechanism of action and technological advancement by using different delivery systems for their effective application in food and agricultural industries smart green preservative.

Polymeric Carriers Designed for Encapsulation of Essential Oils with Biological Activity

The article reviews the possibilities of encapsulating essential oils EOs, due to their multiple benefits, controlled release, and in order to protect them from environmental conditions. Thus, we present the natural polymers and the synthetic macromolecular chains that are commonly used as networks for embedding EOs, owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility, interdependent encapsulation methods, and potential applicability of bioactive blend structures. The possibilities of using artificial intelligence to evaluate the bioactivity of EOs—in direct correlation with their chemical constitutions and structures, in order to avoid complex laboratory analyses, to save money and time, and to enhance the final consistency of the products—are also presented.

Docetaxel in chitosan-based nanocapsules conjugated with an anti-Tn antigen mouse/human chimeric antibody as a promising targeting strategy of lung tumors

The aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties of docetaxel (DCX) loaded chitosan nanocapsules (CS Nc) functionalized with the monoclonal antibody Chi-Tn (CS-PEG-ChiTn mAb Nc) as a potential improvement treatment for cancer therapy. The Tn antigen is highly specific for carcinomas, and this is the first time that such structure is targeted for drug delivery. The nanocapsules (Ncs), formed as a polymeric shell around an oily core, allowed a 99.9% encapsulation efficiency of DCX with a monodispersity particle size in the range of 200 nm and a high positive surface charge that provide substantial stability to the nanosystems. Release profile of DCX from Ncs showed a sustained and pH dependent behavior with a faster release at acidic pH, which could be favorable in the intracellular drug delivery. We have designed PEGylated CS Nc modified with a monoclonal antibody which recognize Tn antigen, one of the most specific tumor associated antigen. A biotin-avidin approach achieved the successful attachment of the antibody to the nanocapsules. Uptake studies and viability assay conducted in A549 human lung cancer cell line in vitro demonstrate that ChiTn mAb enhance nanoparticles internalization and cell viability reduction. Consequently, these ChiTn functionalized nanocapsules are promising carriers for the active targeting of DCX to Tn expressing carcinomas.

Plant oils: From chemical composition to encapsulated form use

The last decade has witnessed a burgeoning global movement towards essential and vegetable oils in the food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and textile industries thanks to their natural and safe status, broad acceptance by consumers, and versatile functional properties. However, efforts to develop new therapy or functional agents based on plant oils have met with challenges of limited stability and/or reduced efficacy. As a result, there has been increased research interest in the encapsulation of plant oils, whereby the nanocarriers serve as barrier between plant oils and the environment and control oil release leading to improved efficacy, reduced toxicity and enhanced patient compliance and convenience. In this review, special concern has been addressed to the encapsulation of essential and vegetable oils in three types of nanocarriers: polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles. First, the chemical composition of essential and vegetable oils was handled. Moreover, we gather together the research findings reported by the literature regarding the different techniques used to generate these nanocarriers with their significant findings. Finally, differences and similarities between these nanocarriers are discussed, along with current and future applications that are warranted by their structures and properties.

Application of nanostructures as antimicrobials in the control of foodborne pathogen

Foodborne pathogens are the main cause of human foodborne diseases and pose a serious threat to food safety. The control of them has always been a significant issue in food industry. With good biocompatibility and stability, nanomaterials display excellent bactericidal properties against many kinds of bacteria. In this review, the generation and application of nanostructures as antibacterial in the control of foodborne pathogens was summarized. The antibacterial effects of photocatalytic and contact bacteriostatic nanomaterials agents were mainly introduced. The influence factors and mechanisms of nanomaterials on the inactivation of foodborne pathogens were displayed. The photocatalytic nanostructured bacteriostatic agents can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lead to charge transfer, which result in damaging of cell wall and leakage of small molecules under light irradiation. In addition, metals and metal oxide nanoparticles can kill bacterial cells by releasing metal ions, forming ROS and electrostatic interaction with cell membrane. Besides, the synergistic action of nanoparticles with natural antibacterial agents can improve the stability of these agents and their bactericidal performance. These current researches provided a broader idea for the control of microorganisms in food.

Impact of albumin corona on mucoadhesion and antimicrobial activity of carvacrol loaded chitosan nano-delivery systems under simulated gastro-intestinal conditions

Emerging antibiotic resistance in pathogens has posed considerable challenges to explore and examine the natural antimicrobials (NAMs). Due to the labile nature of NAMs, nano-delivery systems (NDS) are required to protect them from physiological degradation and allow controlled delivery to the targeted site of infection. In this study, corona modified NDS were developed using bovine serum albumin (BSA) on a chitosan core (CS) for sustained delivery of carvacrol (CAR), a natural antimicrobial agent, in the intestine. The optimal nano-formulations of the core (CS-NDS) and corona modified (BSA-CS-NDS) systems were fabricated with an average diameter of 52.4 ± 10.4 nm and 202.6 ± 6 nm, respectively. A shift in zeta-potential (ZP) from positive (+21 ± 3.6 mV) to negative values (-18 ± 2.6 mV) confirmed the electrostatic deposition of BSA corona on CS core. Under the influence of various simulated gastrointestinal conditions, BSA corona provided extra stability to NDS (ZP -38.5 mV), by ensuring delayed release and limited degradation in the gastric conditions. Mucoadhesive studies with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) revealed that BSA corona reduced the mucoadhesion of NDS at gastric pH, which enabled the effective delivery of CAR to the intestinal phase for successful eradication of Salmonella enterica.