Alginate Nanoparticles Containing Cuminum cyminum and Zataria multiflora Essential Oils with Promising Anticancer and Antibacterial Effects

Cancer and bacterial infections are major global health concerns driving the need for innovative medicines. This study investigated alginate nanoparticles loaded with essential oils (EOs) from Cuminum cyminum and Zataria multiflora as potential drug delivery systems. The nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zetasizer, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Their biological properties against two human skin cancer cell lines (A-375 and A-431) and three bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) were also evaluated. Alginate nanoparticles containing C. cyminum and Z. multiflora EOs exhibited sizes of 160 ± 8 nm and 151 ± 10 nm, respectively. Their zeta potentials and encapsulation efficiencies were -18 ± 1 mV and 79 ± 4%, as well as -27 ± 2 mV and 86 ± 5%, respectively. The IC50 values against the tested cell lines and bacteria revealed superior efficacy for nanoparticles containing Z. multiflora EO. Considering the proper efficacy of the proposed nanoparticles, the straightforward preparation method and low cost suggest their potential for further in vivo studies.

The effect of packaging and storage time on quality of clustered fresh pistachio

Pistachio is one of the valuable, very nutritious, and high-energy fruits that is mainly dried and used as a snack due to problems with storage. Therefore, to investigate on how to extend clustered fresh pistachios' shelf-life, the effects of various packaging and storage conditions on the pistachios are presented in this study. Thus, clustered in-hull fresh pistachios were packaged in: (a) Polyethylene film, 45 µm in thickness; (b) polypropylene/polyethylene/polyamide/polyethylene/aluminum foil multilayer film, 90 µm in thickness; (c) both films with alcoholic paper; in air, and under two gas mixtures of 88%N₂ + 10%CO₂ + 2%O₂ and 83%N₂ + 15%CO₂ + 2%O₂ . Samples were refrigerated at 5 ± 1°C for 3 months. Quality factors such as moisture content, weight loss, respiration rate, pH, texture, and appearance of the samples were monitored for fresh pistachio kernels and clustered pistachios. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design using one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that the shelf-life of MAP samples drastically increased compared to the control (packages without gaseous and alcoholic paper). A comparison of means among the groups suggests that the multilayer bags of fresh clustered pistachios with a mixture of 83%N₂ + 15%CO₂ + 2%O₂ for a 3-month storage period is a particularly effective treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: It is the first time that fresh pistachio is packaged in clusters (bundle). It seems that the packaging of fresh pistachio clusters, in addition to the benefits mentioned in this paper has a psychological effect on the consumer in terms of the naturalness of this product and has added value due to being considered an organic, luxurious, and delicacy food product. Therefore, in this study, the active MAP method that includes the technique of injecting carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen into the packaging was used to investigate its effects on the properties and shelf-life of raw clustered pistachios for fresh consumption.