Bioengineering of Cu2O structured macro-biotemplate for the ultra-efficient and selective hand-retrieval of glyphosate from agro-farms

Glyphosate (Gly) is a massively utilized toxic herbicide exceeding its statutory restrictions, causing adverse environmental and health impacts. Engineered nanomaterials, even though are integral to remediate Gly, their practical use is limited due to time and energy driven purifications, and negative environmental impacts. Here, a 3D wide area (~1.6 ± 0.4 cm2) Cu2O nanoparticle supported biotemplate is designed using fish-scale wastes as a sustainable approach for the ultra-efficient and selective hand-remediation of Gly from real-time samples from agro-farms. While the innate metal binding and reducing ability of collagenous scales aided self-synthesis cum grafting of Cu2O, the selective binding potential of Cu2O to Gly facilitated its hand-retrieval; as assessed using optical characterizations, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Optimization studies revealed extractions of diverse pay-loads of Gly between 0.1 μg/mL to 40 μg/mL per 80 mg biotemplate grafted with ~6.354 μg of sub-5 nm Cu2O and was exponential to the number of Cu2O@biotemplates. Even though pH and surfactant didn't have any impact on the adsorption of Gly to the Cu2O@biotemplates, increase in the ionic strength led to a drastic increase in the adsorption. Density function theory simulations unveiled the involvement of phosphonic and carboxylic groups of Gly for interaction with Cu2O with a bond length of 1.826 Å and 1.833 Å, respectively. Overall, our sustainably generated, cost-efficient, hand-retrievable Cu2O supported biotemplate can be generalized to extract diverse organophosphorus toxins from agro-farms and other sewage embodiments. SYNOPSIS: Glyphosate is an excessively applied herbicide with potent health hazards and carcinogenicity. Thus, a hand removable Cu2O-supported biotemplate to selectively and efficiently remediate glyphosate from irrigation water is developed.

Lipid incorporated biopolymer based edible films and coatings in food packaging: A review

In the evolving landscape of food packaging, lipid-based edible films and coatings are emerging as a sustainable and effective solution for enhancing food quality and prolonging shelf life. This critical review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the functional properties, roles, and fabrication techniques associated with lipid-based materials in food packaging. It explores the unique advantages of lipids, including waxes, resins, and fatty acids, in providing effective water vapor, gas, and microbial barriers. When integrated with other biopolymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides, lipid-based composite films demonstrate superior thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. The review also covers the application of these innovative coatings in preserving a wide range of fruits and vegetables, highlighting their role in reducing moisture loss, controlling respiration rates, and maintaining firmness. Furthermore, the safety aspects of lipid-based coatings are discussed to address consumer and regulatory concerns.

The Potential of Edible Insects as a Safe, Palatable, and Sustainable Food Source in the European Union

Entomophagy describes the practice of eating insects. Insects are considered extremely nutritious in many countries worldwide. However, there is a lethargic uptake of this practice in Europe where consuming insects and insect-based foodstuffs is often regarded with disgust. Such perceptions and concerns are often due to a lack of exposure to and availability of food-grade insects as a food source and are often driven by neophobia and cultural norms. In recent years, due to accelerating climate change, an urgency to develop alternate safe and sustainable food-sources has emerged. There are currently over 2000 species of insects approved by the World Health Organization as safe to eat and suitable for human consumption. This review article provides an updated overview of the potential of edible insects as a safe, palatable, and sustainable food source. Furthermore, legislation, food safety issues, and the nutritional composition of invertebrates including, but not limited, to crickets (Orthoptera) and mealworms (Coleoptera) are also explored within this review. This article also discusses insect farming methods and the potential upscaling of the industry with regard to future prospects for insects as a sustainable food source. Finally, the topics addressed in this article are areas of potential concern to current and future consumers of edible insects.

Targeting IGF2BP3 enhances antileukemic effects of menin-MLL inhibition in MLL-AF4 leukemia

ABSTRACT

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are emerging as a novel class of therapeutic targets in cancer, including in leukemia, given their important role in posttranscriptional gene regulation, and have the unexplored potential to be combined with existing therapies. The RBP insulin-like growth factor 2 messenger RNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) has been found to be a critical regulator of MLL-AF4 leukemogenesis and represents a promising therapeutic target. Here, we study the combined effects of targeting IGF2BP3 and menin-MLL interaction in MLL-AF4-driven leukemia in vitro and in vivo, using genetic inhibition with CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of Igf2bp3 and pharmacologic inhibition of the menin-MLL interaction with multiple commercially available inhibitors. Depletion of Igf2bp3 sensitized MLL-AF4 leukemia to the effects of menin-MLL inhibition on cell growth and leukemic initiating cells in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that both Igf2bp3 depletion and menin-MLL inhibition led to increased differentiation in vitro and in vivo, seen in functional readouts and by gene expression analyses. IGF2BP3 knockdown had a greater effect on increasing survival and attenuating disease than pharmacologic menin-MLL inhibition with small molecule MI-503 alone and showed enhanced antileukemic effects in combination. Our work shows that IGF2BP3 is an oncogenic amplifier of MLL-AF4-mediated leukemogenesis and a potent therapeutic target, providing a paradigm for targeting leukemia at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level.

Small molecule inhibition of RNA binding proteins in haematologic cancer

In recent years, advances in biomedicine have revealed an important role for post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression regulation in pathologic conditions. In cancer in general and leukaemia specifically, RNA binding proteins have emerged as important regulator of RNA homoeostasis that are often dysregulated in the disease state. Having established the importance of these pathogenetic mechanisms, there have been a number of efforts to target RNA binding proteins using oligonucleotide-based strategies, as well as with small organic molecules. The field is at an exciting inflection point with the convergence of biomedical knowledge, small molecule screening strategies and improved chemical methods for synthesis and construction of sophisticated small molecules. Here, we review the mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation, specifically in leukaemia, current small-molecule based efforts to target RNA binding proteins, and future prospects.

Laser Light as an Emerging Method for Sustainable Food Processing, Packaging, and Testing

In this review article, we systematically investigated the diverse applications of laser technology within the sphere of food processing, encompassing techniques such as laser ablation, microbial inactivation, state-of-the-art food packaging, and non-destructive testing. With a detailed exploration, we assess the utility of laser ablation for the removal of surface contaminants from foodstuffs, while also noting the potential financial and safety implications of its implementation on an industrial scale. Microbial inactivation by laser shows promise for reducing the microbial load on food surfaces, although concerns have been raised about potential damage to the physio-characteristics of some fruits. Laser-based packaging techniques, such as laser perforation and laser transmission welding, offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging methods and can extend the shelf life of perishable goods. Despite the limitations, laser technology shows great promise in the food industry and has the potential to revolutionize food processing, packaging, and testing. Future research needs to focus on optimizing laser equipment, addressing limitations, and developing mathematical models to enhance the technology's uses.

Sustainable Utilisation and Management of Food Waste for High-Value Products

Welcome to the Special Issue on "Sustainable Utilisation and Management of Food Waste for High-Value Products" [...].

Biopolymer-Based Sustainable Food Packaging Materials: Challenges, Solutions, and Applications

Biopolymer-based packaging materials have become of greater interest to the world due to their biodegradability, renewability, and biocompatibility. In recent years, numerous biopolymers-such as starch, chitosan, carrageenan, polylactic acid, etc.-have been investigated for their potential application in food packaging. Reinforcement agents such as nanofillers and active agents improve the properties of the biopolymers, making them suitable for active and intelligent packaging. Some of the packaging materials, e.g., cellulose, starch, polylactic acid, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate, are currently used in the packaging industry. The trend of using biopolymers in the packaging industry has increased immensely; therefore, many legislations have been approved by various organizations. This review article describes various challenges and possible solutions associated with food packaging materials. It covers a wide range of biopolymers used in food packaging and the limitations of using them in their pure form. Finally, a SWOT analysis is presented for biopolymers, and the future trends are discussed. Biopolymers are eco-friendly, biodegradable, nontoxic, renewable, and biocompatible alternatives to synthetic packaging materials. Research shows that biopolymer-based packaging materials are of great essence in combined form, and further studies are needed for them to be used as an alternative packaging material.

Fabrication, characterization, and interventions of protein, polysaccharide and lipid-based nanoemulsions in food and nutraceutical delivery applications: A review

The fabrication and application of nanoemulsions for incorporating and delivering diverse bioactive compounds, particularly hydrophobic substances, is becoming an increasing focus of research with the potential to improve the nutritional and health status of individuals. Constant advancements in nanotechnological approaches aid in the creation of nanoemulsions using diverse biopolymers such as proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, and lipids to improve the stability, bioactivity, and bioavailability of active hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. This article provides a comprehensive overview of various techniques used to create and characterize nanoemulsions as well as theories for understanding their stability. The article also highlights the advancement of nanoemulsions in boosting the bioaccessibility of nutraceuticals to help advance their potential use in various food and pharmaceutical formulations.

Nanoclays-containing bio-based packaging materials: properties, applications, safety, and regulatory issues

Food packaging is an important concept for consumer satisfaction and the increased shelf life of food products. The introduction of novel food packaging materials has become an emerging trend in recent years, which could be mainly due to environmental pollution caused by plastic packaging and to reduce food waste. Recently, numerous studies have been carried out on nanoclays or nanolayered silicate to be used in packaging material development as reinforcing filler composites. Different types of nanoclays have been used as food packaging materials, while montmorillonite (MMT), halloysite, bentonite (BT), Cloisite, and organically modified nanoclays have become of great interest. The incorporation of nanoclays into the packaging matrix improves the mechanical and barrier properties and at the same time prolongs the biodegradation of the packaging material. The purpose of this article is to examine the development of nanoclay-based food packaging materials. The review article highlights the current state of research on bio-based polymers with nanoclay for food packaging. In addition, the report analyses the mechanical, barrier, and antibacterial characteristics of nanoclay-based food packaging materials. Finally, it discusses the migration of nanoclays, toxicity levels, and the legislation associated with the application of nanoclays.

Graphical abstract

Alginate and β-lactoglobulin matrix as wall materials for encapsulation of polyphenols to improve efficiency and stability

The present study aimed at developing novel encapsulate materials of calcium-alginate and β-lactoglobulin complex for polyphenols using the jet-flow nozzle vibration method. Encapsulated microbeads were characterized using SEM, FTIR, DSC, and MSI. The encapsulation efficiency of the microbeads varied depending upon the coating material in the range of 74.17–84.87%. Calcium-alginate-β-lactoglobulin microbeads (CABM) exhibited a smooth surface and uniform shape with an average particle size of 1053.73 nm. CABM also showed better thermal and storage stabilities as compared to calcium alginate microbeads. The CABM resulted in excellent target release of polyphenols (84%) in the intestine, which was more than 3-fold the bio-accessibility offered by free polyphenol powder. Further study on individual phenolic acids after simulated in-vitro digestion (SIVD), photo-oxidative and osmotic stress revealed that CABM significantly retained a higher amount of polyphenols and exhibited improved antioxidant capacity after SIVD environment, and may have high industrial application for nutraceutical production.

Evaluation of irish consumers' knowledge of salmonellosis and food-handling practices

Salmonella is one of numerous food-borne pathogens that could possibly pose a major threat to global food safety. Salmonella is primarily associated with foods such as poultry, eggs, vegetables, and some dairy products. However, infected food handlers and faecal contaminated environments are also significant sources and reservoirs of this pathogen. This study comprehensively evaluated the Irish consumers' food safety knowledge by exploring their knowledge level, practices and attitudes regarding raw meat handling, cross-contamination while handling different types of food products, and knowledge of Salmonella risk and associated food-handling practices. The online SurveyMonkey tool was used to distribute a quantitative survey titled "Evaluation of Knowledge and Food-handling practices of Irish Consumers" from July to November 2020 and generated a total of 1916 responses. Results indicated that 79.9% of the studied Irish population had a good knowledge of salmonellosis and risk perception related to food handling practices. Knowledge of cross-contamination, hygienic practices and pathogens associated with poultry were also considered high. However, knowledge of meat handling was low at 44.9%. It was also observed that age, gender, marital status, gross annual income, and nationality were influential factors regarding the food safety knowledge of consumers, while age, marital status and gender indicated significant differences regarding awareness of correct food hygiene practices.

Regulation of T-independent B-cell responses by microRNA-146a

The microRNA, miR-146a, is a negative feedback regulator of the central immune transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB). MiR-146a plays important roles in the immune system, and miR-146a deficient mice show a complex phenotype with features of chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease. In this study, we examined the role of miR-146a in extrafollicular B-cell responses, finding that miR-146a suppresses cellular responses in vivo and in vitro. Gene expression profiling revealed that miR-146a-deficient B-cells showed upregulation of interferon pathway genes, including Traf6, a known miR-146a target. We next interrogated the role of TRAF6 in these B-cell responses, finding that TRAF6 is required for proliferation by genetic and pharmacologic inhibition. Together, our findings demonstrate a novel role for miR-146a and TRAF6 in the extrafollicular B-cell responses, which have recently been tied to autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Our work highlights the pathogenetic role of miR-146a and the potential of pharmacologic inhibition of TRAF6 in autoimmune diseases in which miR-146a is deregulated.

Application of High-Intensity Ultrasound to Improve Food Processing Efficiency: A Review

The use of non-thermal processing technologies has grown in response to an ever-increasing demand for high-quality, convenient meals with natural taste and flavour that are free of chemical additions and preservatives. Food processing plays a crucial role in addressing food security issues by reducing loss and controlling spoilage. Among the several non-thermal processing methods, ultrasound technology has shown to be very beneficial. Ultrasound processing, whether used alone or in combination with other methods, improves food quality significantly and is thus considered beneficial. Cutting, freezing, drying, homogenization, foaming and defoaming, filtration, emulsification, and extraction are just a few of the applications for ultrasound in the food business. Ultrasounds can be used to destroy germs and inactivate enzymes without affecting the quality of the food. As a result, ultrasonography is being hailed as a game-changing processing technique for reducing organoleptic and nutritional waste. This review intends to investigate the underlying principles of ultrasonic generation and to improve understanding of their applications in food processing to make ultrasonic generation a safe, viable, and innovative food processing technology, as well as investigate the technology's benefits and downsides. The breadth of ultrasound's application in the industry has also been examined. This will also help researchers and the food sector develop more efficient strategies for frequency-controlled power ultrasound in food processing applications.

Advances in emerging technologies for the decontamination of the food contact surfaces

Foodborne pathogens could be transferred to food from food contact surfaces contaminated by poor hygiene or biofilm formation. The food processing industry has various conditions favouring microbes' adherence, such as moisture, nutrients, and the microbial inoculums obtained from the raw material. The function of the ideal antimicrobial surface is preventing initial attachment of the microbes, killing the microbes or/and removing the dead bacteria. This review article provides detail about the challenges food industries are facing with respect to food contact materials. It also summarises the merits and demerits of several sanitizing methods developed for industrial use. Furthermore, it reviews the new and emerging techniques that enhance the efficiency of reducing microbial contamination. Techniques such as surface functionalisation, high-intensity ultrasound, cold plasma technologies etc. which have high potential to be used for the decontamination of food contact surfaces are discussed. The emerging designs of antibacterial surfaces provide the opportunity to reduce or eradicate the adhesion of microorganisms. The most important purpose of these surfaces is to prevent the attachment of bacteria and to kill the bacteria that come in contact. These emerging technologies have a high potential for developing safe and inert food contact materials for the food industry.

A review on nanomaterials and nanohybrids based bio-nanocomposites for food packaging

With an increasing demand for a novel, eco-friendly, high-performance packaging material "bio-nanocomposites" has attracted great attention in recent years. The review article aims at to evaluating recent innovation in bio-nanocomposites for food packaging applications. The current trends and research over the last three years of the various bio-nanocomposites including inorganic, organic nanomaterials, and nanohybrids, which are suitable as food packaging materials due to their advanced properties such as high mechanical, thermal, barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant are described in detail. In addition, the legislation, migration studies, and SWOT analysis on bio-nanocomposite film have been discussed. It has been observed that the multifunctional properties of the bio-nanocomposite materials, has the potential to improve the quality and safety of the food together with no /or fewer negative impact on the environment. However, more studies need to be performed on bio-nanocomposite materials to determine the migration levels and formulate relevant legislation.

Wellens Syndrome: An Atypical Presentation With Burning Chest and Epigastric Pain

Wellens syndrome is a pre-infarction stage due to the critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery. It is characterized by intermittent chest pain with classical ECG changes. The cardiac biomarker is within the normal limit or only slightly elevated in this condition. Early recognition and cardiac intervention are important to prevent adverse cardiac outcomes. We report this rare case of Wellens syndrome in a 70-year-old male with intermittent chest and epigastric pain associated with belching for five days. The patient presented characteristic T-wave changes, symmetric deeply inverted T-waves, in precordial leads (V2-V4). Cardiac biomarkers, including troponin, were negative. He underwent cardiac catheterization and found a clot in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, which required a catheter-directed thrombectomy and drug-eluting stent placement. It is important to recognize this condition early and referred on time from primary health centers to higher centers, especially in developing countries like the Maldives, since delays in transfer may lead to a serious outcome.

Shark Fin Electrocardiogram: A Deadly Electrocardiogram Pattern in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)

Shark fin electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern, also known as 'Lambda-wave', 'giant R waves', or 'triangular QRS-ST-T waveform' is a dangerous ECG pattern associated with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It is formed by the fusion of QRS, ST, and T waves and predicts the high risk of mortality due to cardiogenic shock and ventricular fibrillation. The management should be aggressive with reperfusion via thrombolysis or percutaneous intervention, ideally in the intensive care unit with ventricular assist devices. This ECG pattern may be misdiagnosed as wide complex tachycardia or the ECG changes of hyperkalemia. Thus, differentiating it from other conditions causing similar ECG changes and prompt management is highly important to save the patient from serious complications. Here we have presented a case of STEMI with shark fin ECG associated with pulmonary edema (Killip class III acute myocardial infarction).

Evaluation of Ultrasound, Microwave, Ultrasound-Microwave, Hydrothermal and High Pressure Assisted Extraction Technologies for the Recovery of Phytochemicals and Antioxidants from Brown Macroalgae

This study aims to explore novel extraction technologies (ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction (UMAE), hydrothermal-assisted extraction (HAE) and high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPAE)) and extraction time post-treatment (0 and 24 h) for the recovery of phytochemicals and associated antioxidant properties from Fucus vesiculosus and Pelvetia canaliculata. When using fixed extraction conditions (solvent: 50% ethanol; extraction time: 10 min; algae/solvent ratio: 1/10) for all the novel technologies, UAE generated extracts with the highest phytochemical contents from both macroalgae. The highest yields of compounds extracted from F. vesiculosus using UAE were: total phenolic content (445.0 ± 4.6 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), total phlorotannin content (362.9 ± 3.7 mg phloroglucinol equivalents/g), total flavonoid content (286.3 ± 7.8 mg quercetin equivalents/g) and total tannin content (189.1 ± 4.4 mg catechin equivalents/g). In the case of the antioxidant activities, the highest DPPH activities were achieved by UAE and UMAE from both macroalgae, while no clear pattern was recorded in the case of FRAP activities. The highest DPPH scavenging activities (112.5 ± 0.7 mg trolox equivalents/g) and FRAP activities (284.8 ± 2.2 mg trolox equivalents/g) were achieved from F. vesiculosus. Following the extraction treatment, an additional storage post-extraction (24 h) did not improve the yields of phytochemicals or antioxidant properties of the extracts.

Salmonella, Food Safety and Food Handling Practices

Salmonellosis is the second most reported gastrointestinal disorder in the EU resulting from the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated foods. Symptoms include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, fever, myalgia, headache, nausea and vomiting. In 2018, Salmonella accounted for more than half of the numbers of foodborne outbreak illnesses reported in the EU. Salmonella contamination is mostly associated with produce such as poultry, cattle and their feeds but other products such as dried foods, infant formula, fruit and vegetable products and pets have become important. Efforts aimed at controlling Salmonella are being made. For example, legislation and measures put in place reduced the number of hospitalizations between 2014 and 2015. However, the number of hospitalizations started to increase in 2016. This calls for more stringent controls at the level of government and the private sector. Food handlers of "meat processing" and "Ready to Eat" foods play a crucial role in the spread of Salmonella. This review presents an updated overview of the global epidemiology, the relevance of official control, the disease associated with food handlers and the importance of food safety concerning salmonellosis.

Effects of Injectable Trace Minerals (ITMs) on Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance of Newborn Calves with Tropical Theileriosis

Injectable trace minerals (ITMs) could provide a potential alternative way of trace mineral delivery for sick animals. Therefore, evaluation of ameliorative potentials of ITMs (copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc) on the circulating Th1/Th2 cytokine misbalance in Theileria annulata-infected calves was aimed. Forty-three T. annulata-infected newborn calves were randomly allocated into four groups: buparvaquone alone-treated group (BUPA), buparvaquone + oxytetracycline (BUPA + OXY)-treated group, buparvaquone + injectable trace minerals (BUPA + ITMs)-treated group, and BUPA + OXY + ITM-treated group. Blood samples were collected from each of the calves before the start of therapy (day 0) and on day 14 post-therapy. Serum contents of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were estimated by bovine specific ELISA kits. On day 14 post-therapy, significant amelioration in the circulating levels of the studied cytokines was not observed in the calves treated with BUPA, while the calves treated with BUPA + OXY revealed significant (P ≤ 0.04) amelioration in the circulating tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level. The calves treated with BUPA + ITMs revealed significant (P ≤ 0.041) elevation in the circulating interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and significant (P ≤ 0.011) reduction in the interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Moreover, the calves treated with BUPA + OXY + ITMs revealed significant reduction in TNF-α (P ≤ 0.0001) and IL-10 (P ≤ 0.012) contents, and significant elevation in IFN-γ (P ≤ 0.0002) content on day 14 post-therapy. None of the treated calve group revealed significant alteration in the circulating level of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on day 14 post-therapy. In conclusion, administration of ITMs to the therapeutic regimen of newborn calves with tropical theileriosis could be a promising therapeutic strategy. ITMs can be recommended for the amelioration of immunological misbalance due to tropical theileriosis in newborn calves.

Fruits and Vegetables in the Management of Underlying Conditions for COVID-19 High-Risk Groups

SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus, which is the cause of the current pandemic with 107,411,561 infections and 2,351,195 death worldwide so far. There are multiple symptoms that are linked with the infection of COVID-19 such as coughing, shortness of breath, congestion together with fatigue, fever, loss of taste or smell, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The lack of or early stage of development of a cure for COVID-19 illness, there is need for insuring the best possible position of health to be able to fight the virus naturally through a robust immune system to limit severe complication. In this article, we have discussed the role of fruits and vegetables consumption to boost the immune system and major emphasis has been given to high risk group. We have taken into consideration a number of underlying conditions such as people with cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, hemoglobin disorder such as sickle cell disease, weakened immune system due to organ transplant. Furthermore, factors to improve the immune system, risks associated with quarantine and lifestyle and food handling during COVID-19 has been discussed.

Tomato Domestication Attenuated Responsiveness to a Beneficial Soil Microbe for Plant Growth Promotion and Induction of Systemic Resistance to Foliar Pathogens

Crop domestication events followed by targeted breeding practices have been pivotal for improvement of desirable traits and to adapt cultivars to local environments. Domestication also resulted in a strong reduction in genetic diversity among modern cultivars compared to their wild relatives, though the effect this could have on tripartite relationships between plants, belowground beneficial microbes and aboveground pathogens remains undetermined. We quantified plant growth performance, basal resistance and induced systemic resistance (ISR) by Trichoderma harzianum, a beneficial soil microbe against Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic fungus and Phytophthora infestans, a hemi-biotrophic oomycete, in 25 diverse tomato genotypes. Wild tomato related species, tomato landraces and modern commercial cultivars that were conventionally or organically bred, together, representing a domestication gradient were evaluated. Relationships between basal and ISR, plant physiological status and phenolic compounds were quantified to identify potential mechanisms. Trichoderma enhanced shoot and root biomass and ISR to both pathogens in a genotype specific manner. Moreover, improvements in plant performance in response to Trichoderma gradually decreased along the domestication gradient. Wild relatives and landraces were more responsive to Trichoderma, resulting in greater suppression of foliar pathogens than modern cultivars. Photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of some tomato genotypes were improved by Trichoderma treatment whereas leaf nitrogen status of the majority of tomato genotypes were not altered. There was a negative relationship between basal resistance and induced resistance for both diseases, and a positive correlation between Trichoderma-ISR to B. cinerea and enhanced total flavonoid contents. These findings suggest that domestication and breeding practices have altered plant responsiveness to beneficial soil microbes. Further studies are needed to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential promotion of plant growth and resistance among genotypes, and identify molecular markers to integrate selection for responsiveness into future breeding programs.

Essential oils as additives in active food packaging

Food packaging can be considered as a passive barrier that protects food from environmental factors such as ultraviolet light, oxygen, water vapour, pressure and heat. It also prolongs the shelf-life of food by protecting from chemical and microbiological contaminants and enables foods to be transported and stored safely. Active packaging (AP) provides the opportunity for interaction between the external environment and food, resulting in extended shelf-life of food. Chemoactive packaging has an impact on the chemical composition of the food product. The application of natural additive such as essential oils in active packaging can be used in the forms of films and coatings. It has been observed that, AP helps to maintain temperature, moisture level and microbial and quality control of the food. This review article provides an overview of the active packaging incorporated with essential oils, concerns and challenges in industry, and the effect of essential oil on the packaging microstructure, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Computational modelling approach for the optimization of apple juice clarification using immobilized pectinase and xylanase enzymes

Apple juice is typically marketed as a clear juice, and hence enzymatic treatments are common practices in juice industry. However, enzymatic treatments have been shown to face some challenges when process efficiency, and cost effectiveness are concerned. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the enzymatic treatment process to maximize efficiency, and reuse enzymes to minimize the overall cost via immobilization. In this context, the present work features the immobilization of pectinase and xylanase from M. hiemalis on genipin-activated alginate beads, with subsequent evaluation of its efficacy in apple juice clarification. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD), coupled with artificial neural network (ANN) for modeling and optimization was used to design the experiments. Deploying a coupling time up to 120 min, and an agitation rate of 213 rpm (pectinase) - 250 rpm (xylanase), a maximum fractional enzyme activity recovered was observed to be about 81–83% for both enzymes. Optimum enzyme loading and genipin concentration were found to be 50 U/ml and 12% (w/v), respectively. The immobilized enzyme preparations were suitable for up to 5 repeated process cycles, losing about 45% (pectinase) - 49% (xylanase) of their initial activity during this time. The maximum clarity of apple juice (%T₆₆₀, 84%) was achieved at 100 min when pectinase (50 U/ml of juice) and xylanase (20 U/ml of juice) were used in combination at 57 °C. The immobilized enzymes are of industrial relevance in terms of biocompatibility, recoverability, and operational-storage stability.

•

Computational modeling adopted for enzymes immobilization and juice clarification.

•

Maximum recovery of enzyme activity of pectinase was ~81% and ~83% for xylanase.

•

Immobilization improved storage and operational stability of pectinase and xylanase.

•

Immobilized enzymes retained ~50% of its initial activity even after five cycles.

•

Immobilized pectinase and xylanase together showed apple juice clarification of ~84%.

Molecular insights into biochar-mediated plant growth promotion and systemic resistance in tomato against Fusarium crown and root rot disease

Molecular mechanisms associated with biochar-elicited suppression of soilborne plant diseases and improved plant performance are not well understood. A stem base inoculation approach was used to explore the ability of biochar to induce systemic resistance in tomato plants against crown rot caused by a soilborne pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici. RNA-seq transcriptome profiling of tomato, and experiments with jasmonic and salycilic acid deficient tomato mutants, were performed to elucidate the in planta molecular mechanisms involved in induced resistance. Biochar (produced from greenhouse plant wastes) was found to mediate systemic resistance against Fusarium crown rot and to simultaneously improve tomato plant growth and physiological parameters by up to 63%. Transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) of tomato demonstrated that biochar had a priming effect on gene expression and upregulated the pathways and genes associated with plant defense and growth such as jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, cytokinins, auxin and synthesis of flavonoid, phenylpropanoids and cell wall. In contrast, biosynthesis and signaling of the salicylic acid pathway was downregulated. Upregulation of genes and pathways involved in plant defense and plant growth may partially explain the significant disease suppression and improvement in plant performance observed in the presence of biochar.

Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Biodegradable Active Packaging Enriched with Clove and Thyme Essential Oil for Food Packaging Application

Bioactive packaging contains natural antimicrobial agents, which inhibit the growth of microorganisms and increase the food shelf life. Solvent casting method was used to prepare the Poly (lactide)-Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA-PBAT) film incorporated with the thyme oil and clove oil in various concentrations (1 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt%). The clove oil composite films depicted less green and more yellow as compared to thyme oil composite films. Clove oil composite film has shown an 80% increase in the UV blocking efficiency. The tensile strength (TS) of thyme oil and clove oil composite film decreases from 1.35 MPs (control film) to 0.96 MPa and 0.79, respectively. A complete killing of S. aureus that is a reduction from 6.5 log CFU/mL to 0 log CFU/mL was observed on the 10 wt% clove oil incorporated composite film. Clove oil and thyme oil composite film had inhibited E. coli biofilm by 93.43% and 82.30%, respectively. Clove oil composite film had exhibited UV blocking properties, strong antimicrobial activity and has high potential to be used as an active food packaging.

Fabrication techniques of biomimetic scaffolds in three-dimensional cell culture: A review

In the last four decades, several researchers worldwide have routinely and meticulously exercised cell culture experiments in two-dimensional (2D) platforms. Using traditionally existing 2D models, the therapeutic efficacy of drugs has been inappropriately validated due to the failure in generating the precise therapeutic response. Fortunately, a 3D model addresses the foregoing limitations by recapitulating the in vivo environment. In this context, one has to contemplate the design of an appropriate scaffold for favoring the organization of cell microenvironment. Instituting pertinent model on the platter will pave way for a precise mimicking of in vivo conditions. It is because animal cells in scaffolds oblige spontaneous formation of 3D colonies that molecularly, phenotypically, and histologically resemble the native environment. The 3D culture provides insight into the biochemical aspects of cell-cell communication, plasticity, cell division, cytoskeletal reorganization, signaling mechanisms, differentiation, and cell death. Focusing on these criteria, this paper discusses in detail, the diversification of polymeric scaffolds based on their available resources. The paper also reviews the well-founded and latest techniques of scaffold fabrication, and their applications pertaining to tissue engineering, drug screening, and tumor model development.

Optimisation of Ultrasound Frequency, Extraction Time and Solvent for the Recovery of Polyphenols, Phlorotannins and Associated Antioxidant Activity from Brown Seaweeds

This study investigates ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) process parameters (time, frequency and solvent) to obtain high yields of phlorotannins, flavonoids, total phenolics and associated antioxidant activities from 11 brown seaweed species. Optimised UAE conditions (35 kHz, 30 min and 50% ethanol) significantly improved the extraction yield from 1.5-fold to 2.2-fold in all seaweeds investigated compared to solvent extraction. Using ultrasound, the highest recovery of total phenolics (TPC: 572.3 ± 3.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), total phlorotannins (TPhC: 476.3 ± 2.2 mg phloroglucinol equivalent/g) and total flavonoids (TFC: 281.0 ± 1.7 mg quercetin equivalent/g) was obtained from Fucus vesiculosus seaweed. While the lowest recovery of TPC (72.6 ± 2.9 mg GAE/g), TPhC (50.3 ± 2.0 mg PGE/g) and TFC (15.2 ± 3.3 mg QE/g) was obtained from Laminaria digitata seaweed. However, extracts from Fucus serratus obtained by UAE exhibited the strongest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (29.1 ± 0.25 mg trolox equivalent/g) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (63.9 ± 0.74 mg trolox equivalent/g). UAE under optimised conditions was an effective, low-cost and eco-friendly technique to recover biologically active polyphenols from 11 brown seaweed species.

Anomalous pressure dependence of the electronic transport and anisotropy in SrIrO3 films

Iridate oxides display exotic physical properties that arise from the interplay between a large spin-orbit coupling and electron correlations. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the electronic transport properties of SrIrO3 (SIO), a system that has recently attracted a lot of attention as potential correlated Dirac semimetal. Our investigations on untwinned thin films of SIO reveal that the electrical resistivity of this material is intrinsically anisotropic and controlled by the orthorhombic distortion of the perovskite unit cell. These effects provide another evidence for the strong coupling between the electronic and lattice degrees of freedom in this class of compounds. Upon increasing pressure, a systematic increase of the transport anisotropies is observed. The anomalous pressure-induced changes of the resistivity cannot be accounted for by the pressure dependence of the density of the electron charge carriers, as inferred from Hall effect measurements. Moreover, pressure-induced rotations of the IrO6 octahedra likely occur within the distorted perovskite unit cell and affect electron mobility of this system.

An evaluation of sonication pretreatment for enhancing saccharification of brewers' spent grain

This paper deals with the investigation of ultrasound (US) pretreatment of brewer's spent grain (BSG) as a means of releasing fermentable sugars, and the subsequent production of ethanol from this lignocellulosic biomass. Using response surface methodology (RSM), the influence of US power, time, temperature and biomass loading on fermentable sugar yield from BSG was studied. The optimal conditions were found to be 20% US power, 60 min, 26.3 °C, and 17.3% w/v of biomass in water. Under these conditions, an approximate 2.1-fold increase in reducing sugar yield (325 ± 6 mg/g of biomass) was achieved, relative to untreated BSG (151.1 ± 10 mg/g of biomass). In contrast to acid or alkaline pretreatment approaches, the use of water obviated the need for neutralization for the recovery of sugars. The characterization of native and pretreated BSG was performed by HPLC, FTIR, SEM and DSC. Fermentation studies using S. cerevisiae growing on pretreated BSG resulted in a conversion of 66% of the total sugar content ininto ethanol with an ethanol content of 17.73 ± 2 g/ 100 g of pretreated BSG. These results suggest that ultrasound pretreatment is a promising technology for increased valorization of BSG as a feedstock for production of bioethanol, and points ton the need for further work in this area.

A Frustrated Lewis Pair Solution to a Frustrating Problem: Mono-Selective Functionalization of C–F Bonds in Di- and Trifluoromethyl Groups

Polyfluoromethyl groups generally suffer from over-reaction, where multiple C–F bonds are uncontrollably functionalized. The use of a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP)-mediated C–F bond activation permits selective monodefluorination through base capture of intermediate fluorocarbocations. FLP-mediated C–F bond activation can be applied to aromatic, heteroaromatic, or nonaromatic difluoro and trifluoromethyl groups to generate selectively fluoride-substituted phosphonium and pyridinium salts. These salts can be further functionalized by Wittig coupling, nucleophilic substitution, photoredox alkylation, nucleophilic transfer, or hydrogenation reactions to install a range of functional groups into the activated C–F position.

1 Introduction

2 Frustrated Lewis Pair C–F Activation

3 Conclusion