Investigating the Antibacterial Effect of a Novel Gallic Acid-Based Green Sanitizer Formulation.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action of our newly developed green sanitizer formulation comprising a natural phenolic compound, gallic acid (GA), strengthened by the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) materials hydrogen peroxide (HO) and DL-lactic acid (LA). Combining 8 mM GA with 1 mM HO resulted in an abundant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a bactericidal effect towards Gram-negative (, , and ) and Gram-positive () bacteria (4 to 8 log CFU mL reduction). However, the exposure to this dual formulation (DF) caused only a modest 0.

Carboxymethyl chitosan-N-alkylimine derivatives: Synthesis, characterization and use for preservation of symbiotic biofertilizer bacteria on chickpea seeds.

A series of carboxymethyl chitosan-N-alkylimine derivatives with side chain length of 4 to 10 carbons (CMCS-n, n = 4, 6, 8, 10) was prepared in a one-step solvent-free synthesis using Schiff base chemistry. The modified polysaccharides were characterized by their spectral, thermal and physical properties. The prepared polymers demonstrated an ability to spontaneous self-assembly with a clear correlation between critical aggregation concentration and the chain length of the alkyl substituent.

Effects of Genotype and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Quality of Fresh-Cut Melons.

Marketing melons () as convenient fresh-cut products is popular nowadays. However, damage inflicted by fresh-cut processing results in fast quality degradation and food safety risks. The life of fresh-cut produce can be extended by a modified atmosphere (MA), either generated in a package by tissue respiration (a passive MA) or injected by gas flushing (an active MA).

Carboxymethyl chitosan-quercetin conjugate: A sustainable one-step synthesis and use for food preservation.

Bioactive polysaccharide, carboxymethyl chitosan-quercetin (CMCS-q) was prepared by a one-step reaction utilizing Schiff base chemistry. Notably, the presented conjugation method involves neither radical reactions nor auxiliary coupling agents. Physicochemical properties and bioactivity of the modified polymer were studied and compared to those of the pristine carboxymethyl chitosan, CMCS.

Oligomers of Carboxymethyl Cellulose for Postharvest Treatment of Fresh Produce: The Effect on Fresh-Cut Strawberry in Combination with Natural Active Agents.

In this study, oligomers of carboxymethyl cellulose (O-CMC) were used as a new postharvest treatment for fresh produce. The oligomers were prepared by green and cost-effective enzymatic hydrolysis and applied to prevent spoilage and improve storability of fresh-cut strawberries. The produce quality was improved by all formulations containing O-CMC in comparison to the control, as indicated by the decrease in decay incidence, weight loss (min ~2-5 times less), higher firmness, microbial load decrease, better appearance, and sensorial quality of the fruits.

Microperforated Compostable Packaging Extends Shelf Life of Ethylene-Treated Banana Fruit.

Plastic packaging preserves the quality of ethylene-treated bananas by generating a beneficial modified atmosphere (MA). However, petroleum-based plastics cause environmental pollution, due to their slow decomposition. Biodegradable packaging may help resolve this controversy, provided it shows adequate preservation efficacy.

Enhancement of Glucosinolate Formation in Broccoli Sprouts by Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment.

Broccoli sprouts are known as a rich source of health-beneficial phytonutrients: glucosinolates and phenolic compounds. The production of phytonutrients can be stimulated by elicitors that activate the plant stress response. The aim of this study was enhancing the nutritional value of broccoli sprouts using hydrogen peroxide (HO) as an elicitor.

Quaternized chitosan as a biopolymer sanitizer for leafy vegetables: synthesis, characteristics, and traditional vs. dry nano-aerosol applications.

A series of quaternary dimethyl-(alkyl)-ammonium chitosan derivatives (QACs) was synthesized and studied for physicochemical properties and bioactivity. The QACs tended to spontaneously self-assembly into nanoaggregates. Antimicrobial activity was examined in vitro on Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E.

In Situ Grafting of Silica Nanoparticle Precursors with Covalently Attached Bioactive Agents to Form PVA-Based Materials for Sustainable Active Packaging.

Sustainable antibacterial-antioxidant films were prepared using in situ graftings of silica nanoparticle (SNP) precursors with covalently attached bioactive agents benzoic acid (ba) or curcumin (cur) on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The modified PVA-SNP, PVA-SNP-ba and PVA-SNP-cur films were characterized using spectroscopic, physicochemical and microscopic methods. The prepared films showed excellent antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and increased hydrophobicity providing protection from undesired moisture.

Retaining red bell pepper quality by perforated compostable packaging.

Retail packages are widely used to preserve pepper fruit quality. However, due to the negative impact of conventional plastics on the environment there is an urgent need to replace these packaging materials with recyclable or compostable alternatives. Hereby, we evaluated the effects of compostable modified atmosphere packages with different perforation rates on keeping the quality of red bell pepper fruit during extended shelf life and simulated supply chain conditions.

Effects of Compostable Packaging and Perforation Rates on Cucumber Quality during Extended Shelf Life and Simulated Farm-to-Fork Supply-Chain Conditions.

Cucumbers are highly perishable and suffer from moisture loss, shriveling, yellowing, peel damage, and decay. Plastic packaging helps to preserve cucumber quality, but harms the environment. We examined the use of compostable modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with different perforation rates as a possible replacement for conventional plastic packaging materials.

Potential of chitosan from mushroom waste to enhance quality and storability of fresh-cut melons.

The possibility of usage mushroom industry wastage, as a source of antimicrobial biopolymer chitosan to form active edible coatings was studied. It was found that the champignon stipe, an underutilized part of the mushroom, gave rise to a higher chitosan yield than caps (176 vs. 105 mg/g).

Layer-by-Layer Alginate and Fungal Chitosan Based Edible Coatings Applied to Fruit Bars.

Unlabelled: Food waste is currently being generated at an increasing rate. One proposed solution would be to convert it to biopolymers for industrial applications. We recovered chitin from mushroom waste and converted it to chitosan to produce edible coatings.

Antimicrobial coatings on polyethylene terephthalate based on curcumin/cyclodextrin complex embedded in a multilayer polyelectrolyte architecture.

Bacterial contamination is a growing concern worldwide. The aim of this work was to develop an antimicrobial coating based on curcumin-cyclodextrin inclusion complex and using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film as a support matrix. After a pre-treatment aimed to provide sufficient electric charge to the PET surface, it was electrostatically coated with repeated multilayers comprising alternately deposited positively-charged poly-l-lysine (PLL) and negatively-charged poly-l-glutamic acid (PLGA) and carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (CMBCD).

Vitamin D-fortified chitosan films from mushroom waste.

Brown mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) stalk bases from mushroom waste were treated with UV-B light to rapidly increase vitamin D content. Chitin was also recovered from this waste and converted into chitosan by N-deacetylation. FTIR spectra showed that the mushroom chitosan were similar to chitosan from animal sources.

Modes of antibacterial action of curcumin under dark and light conditions: A toxicoproteomics approach.

Unlabelled: Curcumin is a potent natural food-grade antimicrobial compound. Exposure to light further enhances its antimicrobial capacity. Proteomic methods were used in this study for investigating the mechanistic aspects of the antibacterial curcumin effects in the dark and upon illumination.

Constituents of French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.) Flowers Protect Jurkat T-Cells against Oxidative Stress.

The flowers of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) are widely used in folk medicine, in particular for treating inflammation-related disorders. However, cellular mechanisms of this activity demand further investigation.

Polydiacetylene nanovesicles as carriers of natural phenylpropanoids for creating antimicrobial food-contact surfaces.

The ultimate goal of this study was developing antimicrobial food-contact materials based on natural phenolic compounds using nanotechnological approaches. Among the methyl-β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated phenolics tested, curcumin showed by far the highest activity toward Escherichia coli with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.4 mM.

High-Throughput Screening of Nanoparticle-Stabilizing Ligands: Application to Preparing Antimicrobial Curcumin Nanoparticles by Antisolvent Precipitation.

Water-dispersible curcumin nanoparticles were prepared by bottom-up antisolvent precipitation approach. A new high-throughput screening technique was developed for selecting appropriate ligands stabilizing the nanoparticles in aqueous medium and improving their performance. The initial set of twenty-eight potential stabilizing ligands was evaluated based on their capacity to improve curcumin dispersibility in aqueous medium.

Rosmarinic acid-rich extracts of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) protect Jurkat T cells against oxidative stress.

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L., Lamiaceae) is used in several regions of the world as a spice and folk medicine. Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of S.

Ultraviolet light stimulates flavonol accumulation in peeled onions and controls microorganisms on their surface.

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) light on flavonol content in peeled onions (Allium cepa L.) and on microbial survival on their surface were investigated. The content of phenolic compounds showed a gradient within the onion bulb, with the highest level in the external dry "skin" (tunic) and the lowest level in the center.

Involvement of limonene hydroperoxides formed after oil gland injury in the induction of defense response against Penicillium digitatum in lemon fruit.

The effects of wounding oil glands of lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm.] fruit were investigated.