Investigation of Biological Activity of Fucoidan and Laminarin as Bioactive Polysaccharides from Irish Brown Macroalgae.

This study aimed to investigate the biological activity of crude and purified laminarin and fucoidan samples extracted from Irish brown macroalgae species and . The antioxidant capacity of the samples was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. The anti-inflammatory potential of the samples was analysed using the cyclooxygenases inhibition activity, and the antidiabetic activity was evaluated using a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor screening assay.

Calibration of visible and near-infrared spectral imaging technology to predict the quality evolution of retail fresh pork bellies with different fat content.

This study investigates quality changes occurred in sliced pork belly with different fat content during refrigerated storage, and the potential of spectral imaging technology in predicting quality properties. Pork bellies with different fat levels (low 'LF', medium 'MF' and high 'HF') were selected from slaughtering houses and directly transferred to the laboratory. The sliced bellies were packed in modified atmosphere packages with high oxygen levels (80 %) and the essential visual and olfactory characteristics, microbiological load, pH, lipid oxidation and colour values were assessed throughout 20 days of refrigerated storage.

Elimination of Ethanol for the Production of Fucoidans from Brown Seaweeds: Characterization and Bioactivities.

Fucoidan, a sulphated polysaccharide from brown seaweed composed of several monosaccharides, has been stated to have several bioactive properties such as antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antithrombic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. This paper provides research findings on green extraction methods, structural analysis of fucoidan, and its associated bioactivities. Fucoidans from brown seaweeds, and were extracted using green solvents such as citric acid (CA) followed by MWCO (molecular weight cut-off) filtration to obtain high-purity polysaccharides.

A novel approach for optimisation of bioenergy supply chain: Integrating mathematical programming, Geographic Information System, and Analytic Hierarchy Process.

The crucial role of sustainable energy in addressing environmental challenges and using agricultural waste for bioenergy supports a circular bioeconomy. This paper presents a four-stage approach to optimise a biorefinery supply chain for Ireland's agricultural waste sector. The spatial availability of agricultural waste was assessed, followed by evaluating land suitability for biorefinery development under economic, environmental, and social constraints.

Enhancing the stability and functionality of phycobiliproteins as natural food colourants through microparticle formulation.

The food industry is increasingly turning to microalgae pigments as natural functional colourants to replace potentially harmful synthetic dyes. Among those, phycobiliproteins offer deep and vibrant colours with bioactivities, showing to be a promising alternative. However, incorporating them into a food matrix can be challenging due to their inherent instability, low bioavailability, and off-flavours.

Effect of pectin with different esterification degree on the freeze-thaw stability of gluten protein: Structures, functional properties, and Cryoprotective mechanism.

The effect of degree of esterification (DE) on the cryoprotective function of pectin against the frozen deterioration of gluten protein is still unclear. Here, NMR, HPSEC-MALLS, HPGPC and optical microscrope were applied to determine the structure and ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity of pectin with varying DE. The effect on structure, physicochemical properties and molecular interaction of gluten supplemented with pectin were investigated.

Cellulose nanocrystals/cellulose nanofibrils-combined astaxanthin nanoemulsion for reinforcement of targeted tumor delivery of gastric cancer cells.

Nanoemulsion based nanomaterial (NE) was carried out in the present study to evaluate the efficacy and its antitumor potential of the gastric cancer cells. NE was prepared with astaxanthin/alpha-tocopherol- cellulose nanocrystals/cellulose nanofibrils based nanoemulsions for gastric cancer treatment. The cytotoxic potential was tested against cancer cells and evaluated in terms of its cell proliferation, migration, and cellular uptake by the standard methods.

Intelligent agriculture: deep learning in UAV-based remote sensing imagery for crop diseases and pests detection.

Controlling crop diseases and pests is essential for intelligent agriculture (IA) due to the significant reduction in crop yield and quality caused by these problems. In recent years, the remote sensing (RS) areas has been prevailed over by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based applications. Herein, by using methods such as keyword co-contribution analysis and author co-occurrence analysis in bibliometrics, we found out the hot-spots of this field.

Opportunities and challenges of ultrasonic diagnostic techniques for plant-based food monitoring: principle, machine system, and application strategies.

Plant-based food consumption has increased substantially owing to its positive effects on human and global health. However, ensuring the quality and safety of plant-based foods remains a challenge. Diagnostic ultrasonic technology is widely used for rapid and nondestructive determination owing to its ability to penetrate optically opaque materials, strong directivity, rapid detection capabilities, low equipment costs, and ease of operation.

Human exposure to micro/nano-plastics through vegetables, fruits, and grains - A predictive modelling approach.

The emergence of human exposure (HE) to micro/nano-plastics (MN-P) via the food chain is a significant public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate HE from ingesting vegetables, fruits, and grains using linear regression models to analyse MN-P size-concentration relationships and bioaccumulation factors (BF). For Irish adults, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of MN-Ps was calculated, considering potential internalisation in these foods, with a sensitivity analysis addressing variability and uncertainty.

Evaluating background and local contributions and identifying traffic-related pollutant hotspots: insights from Google Air View mobile monitoring in Dublin, Ireland.

Mobile monitoring provides high-resolution observation on temporal and spatial scales compared to traditional fixed-site measurement. This study demonstrates the use of high spatio-temporal resolution of air pollution data collected by Google Air View vehicles to identify hotspots and assess compliance with WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) in Dublin City. The mobile monitoring was conducted during weekdays, typically from 7:00 to 19:00, between 6 May 2021 and 6 May 2022.

Vibrational spectroscopy data fusion for enhanced classification of different milk types.

The aim of this study is to classify seven types of Irish milk (butter, fresh, heart active, lactose free, light, protein, and slimline), supplied by a specific company, using vibrational spectroscopy methods: Near infrared (NIR), mid infrared (MIR), and Raman spectroscopy. In this regard, chemometric methods were used, and the impact of spectral data fusion on prediction accuracy was evaluated. A total of 105 samples were tested, with 21 used in the test set.

Source identification of heavy metals and metalloids in soil using open-source Tellus database and their impact on ecology and human health.

The presence of heavy metals and metalloids (metal(loid)s) in the food chain is a global problem, and thus, metal(loid)s are considered to be Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). Arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are identified as prominent hazards related to human health risks throughout the food chain. This study aimed to carry out a source attribution for metal(loid)s in shallow topsoil of north-midlands, northwest, and border counties of the Republic of Ireland, followed by an assessment of the potential ecological and human health risks.

Escherichia coli-based biorefining process yields optically pure lactic acid from fermented second-generation feedstocks.

Within the circular bioeconomy the production of optically pure LA from 2nd generation feedstocks would be ideal but it is very challenging. In this paper genetically engineered Escherichia coli strains were created to resolve racemic LA solutions synthesised and produced from the fermentation of organic waste or ensiled grass. Refining LA racemic mixtures into either a D- or L-LA was achieved by cells being able to consume one LA isomer as a sole carbon and energy source while not being able to consume the other.

Application of in-line Raman spectroscopy to monitor crystallization and melting processes in milk fat.

Anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and its fractions are used as ingredients in a wide range of food applications. Obtaining the appropriate solid fat content (SFC) is essential to achieve the desired product texture. At present, in-line monitoring techniques to control milk fat crystallization and melting are largely unavailable.

Is the milk we drink safe from elevated concentrations of prioritised heavy metals/metalloids? - A global systematic review and meta-analysis followed by a cursory risk assessment reporting.

Milk has been globally recognised as a comprehensive and vital food source for centuries. However, the presence of heavy metals and metalloids (metal(loid)s) in milk is a global problem. As metal(loid)s are present in the soil due to natural geogenic and various anthropogenic activities, these metal(loid)s are bio-transferred into animal feed, which further results in the presence of metal(loid)s in milk due to bio transfer/accumulation.

Effect of conventional and novel techniques on extraction yield, chemical characterisation and biological activities of proteins from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia).

The study investigates the effect of conventional and novel extraction techniques on the protein extraction yield from bitter gourd seeds (Momordica charantia). Ultrasound assisted-extraction (UAE) treatment for 30 min at 4 °C using a 20 kHz ultrasound probe resulted in the highest extraction yield of crude proteins. After purification, 9.

Freshwater microalgae Nannochloropsis limnetica for the production of β-galactosidase from whey powder.

This study investigated the first-ever reported use of freshwater Nannochloropsis for the bioremediation of dairy processing side streams and co-generation of valuable products, such as β-galactosidase enzyme. In this study, N. limnetica was found to grow rapidly on both autoclaved and non-autoclaved whey-powder media (referred to dairy processing by-product or DPBP) without the need of salinity adjustment or nutrient additions, achieving a biomass concentration of 1.

A Novel Bio-Purification Process Employing an Engineered Strain for Downstream Processing of Lactic Acid Solutions from the Fermentation of Agro-Industrial by-Products.

This study aims to integrate a novel bio-purification process employing an engineered strain in the downstream processing of lactic acid (LA) fermentation broths from low-cost renewable biological feedstocks. Fermentation broth of candy waste and digestate mixture was used as a real biological feedstock. An engineered strain that selectively catabolize impurities without catabolizing LA was initially adapted on the biological feedstock, followed by shake flask experiments to prove the bio-purification concept.

Advanced optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy for comprehensive characterization of microplastics from intravenous fluid delivery systems.

Growing attention is being directed towards exploring the potential harmful effects of microplastic (MP) particles on human health. Previous reports on human exposure to MPs have primarily focused on inhalation, ingestion, transdermal routes, and, potentially, transplacental transfer. The intravenous transfer of MP particles in routine healthcare settings has received limited exploration in existing literature.

Prevalence and concentration of mycotoxins in bovine feed and feed components: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi and identified as contaminants in animal feed. They have potentially harmful effects, including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and repro-toxicity in animals and humans. As a result of climate change, there is the potential for a change in the prevalence and concentration of mycotoxins in animal feed components.

Development of a hybrid bio-purification process of lactic acid solutions employing an engineered E. coli strain in a membrane bioreactor.

Background: A potential alternative to lactic acid production through sugar fermentation is its recovery from grass silage leachate. The separation and purification of lactic acid from fermentation broths remain a key issue, as it amounts to up to 80% of its industrial production cost. In this study, a genetically engineered E.