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The presence of micro and nanoplastics in the food chain constitutes an emergent multifactorial food safety and physiological stress problem, which must be approached with a strategic perspective since it affects public health when consuming products that have this pollutant, such as fish and crustaceans, fruits, and vegetables. In this review, the authors present the results by scientists from different disciplines who are dedicated to discovering their chemical constitution and origin, the contents of these microparticles in edible plants, the contamination of water-irrigated soils, the mechanisms that concentrate microplastics in these soils, methods to determine them, contamination of freshwater sources of cities, and the negative effect of nano and microplastics on various food products and their detrimental impact on the environment. Recent findings of plant uptake mechanisms complement this, but more research is needed.

Effects of highway traffic noise have recently emerged. Greenery has become an essential aspect in urban planning nowadays as an interesting way to improve the quality of life in urban envi...

Global reduction of chemical deposition into the environment is necessary. In protected horticulture, different strategies with biodegradable products are used to control pathogens. This review presents the available tools, especially for the management of protected horticultural species, including vegetables and ornamental plants. An analysis of the potential for degradable products that control pathogens and also encourage other productive factors, such as oxygen in the root system, is presented. Biosecurity in fertigation management of protected horticulture is conducted by using peroxyacetic acid mixtures that serve three basic principles: first, the manufacture of these products does not involve polluting processes; second, they have the same function as other chemicals, and third, after use and management there is no toxic residue left in the environment. The sustainability of protected horticulture depends on the development and introduction of technologies for implementation in the field.

Raw salad vegetables are typically consumed without being cooked. This study compared peracetic acid mix (PAA) and sodium hypochlorite (SH) as disinfectants on vegetables postharvest. Tomato, sweet pepper and cucumber were evaluated in three different experiments: (1) determination of organoleptic characteristics of vegetables by consumer preference; (2) disinfectant capacity comparison of PAA versus SH; and (3) measurement of phytotoxicity of disinfectant products, expressed as alteration of the surface of sweet peppers. Each treatment was replicated four times, and all procedures simulated the procedures carried out in industry. No differences in fruits washed with different treatments were found by the panel. Starting at Day 15, the peracetic acid mixture (PAA) showed better disinfection performance than sodium hypochlorite (SH). The results indicate that the peracetic acid mix is better for washing fruit and improving postharvest life as it is better for the environment (due to low toxicity) and for health safety and does not affect the taste characteristics of the fruit.

Cardiovascular disease prevention is of high priority in developed countries. Healthy eating habits including the regular intake of an antithrombotic diet (fruit and vegetables) may contribute to prevention. Platelet function is a critical factor in arterial thrombosis and the effect strawberries have is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically examine the action of strawberries in preventing platelet activation and thrombus formation. Strawberry extract concentration-dependently (0.1–1 mg/ml) inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP and arachidonic acid. At the same concentrations as strawberry inhibits platelet aggregation, it significantly decreased sP-selectin, sCD40L, RANTES, and IL-1β levels. The strawberry may exert significant protective effects on thromboembolic-related disorders by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Also, this suggests that antithrombotic activity may have novel anti-inflammatory effects.