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A functional biopolymer-coated paper was prepared by coating a ternary blend of the alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, and carrageenan with grapefruit seed extract (GSE) for the substitute use of synthetic polymer-coated paper. The microstructure of the surface and cross-section of the coated paper analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) indicated that the biopolymer was compatible with the base paper and filled the pores of the porous fiber to make a smooth-surfaced coating paper. The properties of the biopolymer-coated paper, such as water and oil resistance, water vapor barrier, surface hydrophobicity, and mechanical properties, increased significantly compared with not only the base paper but also commercially used PE-coated paper. The blended biopolymer coating material exhibited strong antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogenic bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli , which were destroyed completely within 3 and 9 h, respectively. The packaging test for a minced fish cake packed with the biopolymer-coated paper showed the complete destruction of surface inoculated bacteria in 6–9 days. The biopolymer-coated paper showed a high potential for disposable food packaging applications to increase the shelf-life of packaged food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used a plant-based antimicrobial agent (Trachyspermum ammi or Ajowan essential oil) to develop a water-based coating emulsion with polyvinyl alcohol as a binder. The emulsion was spray-coated onto the packaging paper to achieve antimicrobial properties and prevent disease transmission during the e-commerce supply chain. The coated papers were studied for their morphological, chemical, mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial behaviors. The presence of Ajowan oil on coated paper was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and surface morphology. In parallel, the time-bound release of volatile Ajowan oil from the coated papers was demonstrated when stored in a controlled environment using UV–vis spectroscopy. Both bending stiffness and tear strength significantly increased for coated papers due to the presence of polyvinyl alcohol in the coating, whereas the high concentration of oil resulted slight decrease in tensile and burst strength of coated papers. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of coated paper was checked against S. aureus and E. coli at different concentrations of Ajowan oil in coating and was found to be effective for 10 days. The coated papers also showed remarkable antimicrobial activity when tested against all unknown microbes on bare human hands. [Display omitted] • A water-based antimicrobial coating emulsion was developed for paper packaging. • Ajowan essential oil was utilized as an antimicrobial agent with PVA as a binder. • The coated paper showed antimicrobial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. • The coated paper showed antimicrobial activity against unknown microbes in human hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of a foam-formed cellulose filter paper with high wet strength was carried out for application as a drinking water filter. The wet strength and antimicrobial activity of cellulose foam paper against several bacteria species ( Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441 (Gram +ve), B. cereus NCDC 240 (Gram +ve), Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCDC 105 (Gram −ve), Klebsiella pneumonia NCDC 138 (Gram −ve), and Escherichia coli MTCC 40 (Gram −ve)) were investigated. The morphology and structure of the cellulose foam paper were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of our study confirmed that glutaraldehyde solution or 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) added to cellulose foam paper pretreated with cationic polyacrylamide (C-PAM) provided very high and stable wet strength performance together with excellent antimicrobial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of Asarum sieboldii extracts as an environmental-friendly fumigant to mitigate the aging of Korean paper cultural heritage made of traditional paper called Hanji was examined. As results, antimicrobial activity of A . sieboldii extracts against Aspergillus versicolor on Hanji is observed at the concentration exceeding 25 mg. As the short-term change of Hanji property right after treatment of A . sieboldii extracts exceeding 25 mg, it is observed that the physical and optical properties of initial Hanji decreased with the increases of the extracts concentration. In terms of the long-term change by artificial aging test, however, the aging rate of Hanji samples treated by A . sieboldii extracts is similar to that of non-treated Hanji samples. It means that A . sieboldii extracts do not degrade the stability of Hanji property. Overall, these results demonstrate that A . sieboldii extracts may have the potential as a fumigant to the Korean paper cultural heritage due to their antimicrobial effectiveness and long-term permanence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Influence of two efficient compounds of essential oils on paper protection were tested. • Five different paper were selected for the accelerated ageing process. • Cellulose degree of polymerization, content of saccharides, tear index and fibres length distribution were analysed. • Protecting impact of applied compounds has a greater importance in their application before the ageing process. • The most protecting effect at wood pulp papers and papers from sulphate deciduous pulp was observed. The most common negative influences on lignocellulosic materials from biological point of view include invading of microorganisms, which have in humid environments of porous materials favourable conditions for growth and reproduction. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of selected compounds present in essential oils- EOs (linalyl acetate-LA and citral-C) and the accelerated ageing process on the chemical (cellulose degree of polymerization, content of saccharides), mechanical (tensile index) and physical (fibres length distribution) properties of papers. LA and C were evaluated as the compounds with the highest antimicrobial activity and therefore, they were applied into the paper mass in form of their vapours. Paper samples were prepared from five types of material. Chemical changes were evaluated by wet chemical methods, size exclusion chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, mechanical property according to ISO 1924-2 standard and morphological properties of fibres by using Fiber Tester equipment. In the view of followed properties, the protecting impact of these EOs efficient compounds has a greater importance in their application before the ageing process itself, especially at wood pulp papers and papers produced from sulphate deciduous pulp. The contents of both holocellulose and a cellulose degree of polymerization were significantly correlated with the tensile index of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic paper sheets were prepared by addition of different ratios of TiO 2 /Sodium alginate (TSA) nanocomposite. The modified paper sheets were characterized by XRD, TGA. Their morphology was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Photocatalytic activity of modified paper has been studied by analysis of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of waste-water. The results confirmed the mineralization of the waste-water and enhanced removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) by increasing the amount of photocatalyst in the paper. Moreover, the results also confirmed that presence of sodium alginate as biopolymer increased adhesion of nanoparticles to paper fibers and reduced the harmful effect of the photocatalyst on them. The paper sheets containing 7% as well as 15% TSA showed high photocatalytic activity and anti-bacterial effect against Salmonella typhimurium higher than standard antibiotic beside other microorganisms such as Candida albicans. The maximum antimicrobial effect was found in case of specimen loaded with 15% TSA. Moreover, it was found that by adding 20% TSA to the paper matrix, the properties of the paper composite collapse. The obtained results confirm the possible utilization of the modified paper in both hygienic and food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) method for rapid and reliable analysis of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) in compound eye drops and body surface disinfectant was developed. The sample was dropped onto triangular filter paper, and high voltage (3.5 kV) was applied to form an electrospray. This method can provide the composition of benzalkonium chloride in samples without pretreatment, solvent or chromatographic separation, and the analysis time is only 10 s. The primary homologues C 12 -BAC, C 14 -BAC and C 16 -BAC of benzalkonium chloride were quantitatively analyzed using PS-MS. Samples were subjected to simple dilution and quantified using the internal standard method. Ion trap mass spectrometry was scanned using SIM mode. The linear ranges of C 12 -BAC, C 14 -BAC and C 16 -BAC were 1–100 μg mL −1 ; the linear regression coefficients were 0.998–0.999; the detection limits (LODs) were 0.1 μg mL −1 ; the limit of quantifications (LOQs) was <1 μg mL −1 , and the method validation indicated that the method precision and accuracy were good. Compared with HPLC-UV methods, there was no significant difference in the quantitative determination of the actual samples, but the analysis time for PS-MS is shorter (2 min). In addition, reagent consumption in PS-MS is small, and no chromatographic separation is needed, suggesting that PS-MS is especially suitable for high-throughput analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilized silver nano-particles (Ag NPs) possess excellent antimicrobial properties due to their unique surface characteristics. In this paper, immobilized silver nano-particles were synthesized in the presence of chitin nano-crystals (CNC) based on the Tollens mechanism (reduction of silver ion by aldehydes in the chitosan oligosaccharides (COS)) under microwave-assisted conditions. The prepared Ag NPs-loaded CNC nano-composites were then applied onto the paper surface via coating for the preparation of antibacterial paper. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that the Ag NPs were immobilized onto the CNC. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results further revealed that the spherical Ag NPs (5–12 nm) were well dispersed on the surface of CNC. The coated paper made from the Ag NPs-loaded CNC nano-composites exhibited a high effectiveness of the antibacterial activity against E. coli or S. aureus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superhydrophobic paper containing CMC, HAP and ZnO was prepared by a novel and facile method with eco-environmental and modifier-free process. The superhydrophobic property is effectively controlled by different amount of ZnO, which might be effect of surface roughness of the paper. Except for the common performances, such as self-cleaning property, chemical durability and mechanical abrasion durability, the excellent thermal stability and anti-bacterial properties will dramatically extend the practical applications of the paper. In addition, such paper still maintains its superhydrophobicity after flammable oil adsorption-combustion, further validating its excellent fire-resistant property. The combination of superhydrophobicity and flame retardancy can largely enhance the durability of the paper. These characteristics make the multifunctional paper a better candidate than the commercial paper, which may be a breakthrough in paper-making industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationally designed self-assemble, functional 3D architecture of graphene nano-meshes with unique plasmonic resonance metal nanoparticles can be excellent nanohybrid Raman scattering (SERS) substrate in spotting the low levels of environmental organic pollutants. In this study, graphene nano-mesh-Ag-ZnO metal (GNMM) nanohybrid was prepared by self-assembled hydrothermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) followed by thermal annealing of site-localized metal-salts as a highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The crumpled graphene nano-meshes decorated with Ag-ZnO nanoparticles created SERS hot spots (holes) that manifested high SERS sensitivity to model organic pollutants such as methyl orange (MO), rhodamine 6G (Rh-6G) and paraquat (PQ) with detection limit as low as 10 −11 , 10 −13 and 10 −14  M, respectively. A maximum enhancement factor (EF) of 1.97 × 10 11 was obtained with PQ molecules on synthesized GNMM substrate. The enhancement in signal can be supported through charge transfer mechanism that induced strong enhancement of the local electric field on free available graphene nano-mesh edges abundant with hotspots. This novel nanohybrid SERS substrate realized self-cleaning by photocatalytic degradation of model organic Rh-6G molecules adsorbed on the nanohybrid paper and shows reusability during the detection process. Meanwhile, GNMM nanohybrid also possesses highly effective antimicrobial activities for Escherichia coli . The detection of organic pollutants by GNMM nanohybrid SERS substrate has several advantages such as low cost, easy and simple preparation method, sensitive detection and reusability that can be potentially applied for detection of variety of environmental pollutants and antimicrobial agent applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper sheets made from bagasse pulp have been modified using nanocellulose (NC) obtained from the same raw material. Modification of paper sheets have been carried out either through loading of paper with different concentrations of NC and antibacterial agent, Chitosan (Ch) during making sheets, or by surface coating of the paper. Crystals of NC extracted using concentrated sulfuric acid from bagasse pulp were found to have crystallinity index (CrI) 90%. Morphology of obtained NC has been confirmed by TEM and images revealed formation of NC crystals with large size distribution ranges from 4 to 60 nm. Mechanical properties and air permeability of paper sheets loaded with different ratios of NC and Ch have been investigated. The results showed that presence of NC did not negatively affect the obtained modified paper sheets, while air permeability decreased with adding 8% NC to paper matrix. On the other hand, surface coverage of paper sheets with NC greatly reduced air permeability. Antimicrobial investigations carried out by optical density method indicated that presence of Ch in the paper sheets as an additive or in a coating formulation enhanced paper resistance to different microorganisms especially those causing food poisoning. The current study confirms that the modified paper can have potential application in food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was oxidized to form dialdehyde CMC (DCMC). [•] Guanidine hydrochloride (GH) was grafted onto the DCMC to obtain DCMC-GH. [•] The coating of DCMC-GH onto paper resulted in the improvement of paper strength. [•] The DCMC-GH-coated paper exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paper items from historical archives and libraries are frequently colonized by biodeteriogens, the management of which is a major concern. Essential oil Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol, with high levels of antimicrobial and insect repellent activity, were stabilized within crystalline networks of β-cyclodextrins and phenazine-based cocrystals, as a new tool for the control of paper-degrading agents. These formulations were obtained via solvent-free methodologies and resulted as easy handling powders, suitable for the treatment of paper items by indirect contact. Their antimicrobial activity was evaluated on the following species isolated from a book depository at Forte Belvedere (Florence, IT): Alternaria alternata , Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Trichoderma orientale , Metschnikowia sp., and Bacillus sp. Both formulates displayed a significant antimicrobial activity in vitro , with cocrystals showing higher efficacy than β-cyclodextrins. The formulates were also tested against the pest Lasioderma serricorne , towards which the cocrystals entrapping carvacrol and thymol exhibited repellent activity. Overall, the phenazine-carvacrol cocrystal was the best-performing formulate, also giving favourable outcomes in terms of antifungal activity in an on-paper in vitro experiment designed to reproduce on a small-scale the critical conditions of an infested archive. These promising results pave the way towards further experimentations of VOC-based solid formulates, to shed light on such products applicability for the preservation of paper items. [Display omitted] • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) trapped into β-cyclodextrins and cocrystals. • Solid formulates of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol to combat paper biodeteriogens. • Powdery formulates releasing VOCs with high antimicrobial activity. • VOC-based formulates showing insect repellent activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-resistant cellulose foam paper was developed in this work in an attempt to improve the antimicrobial activity of cellulose foam paper for capture and deactivation of pathogenic microorganisms existed in water. Results indicated that the cellulose foam paper could significantly improve household water quality by incorporating guanidine-based polymer modified with starch or called antibacterial thermoplastic starch (ATPS) into fibre network in the presence of proper amount of fiber fines. Ring diffusion testing demonstrated that no ATPS diffused around or underneath of samples, verifying that cellulose foam filter added by ATPS were of non-leaching type. Furthermore, the viability of bacteria before and after filtering and the structure of cellulose foam paper were analyzed via fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. The findings further proved the effectiveness of antimicrobial cellulose foam in deactivating pathogens, E.coli in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating concern over conventional antibiotic resistance has emphasized the urgency in developing innovative antimicrobial agents. In recent times, metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention within the realm of antimicrobial research due to their multifaceted antimicrobial attributes, including the sustained release of intrinsic or exogenous antimicrobial components, chemodynamically catalyzed generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and formation of photogenerated ROS. This comprehensive review provides a thorough overview of the synthetic approaches employed in the production of MOF-based materials, elucidating their underlying antimicrobial mechanisms in depth. The focal point lies in elucidating the research advancements across various antimicrobial modalities, encompassing intrinsic component release system, extraneous component release system, auto-catalytical system, and energy conversion system. Additionally, the progress of MOF-based antimicrobial materials in addressing wound infections, osteomyelitis, and periodontitis is meticulously elucidated, culminating in a summary of the challenges and potential opportunities inherent within the realm of antimicrobial applications for MOF-based materials. Growing concerns about conventional antibiotic resistance emphasized the need for alternative antimicrobial solutions. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained significant attention in antimicrobial research due to their diverse attributes like sustained antimicrobial components release, catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and photogenerated ROS. This review covers MOF synthesis and their antimicrobial mechanisms. It explores advancements in intrinsic and extraneous component release, auto-catalysis, and energy conversion systems. The paper also discusses MOF-based materials' progress in addressing wound infections, osteomyelitis, and periodontitis, along with existing challenges and opportunities. Given the lack of related reviews, our findings hold promise for future MOF applications in antibacterial research, making it relevant to your journal's readership. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore antimicrobial management processes in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs), including antimicrobial prescribing, supply, administration, and documentation to inform surveillance activities. Voluntary, online cross-sectional survey. The survey was disseminated to all South Australian RACFs (n = 237) seeking participation from an infection prevention and control lead (preferred respondent), a nurse or senior RACF staff member, or an aged care pharmacist. The survey was open during May-June 2023. Questions aimed to understand clinical and medication management systems, sources of antimicrobial prescription and supply, management by external health care providers and documentation of antimicrobial administration. A process map of antimicrobial management in RACFs was developed. Of the 54 RACFs included in the analysis (29.5% response rate), most used an electronic clinical documentation system (74.1%) or a hybrid electronic paper-based system (22.2%). Medication charts were either electronic (81.0%), hybrid (5.6%), or paper-based (13.0%). Antimicrobials were prescribed by the resident's usual general practitioner, but also by locums, hospital or specialist physicians, nurse practitioners, virtual care physicians, and dentists. Oral, topical, and inhaled antimicrobial formulations were usually supplied by community pharmacies, and intravenous formulations were predominately supplied by hospitals for administration by outreach nurses. Almost all RACFs (96.2%) had imprest stock of antimicrobials that included both oral and intravenous formulations. Antimicrobials were predominately administered by an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse. Antimicrobial management in RACFs is complex, particularly during care transitions. Multiple prescribers and sources of antimicrobials, use of different systems for clinical documentation, particularly by external health care providers, and clinical governance relating to imprest supplies were identified as key areas where medication management could be improved. Addressing these gaps will facilitate comprehensive, real-time antimicrobial surveillance in Australian RACFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel antimicrobial nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) with new optical and good tensile strength properties was prepared through supramolecular modification of TEMPO-oxidized NFC by Cu-, Zn-, and Fe–terpyridine metal complexes (M–Tpy). The prepared terpyridine-modified NFC (NFC–M–Tpy) derivatives were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and elemental analysis. Films casted from aqueous suspensions of NFC–M–Tpy plasticized by glycerol were made and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), tensile strength, porosity, water vapor permeability, and antimicrobial properties testing. Attaching the different M–Tpy moieties to NFC resulted in increasing tensile strength and Young’s modulus, decreasing porosity and water vapor permeability (WVP), and imparted NFC antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus ), Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli ), as well as yeast ( Saccharomyces cervisiae ). NFC–Cu–Tpy film showed higher antimicrobial properties than NFC–Zn–Tpy and NFC–Fe–Tpy films while the other properties tested showed independence on the type of metal center in the terpyridine complex. The NFC–Cu–Tpy was used for coating bagasse paper sheets and tensile strength, burst strength, water vapor permeability, porosity, and water sorption of coated paper sheets were tested. NFC–Cu–Tpy coating improved tensile strength properties and reduced porosity, WVP, and water absorption of coated paper sheets more than in case of using NFC. The prepared nanocellulosic materials can find potential applications in active packaging and healthcare paper products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai., a commonly used herb, is known as "Guan Zhong" in China, "Oshida" in Japan and "Gwanjung" in Korea. It has long been used for parasitic infestation, hemorrhages and epidemic influenza. The present paper aims to provide an up-to-date review at the advancements of the investigations on the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of D. crassirhizoma. Besides, possible trends, therapeutic potentials, and perspectives for future research of this plant are also briefly discussed. Relevant information on traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of D. crassirhizoma was collected through published materials and electronic databases, including the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Flora of China, Web of Science, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. 109 papers included in the article and we determined that no major information was missing after many checks. All authors participated in the review process for this article and all research paper are from authoritative published materials and electronic databases. 130 chemical components, among which phloroglucinols are the predominant groups, have been isolated and identified from D. crassirhizoma. D. crassirhizoma with its bioactive compounds is possessed of extensive biological activities, including anti-parasite, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, bone protective, immunomodulatory, anti-platelet and anti-hyperuricemia activity. Besides, D. crassirhizoma has special toxicology and pharmacokinetics characterization. D. crassirhizoma is a traditional Chinese medicine having a long history of application. This review mainly summarized the different chemical components extract from D. crassirhizoma and various reported pharmacological effects. Besides, the toxicology and pharmacokinetics of D. crassirhizoma also be analysed in this review. However, the chemical components of D. crassirhizoma are understudied and require further research to expand its medicinal potential, and it is urgent to design a new extraction scheme, so that the active ingredients can be obtained at a lower cost. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the increasing resistance to most existing antimicrobial drugs, research has shifted towards developing novel antimicrobial agents with mechanisms of action distinct from those of current clinical options. Pleuromutilins are antibiotics known for their distinct mechanism of action, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the peptidyl transferase center of the ribosome. Recent studies have revealed that pleuromutilin derivatives can disrupt bacterial cell membranes, thereby enhancing antibacterial efficacy. Both marketed pleuromutilin derivatives and those in clinical trials have been developed by structurally modifying the pleuromutilin C14 side chain to improve their antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this review aims to review advancement in the chemical structural characteristics, antibacterial activities, and structure-activity relationship studies of pleuromutilins, specifically focusing on modifications made to the C14 side chain in recent years. These findings provide a valuable reference for future research and development of pleuromutilins. [Display omitted] • Current research status and mechanism of action of pleuromutilins derivatives. • The chemical structure types of pleuromutilins derivatives, especially the modification of C14 side chain in recent years. • This paper details their SAR and antimicrobial inhibitory activities. • This paper promotes the development of the field and lays the foundation for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Test of Monarda citriodora essential oil (EO) vs hydrolate anti-microbial activity. • EO suppressed all 30 strains of fungi and bacteria at 0.06%–4% concentration. • Hydrolate even at 50% concentration could not suppress three P. aeruginosa strains. • 100 times higher hydrolate concentrations needed for same effect as EO (r = 0.73**). • Hydrolate successfully controls moulds responsible for spoilage of paper artworks. Abstract The hydrolate, or hydrosol, is the residue of essential oil (EO) distillation traditionally used in perfumery. Evidence that also this product exerts anti-microbial activity promoted a study on Monarda citriodora EO and hydrolate against thirty representative strains of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, the sole hydrolate was tested in four moulds responsible for the spoilage of paper artworks. The micro-broth dilution test served to assess EO (concentrations between 0.0078% and 4%) and hydrolate (concentrations between 12.5% and 50%) suppressiveness vs untreated control. EO and hydrolate were analysed (GC–MS), resulting in thymol being the major terpenic compound of both products (19.6% and 66.4% in the respective spectra). EO suppressed all micro-organisms, although resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains required up to 4% EO as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Hydrolate suppressed all micro-organisms, except three P. aeruginosa strains where even the highest concentration (50% hydrolate) failed to reach the MIC. In each strain, the concentration needed to obtain 50% inhibition (IC 50) was calculated by means of an exponential decay function. Median IC 50 was 0.06% (EO) and 7.35% (hydrolate), while six IC 50 EO data were shown to be outliers. In non-outlier data, IC 50 hydrolate and EO were significantly correlated (r = 0.73**), and IC 50 hydrolate was approximately a hundred times higher than IC 50 EO. Despite higher concentration needed for the same inhibitory effect, the amount of terpenes supplied with hydrolate was lower than with EO. This means a higher hydrolate effectiveness that was likely due to the hydrophilic environment promoting higher terpene availability. Lastly, hydrolate exhibited promising results in the control of fungal growth on paper artworks, suppressing the four tested strains at concentrations of 25–50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance calls for new approaches in the development of antimicrobial therapeutics. Likewise, improved diagnostic measures are essential in guiding the application of targeted therapies and preventing the evolution of therapeutic resistance. Discovery platforms are also needed to form new treatment strategies and identify novel antimicrobial agents. By applying engineering principles to molecular biology, synthetic biologists have developed platforms that improve upon, supplement, and will perhaps supplant traditional broad-spectrum antibiotics. Efforts in engineering bacteriophages and synthetic probiotics demonstrate targeted antimicrobial approaches that can be fine-tuned using synthetic biology-derived principles. Further, the development of paper-based, cell-free expression systems holds promise in promoting the clinical translation of molecular biology tools for diagnostic purposes. In this review, we highlight emerging synthetic biology platform technologies that are geared toward the generation of new antimicrobial therapies, diagnostics, and discovery channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Overview of recent trends in the use of CoFe2O4 NPs as an antimicrobial agent. • CoFe2O4 NPs have unique properties that make them promising candidate for combating microbial infections. • Coverage of synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and applications of CoFe2O4 NPs in antimicrobial applications. • Discussion of mechanisms of action of CoFe2O4 NPs against different microbial strains. • Identification of challenges and future prospects in the field. • CoFe2O4 NPs have significant potential as an effective and promising antimicrobial agent. • Further research needed to optimize their activity and address challenges related to their toxicity and biocompatibility. This review paper presents an assessment of the recent advancements in utilizing cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe 2 O 4 NPs) as an antimicrobial agent. These NPs exhibit distinctive properties that position them as a potential solution for combating a diverse range of microbial infections, particularly antibiotic-resistant strains. The paper encompasses a comprehensive examination of the synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and various applications of CoFe 2 O 4 NPs in antimicrobial contexts. Moreover, the review delves into the underlying mechanisms through which CoFe 2 O 4 NPs act against different microbial strains, while also addressing the challenges and future prospects in this domain. The key findings of this review underscore the considerable potential of CoFe 2 O 4 NPs as an efficient and promising antimicrobial agent. However, it is essential to conduct further research to optimize their activity and tackle concerns related to toxicity and biocompatibility. By quantifying the abstract's essential aspects and reporting crucial results, this review contributes to the understanding and potential utilization of CoFe 2 O 4 NPs as a viable approach to combat microbial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is an essential natural bioactive component with a wide range of biological applications, possessing advantages and disadvantages. The main drawback of Curcumin is its poor bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. In this paper, Curcumin nanodispersion and synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with Curcumin nanodispersion (ZnO NPs) at pH = 7 and 10 were compared to increase bioavailability. This work aimed to investigate the bioavailability measurement, antimicrobial activities, and anticancer features of Curcumin nanodispersion and synthesized ZnO NPs. The SEM images showed that the size of ZnO NPs was nanoscales with 10–100 nm particles. Furthermore, DLS analysis revealed that the average particle size of the prepared Curcumin nanodispersion and synthesized ZnO NPs were 32 and 85 nm, respectively. The results of this investigation exhibit that prepared samples have high antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Analyzing the cytotoxicity of prepared samples via MTT assay in HT-29 cancer cells and L929 mouse fibroblast cells revealed higher cellular inhibition and better bioavailability of Curcumin nanodispersion, along with ZnO NPs at a pH of 7, compared to pure Curcumin. The viability percentage of HT-29 cancer cells against pure Curcumin, Curcumin nanodispersion, and synthesized ZnO at pH equal to 7 and 10 for 72 h of incubation were 94%, 18%, 14%, and 35%, respectively. However, synthesized ZnO NPs at a pH of approximately 10 exhibited high toxicity on the L929 mouse fibroblast cells. It was concluded that Curcumin nanodispersion possesses antimicrobial and anticancer activities, which could be used in food industry applications. [Display omitted] • Subcritical water method was used to prepare curcumin nanodispersion and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). • Curcumin nanodispersion and ZnO nanoparticles were produced to increase bioavailability. • Antimicrobial and anticancer activities of curcumin Nano formulation were evaluated. • The cytotoxicity of prepared samples was done via MTT assay in HT-29 and L929 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.), a member of the Pandanaceae family, has been consumed as food and medicine since ancient times. The current paper provides an overview of the botanical profile, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications of P. amaryllifolius. Information regarding P. amaryllifolius was collected from online sources (using PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ACS, and CNKI) as well as traditional textbooks. Over 100 compounds have been identified, including its characteristic components 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline and Pandanus alkaloids. Several therapeutic uses of P. amaryllifolius , such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities, have been demonstrated in modern pharmacological studies. Additionally, it could be applied in various fields, including food, energy, material, and the environment. Continued research on P. amaryllifolius can contribute to the development of new drugs and therapies for various diseases. And further studies are needed to improve its utilization. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, as well as the abnormal accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein. Clinically, PD is featured by typical motor symptoms and some non-motor symptoms. Up to now, although considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of PD, there is still no effective therapeutic treatment for the disease. Thus, exploring new therapeutic strategies has been a topic that needs to be addressed urgently. Noteworthy, with the proposal of the microbiota-gut-brain axis theory, antimicrobial drugs have received significant attention due to their effects on regulating the intestinal microbiota. Nowadays, there is growing evidence showing that some antimicrobial drugs may be promising drugs for the treatment of PD. Data from pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that some antimicrobial drugs may play neuroprotective roles in PD by modulating multiple biochemical and molecular pathways, including reducing α-synuclein aggregation, inhibiting neuroinflammation, regulating mitochondrial structure and function, as well as suppressing oxidative stress. In this paper, we summarized the effects of some antimicrobial drugs on PD treatment from recent pre-clinical and clinical studies. Then, we further discussed the potential of a few antimicrobial drugs for treating PD based on molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Importantly, we highlighted the potential of clorobiocin as the therapeutic strategy for PD owing to its ability to inhibit α-synuclein aggregation. These results will help us to better understand the potential of antimicrobial drugs in treating PD and how antimicrobial drugs may alleviate or reverse the pathological symptoms of PD. • Some antimicrobial drugs may be used for treating Parkinson's disease (PD). • Antimicrobial drugs can play beneficial roles in PD treatment by different mechanisms. • Clorobiocin may be able to directly interact with α-synuclein to inhibit its aggregation and could be a new candidate for treating PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Snail slime is an interesting material for effective dermatological use (e.g. wounds). Its properties are stricly connected to the origin. In this paper a snail slime, deriving from the species Helix aspersa Muller and obtained from a company, was deeply characterized and then properly formulated. The slime, obtained by Donatella Veroni method, was firstly submitted to NMR analysis in order to evaluate the chemical composition. The main molecules found are glycolate and allantoin, well known for their activities in wound healing promotion. In vitro experiments performed on keratinocytes, revealed the snail slime ability to promote cellular well-being. Moreover, the microbiological analysis showed high activity against many strains involved in wounds infections such as gram+ (e.g. S. aureus , S. pyogenes), gram- (e.g. P. aeruginosa , E. coli) and the yeast C. albicans. The effect on skin elasticity was evaluated as well by the instrument Cutometer® dualMPA580. The snail slime was then formulated as hydrophilic gel, using a combination of corn starch and sodium hyaluronate as polymers, then used as external water phase of an O/W emulgel. The formulation is physically stable and easily spreadable and demonstrated antimicrobial activity as observed for slime alone, suggesting its suitability to be used for wound treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Antidesma L. (Phyllanthaceae) consists of 102 species and is distributed throughout the subtropical, temperate, and subpolar regions. Numerous species in this genus are employed in ethnomedical practices to treat a range of ailments including anaemia, diabetes, herpes, skin infections, typhoid, throat and lung diseases, gastrointestinal, jaundice, rheumatic, and many more diseases. This review aimed to highlight the ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemical components, biological activities, and future research opportunities of the genus. A total number of 112 research papers published between the period 1977 and 2023 were considered and reviewed were retrieved from scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Elsevier Scient Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The literature study revealed that both plant extracts and phytochemicals exhibited a wide range of biological activities including antidiabetes, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, and many other activities. Overall, a total number of 236 compounds have been encountered from the different species of Antidesma. These compounds belong to different chemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, fatty acids, lignans, sterols, terpenoids, coumarins, and others. Three compounds such as antidesmone, amentoflavone, and β-sitosterol were found to be possible chemotaxonomic markers for the genus Antisema. Furthermore, only 16 species have been investigated in the context of phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus so far. This review could serve as a comprehensive resource for future research in drug discovery and also lay the groundwork for the exploration of additional species within this genus for pharmaceutical applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The antimicrobial activity and biodegradability of the biopolymer film (as a coating for kraft paper) was analysed using response-surface methodology. The results of the study showed that both the coating thickness and the turmeric oil volume significantly affected these responses. From the response-surface plot, the highest value for the inhibition zone of Aspergillus niger and the lowest weight loss during the biodegradation study were due to the slow release of antimicrobial agents. This indicates that the released of antimicrobial agents occurred during the correct stipulated period of time required to inhibit the microorganisms' growth. Therefore, the results suggested that applying a biopolymer film containing turmeric oil as a kraft-paper coating can improve the paper's packaging functionality by prolonging the shelf life of foods. In addition, all the samples degraded in typical soil conditions, showing that this coating can be disposed of in landfills after use. Highlights • Natural biopolymer films could replace polyethylene coating. • The biopolymer film was a form of active packaging with presence of turmeric oil. • Response surface methods in evaluating antimicrobial activity and biodegradability. • Both factors significantly affected all the three responses studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma is one of the most common health issues in humans, and bacterial infection of the wound may result in many complications. In this paper, using 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) as a coupling agent, chitosan (CS) was grafted with norfloxacin (NF), an antibacterial agent, to prepare a CS-NF sponge by freezing-induced phase separation. The CS-NF sponge was characterized by ultra violet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Its porosity and water absorption ratio were determined, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by inhibition zone assay, and its wound repair effect was investigated in a full-thickness cutaneous excisional wound animal model. The results showed that NF was successfully grafted onto CS, and the obtained CS-NF sponge had both a high porosity and water absorption ratio. The CS-NF sponge displayed significant antimicrobial activities in the inhibition zone assay. In vivo the CS-NF sponge exhibited a strong wound healing effect, with a wound healing rate close to 100% by day 15. Therefore, the CS-NF sponge is a novel promising wound-healing dressing for clinical practice. • Chitosan (CS) grafted with norfloxacin (NF) was successfully synthesized to prepare CS-NF sponges. • CS-NF sponges exhibited high porosity, water absorption, and antimicrobial activities. • CS-NF sponges showed excellent wound healing effect in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties and antimicrobial efficacies of zinc complexes of tetrakis( N -methylpyridinium-4-yl) tetraiodide porphyrin and tetrakis( N -methylpyridinium-4-yl) tetraiodide phthalocyanine impregnated to paper were evaluated. Photo-inactivation of microbes using inexpensive consumer light-emitting diode lamp was assessed on surface of dyed papers. Antimicrobial experiments of phthalocyanine-dyed paper by live cell assessment through colony forming units counting demonstrated 3.72 and 4.01 log reduction against Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Acinetobacter baylyi ( A. baylyi ) respectively after 1 h of illumination with 35 mW/cm 2 light. The porphyrin-dyed paper exhibited 1.66 and 2.01 log reduction in colony forming units against E. coli and A. baylyi respectively after 1 h exposure with 4 mW/cm 2 light. Both dyed papers were photo-stable after 64 h of continuous exposure with 42 mW/cm 2 light, while phthalocyanine-dyed paper exhibited superior leaching stability in phosphate-buffered saline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives Semantic text annotation enables the association of semantic information (ontology concepts) to text expressions (terms), which are readable by software agents. In the scientific scenario, this is particularly useful because it reveals a lot of scientific discoveries that are hidden within academic articles. The Biomedical area has more than 300 ontologies, most of them composed of over 500 concepts. These ontologies can be used to annotate scientific papers and thus, facilitate data extraction. However, in the context of a scientific research, a simple keyword-based query using the interface of a digital scientific texts library can return more than a thousand hits. The analysis of such a large set of texts, annotated with such numerous and large ontologies, is not an easy task. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to provide a method that could facilitate this task. Methods This work describes a method called Text and Ontology ETL (TOETL), to build an analytical view over such texts. First, a corpus of selected papers is semantically annotated using distinct ontologies. Then, the annotation data is extracted, organized and aggregated into the dimensional schema of a data mart. Results Besides the TOETL method, this work illustrates its application through the development of the TaP DM (Target Prioritization data mart). This data mart has focus on the research of gene essentiality, a key concept to be considered when searching for genes showing potential as anti-infective drug targets. Conclusions This work reveals that the proposed approach is a relevant tool to support decision making in the prioritization of new drug targets, being more efficient than the keyword-based traditional tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium as a nuclear fuel, its source and aftertreatment has been a hot topic of debate for developers. In this paper, amidoxime and guanidino-modified cotton fibers (DC-AO-PHMG) were synthesized by the two-step functionalization approach, which exhibited remarkable antimicrobial and high uranium recovery property. Adsorption tests revealed that DC-AO-PHMG had excellent selectivity and anti-interference properties, the maximum adsorption capacity of 609.75 mg/g. More than 85 % adsorption capacity could still be kept after 10 adsorption-desorption cycles, and it conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model as a spontaneous heat-absorbing chemical monolayer process. FT-IR, EDS and XPS analyses speculated that the amidoxime and amino synergistically increased the uranium uptake. The inhibitory activities of DC-AO-PHMG against three aquatic bacteria, BEY , BEL (from Yellow River water and lake bottom silt, respectively) and B. subtilis were significantly stronger, and the uranium adsorption was not impacted by the high bacteria content. Most importantly, DC-AO-PHMG removed up to 94 % of uranium in simulated seawater and extracted up to 4.65 mg/g of uranium from Salt Lake water, which demonstrated its great potential in the field of uranium resource recovery. [Display omitted] • Cotton fibers were successfully modified with amidoxime and guanidino group (DC-AO-PHMG). • DC-AO-PHMG exhibits fast adsorption kinetics (180 min), excellent selectivity, remarkable adsorption capacity and superior repeatability for uranium (609.75 mg/g). • DC-AO-PHMG showed stronger inhibition for three aquatic bacteria, including BEY , BEL and B. subtilis. • DC-AO-PHMG was used to recover up to 94 % of uranium in simulated seawater, and extracted up to 4.65 mg/g in Salt Lake water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a novel green fabrication of copper ferrite (CuFe 2 O 4) nanoparticles (NPs) from Cissus rotundifolia plant extract. The NPs were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques.The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum exhibited intrinsic stretching at the tetrahedral position of Fe–O at 591 cm−1 and the octahedral stretching of Cu–O at 402 cm−1 respectively. The fine diffraction pattern in the X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed the formation of well-crystalline NPs. The mean crystallite size of the NPs was calculated to be 17.33 nm. The High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) analysis showed roughly spherical shape and irregular morphology of the NPs. The Zeta potential was calculated to be −29.7±0.3 mV, indicating a negative charge over the CuFe 2 O 4 NPs. The formation of spinel ferrite was confirmed from the characterization data. The photocatalytic activity of the CuFe 2 O 4 NPs was examined against the methylene blue (MB) dye, showing 82% degradation under UV–Visible light. The reusability experiment showed that the catalytic activity was not much decreased even till the 4th cycle. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized CuFe 2 O 4 NPs was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacilus pumilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella abony through the Agar well diffusion method. A zone of inhibition of 12±0.2, and 11±0.4 mm was obtained against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilis, whereas against E. coli , P. aeruginosa and S. abony it was found to be 14±0.4, 18±0.3, and 12±0.2 mm respectively at 75 mg/mL dose, showing appreciable antibacterial activity. • A novel green synthesis of CuFe 2 O 4 NPs from Cissus rotundifolia extract is reported. • The NPs were characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, HR-TEM, and XRD techniques. • The CuFe 2 O 4 NPs caused 82% degradation of methylene blue dye in 70 min. • The reusability experiment showed that the catalytic activity was not much decreased till the 4th cycle. • A zone of inhibition of 18±0.3 was obtained against P. aeruginosa at 75 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized novel phthalocyanine with four pyridyl substituents connected to α-phthalo-positions via direct C-C bond. The Zn complex and tetracationic derivatives of phthalocyanine were also synthesized and the dyes were impregnated into filter paper to prepare photoactive antimicrobial surface. The photodynamic antimicrobial efficacy of the dyed paper samples was evaluated by a simple and fast setup using bioluminescent microbes. Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 strains carrying bacterial luciferase genes were used in the screening experiment. The most efficient compound, tetracationic zinc derivative 8, was investigated further. The compound was highly water soluble, had high molar absorptivity and exhibited good adhesion to the filter paper without leaching into the solution. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of tetracationic zinc derivative 8 in water was found out to be 30 ± 20%. According to the cell viability assay test performed on E. coli wild type in solution, the molecule had similar or better photo toxicity as the reference photosensitizer, tetrakis (1-methyl-pyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (TMPyP). Antimicrobial efficacy of the dye 8 on photoactive surface was studied by live cell assessment through colony forming unit (CFU) counting. The colored surface demonstrated 3 log reduction in CFU against E. coli and A. baylyi ADP1 just after 1 h of illumination with the white light of low intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced moisture enhances resistance of Salmonella and subsequently reduces the antimicrobial efficacy of thermal treatment. Alternative and supplementary non-thermal intervention methods are urgently needed. In this study, Cinnamonum cassia oil was tested for its antimicrobial effect against outbreak strains Salmonella Enteritidis PT30 and S. Tennessee K4643. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration for both strains were 0.05% (v/v) and 0.1% (v/v), respectively. Death curves showed that including 0.1% and 0.15% (v/v) C. cassia oil resulted in ∼7 Log reduction of bacteria within 2 h and 1 h, respectively. However, the antimicrobial efficacy of C. cassia oil was reduced when S. Enteritidis PT30 existed in low moisture condition. When S. Enteritidis PT30 was established on almonds/paper discs, 0.4% C. cassia oil resulted in ∼1.7 Log 10 CFU/almond or 3.2 Log 10 CFU/disc reduction within 2 h at room temperature, respectively. S. Enteritidis PT30 established on both almonds and paper discs were very stable, there was only a 0.80 Log 10 CFU/almond and 1.20 Log 10 CFU/disc reduction during 9-week and 7-week storage at room temperature, respectively. C. cassia oil intervention increased S. Enteritidis PT30 reduction on both almonds and paper discs during storage with more reduction on paper discs. 0.4% C. cassia oil treatment reduced S. Enteritidis PT30 on paper disc to undetectable level within 4 weeks, but only led to 2 Log 10 CFU reduction on almonds, indicating a protection effect from the almond matrix or almond surface components. Additionally, S. Enteritidis PT30 established on paper disc coated with almond surface components exhibited higher resistance to desiccation and C. cassia oil treatment, further demonstrating the protection role of food matrix. In conclusion, C. cassia oil is effective against S. Enteritidis PT30 and S. Tennessee K4643, but its antimicrobial efficacy against the tested Salmonella was compromised by low moisture environment and food matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence increase of infections in patients with hip or knee implants with resistant pathogens (mainly some S. coagulase-negative and gram positive bacteria) demands advanced antibiotic loaded formulations. In this paper, we report the design of new biantibiotic acrylic bone cements for in situ delivery. They include a last generation antibiotic (daptomycin or linezolid) in combination with vancomycin and are performed based on a novel modification of the Palacos R ® acrylic bone cement, which is based on two components, a liquid (methyl methacrylate) and a solid (polymeric phase). Hence, the solid component of the experimental formulations include 45 wt% of microparticles of poly( D,L -lactic- co -glycolic) acid, 55 wt% of poly(methyl methacrylate) beads and supplements (10 wt-% each) of antibiotics. These formulations provide a selective and excellent control of the local release of antibiotics during a long time period (up to 2 months), avoiding systemic dissemination. The antimicrobial activity of the advanced spacers tested against S. aureus shows that single doses would be enough for the control of the infection. In vitro biocompatibility of cements on human osteoblasts is ensured. This paper is mainly focused on the preparation and characterization of cements and the studies of elution kinetics and bactericidal effects. Developed formulations are proposed as spacers for the treatment of infected arthroplasties, but also, they could be applied in other antibiotic devices to treat relevant bone-related infection diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food contact materials containing antibacterial properties are progressively appearing in the market. Items intended to provide antimicrobial effects such as increased shelf life and food safety are incorporating silver materials during the manufacture of such products. This study examined the total silver content, release capacity, and antibacterial activity of three different silver-containing food contact materials: plastic food storage containers, a plastic cutting board, and food wrapping paper. Silver content and release were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and the results showed that, although the amount of silver in each product was similar, migration varied considerably with kind of material and simulant choice. Antimicrobial effect was tested by measuring the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium during or after exposure to the different food contact materials. The results showed that the food storage containers and wrapping paper delayed the growth of S . Typhimurium under certain conditions, but that these effects were short-lived. The strain of S . Typhimurium used in this study was found to be negative for the presence of tested silver resistance genes. The results of this study suggest that a thorough investigation should be required to show/claim the efficacy of silver-containing food contact materials for food safety purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to show how a functional bionanocomposite film with both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was successfully prepared by the filling of a pectin matrix with modified Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) containing the essential peppermint oil (PO). Firstly, HNT surfaces were functionalized with cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) molecules with the aim to enhance the affinity of the nanofiller towards PO, which was estimated by means of HPLC experiments. The HNT/CB[6] hybrid was characterized by several methods (thermogravimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) highlighting the influence of the supramolecular interactions on the composition, thermal behavior and morphology of the filler. Then, a pectin + HNT/CB[6] biofilm was prepared by the use of the casting method under specific experimental conditions in order to favor the entrapment of the volatile PO into the nanocomposite structure. Water contact angle measurements, thermogravimetry and tensile tests evidenced the effects of the modified filler on the thermo-mechanical and wettability properties of pectin, which were correlated to the microscopic structure of the biocomposite film. In addition, PO release in food simulant solvent was investigated at different temperatures (4 and 25 °C), whereas the antioxidant activity of the nanocomposite film was estimated using the DPPH method. Finally, we studied the in vitro antibacterial activity of the biofilm against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), which were isolated by beef and cow milk, respectively. These experiments were carried out at specific temperatures (4, 37 and 65 °C) that can be useful for a multi-step food conservation. This paper puts forwards an easy strategy to prepare a functional sustainable edible film with thermo-sensitive antioxidant/antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three new Ir(III) complexes containing Helicin groups, have been designed and synthesised as efficient PDT agents against S. aureus. • The minimum inhibition concentration value of the best one was only 6.25 µg/mL and it was able to kill bacteria rapidly and inhibited the formation of biofilm. • The complex exhibited effective antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. • Antibacterial mechanisms were found associated with biofilm disruption through ROS generation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted great attention in the field of antimicrobial therapy as it can efficiently kill bacteria using reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by photosensitizers under light irradiation without developing drug resistance. In this paper, three metal Ir(III) complexes [Ir(ppy) 2 PHA](PF 6) (Ir-1), [Ir(pq) 2 PHA](PF 6) (Ir-2) and [Ir(dppy) 2 PHA](PF 6) (Ir-3), containing Helicin groups, have been designed and synthesised as efficient PDT agents against S. aureus. The antibacterial experiment showed that the lowest inhibitory concentration of the Ir-3 complex was only 6.25 μg/mL and Ir-3 could kill 99% of S. aureus under the irradiation of white light, which displayed an obvious antibacterial effect. Moreover, the results of drug resistance experiments showed that the Ir-3 complex was not easy to induce drug resistance in S. aureus. In addition, in vivo toxicity experiments of the Galleria mellonella Larvae show that Ir-3 has in vivo safety. Finally, the in vivo photodynamic antibacterial activity of Ir-3 was evaluated by establishing a mouse infection model, which demonstrated that Ir-3 could effectively inhibit bacterial growth through PDT and lead to better wound healing in mice. Three new Ir(III) complexes containing Helicin derivatives were designed and synthesized as effective antibacterial agents both in vitro and in vivo. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • N-acyl glycine derivatives as potent antimicrobial agents have been synthesized and characterized. • The β H R S results suppose that these compounds they could be used for NLO applications. • The PBE0 functional gives E g value close to that of the experimental. • A direct correlation has been obtained between the β HRS and β / /. • An inverse relationship was found between the energy gaps and the β H R S. The current paper provides a theoretical and experimental coupled study of synthesized N–octanoyl glycine and N–oleoyl glycine. The derivatives were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C NMR), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Fourier–transform infrared (FT-IR), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The resulting N-acyl glycines were assessed for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. The experimental investigation is supported by a linear and nonlinear optical study based on DFT levels and shows that our glycine analogues get moderate hyperpolarizability (β). The β results of these glycines are of moderate amplitude, like those of amino acids. For this, several procedures have been discussed for achieving these β values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical professionals such as physicians and veterinarians are responsible for appropriate antimicrobial prescription (AMP) and use. Although seemingly straightforward, the factors influencing antibiotic prescription, a category of antimicrobials, are complex. Many studies have been conducted in the past two decades on this subject. As a result, there is a plethora of empirical evidence regarding the factors influencing clinicians' AMP practices. Aim : A systematic review of AMR studies on AMP was conducted, condensing findings according to a combination of the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) and Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation—Behavior (COM-B) models. Review findings were then synthesized and analyzed for policy implementation according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Design and methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to identify peer-reviewed papers indexed in pre-determined medical science, social sciences, and humanities databases that apply the KAP model in their investigations. Antimicrobial prescription factors were compared and contrasted among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). Findings: The KAP model is a heuristic and structured framework for identifying and classifying respondents' knowledge. However, other than medical knowledge, factors that influence prescription decision-making can be expanded to include attitudes, perception, personal affinities, professional circumstances, relational pressure, and social norms. • There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing antibiotic prescription. • Prudent prescription challenge is externalization of AMR problem in LMIC and HMIC. • Each cohort is characterized with local and pre-existing strength and weaknesses. • This review adapts combined KAP and COM-B domains for behavioral change factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different plant extracts can be combined to improve antimicrobial performance. • The specific antimicrobial compounds in many plant extracts are not well understood. • Many methods to extract and purify antimicrobials from plants are not sustainable. • It is economically advantageous to utilize plant waste after the extraction process. • The utilization of natural antimicrobials may face obstacles due to toxicity issues. Plant-based antimicrobial substances have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics and preservatives. Although many review studies have been done in this field, many of these reviews solely focus on specific compounds from particular perspectives. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review on the various types of plant-based antimicrobial substances, the extraction and purification processes, as well as the application and safety issues. Combining different natural plant-derived substances shows promise in enhancing antimicrobial activities. Moreover, despite the existence of various methods (e.g., microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction) to extract and purify antimicrobial substances, isolating pure compounds remains a laborious process. Sustainability issues should also be considered when developing extraction methods. Additionally, the extraction process generates a significant amount of plant waste, necessitating proper utilization to ensure economic viability. Lastly, not all plant-derived substances are safe, and further research is needed to investigate their toxicity before widespread application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Crataegus (hawthorn), a member of the Rosaceae family, encompasses several species with broad geographical distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Hawthorn is recognized as an edible medicinal plant with applications related to strengthening the digestive system, promoting blood circulation, and resolving blood stasis. This study critically summarized the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties to provide a theoretical basis for further studies on hawthorn and its applications in medicine and food. The available information on hawthorn was gathered from scientific databases (including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, online ethnobotanical databases, and ethnobotanical monographs, and considered data from 1952 to 2023). Information about traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety concerns of the collected data is comprehensively summarized in this paper. The literature review revealed that hawthorn includes more than 1000 species primarily distributed in the northern temperate zone. Traditional uses of hawthorn have lasted for millennia in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Within the past decade, 337 chemical compounds, including flavonoids, lignans, fatty acids and organic acids, monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, terpenoids and steroids, have been identified from hawthorn. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed numerous bioactivities, such as cardiovascular system influence, antitumor activity, hepatoprotective activity, antimicrobial properties, immunomodulatory functions, and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, evaluations have indicated that hawthorn lacks toxicity. Based on its traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological studies, hawthorn has significant potential as a medicinal and edible plant with a diverse range of pharmacological activities. Traditional uses of the hawthorn include the treatment of indigestion, dysmenorrhea, and osteoporosis. However, modern pharmacological research primarily focuses on its cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system effects, antitumor effects, and liver protection properties. Currently, there is a lack of correlative research involving its traditional uses and pharmacological activities. Moreover, phytochemical and pharmacological research has yet to focus on many types of hawthorn with traditional applications. Therefore, it is imperative to research the genus Crataegus extensively. [Display omitted] • Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety concerns of hawthorn. • The medicinal uses and edible value of hawthorn. • The application and medicinal value of hawthorn in ethnopharmacology. • The challenges and opportunities of hawthorn were envisioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinidia Lindl. belongs to the family Actinidiaceae. Plants of this genus are popularly known as kiwifruits and are traditionally used to treat a wide range of ailments associated with digestive disorders, rheumatism, kidney problems, cardiovascular system, cancers, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, and diabetes among others. This review discusses the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, and known pharmacological properties of Actinidia plants, to understand their connotations and provide the scientific basis for future studies. The data were obtained by surveying journal articles, books, and dissertations using various search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Web of Science. The online databases; World Flora Online, Plants of the World Online, International Plant Names Index, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility were used to confirm the distribution and validate scientific names of Actinidia plants. The isolated metabolites from these species were illustrated using ChemBio Draw ultra-version 14.0 software. Ten (10) species of Actinidia genus have been reported as significant sources of traditional medicines utilized to remedy diverse illnesses. Our findings revealed that a total of 873 secondary metabolites belonging to different classes such as terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alcohols, ketones, organic acids, esters, hydrocarbons, and steroids have been isolated from different species of Actinidia. These compounds were mainly related to the exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiproliferative, anti-angiogenic, anticinoceptive, anti-tumor, and anticancer activities. This study assessed the information related to the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological properties of Actinidia species, which indicate that they possess diverse bioactive metabolites with interesting bioactivities. Actinidia plants have great potential for applications in folklore medicines and pharmaceuticals due to their wide ethnomedicinal uses and biological activities. Traditional uses of several Actinidia species are supported by scientific evidences, qualifying them as possible modern remedies for various ailments. Nonetheless, the currently available data has several gaps in understanding the herbal utilization of most Actinidia species. Thus, further research into their toxicity, mechanisms of actions of the isolated bioactive metabolites, as well as scientific connotations between the traditional medicinal uses and pharmacological properties is required to unravel their efficacy in therapeutic potential for safe clinical application. [Display omitted] • This paper reviewed the botanical characterization, ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, and pharmacological properties of Actinidia species. • It also established correlation between the isolated secondary metabolites, pharmacological effects, and ethnomedicinal uses. • The present study demonstrates the ethnopharmacological evidence that can aid in development of new drugs for future clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Recent advances of metal–organic frameworks in wound healing fields are reviewed. • Four main strategies of metal–organic frameworks in wound healing are discussed. • The biocompatibility and biosafety of metal–organic frameworks is summarized. • The perspectives of metal–organic frameworks in further applications are proposed. The skin serves as the primary barrier between the human body and the external environment and is therefore susceptible to damage from various factors. Due to their high porosity, flexible and tunable structure, large surface area, abundant binding sites, and excellent chemical and thermal stability, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provide a new option for the treatment of skin wound healing. In the past decade, MOF–based therapeutics have made great achievements and therefore have a wide range of applications in biomedicine. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in metal–organic frameworks in wound healing and discusses their current research status and potential applications. We first summarize the mechanisms and latest applications of MOFs for wound healing. Specifically, the application of MOFs as antimicrobial agents by releasing antibacterial drugs to inhibit infections is discussed. Additionally, the potential of MOFs in promoting wound healing has been explored; for example, MOFs can serve as carriers for delivering therapeutic drugs and for promoting angiogenesis and synergistic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in wound treatment. Then, we discuss the biosafety of MOFs and further explore the applications of MOFs. Finally, based on our understanding of the field, challenges and prospects are proposed, hoping to provide a basic understanding of the future development of MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Silver nanocatalysts synthesized by simple precipitation process. • Structural phase formation shows Face centred cubic structure. • The photocatalytic degradation of cationic dye and antimicrobial activity were examined. • Silver nanocatalyst shows maximum degradation efficiency of 96% for MB. Water pollution is a severe and urgent issue on a global scale. Nanoparticles are capable of purifying contaminated water. Using plant extracts for green nanoparticle manufacturing minimises hazardous chemicals or energy requirements. This paper focuses on the eco-friendly synthesis of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles from cinnamon-derived natural materials and its potential in biomedicine, water treatment, and catalysis. An SPR peak confirmed the reduction of Ag+ ions to Ago nanoparticles at 449 nm in UV–Vis spectroscopy. The XRD and TEM analyses indicate FCC and polydisperse nanoparticles with a spherical shape. Under visible light illumination, the photocatalytic activity of plasmonic AgNPs was evaluated against Methylene Blue (MB) dye. After 120 min, plasmonic Ag NPs displayed high antibacterial activity and 97 % photo degradation efficiency. Metallic Ag NPs exhibited more catalytic activity than commercial TiO 2 NPs. According to DFT experiments, coumarin in cinnamon bark reduces Ag+ ions to Ago. To the best of our knowledge, the current paper is the first to use cinnamon-mediated plasmonic Ag photocatalysis for efficient antibacterial action and degradation of MB dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite links to animal disease governance, food and biosecurity, rural studies has neglected consideration of how actors make sense of the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and the implications for animal and human health. As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a high-profile problem, the contribution of animal antibiotics is frequently mentioned in scientific and policy documents but how different agricultural actors interpret its significance is less clear. This paper offers the first social scientific investigation of contestation and consensus surrounding the use of antibiotics in agriculture and their implications for AMR as mediated through mainstream news-media and farming print media in the UK. Frame analysis of four national newspapers and one farming paper reveals three distinct frames. A ‘system failure’ frame is the most frequently occurring and positions intensive livestock production systems as a key contributor to AMR-related crises in human health. A ‘maintaining the status quo’ frame argues that there is no evidence linking antibiotics in farming to AMR in humans and stresses the necessity of (some) antibiotic use for animal health. A third frame – which is only present in the farming media – highlights a need for voluntary, industry-led action on animal antibiotic use in terms of farmer self-interest. Common to all frames is that the relationship between agricultural use of antibiotics and problems posed by AMR is mostly discussed in terms of the implications for human health as opposed to both human and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions between parabens (PBs) and lipid components of mammalian and bacterial cell membranes were investigated in model systems of Langmuir monolayers. Me-, Et-, Pr- and Bu-paraben studied in this paper are frequently applied as cosmetics and food preservatives, since they possess broad antimicrobial activity. The mode of PB action is connected with their incorporation into the membrane of bacterial organisms, however; it is not known what is the role of the respective lipid species in this mechanism. This problem is crucial to understand the differences in paraben activity toward individual microorganisms and to shed the light onto the problem of PB cytotoxicity reported in studies on mammalian cells. In this paper, the mentioned aspects were investigated with application of the Langmuir monolayer technique complemented with BAM and GIXD. Our experiments revealed that the influence of PBs depends on their chemical structure, solution concentration and on the class of lipid. The strongest modification of the monolayer characteristics, leading to its collapse at low surface pressure, occurred in the presence of BuPB, having the largest chain. PBs interact preferentially with the monolayers possessing low degree of condensation, whereas for LC state, the effect was weaker and observed only as modification of the 2D unit cells. In the model systems, PBs interact with phospholipids characteristic for mammalian membranes (phosphatidylcholine) stronger than with bacterial (phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin). This strong influence of parabens on the model systems composed of animal lipids may explain cytotoxic activity of these preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]