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Microalgae, known for their land-sparing cultivation and remarkable photosynthetic efficiency, play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development goals. This study explored the use of cost-effective inorganic carbon (the ionic form of CO2) and organic carbon sources (lactose, a primary sugar in whey wastewater) to support the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana UTEX 1230, and improved protein content through nitrogen supply optimization. NaHCO3 proved to be more effective than Na2CO3, resulting in a 3.4-fold increase in biomass concentration, with an initial 5 mM HCO3‾ concentration compared to the basal medium. Further addition of 0.75 % lactose led to a 4.05-fold increase in biomass concentration, with the maximum specific growth rate at 1.28/d, maximum biomass concentration at 695.88 mg/L, and maximum biomass productivity at 250.91 mg/L/d. Nitrogen supplementation greatly increased protein concentration from 16.41 % (250 mg/L NaNO3) to 52.95 % (1000 mg/L NaNO3). These results support the potential for utilizing whey wastewater bioremediation to produce high-value protein via microalgal cultivation.

Sustainable food production covers a wide range of perspectives and embraces issues relating to environment, economy and society. Sustainability of food production systems faces challenges ranging from environmental degradation, resource competition to elevated food demands and integration of agriculture into the global economy. Considering its far-reaching socio-economic implications, this review first provides an overview of key characteristics that distinguish sustainable food production from conventional agricultural practices. In addition, emerging green technologies in promoting sustainable food production are summarized. Among those modern techniques, urban agriculture, next-generation plant-based foods and food nanotechnology are discussed in detail. Finally, futuristic solutions and research work are proposed to provide guidance for designing sustainable Agri-Food system.

As a carotenoid originally used as a pigment in the aquaculture industry, astaxanthin is gaining interest in food, nutritional, and biopharmaceutical sciences in recent years due to its great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its health effects on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and so on. However, the poor chemical stability and water solubility make practical applications of astaxanthin on human health become challenging. Nanoencapsulation of astaxanthin is considered a possible solution to tackle such challenges by improving chemical stability, and providing controlled release, thus enhancing its bioaccessibility and bioavailability. In this article, an updated overview of the chemistry, sources, and extraction methods of astaxanthin is provided. Moreover, recent studies on the health effects of astaxanthin were introduced and then the recent progress on the preparation of various nanoparticles for the encapsulation of astaxanthin are highlighted. This perspective article aims to provide guidance on potential structural designs of nanoparticles for the encapsulation of astaxanthin and the effects of nanoencapsulation on its functionality.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been proven with antimicrobial function, but the high tendency to aggregate hinders their practical applications. To improve the dispersibility of ZnO NPs as antimicrobial agent, choline acetate (ChAc), a class of ionic liquids, was employed to facilitate the dispersion of ZnO NPs capped with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In this study, ZnO-CMC NPs at various concentrations were added in DI water with or without ChAc followed by sonication. Uniform and small particles were observed in ChAc-dispersed ZnO-CMC (ChAc/ZnO-CMC) by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, due to the formation of a double layer on their surface via the positive and negative charged ionic clusters from ChAc, thereby enhancing repulsion and inhibiting aggregation. The antimicrobial capacity was tested against two strains - Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) and Escherichia coli K-12 (E. coli K-12), based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and bacteria growth kinetics. The ChAc/ZnO-CMC exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activities as compared with commercial ZnO and as-prepared ZnO-CMC without ChAc. The antimicrobial capacity was related to occurrence of cytolysis, disruption of cell walls and ROS production. Overall, ChAc/ZnO-CMC NPs hold great potential as an antimicrobial agent and may be incorporated into different food packaging films and coatings.

Sterigmatocystin (STC), as a mycotoxin, widely exists the environment and food, and threatens the health of animals and human. Since STC has carcinogenicity and cancer is closely related to dysregulation in lipid metabolism, it is necessary to identify the effect of STC on lipid metabolism in vitro. In this research, the cytotoxicity of STC on HL-7702 cells were evaluated, analyzed by cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and relative genes transcription levels. Meanwhile, lipid changes were measured by oil red O staining. Further, HPLC-MS-based untargeted lipidomics were exploited to determine the alteration in endogenous lipid metabolites when exposed to STC. The results showed that the treatment of STC decreased cell viability, increased ROS levels, triggered abnormal cell cycle-related genes expression and induced apoptosis. Besides, STC exposure resulted in abnormal accumulation of lipid droplets. Lipidomics analysis further revealed that STC induced abnormal lipids metabolism, including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), ceramides (Cer), cholesterol ester (ChE), fatty acid (FA), triglyceride (TG) and acyl carnitine (AcCa). Meanwhile, lipid species of LPC (16:0), LPC (16:1), LPC (18:0), LPC (18:1), LPC (18:2), LPE (16:0), and FA (20:4) are significantly decreased, but TG (16:0/16:1/16:1) and TG (18:1/18:1/18:2) increased dramatically. To sum up, these findings provided fresh insights to explore cytotoxic mechanism of STC.

Protein colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) are ubiquitous present in nature and function as building blocks with multiple functions in both food formulations and biological processes. Food scientists are inspired by naturally occurring proteins to induce self-assembly behavior of protein by manipulating environmental parameters, providing opportunities to construct special and expected NPs. Zein and casein, the main proteins derived from corn and milk, are two examples of the most prevalently studied food proteins for nanoarchitectures in recent years. In this article, the compositions, structures, and physicochemical properties of these two proteins and casein derivatives are summarized as well as their interactions and characterizations. Strategies to fabricate zein-sodium caseinate based NPs are critically highlighted and illustrated. Particularly, applications such as encapsulation and delivery of bioactive compounds, producing food packaging for enhanced antioxidative and antimicrobial effects, and stabilization of emulsions to achieve fat replacement. Due to the imperative role of food proteins in diet composition, this review not only provides cutting-edge knowledge for nanoparticle construction but also opens new avenues for efficient utilization and exploitation of food proteins.

Listeria monocytogenes is a major foodborne pathogen in the United States that is capable of forming sanitizer-tolerant biofilms on diverse food contact surfaces and under varying temperature conditions. A plethora of research in the last decade has explored the potential of phytochemicals as antibiofilm agents. However, the low solubility of phytochemicals is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed to develop plant-based disinfectants that can be applied in the industry for controlling L. monocytogenes biofilms and improving food safety. This study investigated the efficacy of eugenol nanoemulsion (EGNE) in inhibiting biofilm formation in two strains of L. monocytogenes (Scott A and AT19115) on stainless steel surfaces at two temperatures (25 or 10°C). In addition, the effect of EGNE on pathogen motility, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, eDNA production, and quorum sensing activity during biofilm formation was studied using standard bioassays. Moreover, the efficacy of EGNE in killing mature L. monocytogenes biofilm was also investigated against both the strains and temperature combinations. All experiments had a completely randomized design with duplicate samples and were repeated at least three times. EGNE had a particle size of ~75 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.25, and a high negative surface charge. EGNE 700 mg/L inhibited L. monocytogenes biofilm formation significantly by ~1.89 log in 72 h at 25°C and ~1.25 log on day 16 at 10°C, when compared to control (p

Plant proteins are of interest to the food science, biopharmaceutical, and environmental engineering fields due to their excellent surface properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability, biosafety, and sustainability. However, there are still numerous challenges to overcome before they can be widely used in industrial production. To this end, this paper details the factors affecting the structure and performance of high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) made with plant proteins as stabilizers. Moreover, strategies to stabilize HIPPEs by plant-based proteins are reviewed. Finally, the emerging research trends focusing on the potential applications of HIPPEs in the food industry are highlighted, particularly as a substitute for trans and saturated fats, nutrient encapsulation and delivery, 3D printing foods and complex porous material design. This review not only provides cutting-edge knowledge on the construction of stable plant protein HIPPEs, but also lays a theoretical basis for their industrial production.

Heavy metal and organic dyes produced in modern industrialization development have polluted the natural resources human live by due to their adverse effects on all biological organisms. Developing effective, economical and friendly strategies to tackle environmental pollution has been a hotspot in recent years, among which adsorption of chemical pollutants from water has been considered of utmost importance. Hydrogel-based adsorbents with three-dimensional porous structures and versatile functional groups have become the first choice, whose adsorption involves several mechanisms. In this perspective article, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, ion exchange, surface complexation and coordination/chelation were introduced in detail to provide an overview for a better understanding of the action mechanisms of various hydrogels. Combining two or more mechanisms is advantageous to gain great adsorption capacity, which could be achieved via physical or chemical modification of hydrogels. This short review aims to provide theoretical guidance to design and prepare hydrogels for applications in water treatment.

This study aims to determine the minimal concentrations of a 23% hydrogen peroxide and 5.3% peroxyacetic acid (H2O2-PAA) mixture required to prevent microbial cross-contamination of Salmonella and the potential surrogate Enterococcus faecium on tomatoes. Nalidixic acid-resistant (NaL) S. Typhimurium (5.15 log10MPN/g) or E. faecium (5.29 log10MPN/g) inoculated tomatoes were triple-washed for 45 s at each step using a water + antimicrobial + water (WAW) or water + water + antimicrobial (WWA) wash strategy with a solution of H2O2-PAA at 0 (control) and off-label concentrations of 0.50 and 0.70%. A most probable number (MPN) method was used to analyze the microbial reductions and cross-contamination trasnferred cell counts. Significant reductions (P 0.05) in reductions of S. Typhimurium or E. faecium regardless of wash strategy. Cross-contamination of S. Typhimurium was prevented at 0.7% of H2O2-PAA using the WWA strategy, and E. faecium was prevented at and above 0.50% of H2O2-PAA, respectively, regardless of wash strategy. There were no differences (P > 0.05) of bacterial cell survival in triple-wash solutions between S. Typhimurium and E. faecium. Results suggested that E. faecium could be an acceptable surrogate for S. Typhimurium when validating antimicrobial washing systems on tomatoes. The off-label concentrations of H2O2-PAA that were tested resulted in non-detectable microbial cross-contamination. Off-label use of antimicrobials is not encouraged until future research determines the safety of these greater concentrations prior to their implementation in commercial settings.

This study aimed to evaluate the survival of Listeria monocytogenes on organic Honey Crisp (HC) and Fuji (FJ) apples during storage at various temperatures. Fresh organic HC and FJ apples (without wax coating) obtained from a local wholesale market were inoculated with a 2-strain mix of L. monocytogenes followed by storing at 5.0 [22.9% Relative Humidity (RH)], 12.0 (37.0% RH), and 22.5 °C (50.4% RH) for 60, 35, 7 days, respectively, and were periodically (day-0 to 60) analyzed for microbial populations. Surviving L. monocytogenes were spread-plated on Modified-Oxford agar after 10 or 100-fold serial dilution. Data was analyzed using the mixed-model-procedure of SAS and GinaFit software. The initial populations of L. monocytogenes on HC and FJ apples were 6.23–6.89 log10CFU/apple for storage at 5, 12, and 22.5 °C. The pathogen survival cell counts decreased (P

Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 are the major foodborne pathogens that have been implicated in outbreaks related to consumption of contaminated cantaloupes. Current chlorine-based decontamination strategies are not completely effective for inactivating the aforementioned pathogens on cantaloupes, especially in the presence of organic matter. This study investigated the efficacy of eugenol nanoemulsion (EGNE) wash treatments in inactivating L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and E. coli O157:H7 on the surface of cantaloupes. In addition, the efficacy of EGNE in inhibiting the growth of the three pathogens on cantaloupes during refrigerated and room temperature storage of 5 days was investigated. Moreover, the effect of EGNE wash treatment on cantaloupe color was assessed using a Miniscan® XE Plus. The EGNE was prepared with either Tween 80 (TW) or a combination of Gum arabic and Lecithin (GA) as emulsifiers. The cantaloupe rind was washed with EGNE (0.3, 0.6, and 1.25%), in presence or absence of 5% organic load, for 1, 5, or 10 min at 25°C. Enumeration of surviving pathogens on cantaloupe was performed by serial dilution and plating on Oxford, XLD or SMA agar followed by incubation at 37°C for 24–48 h. EGNE-GA and EGNE-TW wash significantly reduced all three pathogens by at least 3.5 log CFU/cm2 as early as 5 min after treatment. EGNE-GA at 1.25% inactivated L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7 and S. Enteritidis on cantaloupes to below the detectable limit within 5 and 10 min of treatment, respectively (~4 log CFU/cm2, P < 0.05). EGNE treatments significantly reduced the survival of L. monocytogenes, S. Enteritidis, and E. coli O157:H7 on cantaloupe by at least 6 log CFU/cm2 at day 5 of storage at 25 and 4°C (P < 0.05). Presence of organic matter did not modulate the antimicrobial efficacy of nanoemulsion treatments (P > 0.05). EGNE treatments did not affect the rind color of cantaloupes (P > 0.05). In conclusion, eugenol nanoemulsions could potentially be used as a natural sanitizer to inactivate foodborne pathogens on cantaloupes. Further investigations in an industry setting are warranted.

Among the animal derived food products, contamination of poultry eggs, and egg shell surface is one of the major causes for foodborne salmonellosis in the United States. As a means of reducing the pathogen transfer to the internal egg contents, polysaccharide-based coatings containing antimicrobial phytochemicals could potentially serve as a biocontrol strategy for shelled egg products. The current study investigated the efficacy of four GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)-status plant-derived compounds, namely, caproic acid (CAO), caprylic acid (CAY), linalool (LIN) and cuminaldehyde (CUM), as pectin-based coating treatments, individually or in combination, for reducing Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) on shell eggs. A three-strain mixture of SH (~8.0 log CFU in 50 μL inoculum) was spot-inoculated on surface sterilized white-shelled eggs. Eggs were evenly coated with either pectin-based treatments of CAO (1%), CAY (1%), LIN (1%) and CUM (1%), individually, or a combination of 4 phytochemicals (COMB- each phytochemical at 0.5% v/v level of inclusion). The treated eggs were stored at 4°C and SH counts were enumerated on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 of storage. The study was replicated thrice, 3 eggs/treatment/day time point, and the data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with significance tested at p < 0.05. On day 0, pectin-coated control eggs had ~7.6 log CFU of SH/egg. At the end of refrigerated storage (day 21), pectin-based coating of CAO and CAY at 1% level reduced SH by 2.0–2.5 log CFU/egg (P < 0.05) when compared to controls. In addition, the CUM and LIN based coatings produced 3.0 log and 3.9 log reduction, respectively, in SH counts on eggs by day 21 of storage. Among the treatments with phytochemical combinations, COMB1 [pectin (2%) + Caprylic acid, caproic acid and cuminaldehyde (each at 0.5% level)] was found to be most effective, reducing SH counts to 2.5–3.3 log CFU/egg from day 0 through day 14, and by the end of storage period (day 21), a 3.5 log CFU reduction/egg (p < 0.05) compared to untreated controls. Morphological studies of treated eggs using atomic force microscopy (AFM) have shown that the roughness of eggs can be influenced by a combination of various compounds. Results indicate the potential efficacy of the aforesaid phytochemicals in reducing SH on shell eggs; however, further studies investigating their industrial feasibility and effects on sensory attributes of eggs are warranted.

Summary: There has been growing interest in water-processable conjugated polymers for biocompatible devices. However, some broadly used conjugated polymers like poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are hydrophobic and they cannot be processed in water. We herein report a facile yet highly efficient assembly method to prepare water-dispersible pyridine-containing P3HT (Py-P3HT) nanoparticles (NPs) with a high yield (>80%) and a fine size below 100 nm. It is based on the fast nanoprecipitation of Py-P3HT stabilized by hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Py-P3HT can form spherical NPs at a concentration up to 0.2 mg/mL with a diameter of ∼75 nm at a very low concentration of PAA, e.g., 0.01–0.1 mg/mL, as surface ligands. Those negatively charged Py-P3HT NPs can bind with metal cations and further support the growth of noble metal NPs like Ag and Au. Our self-assembly methodology potentially opens new doors to process and directly use hydrophobic conjugated polymers in a much broader context.

Proteins are essential to human nutrition and health, and it is crucial for the development of the human body. While animal proteins are considered to be the primary dietary protein source for decades, there is a paradigm shift in recent years on the dietary consumption patterns among the general population towards plant-based food proteins. As a result, plant protein production in the food industry has skyrocketed. Research has led to a closer look at diverse plant sources and their capacity to replace conventional animal-based proteins for health and environmental reasons. Soy protein is a high-quality protein with a protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of 1.00, which is close to some of the proteins from animal sources, such as meat and dairy. Soy proteins contain well-balanced essential amino acids except for sulfur-containing ones like methionine. They also have desirable textures with endless possibilities to formulate various sophisticated soy-based food products. Due to their high protein content and versatility in developing food products, soy proteins are the primary supply of plant-based proteins and are widely consumed by diverse populations worldwide. This review first briefly compared plant-based proteins with animal proteins regarding their health and environmental benefits, amino acid composition, and protein digestibility. As one of the most popular plant proteins, soy protein was introduced, and its byproducts-making processes (heat processing, protein isolation, and fermentation) were discussed in detail. Finally, the relationship between soy protein consumption and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, women menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, cancer, and abdominal body fat, was highlighted by analyzing recent clinical studies.

Chitosan, obtained by deacetylation of chitin, is widely available, biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide. In the same way, nanoclays have been reported to be abundant, low-toxic, and low-cost, which could be obtained either naturally or synthetically. Due to excellent film forming property, chitosan has been extensively employed in preservation and packaging of foods. However, the opportunity to combine with nanoclays paves the way for enhancing many functionalities (i.e., mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties) of chitosan-based films and coatings via integration of structural and physicochemical features from both organic and inorganic materials. Moreover, chitosan-clay nanocomposites are easy to fabricate and could be used as carriers for essential oils, metal and metal oxide. In the current review, we first provide an overview of fabrication methods that are specifically applied for the preparation of chitosan-clay nanocomposite films and coatings, and then summarize the advances made in the most recent five years for their food packaging applications.

Both epidemiological and clinical studies have indicated that antioxidants found within fruits, vegetables, cereals, and teas can decrease oxidative stress and its associated diseases. Various types of nanoparticles have gained attention for their use as nanocarriers to increase the bioavailability of natural antioxidants by providing protection against enzymatic degradation, temperature, light, and pH changes. In addition, synergistic relationships between natural antioxidants have been shown to enhance their overall activity. This paper reviews known antioxidant synergisms as well as the role they can play within co-delivery nano-encapsulation. In addition, the proper methods for investigating possible synergistic relationships amongst natural antioxidants as well as methods on nano delivery system (NDS) design for future research are categorized. This includes the potential benefits and challenges of co-delivering both hydrophilic and hydrophobic natural antioxidants within the same NDS for a shift from mono-encapsulation to co-encapsulation for optimal antioxidant activity.

With rapid technological advancements in nanotechnology, it is important to revisit the knowledge of nanoparticles design and fundamental principles that have played major roles in the development of encapsulation and delivery technologies for food applications. In this perspective paper, important considerations for designing edible, safe, and effective nanoparticles for oral delivery of bioactive compounds in food products are highlighted. Physicochemical characterizations, biochemical evaluations, and biological assessments of biomaterials-based colloidal nanoparticles intended for food applications are particularly discussed to guide future research in this area.

Abstract The toxicity associated with concentrated synthetic surfactants and the poor stability at gastrointestinal condition are two major constraints for practical applications of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as oral delivery vehicles. In this study, a synthetic surfactant-free and cross-linker-free method was developed to fabricate effective, safe, and ultra-stable lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPN). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and dextran varying in molecular weights were first conjugated through Maillard reaction and the conjugates were exploited to emulsify solid lipid by a solvent diffusion and sonication method. The multilayer structure was formed by self-assembly of BSA-dextran micelles to envelope solid lipid via a pH- and heating-induced facile process with simultaneous surface deposition of pectin. The efficiency of different BSA-dextran conjugates was systematically studied to prepare LPN with the smallest size, the most homogeneous distribution and the greatest stability. The molecular interactions were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies. Both nano spray drying and freeze-drying methods were tested to produce spherical and uniform pectin-coated LPN powders that were able to re-assemble nanoscale structure when redispersed in water. The results demonstrated the promise of a synthetic surfactant- and cross-linker-free technique to prepare highly stable pectin-coated LPN from all natural biomaterials as potential oral delivery vehicles.

In this study, we prepared complex nanoparticles from a combination of two proteins and one polysaccharide for the encapsulation and delivery of lipophilic bioactive compounds. Two proteins, zein and sodium caseinate (NaCas), provided a hydrophobic core for the encapsulation of a lipophilic compound (curcumin), while a polysaccharide dialdehyde, oxidized dextran, served as the coating material and macromolecular crosslinker to create covalent linkage with two proteins for stabilization purposes. The heating time and crosslinker concentration were optimized to achieve the desirable colloidal stability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Our results suggested that heating time played a more important role than the concentration of oxidized dextran. The optimized complex nanoparticles had a particle size of around 150 nm with a PDI < 0.1 and negative surface charge. Morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy revealed a spherical shape and uniform size distribution. Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies evidenced the formation of Schiff base complex, confirming the validity of covalent crosslinking. Furthermore, the complex nanoparticles demonstrated superior encapsulation properties for curcumin, showing an efficiency of >90% at 10% loading. A rather slow kinetic release profile of curcumin from complex nanoparticles was observed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The complex nanoparticles prepared from zein, NaCas, and oxidized dextran hold promising potential for the oral delivery of lipophilic bioactive compounds.

In this study, the innovative and multifunctional nanoparticles–hydrogel nanocomposites made with chitosan hydrogel beads and solid lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (SLPN) were prepared through conjugation between SLPN and chitosan beads. The SLPNs were first fabricated via coating the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-emulsified solid lipid nanoparticles with oxidized dextran. The aldehyde groups of the oxidized dextran on the surface of the SLPN enabled an in situ conjugation with the chitosan beads through the Schiff base linkage. The obtained nano-on-beads composite exhibited a spherical shape with a homogeneous size distribution. The successful conjugation of SLPN on the chitosan beads was confirmed by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and a scanning electron microscope. The effects of the beads dosage (50, 100, 200, and 300 beads) and the incubation duration (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 min) on the conjugation efficiency of SLPN onto the beads were comprehensively optimized. The optimal formulations were found to be a 200 bead dosage, with 30–90 min incubation duration groups. The optimal formulations were then used to encapsulate thymol, an antibacterial agent, which was studied as a model compound. After encapsulation, the thymol exhibited sustained release profiles in the phosphate buffer saline. The as-prepared nanoparticles–hydrogel nanocomposites reported in this proof-of-concept study hold promising features as a controlled-release antibacterial approach for improving food safety.