Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adithya Sridhar, Ashish Kapoor, Ponnusamy Senthil Kumar, Muthamilselvi Ponnuchamy, Balasubramanian Sivasamy, Dai-Viet Nguyen Vo
Summary: The advancement of microfluidic systems has revolutionized lab-on-a-chip devices, showing great potential in the food industry. Research focuses on fabrication technologies, materials, pathogen detection methods, and smart packaging technologies for better product identification and traceability.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Fareeha Arshad, Muhammedin Deliorman, Pavithra Sukumar, Mohammad A. Qasaimeh, James Salveo Olarve, Gil Nonato Santos, Vipul Bansal, Minhaz Uddin Ahmed
Summary: Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices have attracted scientific attention for their ability to incorporate multiple complex analytical processes onto a single chip. This review discusses the recent developments and applications of nanomaterial-based LOC devices in sustainable food and agricultural industries. Nanomaterial-based LOC devices have considerable potential in identifying nucleic acid, proteinic, and cellular components from complex food and agricultural samples with high specificity and can be applied in the continuous monitoring of multiple agri-food analytes to ensure sustainability and food safety.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Or Zolti, Baviththira Suganthan, Ramaraja P. Ramasamy
Summary: Foodborne pathogens are a significant concern for the food, beverage, and healthcare industries due to their prevalence and negative impact on public health, food safety, and the economy. Recent research has focused on developing lab-on-a-chip devices using microfluidics and electrochemical biosensing to meet the stringent detection limits and reliability standards for food pathogen testing. Combining these approaches could lead to affordable, portable, and easy-to-use devices for food pathogen diagnostics.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rohit Mishra, Lourdes AN. Julius, Jack Condon, Patricija Pavelskopfa, Philip L. Early, Matthew Dorrian, Katarina Mrvova, Grace Henihan, Faith Mangwanya, Tanya Dreo, Jens Ducree, Niall P. Macdonald, Cor Schoen, David J. Kinahan
Summary: Due to its ruggedness, portability, rapid processing times, and ease-of-use, centrifugal microfluidic systems have gained significant academic and commercial interest in the past decade. The LoaD platform offers the advantage of automating laboratory unit operations (LUOs) and requires only a low-cost spindle motor, making it a portable and accessible platform. A novel flow control scheme is proposed, which enables automation of multi-step assays with high reliability and full temporal control.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samaneh Zare Harofte, Madjid Soltani, Saeed Siavashy, Kaamran Raahemifar
Summary: Nowadays, artificial intelligence creates numerous opportunities in the life sciences. Integrating AI with microfluidics can significantly impact various fields of biotechnology.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ning Zhang, Chao Yue, Xiaobo Zhan, Zhi Cheng, Chao Li, Yaohua Du, Feng Tian
Summary: The quantitative analysis of respiratory viruses is important for diagnosis, medicine and prognosis. In this study, a lab-on-a-chip platform combined with an automated control system was used to achieve quantitative analysis of COVID-19 pseudovirus from large-volume nasal swab samples. The method can be extended to other respiratory viruses and sample types.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sangam Srikanth, U. S. Jayapiriya, Satish Kumar Dubey, Arshad Javed, Sanket Goel
Summary: A simple, cost-effective and miniaturized lab-on-a-chip platform has been developed for simultaneous cultivation and detection of bacteria, with high accuracy in quantifying bacterial concentration and validating viability, as well as real-time and on-field applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emanuele Piccinno, Anna Grazia Monteduro, Francesco Dituri, Silvia Rizzato, Gianluigi Giannelli, Giuseppe Maruccio
Summary: The study validated a miniaturized on-chip platform for real-time, non-destructive cell proliferation assays and drug screening, comparing its effectiveness with the traditional 96-well plate assay. Results showed the new platform's efficacy comparable to the standard method, with advantages in reagent consumption, operator time, and costs, potentially accelerating drug development processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhenzhen Chen, Liang Shen, Xiong Zhao, Hongqiang Chen, Yaxuan Xiao, Yonghai Zhang, Xiaoping Yang, Jinhua Zhang, Jinjia Wei, Nanjing Hao
Summary: Microfluidics, especially acoustofluidics, offers new opportunities in chemical and biomedical engineering by manipulating fluids at the micrometer or submicrometer scale. This review discusses the utility of acoustofluidic technology, summarizes different types of acoustic micromixers, highlights their applications in various fields, and identifies the practical challenges that need to be addressed. Overall, this review provides valuable insights for both academic research and industrial applications.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Canan Ozyurt, Inci Uludag, Bahar Ince, Mustafa Kemal Sezginturk
Summary: Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) or micro total analysis system is a microfluidic technology that integrates and automates analytical laboratory procedures into a single instrument or chip. This article reviews the recent developments in the application of LOC biosensors for cancer detection. Microfluidics has revolutionized healthcare diagnosis by enabling the reconstruction of functional organ units on chips and studying human diseases like cancer. In the past five years, LOCs have been widely used in various biomedical applications such as bioassays, cell analysis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. This review provides an overview of microfluidic-based cancer research, including its pros, cons, and future prospects.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Athina-Marina Mitrogiannopoulou, Vasiliki Tselepi, Kosmas Ellinas
Summary: Food quality and safety are vital to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses. Traditional laboratory scale analysis is time-consuming, but new methods such as PCR and microfluidics offer faster and more sensitive detection of pathogens. This review provides an overview of recent developments in lab-on-chip devices used to identify foodborne and waterborne pathogens. It discusses microfluidic fabrication methods, materials, and presents examples of LOCs used for pathogenic bacteria detection in food and water samples.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Renata Maia, Violeta Carvalho, Rui Lima, Graca Minas, Raquel O. Rodrigues
Summary: This systematic review summarizes the recent progress in the use of microneedles (MNs) in biomedical applications, including drug delivery, biomarker detection, and their potential integration with microfluidic devices. Although MNs have been extensively utilized in lab-on-a-chip platforms, recent studies have also explored their applicability in organ-on-a-chip models. Overall, the presence of MNs in advanced microfluidic devices offers simplified drug delivery, microinjection, and biomarker detection through integrated biosensors, enabling real-time monitoring of various biomarkers in lab- and organ-on-a-chip platforms.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Francesca Costantini, Nicola Lovecchio, Manasa Nandimandalam, Ariana Manglli, Francesco Faggioli, Mara Biasin, Cesare Manetti, Pio Federico Roversi, Augusto Nascetti, Giampiero de Cesare, Domenico Caputo
Summary: In this study, a Lab-on-Chip (LoC)-PCR device called System-on-Glass (SoG) was developed, which integrated thermalization, temperature control, and detection elements on a single glass substrate. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR of RNA from plant and human viruses was successfully conducted using this device. The LoC-PCR achieved the same detection limit and analysis time as the standard equipment, but with the advantage of portability and faster analysis.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Evangelos Skotadis, Evangelos Aslanidis, George Kokkoris, Emmanouil Artouro Vargkas Kousoulas, Angeliki Tserepi, Dimitris Tsoukalas
Summary: In this paper, a strain-sensing module is used to determine the flow in a microfluidic chip. The module is based on platinum nanoparticle networks and changes its resistance by introducing varying flow rates. The research shows that the module has a competitive limit of detection, low cost, low power requirements, and easy integration with existing microfluidic systems.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Stefan Gassmann, Till Schleifer, Helmut Schuette
Summary: This paper presents a Lab-on-a-chip platform for colorimetric measurements in water, providing an effective method for monitoring nutrients in open water. The platform can be customized for different analytes by changing reagents and detection wavelength.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Habiba Kouki, Flavio Polito, Laura De Martino, Yassine Mabrouk, Lamia Hamrouni, Ismail Amri, Florinda Fratianni, Vincenzo De Feo, Filomena Nazzaro
Summary: This research was conducted due to the complex taxonomy of Eucalyptus genus, the growing interest in natural compounds that can combat microbial strains, the excessive use of synthetic pesticides, and the demand for alternative control methods. The study analyzed the essential oils of different Eucalyptus species and evaluated their potential phytotoxic and antibiofilm activities. Monoterpenoids were found to be the most common constituents in the essential oils, with eucalyptol being the dominant component. E. odorata and E. paniculata essential oils showed the strongest effects on seed germination and radicle elongation. Additionally, the Eucalyptus essential oils effectively inhibited the adhesion process of five pathogen strains. These findings suggest that Eucalyptus essential oils have potential applications in the food, health, and agricultural fields.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sana Khedhri, Flavio Polito, Lucia Caputo, Francesco Manna, Marwa Khammassi, Lamia Hamrouni, Ismail Amri, Filomena Nazzaro, Vincenzo De Feo, Florinda Fratianni
Summary: This study characterized the chemical composition of seven Eucalyptus essential oils and evaluated their phytotoxic and antibacterial activities. The results showed that these essential oils have potential applications in inhibiting seed germination and bacterial adhesion processes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florinda Fratianni, Giuseppe Amato, Antonio d'Acierno, Maria Neve Ombra, Vincenzo De Feo, Raffaele Coppola, Filomena Nazzaro
Summary: We investigated the properties of six monofloral citrus honeys, including antioxidant activity, polyphenol and vitamin C content, anti-inflammatory activity, and inhibitory effects on cholinesterases and tyrosinase. We also evaluated their impact on the biofilm of pathogenic bacteria. Lime honey exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity and highest levels of polyphenols and vitamin C. Lemon and tangerine honey contained predominantly flavonoids. Lemon honey demonstrated better preservation of bovine serum albumin against denaturation, while the honeys showed inhibitory effects on cholinesterases and tyrosinase to varying degrees. Certain honeys were particularly effective against specific bacterial biofilms. Overall, these citrus honeys showed promising potential for health benefits and warrant further in vivo studies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mariacinzia Rutigliano, Pasqua Loizzo, Giuseppina Spadaccino, Antonio Trani, Patrizio Tremonte, Raffaele Coppola, Flavia Dilucia, Aldo Di Luccia, Barbara la Gatta
Summary: Coppa Piacentina, a peculiar dry cured salami, showed a slow proteolysis due to the whole cut of the pork neck. The proteolysis activity was more intense on the external part, mainly due to endogenous enzymes, leading to degradation of myofibrillar or sarcoplasmic proteins at different stages of ripening. The most abundant free amino acids were lysine and glutamic acid, similar to those found in dry cured ham.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Flavio Polito, Florinda Fratianni, Filomena Nazzaro, Ismail Amri, Habiba Kouki, Marwa Khammassi, Lamia Hamrouni, Paola Malaspina, Laura Cornara, Sana Khedhri, Benedetta Romano, Daniela Claudia Maresca, Angela Ianaro, Giuseppe Ercolano, Vincenzo De Feo
Summary: Eucalyptus species are widely used in reforestation projects in Tunisia, despite the controversy surrounding their ecological functions. However, they play a significant role in combating soil erosion and serve as a fast-growing source of fuelwood and charcoal wood.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Florinda Fratianni, Giuseppe Amato, Vincenzo De Feo, Antonio d'Acierno, Raffaele Coppola, Filomena Nazzaro
Summary: In this study, the fatty acid composition and biological activities of five different cold-pressed commercial oils obtained from broccoli, coffee, green coffee, pumpkin, and watermelon seeds were investigated. The results showed that these oils exhibited good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and neuroprotective activities. Broccoli seed oil demonstrated the best cardiovascular disease prevention index and anti-inflammatory activity, while coffee seed oil and broccoli seed oil showed the strongest inhibitory activity against cholinesterases. Pumpkin seed oil and green coffee seed oil exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against tyrosinase.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sana Khedhri, Flavio Polito, Lucia Caputo, Vincenzo De Feo, Marwa Khamassi, Oumayama Kochti, Lamia Hamrouni, Yassine Mabrouk, Filomena Nazzaro, Florinda Fratianni, Ismail Amri
Summary: This study examined the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils from six Tunisian Eucalyptus species. The results showed that the Eucalyptus essential oils exhibited potent anti-enzymatic and antibiofilm activities, indicating their potential therapeutic use in the treatment of microbial infections and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mousa Alreshidi, Mohammad A. Abdulhakeem, Riadh Badraoui, Giuseppe Amato, Lucia Caputo, Laura De Martino, Filomena Nazzaro, Florinda Fratianni, Carmen Formisano, Vincenzo De Feo, Mejdi Snoussi
Summary: This study identified the chemical composition of P. incisa and discovered its antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-enzymatic activities. The results suggest that P. incisa is a significant source of medicinal compounds.
Article
Plant Sciences
Massimo Iorizzo, Angelo Sicilia, Elisabetta Nicolosi, Martino Forino, Luigi Picariello, Angela Roberta Lo Piero, Andrea Vitale, Eugenia Monaco, Filippo Ferlito, Mariantonietta Succi, Patrizio Tremonte, Angelita Gambuti, Clizia Villano, Antonello Bonfante, Riccardo Aversano, Raffaele Coppola
Summary: The study found that pedoclimatic conditions have a significant impact on the cultivation of grapes, affecting plant physiology, microbial quality, gene expression, and compound concentration. The Aglianico grape variety is more influenced by environmental conditions compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. These findings not only reinforce the concept of terroir, but also have implications for the future utilization of grape genetic resources.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Florinda Fratianni, Beatrice De Giulio, Antonio d'Acierno, Giuseppe Amato, Vincenzo De Feo, Raffaele Coppola, Filomena Nazzaro
Summary: Honey has beneficial effects on gut health and the immune system. Different types of honey have varying effects on the growth and adhesion of probiotics, as well as the inhibition of pathogenic biofilms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Amira Ayed, Flavio Polito, Hedi Mighri, Mouna Souihi, Lucia Caputo, Lamia Hamrouni, Ismail Amri, Filomena Nazzaro, Vincenzo De Feo, Ann M. Hirsch, Yassine Mabrouk
Summary: This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) derived from eight Eucalyptus species in Tunisia and investigate their potential antifungal and herbicidal activities. The results showed that all EOs exhibited significant antifungal activity against four phytopathogenic Fusarium strains. Among them, E. cladocalyx EO showed the highest level of antifungal activity and had the greatest inhibition of seed germination even at the lowest concentrations used.
