Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanling Fan, Jing Yang, Anbang Duan, Xiaojun Li
Summary: This study developed a novel edible composite film PAX, with optimized concentrations of pectin and sodium alginate. The experimental results showed that the PAX(O) film exhibited high performance in preserving fresh-cut potatoes compared to other tested combinations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Chantal T. Tracey, Anastasia Kryuchkova, Takshma K. Bhatt, Pavel Krivoshapkin, Elena F. Krivoshapkina
Summary: In order to reduce food waste, the use of biodegradable silk-based coatings and packaging with antimicrobial properties has been proposed to prolong the freshness of fruits and vegetables.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Nida Firdous, Farid Moradinezhad, Fatima Farooq, Maryam Dorostkar
Summary: With the growing world population, the demand for food is also increasing. However, many countries lack suitable and economical postharvest preservation techniques to minimize losses. To ensure food security, it is important to adopt innovative preservation techniques and ensure advanced production and distribution systems to meet the demand for fresh produce worldwide.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohd Ishfaq Bhat, Navin Chandra Shahi, Umesh Chand Lohani, Shivani Pathania, Sheeba Malik, Shikhangi Singh, Tawheed Amin
Summary: This research investigated the use of a bionanocomposite made of chitosan, CNC, and TiO2 nanoparticles to package freshly sliced apples. The study found that the bionanocomposite with 10% CNC and 3% TiO2 showed significant improvements in mechanical and thermal properties, as well as water sensitivity compared to neat chitosan film. The developed bionanocomposite also demonstrated effective photocatalytic degradation of ethylene and microbes, preserving the quality of fresh-cut apple slices for up to 11 days.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Longwei Jiang, Fenghui Wang, Xinyan Xie, Cancan Xie, Anqi Li, Ning Xia, Xue Gong, Huajiang Zhang
Summary: The aim of this study was to develop active packaging film for fresh-cut apple preservation using chitosan/guar gum film matrix and walnut green husk extract. The addition of walnut green husk extract improved the physicochemical properties of the film and enhanced its antioxidant activity. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the composite films were significantly enhanced by the addition of the extract, while the permeability of water vapor and oxygen was significantly reduced. The study also found that the addition of walnut green husk extract effectively preserved the freshness of the apple, reducing firmness and weight loss, and inhibiting browning and microbial growth of the apple slices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jia Tee Low, Noor Izyan Syazana Mohd Yusoff, Norhayani Othman, Tuck-Whye Wong, Mat Uzir Wahit
Summary: Plastic pollution is a significant concern due to waste from non-biodegradable and non-renewable synthetic materials. The importance of studying biopolymers as replacements for synthetic polymers in food packaging is increasing. Silk fibroin (SF) has gained attention for its biodegradability and low water vapor permeability.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Maria C. Giannakourou, Theofania N. Tsironi
Summary: This article discusses the increasing demand for fresh, nutritious, and convenient food among consumers, leading to a rise in sales of minimally processed fruit- and vegetable-based products. It also highlights the need for the food production sector to balance the provision of safe food with extended shelf life while meeting consumer demands for novel, nutritious, and affordable products. Additionally, it introduces the use of alternative soft hurdles during processing and packaging of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables to decrease food deterioration and spoilage.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xindi Zhang, Jia Kang, Hao Hu, Hongyue Wang, Zuncao Liu, Wei Zhou, Xiangrong Zhang
Summary: The current work aimed to formulate sodium alginate-silk fibroin-tannin films to preserve fresh-cut apples. Tannins were added to the films by casting method and their effects on the properties of the films were investigated. The sodium alginate-silk fibroin-tannin films exhibited improved mechanical properties, light barrier properties, water solubility, water vapor permeability, scavenging ability, and antibacterial activity compared to the sodium alginate-silk fibroin films.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Farah Naqash, F. A. Masoodi, Omeera Ayob, Sadaf Parvez
Summary: Pectin obtained from apple pomace was used to formulate edible coatings with cinnamon essential oil for protecting fresh-cut apples from quality deterioration. Pectin nanoemulsion was the most effective in preventing pathogen proliferation while maintaining texture and color parameters, showing promising results for preserving the quality of fresh-cut apples.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mansuri M. Tosif, Aarti Bains, Sanju Bala Dhull, Prince Chawla, Gulden Goksen
Summary: The use of a blended solution containing Aloe vera and carboxymethyl cellulose can prolong the shelf life of fresh-cut apples and provide antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sergio Nogales-Delgado
Summary: This study focuses on the action of PPO in minimally processed fruits and vegetables, emphasizing the importance of conservation techniques in inhibiting PPO activity. Besides traditional methods, further research is needed on new technologies such as irradiation and their impact on PPO.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Heyao Yu, Zhihong Lin, Michael S. Lin, Jack A. Neal, Sujata A. Sirsat
Summary: Previous studies have identified three factors that influence the safety of fresh-cut produce from farm to fork: post-harvest practices in processing facilities, employees' handling practices in retail facilities, and consumers' handling practices in domestic kitchens or cooking facilities. However, there is limited research on consumers' food safety knowledge, risk perceptions, and handling practices related to fresh-cut produce. To address this gap, a nationwide survey was conducted to assess U.S. consumers' knowledge, practices, and risk perception regarding fresh-cut produce, as well as to investigate factors influencing consumers' food safety practices. The results revealed that consumers lack knowledge and safe handling practices for storage, surface cleaning and sanitizing, and time and temperature control of fresh-cut produce. Male and millennial consumers exhibited lower levels of safe handling practices. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between food safety knowledge and risk perception, indicating that high levels of risk perception can facilitate the transfer of food safety knowledge into practice. These findings can inform the development of targeted consumer food safety education tools.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
P. Velasquez, G. Montenegro, L. M. Valenzuela, A. Giordano, G. Cabrera-Barjas, O. Martin-Belloso
Summary: This study reported for the first time the physical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of edible k-carrageenan films containing bee pollen and honey extracts, as well as their evaluation in vitro and on beef. The extracts significantly increased the physical properties and hydro-philicity of the films, as well as the antioxidant and antiradical activity. Nevertheless, the antibacterial activity was not affected by the addition of extracts.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Spoorthy Shenoy, Namrata Pathak, Adriana Molins, Antoniya Toncheva, Tim Schouw, Axel Hemberg, Fouad Laoutid, Pramod Mahajan
Summary: The study investigates the ethylene removal kinetics of different scavenging materials under various humidity conditions, finding that potassium permanganate-based scavengers are most effective at all humidity levels. Additionally, materials modified with titanium dioxide and palladium show high efficiency at low humidity levels but significant ethylene desorption at higher humidity levels.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marija Kostic, Branimir Bajac, Ljiljana Janjusevic, Jelena Bajac, Mirjana Antov
Summary: Edible coatings based on plant components, such as citrus pectin and oregano essential oil, were developed to create active packaging for fresh/fresh-cut fruits. These coatings exhibited homogeneous microstructures and varying porosity depending on the oil concentration. The addition of essential oil increased the hydrophobicity of the films and improved their antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the coated fruits showed inhibition against various bacterial and fungal strains, leading to better retention of freshness and color during storage.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Physics, Applied
Giulia Guidetti, Luciana d'Amone, Taehoon Kim, Giusy Matzeu, Laia Mogas-Soldevila, Bradley Napier, Nicholas Ostrovsky-Snider, Jeffery Roshko, Elisabetta Ruggeri, Fiorenzo G. Omenetto
Summary: Bombyx mori silk fibroin is a widely used material with unique properties that make it suitable for various applications in fields such as biomedical devices, optics, and electronics. This review discusses the significance and advantages of silk-based devices and provides a roadmap for future developments.
APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nicola Contessi Negrini, Claudio Ricci, Federica Bongiorni, Luisa Trombi, Delfo D'Alessandro, Serena Danti, Silvia Fare
Summary: Development of new therapeutics to treat osteosarcoma is important, and 3D in vitro models are gaining momentum as reproducible and biomimetic tools to study tumor progression and assess new treatments. A 3D printed polyurethane scaffold enriched by in vitro pre-generated bone extracellular matrix was designed to replicate an osteosarcoma model, using osteo-differentiated human mesenchymal stromal cells. This model provides a suitable microenvironment for osteosarcoma cells and can be useful in tumor biology studies and treatment development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Augustine T. Zvinavashe, Zeina Barghouti, Yunteng Cao, Hui Sun, Doyoon Kim, Muchun Liu, Eugene J. Lim, Benedetto Marelli
Summary: There is an urgent need to find new materials for use in the food, water, and agriculture industries that are biodegradable, have a sustainable life cycle, and are sourced at scale. In this study, the degradation of regenerated silk fibroin (SF) in different soil and water environments is investigated. The research shows that the degradation of SF is influenced by factors such as SF polymorphism, ionic strength, and the presence of microorganisms. It is found that microbial activity is a key driver for the degradation of silk and that the degradation rate can be controlled through material design and regulation of the interaction with environmental microorganisms.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunteng Cao, Sally Shuxian Koh, Yangyang Han, Javier Jingheng Tan, Doyoon Kim, Nam-Hai Chua, Daisuke Urano, Benedetto Marelli
Summary: New systems for agrochemical delivery in plants, such as silk-based microneedles, have been shown to effectively deliver bioactive molecules and stimulate growth and development in various crop species. These methods have the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices and provide valuable tools for plant science research.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yangyang Han, Song Wang, Yunteng Cao, Gajendra Pratap Singh, Suh In Loh, Raju Cheerlavancha, Mervin Chun-Yi Ang, Duc Thinh Khong, Patrina Wei Lin Chua, Peiying Ho, Michael S. Strano, Benedetto Marelli
Summary: To tackle the challenges in tropical AgriFood systems, we have designed biodegradable packaging materials that can detect spoilage and prevent mold growth. By integrating covalent organic frameworks with silk fibroin, we obtained biodegradable membranes with enhanced mechanical properties and immediate colorimetric response to spoilage. Additionally, loading antimicrobial hexanal into the frameworks reduced biotic spoilage and mold growth in soybeans by four orders of magnitude compared to cling film. This integration of sensing, reinforcement, and antimicrobial agent delivery defines climate-specific packaging materials that can reduce food waste and improve food safety.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yilin Zhang, Michael R. Martinez, Hui Sun, Mingkang Sun, Rongguan Yin, Jiajun Yan, Benedetto Marelli, Juan Pablo Giraldo, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Robert D. Tilton, Gregory V. Lowry
Summary: The understanding of how agrochemical nanocarrier properties affect their uptake and translocation in plants is incomplete. Our study found that anionic nanocarriers were transported at a higher rate than cationic nanocarriers in tomato, while only anionic nanocarriers were transported in wheat. These findings provide design parameters for efficient and targeted agrochemical delivery.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Noor Al-Jawuschi, Shiyi Chen, Nahal Abie, Thomas Fischer, Silvia Fare, Hajar Homa Maleki
Summary: In this study, a 3D aerogel-based composite scaffold with a dual-network structure was successfully fabricated for successive tumor therapy and tissue regeneration. The scaffold exhibited photothermal triggered controlled drug release and cancer cell ablation. Additionally, the scaffold showed excellent biodegradation properties, making it a potential implant for tissue regeneration.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Sun, Benedetto Marelli
Summary: Nanotubular structures made of silk proteins are fabricated using a template wetting approach with multiple silk-based suspensions. Precise control over the size, density, aspect ratio, and morphology of silk nanostructures allows for programmable modulation of the end materials' functions and properties. The silk nanotube arrays show great utility as antifouling coatings and in oil extraction from oil-water mixtures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yilin Zhang, Liye Fu, Michael R. Martinez, Hui Sun, Valeria Nava, Jiajun Yan, Kurt Ristroph, Saadyah E. Averick, Benedetto Marelli, Juan Pablo Giraldo, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Robert D. Tilton, Gregory V. Lowry
Summary: Anticipated increases in extreme temperatures can harm crops, but the use of high aspect ratio polymer bottlebrushes can mitigate these effects by delivering stress-regulating agents to plants. These bottlebrushes have shown efficient uptake in leaves and can release encapsulated agents under elevated temperatures, promoting photosynthesis and providing long-term heat stress protection. They can also move through the phloem to protect other plant organs and manage phloem pathogens, making this delivery platform a valuable tool for protecting plants against climate-induced damage.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hui Sun, Saurav Maji, Anantha P. Chandrakasan, Benedetto Marelli
Summary: Smallholder farmers and manufacturers in the Agri-Food sector face challenges due to the increasing circulation of counterfeit products. Current countermeasures are vulnerable and implemented mainly at the secondary packaging level. This study proposes a cryptographic protocol for seed authentication using biodegradable and miniaturized PUF tags made of silk microparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Hu, Federica Rigoldi, Hui Sun, Alfonso Gautieri, Benedetto Marelli
Summary: We used molecular dynamics simulations to find new tetrapeptide sequences with pH-tunable assembly properties by screening all possible histidine-bearing sequences. These tetrapeptides have potential applications in triggering the delivery of bioactive molecules.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Lorenzo Bonetti, Luigi De Nardo, Silvia Fare
Summary: This review explores the possible crosslinking approaches for methylcellulose hydrogels, elucidating each crosslinking method's role in modulating the hydrogels' properties. The methods include chemical crosslinking, crosslinking by high-energy radiation, and crosslinking via methylcellulose chemical modification, which can enhance the physical stability and mechanical performance of the hydrogels while preserving their thermo-responsive behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenyang Dang, Hua Wang, Yunteng Cao, Jing Shen, Jia Zhang, Letian Lv, Guiyin Xu, Meifang Zhu
Summary: The research team addressed the issue of salt accumulation in solar desalination systems by utilizing the easy assembly of microstructural units, proposing a solution for large-scale manufacturing of salt-resistant systems. The resulting system showed high energy efficiency and stability, offering a low-cost method for freshwater production.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Lorenzo Bonetti, Andrea Fiorati, Agnese D'Agostino, Carlo Maria Pelacani, Roberto Chiesa, Silvia Fare, Luigi De Nardo
Summary: This study introduces a novel MC-based hydrogel for the pH-triggered release of AgNPs in infected wounds. Physicochemical and rheological properties of MC hydrogels were optimized, defining the optimal conditions for crosslinking. MC/AgNPs nanocomposite hydrogels were obtained via an in situ synthesis process using MC as both a capping and reducing agent.
