1,721,029 research outputs found
Nanotechnology in the food industry
Full text linkNanotechnology has revolutionized the food sector by providing precious materials to be guaranteed food quality, safety, and management. It is used in all stages of food production. Nanotechnology enhances quality, avoids decay by microbial contamination, and can reveal food spoilage. The application of nanomaterials in food processing offered a choice for modifying foods based on the consumers’ nutritional needs and tastes. The nanozymes (nanomaterials engineered) are used to create biosensors that can detect heavy metals, mycotoxins, food contaminants, and adulterants with sensitivity, ability to recognize the target, and detection time better than immunological and chromatographic tests. The nanocomposites are used to extend the shelf life of fruit, prevent enzyme activities, and decrease the decay and browning of fruit. The nanoparticles inserted into biodegradable biopolymer-based films give good mechanical and barrier properties. Nanomaterials are employed in edible coatings to increase food preservation and packing performance. Using nanomaterials in the recycling units of food industries sustains valuable energy resources and decreases waste. Bio-nanomaterials are employed in active and intelligent packaging to avoid interactions between active molecules. The nanoparticles can have toxic effects and an environmental impact. Unfortunately, the detection of chronic exposure to these nanomaterials in food products is little studied. It should be intensified to assure food safety
Bio discarded from waste to resource
Full text linkThe modern linear agricultural production system allows the production of large quantities of food for an ever-growing population. However, it leads to large quantities of agricultural waste either being disposed of or treated for the purpose of reintroduction into the production chain with a new use. Various approaches in food waste management were explored to achieve social benefits and applications. The extraction of natural bioactive molecules (such as fibers and antioxidants) through innovative technologies represents a means of obtaining value-added products and an excellent measure to reduce the environmental impact. Cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries can use natural bioactive molecules as supplements and the food industry as feed and food additives. The bioactivities of phytochemicals contained in biowaste, their potential economic impact, and analytical procedures that allow their recovery are summarized in this study. Our results showed that although the recovery of bioactive molecules represents a sustainable means of achieving both waste reduction and resource utilization, further research is needed to optimize the valuable process for industrial-scale recovery
Detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in milk
Full text linkPlastic packaging, while offering significant societal and economic advantages, also contributes to global pollution and presents health hazards. Additives such as alkylphenols (APs) can disrupt endocrine functions even at minimal concentrations. Consequently, it is essential validate analytical methods for their measurement in food products. This study successfully validated a chromatographic technique for quantifying alkylphenols (specifically mono-ethoxylate, 4-n-octylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, 4-n-octylphenol, and 4-n-nonylphenol) in milk. The analytical approach employs solid-liquid extraction (SLE) to mitigate matrix effects, followed by reverse phase chromatography combined with a Diode Array Detector (DAD) for the quantification of alkylphenols. Validation was conducted using accuracy profiling, a straightforward decision-making tool that assesses the total error of the method, including both bias and standard deviation. The validation results indicated no interfering peaks at the retention times of the APs, a strong linear correlation between the independent variables in the regression model and the dependent variable (with linear regression coefficients approximately equal to 1), excellent precision across various concentration levels for both intra-day and inter-day measurements, and systematic and random errors falling within the predefined acceptable limits (± 10%). The method's minimal environmental impact and simplicity of execution recommend it for routine analytical applications
Olive tree cultivation waste recycling
No full textThe growing human population and urbanization led an increase in agricultural waste, whose management practices differ for developed and developing nations and for urban and rural areas. Decrease total waste by recycling of refuse, by extracting phytochemicals or organic molecules to use as functional material or energy carrier are some methods used to reduce the problem of their disposal. During the harvesting and fabrication process of olive fruits, twenty-five kilograms of twigs and leaves per tree and 30 million m3 of olive mill wastewater are produced annually in the Mediterranean area. The olive processing wastewater is not easily biodegradable and needs to be detoxified before it can properly be used in agricultural and other industrial processes. In this work phenolic content and antioxidant value of pomace oil, wastewater and olive tree leaves were evaluated to offer sanitary living conditions to decrease the amount of waste that arrives or exit from the society and encourage their reuse within the society. Moreover, the nutraceutical properties of an herbal tea, made from olive leaves, has been evaluated
Preliminary Investigations To Identify Seven Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Honeybee Samples
Full text linkNeonicotinoids (NEOs) are widely used pesticides aimed at controlling harmful insects but can pose significant risks to human health, including potential links to cancer, infertility, and congenital disabilities. Consequently, monitoring NEO residues in food is critical to safeguard public health and support ecological stability. This study presents a newly developed and validated method to measure residues of clothianidin, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, and thiacloprid in honeybee samples. The method uses a STRATA XPRO (Solid-Phase Extraction) prepacked column for efficient removal of interferents and concentration of NEOs. Quantification was conducted with a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system equipped with a Kinetex C18 column and a Diode Array Detector (DAD). This approach, leveraging STRATA XPRO cartridges, enabled faster processing and delivered high recovery rates. To validate the method, we applied the accuracy profile strategy endorsed by the Commission of the Société Française des Sciences et Techniques Pharmaceutiques (SFSTP) to assess the entire analytical procedure. Results demonstrated recoveries between 70% and 110%, a strong linear correlation between observed and predicted values (R2 = 0.999), a quantification limit exceeding the target NEO concentrations, accuracy below 10% (complying with European Commission standards), and over 95% of results falling within ±15% of the acceptance limits. The method's low cost, speed, and operational simplicity support its use for routine analysis
Weight Loss Supplements
Full text link: Being overweight or obese can predispose people to chronic diseases and metabolic
disorders such as cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer, which are costly
public health problems and leading causes of mortality worldwide. Many people hope to solve this
problem by using food supplements, as they can be self-prescribed, contain molecules of natural
origin considered to be incapable of causing damage to health, and the only sacrifice they require is
economic. The market offers supplements containing food plant-derived molecules (e.g., primary and
secondary metabolites, vitamins, and fibers), microbes (probiotics), and microbial-derived fractions
(postbiotics). They can control lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, reduce appetite (interacting with
the central nervous system) and adipogenesis, influence intestinal microbiota activity, and increase
energy expenditure. Unfortunately, the copious choice of products and different legislation on food
supplements worldwide can confuse consumers. This review summarizes the activity and toxicity of
dietary supplements for weight control to clarify their potentiality and adverse reactions. A lack of
research regarding commercially available supplements has been noted. Supplements containing
postbiotic moieties are of particular interest. They are easier to store and transport and are safe even
for people with a deficient immune system
Upper crustal structure of the Larderello geothermal field as a feature of post-collisional extensional tectonics (Southern Tuscany, Italy)
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