scholarly journals The Applications of Sensors and Biosensors in Investigating Drugs, Foods, and Nutraceuticals

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (15) ◽  
pp. 3395
Author(s):  
Luigi Campanella ◽  
Mauro Tomassetti

The present Special Issue is focused on developing and applying several sensors, biosensor devices, and actuators for the analysis of drugs, foods, and nutraceuticals. Some applications concern classical topics, such as clostridium determination in dairy products, flavouring material in foods like ethylvanillin, or the antioxidant properties of fruit juices, while other applications are more innovative, such as food safety analysis, artificial human senses (electronic nose, or tongue) development, or ethanol determination in pharmaceutical drugs, or forensic purposes using catalytic fuel cell; and lastly, new studies devoted to intelligent food packaging. Therefore, this Special Issue should interest both specialists in the sector and readers who are simply curious, or are simply interested in innovations in the field of food and drug analysis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-442
Author(s):  
W. Elsherif ◽  
D. Ali

Food safety is a worldwide health goal so foodborne diseases are a main health concern. A total 150 of dairy products samples (locally made yoghurt, ice cream and Talaga cheese) (50 for each type) were examined for E.coli O157:H7 detection and PCR confirmation using fliCH7 gene. E. coli O157:H7 was detected at 18%, 4%, 8% respectively, in samples. The isolates showed broad antibiotic resistance against vancomycin (84.6%), penicillin G (76.9%), cloxacillin (69.2%) and tetracycline (61.5%). Because of increasing number of microorganisms that are resistant to multiple antibiotics causing continuing economic losses in dairy manufacturing, there is an urgent need for development of alternative, cost-effective, and efficient antimicrobial agents to overcome antimicrobial resistance. Here, silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) solution was prepared, identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with an average size 26.5 nm and examined for bactericidal activity against E. coli O157:H7 by using well diffusion assay. The mean inhibition zones of 25 and 50 µg/ml concentrations of Ag-NPs were 15.0±1.2 and 20.9±1.4 mm, respectively. In addition, the statistical analysis showed highly significant differences in the bactericidal effect of different Ag-NPs concentrations on E. coli O157:H7 strains. Bacterial sensitivity to nanoparticles is a key factor in manufacture, so nanoparticles were considered suitable for long life application in food packaging and food safety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sridevi Vaadala ◽  
Naveen Ponneri ◽  
Venkat Shashank Karnam ◽  
Ramachandra Reddy Pamuru ◽  
Mohammed Arifullah

Background: Phytoestrogens are non-endocrine, non-steroidal secondary derivatives of plants and consumed through plant-based diet also named as “dietary estrogens”. The major sources of phytoestrogens are soy and soy-based foods, flax seed, chickpeas, green beans, dairy products, etc. The dietary inclusion of phytoestrogen based foods play a crucial role in the maintenance of metabolic syndrome cluster including obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, postmenopausal ailments and their complications. In recent days, phytoestrogens are the preferred molecules for hormone replacement therapy. On the other hand, they act as endocrine disruptors via estrogen receptor mediated pathways. These effects are not restricted to adult males or females and identified even in development. Objective: Since phytoestrogenic occurrence is high at daily meal for most people from all over the world, they focused to study for its beneficiary effects towards developing pharmaceutical drugs for treating various metabolic disorders by keeping an eye on endocrine disruption. Conclusion: The present review emphasizes the pros and cons of phytoestrogens on human health, which may help to direct the pharmaceutical industry to produce various phytoestrongen based drugs against various metabolic disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Lagouri ◽  
Georgia Dimitreli ◽  
Aikatarini Kouvatsi

Background: Oxidation reactions are known to shorten the shelf life and cause damage to foods rich in fat, such as dairy products. One way to limit oxidation and increase the shelf life of fermented dairy products is to use natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adding pomegranate extracts in the antioxidant properties, rheological characteristics and the storage stability of the fermented product of kefir. Methods: The Pomegranate Juice (PGJ) and Peel Extracts (PGPE) (5%, 10% w/v) were added to kefir and the antioxidant properties were evaluated by using the methods of radical scavenging activity (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Activity (FRAP). Spectrophotometric and instrumental methods were used to determine the Total Phenols (TPs), pH values, viscosity and flow behavioral index values of enriched with pomegranate kefir samples. The same properties were tested when kefir samples stored at 4°C for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Results: The addition of PGJ and PGPE results in an increase in the antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP) and total phenol content (TPs) of kefir samples. Increasing the concentration of the added PGJ and PGPE, results in an increase in the TP content and the DPPH activity of kefir. As far as the storage time is concerned, the results showed an increase in the amount of TP at 7th day and a reduction in the DPPH activity in the 14th day of storage. In contrary to the DPPH method, the increase in storage time has resulted in a reduction in antioxidant activity by the FRAP method. The addition of PGJ and PGPE in kefir results in a decrease in pH values while the pH of kefir samples increased during storage at 4°C for 28 days. The addition of PGJ and PGPE to kefir samples results to a decrease in viscosity and an increase in the flow behavior index. Increasing storage time results in increased flow behavior index of kefir samples. Conclusion: The addition of PGJ and PGPE increased the antioxidant activity and total phenols of the kefir product and preserved its properties during the total storage time of 28 days at 4°C.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Jawad Sarfraz ◽  
Tina Gulin-Sarfraz ◽  
Julie Nilsen-Nygaard ◽  
Marit Kvalvåg Pettersen

There is a strong drive in industry for packaging solutions that contribute to sustainable development by targeting a circular economy, which pivots around the recyclability of the packaging materials. The aim is to reduce traditional plastic consumption and achieve high recycling efficiency while maintaining the desired barrier and mechanical properties. In this domain, packaging materials in the form of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) can offer the desired functionalities and can be a potential replacement for complex multilayered polymer structures. There has been an increasing interest in nanocomposites for food packaging applications, with a five-fold rise in the number of published articles during the period 2010–2019. The barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties of the polymers can be significantly improved by incorporating low concentrations of nanofillers. Furthermore, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties can be introduced, which are very relevant for food packaging applications. In this review, we will present an overview of the nanocomposite materials for food packaging applications. We will briefly discuss different nanofillers, methods to incorporate them in the polymer matrix, and surface treatments, with a special focus on the barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. On the practical side migration issues, consumer acceptability, recyclability, and toxicity aspects will also be discussed.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3898
Author(s):  
Surakshi Wimangika Rajapaksha ◽  
Naoto Shimizu

Antioxidant polyphenols in black tea residue are an underused source of bioactive compounds. Microencapsulation can turn them into a valuable functional ingredient for different food applications. This study investigated the potential of using spent black tea extract (SBT) as an active ingredient in food packaging. Free or microencapsulated forms of SBT, using a pectin–sodium caseinate mixture as a wall material, were incorporated in a cassava starch matrix and films developed by casting. The effect of incorporating SBT at different polyphenol contents (0.17% and 0.34%) on the structural, physical, and antioxidant properties of the films, the migration of active compounds into different food simulants and their performance at preventing lipid oxidation were evaluated. The results showed that adding free SBT modified the film structure by forming hydrogen bonds with starch, creating a less elastic film with antioxidant activity (173 and 587 µg(GAE)/g film). Incorporating microencapsulated SBT improved the mechanical properties of active films and preserved their antioxidant activity (276 and 627 µg(GAE)/g film). Encapsulates significantly enhanced the release of antioxidant polyphenols into both aqueous and fatty food simulants. Both types of active film exhibited better barrier properties against UV light and water vapour than the control starch film and delayed lipid oxidation up to 35 d. This study revealed that starch film incorporating microencapsulated SBT can be used as a functional food packaging to protect fatty foods from oxidation.


Author(s):  
Kgomotso Lebelo ◽  
Ntsoaki Malebo ◽  
Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane ◽  
Muthoni Masinde

Historically, chemicals exceeding maximum allowable exposure levels have been disastrous to underdeveloped countries. The global food industry is primarily affected by toxic chemical substances because of natural and anthropogenic factors. Food safety is therefore threatened due to contamination by chemicals throughout the various stages of food production. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the form of pesticides and other chemical substances such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have a widely documented negative impact due to their long-lasting effect on the environment. This present review focuses on the chemical contamination pathways along the various stages of food production until the food reaches the consumer. The contamination of food can stem from various sources such as the agricultural sector and pollution from industrialized regions through the air, water, and soil. Therefore, it is imperative to control the application of chemicals during food packaging, the application of pesticides, and antibiotics in the food industry to prevent undesired residues on foodstuffs. Ultimately, the protection of consumers from food-related chemical toxicity depends on stringent efforts from regulatory authorities both in developed and underdeveloped nations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 550-553 ◽  
pp. 1915-1918
Author(s):  
Lin Lin Shang ◽  
Wei Feng

Safe food packaging is of great significance in solving food safety problem, which can ensure the quality of the food. At the same time protecting the environment should be taken into consideration, and therefore sound food packaging is not only safe to human health but also green to the environment. In this paper potential safety hazards in food packaging materials and how to develop green food packaging are discussed at length.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana A. Andrade ◽  
Cássia H. Barbosa ◽  
Victor G. L. Souza ◽  
Isabel M. Coelhoso ◽  
João Reboleira ◽  
...  

Algae and seaweeds are used in cookery since the beginnings of human civilization, particularly in several Asian cultures. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites produced by aquatic and terrestrial plants for their natural defense against external stimuli, which possess powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can be very important for the food industry. The main objective of this study was to develop a whey protein concentrate active coating, incorporated with a Fucus vesiculosus extract in order to delay the lipid oxidation of chicken breasts. Ten hydroethanolic extracts from F. vesiculosus were obtained and their antioxidant capacity was evaluated through two antioxidant activity assays: the DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching assay. The total content in phenolics compounds was also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The chosen extract was the one obtained from the freeze-dried F. vesiculosus using 75% (v/v) ethanol as extraction solvent. The extract was successfully incorporated into a whey protein film and successfully strengthened the thickness, tensile strength, and elastic modulus. The active film also was able to inhibit the chicken breasts lipid oxidation for 25 days of storage.


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