Titanium dioxide nanoparticles as multifunctional surface-active materials for smart/active nanocomposite packaging films.

Environmental issues such as plastic packaging and high demand for fresh and safe food has increased the interest for developing smart/active food packaging films with colloidal nanoparticles (NPs). Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) are cost effective and stable metal oxide NPs which could be used as a functional nano-filler for biodegradable food packaging due to their excellent biocompatibility, photo catalyzing, and antimicrobial properties. This article has comprehensively reviewed the functional properties and advantages of TNPs-containing smart/active films. The advantage of adding TNPs for ameliorating food packaging materials such as their physical, mechanical, moisture/light barrier, optical, thermal resistance, microstructure and chemical properties as well as, antibacterial, and photocatalytic properties are discussed. Also, the practical and migration properties of administrating TNPs in food packaging material are investigated. The ethylene decomposition activity of TNPs containing active films, could be used for increasing the shelf life of fruits/vegetables after harvesting. TNPs are safe with negligible migration rates which could be used for fabrication of multifunctional smart/active packaging films due to their antimicrobial properties and ethylene gas scavenging activities.

The effects of capsinoids and fermented red pepper paste supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effects of capsinoids and fermented red pepper paste (FRPP) supplementation on Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP). METHODS: Relevant studies, published up to May 2020, were searched through PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar. All randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of capsinoids and FRPP supplementation on blood pressure including SBP and DBP were included. RESULTS: Out of 335 citations, 7 trials that enrolled 363 subjects were included. Capsinoids and FRPP resulted in significant reduction in DBP (Weighted mean differences (WMD): -1.90 mmHg; 95% CI, -3.72 to -0.09, P = 0.04) but no significant change in SBP (WMD: 0.55 mmHg, 95% CI: -1.45, 2.55, P = 0.588). FRPP had a significant reduction in SBP. Greater effects on SBP were detected in trials, lasted ≥12 weeks, and sample size >50. Capsinoids with dosage ≤200 and FRPP with dosage of 11.9 g significantly decreased DBP. CONCLUSION: Overall, these data suggest that supplementation with FRPP may play a role in improving SBP and DBP but for capsinoids no effects detected in this analysis on SBP and DBP.