A long-acting C-natriuretic peptide for achondroplasia.

The C-natriuretic peptide (CNP) analog vosoritide has recently been approved for treatment of achondroplasia in children. However, the regimen requires daily subcutaneous injections in pediatric patients over multiple years. The present work sought to develop a long-acting CNP that would provide efficacy equal to or greater than that of vosoritide but require less frequent injections. We used a technology for half-life extension, whereby a drug is attached to tetra-polyethylene glycol hydrogels (tetra-PEG) by ß-eliminative linkers that cleave at predetermined rates. These hydrogels-fabricated as uniform ∼60-µm microspheres-are injected subcutaneously, where they serve as a stationary depot to slowly release the drug into the systemic circulation. We prepared a highly active, stable CNP analog-[Gln6,14]CNP-38-composed of the 38 C-terminal amino acids of human CNP-53 containing Asn to Gln substitutions to preclude degradative deamidation. Two microsphere [Gln6,14]CNP-38 conjugates were prepared, with release rates designed to allow once-weekly and once-monthly administration. After subcutaneous injection of the conjugates in mice, [Gln6,14]CNP-38 was slowly released into the systemic circulation and showed biphasic elimination pharmacokinetics with terminal half-lives of ∼200 and ∼600 h. Both preparations increased growth of mice comparable to or exceeding that produced by daily vosoritide. Simulations of the pharmacokinetics in humans indicated that plasma [Gln6,14]CNP-38 levels should be maintained within a therapeutic window over weekly, biweekly, and likely, monthly dosing intervals. Compared with vosoritide, which requires ∼30 injections per month, microsphere [Gln6,14]CNP-38 conjugates-especially the biweekly and monthly dosing-could provide an alternative that would be well accepted by physicians, patients, and patient caregivers.

Tuning protein half-life in mouse using sequence-defined biopolymers functionalized with lipids.

The use of biologics in the treatment of numerous diseases has increased steadily over the past decade due to their high specificities, low toxicity, and limited side effects. Despite this success, peptide- and protein-based drugs are limited by short half-lives and immunogenicity. To address these challenges, we use a genomically recoded organism to produce genetically encoded elastin-like polypeptide-protein fusions containing multiple instances of para-azidophenylalanine (pAzF). Precise lipidation of these pAzF residues generated a set of sequence-defined synthetic biopolymers with programmable binding affinity to albumin without ablating the activity of model fusion proteins, and with tunable blood serum half-lives spanning 5 to 94% of albumin's half-life in a mouse model. Our findings present a proof of concept for the use of genetically encoded bioorthogonal conjugation sites for multisite lipidation to tune protein stability in mouse serum. This work establishes a programmable approach to extend and tune the half-life of protein or peptide therapeutics and a technical foundation to produce functionalized biopolymers endowed with programmable chemical and biophysical properties with broad applications in medicine, materials science, and biotechnology.

A few good reasons to use nanobodies for cancer treatment.

mAbs have been instrumental for targeted cancer therapies. However, their relatively large size and physicochemical properties result in a heterogenous distribution in the tumor microenvironment, usually restricted to the first cell layers surrounding blood vessels, and a limited ability to penetrate the brain. Nanobodies are tenfold smaller, resulting in a deeper tumor penetration and the ability to reach cells in poorly perfused tumor areas. Nanobodies are rapidly cleared from the circulation, which generates a fast target-to-background contrast that is ideally suited for molecular imaging purposes but may be less optimal for therapy. To circumvent this problem, nanobodies have been formatted to noncovalently bind albumin, increasing their serum half-life without majorly increasing their size. Finally, nanobodies have shown superior qualities to infiltrate brain tumors as compared to mAbs. In this review, we discuss why these features make nanobodies prime candidates for targeted therapy of cancer.

A novel efficient multi-walled carbon nanotubes/gibberellic acid composite for enhancement vase life and quality of Rosa hybrida cv. 'Moonstone'.

The postharvest life of cut flowers is limited, which is a major challenge and varies greatly depending on plant varieties, cut flower stage, flower length of the harvested shoots, and storage conditions including postharvest treatments. As a result, improving the vase life and quality of cut flowers in regulating postharvest characteristics and overcoming these challenges is critical to the horticulture business. Novel engineered nanocomposites were created and tested for possible impacts on flower bud opening, postharvest life extension, longevity regulation, and preservation and enhancement of the strength and appearance of cut flowers. The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors. The first factor was two holding solutions (without or with sucrose at 20 gL-1). The second factor was 12 pulsing treatments for 24 h; distilled water as a control, 75 ppm GA3, multi-walled carbon nanotubes MWCNTs at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm, and MWCNTs (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm)/GA3 (75 ppm) composites; each treatment had 3 replicates, for a total of 72 experimental units. In the present study, gibberellic acid (GA3) was synthesized in functionalized (MWCNT/GA3 composites) as a novel antisenescence agent, and their effect on the vase life quality of cut rose flowers Rosa hybrida cv. 'Moonstone' was compared by assaying several parameters critical for vase life. The adsorption of GA3 on MWCNTs was proven by performing FTIR spectroscopy which ensures that the formation of the MWCNTs/GA3 composite preserves the nanostructure and was examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results revealed that sucrose in the holding solution showed a significant increase in fresh weight, flower diameter, and vase life by 10.5, 10.6, and 3.3% respectively. Applying sucrose with MWCNTs 20 ppm/GA3 75 ppm composites or MWCNTs 20 ppm alone, was critical for the significant increase in flower opening by 39.7 and 28.7%, and longevity by 34.4 and 23.2%, respectively, and significantly increased chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, anthocyanin, total phenolic content, and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity as compared to the control.

Progress and Challenge of Sensors for Dairy Food Safety Monitoring.

One of the most consumed foods is milk and milk products, and guaranteeing the suitability of these products is one of the major concerns in our society. This has led to the development of numerous sensors to enhance quality controls in the food chain. However, this is not a simple task, because it is necessary to establish the parameters to be analyzed and often, not only one compound is responsible for food contamination or degradation. To attempt to address this problem, a multiplex analysis together with a non-directed (e.g., general parameters such as pH) analysis are the most relevant alternatives to identifying the safety of dairy food. In recent years, the use of new technologies in the development of devices/platforms with optical or electrochemical signals has accelerated and intensified the pursuit of systems that provide a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and/or multiparametric response to the presence of contaminants, markers of various diseases, and/or indicators of safety levels. However, achieving the simultaneous determination of two or more analytes in situ, in a single measurement, and in real time, using only one working 'real sensor', remains one of the most daunting challenges, primarily due to the complexity of the sample matrix. To address these requirements, different approaches have been explored. The state of the art on food safety sensors will be summarized in this review including optical, electrochemical, and other sensor-based detection methods such as magnetoelastic or mass-based sensors.

Carvacrol Encapsulation in Chitosan-Carboxymethylcellulose-Alginate Nanocarriers for Postharvest Tomato Protection.

Advancements in polymer science and nanotechnology hold significant potential for addressing the increasing demands of food security, by enhancing the shelf life, barrier properties, and nutritional quality of harvested fruits and vegetables. In this context, biopolymer-based delivery systems present themselves as a promising strategy for encapsulating bioactive compounds, improving their absorption, stability, and functionality. This study provides an exploration of the synthesis, characterization, and postharvest protection applications of nanocarriers formed through the complexation of chitosan oligomers, carboxymethylcellulose, and alginate in a 2:2:1 molar ratio. This complexation process was facilitated by methacrylic anhydride and sodium tripolyphosphate as cross-linking agents. Characterization techniques employed include transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction. The resulting hollow nanospheres, characterized by a monodisperse distribution and a mean diameter of 114 nm, exhibited efficient encapsulation of carvacrol, with a loading capacity of approximately 20%. Their suitability for phytopathogen control was assessed in vitro against three phytopathogens-Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, and Colletotrichum coccodes-revealing minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 23.3 to 31.3 µg·mL-1. This indicates a higher activity compared to non-encapsulated conventional fungicides. In ex situ tests for tomato (cv. 'Daniela') protection, higher doses (50-100 µg·mL-1, depending on the pathogen) were necessary to achieve high protection. Nevertheless, these doses remained practical for real-world applicability. The advantages of safety, coupled with the potential for a multi-target mode of action, further enhance the appeal of these nanocarriers.

Development and evaluation of earth air heat exchanger cum evaporative cool system as an energy-efficient method for storage of tomatoes.

BACKGROUND: The lack of adequate on-farm storage facilities is one of the leading causes of enormous postharvest losses of fresh commodities, negatively affecting farmers' livelihoods and the sector's economic contribution. The aim of the current study was to develop and evaluate a solar-powered earth air heat exchanger cum evaporative cooling (EAHE-EC) system as an energy-efficient method for the storage of fresh produce for smallholders. RESULTS: The postharvest quality parameters of tomatoes stored under ambient storage (AS) and in an EAHE-EC system were assessed at regular time intervals during storage. These include weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, fruit firmness, color, pH, ascorbic acid, lycopene content, total phenolic acid, and antioxidant activity. The average temperature and relative humidity inside the EAHE-EC system varied from 20.59 to 22.61 °C and 82.60% to 89.43%, respectively, in comparison with AS (26.39-39.21 °C and 22.09-43.58%). Storage methods and time had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on tomato quality. Based on the retention of the overall quality until the end of the storage period, the shelf life of tomatoes was recorded as 21 days in the EAHE-EC system, which was 1.5 times more than AS (14 days). CONCLUSIONS: The extra shelf-life gained by tomatoes in the EAHE-EC system may provide a sufficient buffer period for smallholders for retailing and marketing. This suggests that the developed system can maintain postharvest quality and increase the shelf life of tomatoes. It therefore has potential as an energy-efficient system for the storage of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

In-package cold plasma treatment to extend the shelf life of food.

Conventional food preservation methods such as heat treatment, irradiation, chemical treatment, refrigeration, and coating have various disadvantages, like loss of food quality, nutrition, and cost-effectiveness. Accordingly, cold plasma is one of the new technologies for food processing and has played an important role in preventing food spoilage. Specifically, in-package cold plasma has become a modern trend to decontaminate, process, and package food simultaneously. This strategy has proven successful in processing various fresh food ingredients, including spinach, fruits, vegetables, and meat. In particular, cold plasma treatment within the package reduces the risk of post-processing contamination. Cryoplasm decontamination within packaging has been reported to reduce significantly the microbial load of many foods' spoilage-causing pathogens. However, studies are needed to focus more on the effects of in-package treatments on endogenous enzyme activity, pest control, and removal of toxic pesticide residues. In this review, we comprehensively evaluated the efficacy of in-package low-temperature plasma treatment to extend the shelf life of various foods. The mechanisms by which cold plasma interacts with food were investigated, emphasizing its effects on pathogen reduction, spoilage mitigation, and surface modification. The review also critically assessed the effects of the treatments on food quality, regulatory considerations, and their potential as viable technologies to improve food safety and packaging life. In-package cold plasma treatment could revolutionize food storage when combined with other sophisticated technologies such as nanotechnology.

Combined application of hot water treatment and eucalyptus leaf extract postpones senescence in harvested green chilies by conserving their antioxidants: a sustainable approach.

BACKGROUND: Green chili is the predominant vegetable in tropical and subtropical regions with high economic value. However, after harvest, it exhibits vigorous metabolic activities due to the high moisture level, leading to a reduction in bioactive compounds and hence reduced shelf life and nutritional quality. Low temperature storage results in the onset of chilling injury symptoms. Therefore, developing techniques to increase the shelf life of green chilies and safeguard their nutritional value has become a serious concern for researchers. In this regard, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of the alone or combined application of hot water treatment (HWT) (45 °C for 15 min) and eucalyptus leaf extract (ELE) (30%) on 'Golden Hot' chilies in comparison to the control. After treatment, chilies were stored at 20 ± 1.5 °C for 20 days. RESULTS: HWT + ELE-treated chilies had a significant reduction in fruit weight loss (14.6%), fungal decay index (35%), red chili percentage (41.2%), soluble solid content (42.9%), ripening index (48.9%), and reactive oxygen species production like H2O2 (55.1%) and O-2 (46.5%) during shelf in comparison to control, followed by the alone application of HWT and ELE. Furthermore, the combined use of HWT and ELE effectively improved the antioxidative properties of stored chilies including DPPH radical scavenging activities (54.6%), ascorbic acid content (28.4%), phenolic content (31.8%), as well as the enzyme activities of POD (103%), CAT (128%), SOD (26.5%), and APX (43.8%) in comparison to the control. Additionally, the green chilies underwent HWT + ELE treatment also exhibited higher chlorophyll levels (100%) and general appearance (79.6%) with reduced anthocyanin content (40.8%) and wrinkling (43%), leading to a higher marketable fruit (41.3%) than the control. CONCLUSION: The pre-storage application of HWT and ELE could be used as an antimicrobial, non-chemical, non-toxic, and eco-friendly treatment for preserving the postharvest quality of green chilies at ambient temperature (20 ± 1.5 °C).

Effective Prevention of Arterial Thrombosis with Albumin-Thrombin Inhibitor Conjugates.

Thromboprophylaxis is indicated in patients at an elevated risk of developing thrombotic disorders, typically using direct oral anticoagulants or low-molecular-weight heparins. We postulated that transient thromboprophylaxis (days-weeks) could be provided by a single dose of an anticoagulant engineered for prolonged pharmacokinetics. In the present work, d-phenylalanyl-l-prolyl-l-arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) was used as a model anticoagulant to test the hypothesis that conjugation of thrombin inhibitors to the surface of albumin would provide durable protection against thrombotic insults. Covalent conjugates were formed between albumin and PPACK using click chemistry, and they were tested in vitro using a thrombin activity assay and a clot formation assay. Thromboprophylactic efficacy was tested in mouse models of arterial thrombosis, both chemically induced (FeCl3) and following ischemia-reperfusion (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion; tMCAO). Albumin-PPACK conjugates were shown to have nanomolar potency in both in vitro assays, and following intravenous injection had prolonged circulation. Conjugates did not impact hemostasis (tail clipping) or systemic coagulation parameters in normal mice. Intravenous injection of conjugates prior to FeCl3-induced thrombosis provided significant protection against occlusion of the middle cerebral and common carotid arteries, and injection immediately following ischemia-reperfusion reduced stroke volume measured 3 days after injury by ∼40% in the tMCAO model. The data presented here provide support for the use of albumin-linked anticoagulants as an injectable, long-circulating, safe thromboprophylactic agent. In particular, albumin-PPACK provides significant protection against thrombosis induced by multiple mechanisms, without adversely affecting hemostasis.

Healthspan extension, completeness of life and justice.

Recent progress in geroscience holds the promise of significantly slowing down or even reversing ageing and age-related diseases, and thus increasing our healthspans. In this paper, I offer a novel argument in favour of developing such technology and making it unconditionally available to everyone. In particular, I argue that justice requires that each person be provided with sufficient opportunities to have a 'complete life', that many people currently lack such opportunities, and that we would substantially improve the status quo by giving them access to anti-ageing technology.

DSF Core: Integrated Decision Support for Optimal Scheduling of Lifetime Extension Strategies for Industrial Equipment.

This paper proposes a generic algorithm for industries with degrading and/or failing equipment with significant consequences. Based on the specifications and the real-time status of the production line, the algorithm provides decision support to machinery operators and manufacturers about the appropriate lifetime extension strategies to apply, the optimal time-frame for the implementation of each and the relevant machine components. The relevant recommendations of the algorithm are selected by comparing smartly chosen alternatives after simulation-based life cycle evaluation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), considering the short-term and long-term impact of decisions on these economic and environmental KPIs. This algorithm requires various inputs, some of which may be calculated by third-party algorithms, so it may be viewed as the ultimate algorithm of an overall Decision Support Framework (DSF). Thus, it is called "DSF Core". The algorithm was applied successfully to three heterogeneous industrial pilots. The results indicate that compared to the lightest possible corrective strategy application policy, following the optimal preventive strategy application policy proposed by this algorithm can reduce the KPI penalties due to stops (i.e., failures and strategies) and production inefficiency by 30-40%.

Extending the Shelf-Life of Immunoassay-Based Microfluidic Chips through Freeze-Drying Sublimation Techniques.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) platforms utilizing immunoassay-based microfluidic chips offer a robust and specific method for detecting target antibodies, demonstrating a wide range of applications in various medical and research settings. Despite their versatility and specificity, the adoption of these immunoassay chips in POCT has been limited by their short shelf-life in liquid environments, attributed to the degradation of immobilized antibodies. This technical limitation presents a barrier, particularly for resource-limited settings where long-term storage and functionality are critical. To address this challenge, we introduce a novel freeze-dry sublimation process aimed at extending the shelf-life of these microfluidic chips without compromising their functional integrity. This study elaborates on the mechanisms by which freeze-drying preserves the bioactivity of the immobilized antibodies, thereby maintaining the chip's performance over an extended period. Our findings reveal significant shelf-life extension, making it possible for these POCT platforms to be more widely adopted and practically applied, especially in settings with limited resources. This research paves the way for more accessible, long-lasting, and effective POCT solutions, breaking down previous barriers to adoption and application.

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Meta-Analysis of the Frequency of ACE I/D Polymorphisms in Centenarians and Other Long-Lived Individuals.

Current research on the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) gene has yielded controversial results on whether different ACE polymorphisms are linked with human longevity. ACE polymorphisms are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and age-onset diseases that may contribute to the mortality of older people. Our goal is to consolidate existing studies, using artificial intelligence-assisted software to come to a more precise understanding of the role of the ACE gene in human longevity. The I (insertion) and D (deletion) polymorphisms in the intron are correlated with the levels of circulating ACE; homozygous D (DD) is high, and homozygous I (II) is low. Here, we performed a detailed meta-analysis of the I and D polymorphisms using centenarians (100+ years old), long-lived subjects (85+ years old), and control groups. ACE genotype distribution was analyzed across a total of 2054 centenarians and 12,074 controls, as well as 1367 long-lived subjects between the ages of 85-99, using the inverse variance and random effects methods. The ACE DD genotype was found to be favored in centenarians (OR: 1.41 (95% CI: 1.19-1.67), p < 0.0001) with a heterogeneity of 32%, and the II genotype slightly favored the control groups (OR: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66-0.98), p = 0.03) with a heterogeneity of 28%, corroborating results from previous meta-analyses. Novel to our meta-analysis, the ID genotype was found to be favored in control groups (OR: 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97), p = 0.01) with a heterogeneity of 0%. The long-lived group showed a similar positive association between the DD genotype and longevity (OR: 1.34 (95% CI: 1.21-1.48), p < 0.0001) and a negative association between the II genotype and longevity (OR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.88), p < 0.0001). The long-lived ID genotype did not show significant findings (OR: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.84-1.02), p = 0.79). In conclusion, the results suggest a significant positive association of the DD genotype with human longevity. However, despite the previous study, the results do not confirm a positive association of the ID genotype with human longevity. We suggest a few important paradoxical implications: (1) inhibition of ACE can increase longevity in model systems from nematodes to mammals, seemingly opposite to the finding in humans; (2) exceptional longevity associated with homozygous DD is also associated with age-related diseases with higher mortality risks in homozygous DD. We discuss ACE, longevity, and age-related diseases.

Genetic Networks of Alzheimer's Disease, Aging, and Longevity in Humans.

Human genomic analysis and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genes that are risk factors for early and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD genes). Although the genetics of aging and longevity have been extensively studied, previous studies have focused on a specific set of genes that have been shown to contribute to or are a risk factor for AD. Thus, the connections among the genes involved in AD, aging, and longevity are not well understood. Here, we identified the genetic interaction networks (referred to as pathways) of aging and longevity within the context of AD by using a gene set enrichment analysis by Reactome that cross-references more than 100 bioinformatic databases to allow interpretation of the biological functions of gene sets through a wide variety of gene networks. We validated the pathways with a threshold of p-value < 1.00 × 10-5 using the databases to extract lists of 356 AD genes, 307 aging-related (AR) genes, and 357 longevity genes. There was a broad range of biological pathways involved in AR and longevity genes shared with AD genes. AR genes identified 261 pathways within the threshold of p < 1.00 × 10-5, of which 26 pathways (10% of AR gene pathways) were further identified by overlapping genes among AD and AR genes. The overlapped pathways included gene expression (p = 4.05 × 10-11) including ApoE, SOD2, TP53, and TGFB1 (p = 2.84 × 10-10); protein metabolism and SUMOylation, including E3 ligases and target proteins (p = 1.08 × 10-7); ERBB4 signal transduction (p = 2.69 × 10-6); the immune system, including IL-3 and IL-13 (p = 3.83 × 10-6); programmed cell death (p = 4.36 × 10-6); and platelet degranulation (p = 8.16 × 10-6), among others. Longevity genes identified 49 pathways within the threshold, of which 12 pathways (24% of longevity gene pathways) were further identified by overlapping genes among AD and longevity genes. They include the immune system, including IL-3 and IL-13 (p = 7.64 × 10-8), plasma lipoprotein assembly, remodeling and clearance (p < 4.02 × 10-6), and the metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins (p = 1.96 × 10-5). Thus, this study provides shared genetic hallmarks of aging, longevity, and AD backed up by statistical significance. We discuss the significant genes involved in these pathways, including TP53, FOXO, SUMOylation, IL4, IL6, APOE, and CEPT, and suggest that mapping the gene network pathways provide a useful basis for further medical research on AD and healthy aging.

Innovative processes in smart packaging. A systematic review.

Smart packaging provides one possible solution that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In comparison with traditional packaging, which aims to extend the product's useful life and to facilitate transport and marketing, smart packaging allows increased efficiency, for example by ensuring authenticity and traceability from the product's origin, preventing fraud and theft, and improving security. Consequently, it may help to reduce pollution, food losses, and waste associated with the food supply chain. However, some questions must be answered to fully understand the advantages and limitations of its use. What are the most suitable smart packaging technologies for use in agro-industrial subsectors such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, bakery, and pastry? What are the opportunities from a perspective of life extension, process optimization, traceability, product quality, and safety? What are the future challenges? An up-to-date, systematic review was conducted of literature relevant to the application of indicator technologies, sensors, and data carriers in smart packaging, to answer these questions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gamma irradiation delays tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ripening by inducing transcriptional changes.

BACKGROUND: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) has a relatively short shelf life as a result of rapid ripening, limiting its transportability and marketability. Recently, gamma irradiation has emerged as a viable method for delaying tomato fruit ripening. Although few studies have shown that gamma irradiation delays the ripening of tomatoes, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effects of gamma irradiation on tomato fruit ripening and the underlying mechanisms using transcriptomics. RESULTS: Following gamma irradiation, the total microbial count, weight loss, and decay rate of tomatoes significantly reduced during storage. Furthermore, the redness (a*), color change (∆E), and lycopene content of gamma-irradiated tomatoes decreased in a dose-dependent manner during storage. Moreover, gamma irradiation significantly upregulated the expression levels of genes associated with DNA, chloroplast, and oxidative damage repairs, whereas those of ethylene and auxin signaling-, ripening-, and cell wall metabolism-related, as well as carotenoid genes, were downregulated. CONCLUSION: Gamma irradiation effectively delayed ripening by downregulating the expression of ripening-related genes and inhibiting microbial growth, which prevented decay and prolonged the shelf life of tomatoes. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Khoa and khoa based traditional dairy products: preparation, spoilage and shelf life extension.

Khoa and khoa based products (burfi, peda, kalakand, milk cake, etc.) are a category of traditional dairy products of Indian subcontinent. They are prepared by open pan desiccation along with stirring and scraping of milk to the desired consistency, followed by addition of sugar and / or colour and flavoring ingredients. The peculiar sensory attributes developed during their course of preparation makes them unique, but their short shelf-life is a major challenge faced by the dairy industries. They are spoiled mainly because of yeast and mold growth along with detrimental changes in the sensory attributes. This review describes various preservation techniques explored in the last two decades such as packaging interventions, modified atmospheric and active packaging, chemical preservation, water activity modification, natural preservation, thermal treatments, bio-preservation, etc. which can be used either singly or in combination (hurdle technology), to enhance the shelf life of these milk products.

Nanoparticles of chitosan and oregano essential oil: application as edible coatings on chicken patties.

Abstract: The dense nutritional structure of meat predisposes it to microbial spoilage and oxidative changes. Thus, the present study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of the edible coating of nanoparticles of chitosan and oregano essential oil on the quality and shelf-life of chicken patties. Total four types of edible coatings were prepared, viz. T1:0.3% chitosan; T2:0.3% chitosan incorporated with 0.3% v/v oregano essential oil; T3:0.3% chitosan nanoparticles and T4: nanoparticles of 0.3% chitosan incorporated with 0.3% v/v oregano essential oil which were characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometry, particle size analysis and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). The chicken patties were dipped in developed edible coatings and evaluated for quality parameters at five days interval during refrigeration storage (4 ± 1 °C). The results indicated significantly (P < 0.05) improved physicochemical, microbiological, Hunter colour and sensory parameters in treatments than in control. Among the treatments, quality parameters were significantly enhanced in T4 than in other treatments. The results revealed that T3 and T4 had an improved shelf life of about 25 days while T1 and T2 had a shelf life of 15 and 20 days, respectively, but control spoiled on the 10th day of refrigeration storage. Graphical abstract: Edible coating of nanoparticles of chitosan alone (T3) as well as chitosan incorporated with incorporated with oregano essential (T4) oil were prepared and characterized by HR-TEM and UV-Vis Spectrophotometry. UV-Vis Spectrophotometry revealed that T3 and T4 had the absorption maximum of 209 nm and 276 nm, respectively. HR-TEM revealed that (T4) had a spherical shape, with average size ranging from 100 to 200 nm while (T3) had a smaller size ranging from 80 to 100 nm, with a rough surface having a dense structure. Upon coating of chicken patties with edible coatings, a significant improvement was observed in the quality and shelf-life of chicken patties than control during refrigeration storage (4±1 °C). Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05804-1.

Impact of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis on ethylene degradation kinetics and removal in mixed-fruit storage, and direct exposure to 'Fuji' apples during storage.

Accumulated ethylene in fruit storage/transportation causes rapid senescence resulting in reduced shelf-life and postharvest losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis modular reactor for fruit storage. The first experiment compared the effectiveness of VUV photolysis reactor with the standard fruit industry adsorbent (potassium permanganate, KMnO4) on the removal of ethylene from mixed-fruit loading of apples, banana, and pears stored at ambient temperature (16 °C) for 6 days. Second study evaluated the impact of direct VUV radiation on quality attributes of apples stored at 10 °C for 21 days. Results showed that ethylene produced in mixed-fruit loading storage significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 86.9% in the storage chamber connected to VUV modular reactor compared to 25.4% for storage under potassium permanganate. Direct exposure of apples to VUV radiation successfully reduced both ethylene and respiration rate but damaged the skin of the apples. Hue angle and lightness (L*) for apples exposed to VUV radiation declined significantly (p < 0.05) from 60.7 ± 1.09 to 33.5 ± 9.51 and 58.1 ± 3.60 to 50.4 ± 1.13, respectively. This study showed the potential of VUV photolysis as an innovative technique for removing ethylene from storage facility.