Sericin mediated gold/silver bimetallic nanoparticles and exploration of its multi-therapeutic efficiency and photocatalytic degradation potential.

The current investigation aimed at bimetallic gold-silver nanoparticles (Au/Ag NPs), here called BM-GS NPs, synthesis using sericin protein as the reducing agent in an easy, cost-effective, and sustainable way. The obtained BM-GS NPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta potential, X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Thermogravimetric analysis followed by evaluation of its multitherapeutic and photocatalytic degradation potentials. The TEM analysis revealed its spherical nature and the EDS result displayed the presence of both Ag and Au elements, confirming the synthesis of BM-GS NPs. The XRD pattern verified the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles (NPs). The DLS analysis showed an average size of 86.08 d nm and the zeta potential showed a highly negative value (-26.3 mV) which specifies that the generated bimetallic NPs are stable. The BM-GS NPs exhibited positive wound healing potential (with 63.38% of wound closure rate at 25 µg/ml, as compared to 54.42% by the untreated control) with very negligible toxicity effect on the cell viability of the normal keratinocyte cells. It also demonstrated promising antioxidant properties with 65.00%, 69.23%, and 63.03% activity at 100 µg/ml concentration for ABTS (2, 2-azinobis) (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), DPPH (1, 1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and SOD (superoxide dismutase enzyme) assays respectively, antidiabetic potential (with a significantly high α-glucosidase inhibition potential of 99.69% at 10µg/ml concentration and 62.11% of α-amylase enzyme inhibition at 100 µg/ml concentration) and moderate tyrosinase inhibitory potential (with 17.09% at 100 µg/ml concentration). Besides, it displayed reasonable antibacterial potential with the diameter of zone of inhibition ranging between 10.89 and 12.39 mm. Further, its antibacterial mode of action reveals that its effects could be due to being very smaller, the NPs could have penetrated inside the cellular membrane thereby causing rupture and damage to the interior materials leading to cellular lysis. The photocatalytic evaluation showed that synthesized BM-GS NPs have the efficiency of degrading methylene blue dye by 34.70% within 3 h of treatment. The above findings revealed the multi-therapeutic efficacy of the sericin globular protein-mediated BM-GS NPs and its potential future applications in the cosmetics and food sector and environmental contamination management industries.

Silk Sericin Protein Materials: Characteristics and Applications in Food-Sector Industries.

There is growing concern about the use of plastic in packaging for food materials, as this results in increased plastic waste materials in the environment. To counter this, alternative sources of packaging materials that are natural and based on eco-friendly materials and proteins have been widely investigated for their potential application in food packaging and other industries of the food sector. Sericin, a silk protein that is usually discarded in large quantities by the sericulture and textile industries during the degumming process of manufacturing silk from silk cocoons, can be explored for its application in food packaging and in other food sectors as a functional food and component of food items. Hence, its repurposing can result in reduced economic costs and environmental waste. Sericin extracted from silk cocoon possesses several useful amino acids, such as aspartic acid, glycine, and serine. Likewise, sericin is strongly hydrophilic, a property that confers effective biological and biocompatible characteristics, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-tyrosinase properties. When used in combination with other biomaterials, sericin has proved to be effective in the manufacture of films or coating or packaging materials. In this review, the characteristics of sericin materials and their potential application in food-sector industries are discussed in detail.

Determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels from various smoking cessation aids by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methodology.

An analytical method was validated and developed to determine the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, and styrene from smoking cessation aids using by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventeen non-ignitable cigarette type of smoking cessation aids, liquid-phase of smoking cessation aids, gas-phase of smoking cessation aids, and ignitable cigarette type of smoking cessation aids were analyzed for levels of six VOCs. The proposed method for six VOCs was validated in satisfactory linearity (R2 > 0.99), recovery (80.38-119.14%). limit of detection (LOD) (0.05-0.19 µg/ml), limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.07-0.18 µg/ml), accuracy (80.47-117.28%), and precision (0.15-7.22%). The mean concentrations of six VOCs were generated in 1,3-butadiene (6.18 µg/cigarette), isoprene (0.34 µg/cigarette), acrylonitrile (0.003 µg/cigarette), benzene (ND = not detected, the lower limit of detection), toluene (0.27 µg/cigarette), styrene (0.13 µg/cigarette). Results showed low levels of VOCs from smoking cessation aid except from liquid-phase of smoking cessation aids. These results are necessary to investigate unintentional hazardous substances generated from smoking cessation aids, and develop accurate analytical method in order to obtain scientific basis for safety management.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoking cessation aids by using high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method has been developed and validated for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the electronic liquid/gas (e-liquid/e-gas) of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and ignitable/non-ignitable smokeless cigarettes by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. The proposed method was further applied to detect the presence of PAHs in 16 commercially available smoking cessation aids. The analytical method for benz [a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo [b]fluoranthene, benzo [k]fluoranthene, benzo [a]pyrene, dibenz [a,h]anthracene, and benzo [g,h,i]perylene (BghiP) was validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery (%), accuracy (%), and precision (%). Results showed low levels of PAHs in all samples, except for the non-ignitable cigarettes. In particular, BghiP was detected in e-liquid even though a mixture of food-grade propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin was used, and at least one PAH was present in the e-gas of all e-cigarettes, except for one. From these results, it is necessary to prepare an accurate quantitative analysis method and investigate unexpected hazardous materials generated from smoking cessation aids to prevent health problems and provide the scientific basis for safety management.

Sericin based nanoformulations: a comprehensive review on molecular mechanisms of interaction with organisms to biological applications.

BACKGROUND: The advances in products based on nanotechnology have directed extensive research on low-cost, biologically compatible, and easily degradable materials. MAIN BODY: Sericin (SER) is a protein mainly composed of glycine, serine, aspartic acid, and threonine amino acids removed from the silkworm cocoon (particularly Bombyx mori and other species). SER is a biocompatible material with economic viability, which can be easily functionalized due to its potential crosslink reactions. Also, SER has inherent biological properties, which makes possible its use as a component of pharmaceutical formulations with several biomedical applications, such as anti-tumor, antimicrobials, antioxidants and as scaffolds for tissue repair as well as participating in molecular mechanisms attributed to the regulation of transcription factors, reduction of inflammatory signaling molecules, stimulation of apoptosis, migration, and proliferation of mesenchymal cells. CONCLUSION: In this review, the recent innovations on SER-based nano-medicines (nanoparticles, micelles, films, hydrogels, and their hybrid systems) and their contributions for non-conventional therapies are discussed considering different molecular mechanisms for promoting their therapeutic applications.

Korean traditional foods as antiviral and respiratory disease prevention and treatments: A detailed review.

BACKGROUND: Korean traditional food (KTF), originated from ancestral agriculture and the nomadic traditions of the Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria, is based on healthy food that balances disease prevention and treatment. Fermented foods that include grains, herbs, fruits, and mushrooms are also an important practice in KTF, providing high levels of Lactobacilli, which confer relevant health benefits, including antiviral properties. Some of these probiotics may also protect against the Influenza virus through the modulation of innate immunity. SCOPE AND APPROACH: The emerging of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to other diseases of viral origin, and the problems associated with other respiratory disorders, highlight how essential is a healthy eating pattern to strengthen our immune system.Key Findings and Conclusions: The present review covers the information available on edible plants, herbs, mushrooms, and preparations used in KTF to outline their multiple medicinal effects (e.g., antidiabetic, chemopreventive, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial), emphasizing their role and effects on the immune system with an emphasis on modulating properties of the gut microbiota that further support strong respiratory immunity. Potential functional foods commonly used in Korean cuisine such as Kimchi (a mixture of fermented vegetables), Meju, Doenjang, Jeotgal, and Mekgeolli and fermented sauces, among others, are highlighted for their great potential to improve gut-lung immunity. The traditional Korean diet and dietary mechanisms that may target viruses ACE-2 receptors or affect any step of a virus infection pathway that can determine a patient's prognosis are also highlighted. The regular oral intake of bioactive ingredients used in Korean foods can offer protection for some viral diseases, through protective and immunomodulatory effects, as evidenced in pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Cactus: Chemical, nutraceutical composition and potential bio-pharmacological properties.

Cactus species are plants that grow in the arid and semiarid regions of the world. They have long fascinated the attention of the scientific community due to their unusual biology. Cactus species are used for a variety of purposes, such as food, fodder, ornamental, and as medicinal plants. In the last regard, they have been used in traditional medicine for eras by the ancient people to cure several diseases. Recent scientific investigations suggest that cactus materials may be used as a source of naturally-occurring products, such as mucilage, fiber, pigments, and antioxidants. For this reason, numerous species under this family are becoming endangered and extinct. This review provides an overview of the habitat, classification, phytochemistry, chemical constituents, extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds, nutritional and pharmacological potential with pre-clinical and clinical studies of different Cactus species. Furthermore, conservation strategies for the ornamental and endangered species have also been discussed.

Molecular Docking Studies and Biological Evaluation of Berberine-Benzothiazole Derivatives as an Anti-Influenza Agent via Blocking of Neuraminidase.

In this study, we have introduced newly synthesized substituted benzothiazole based berberine derivatives that have been analyzed for their in vitro and in silico biological properties. The activity towards various kinds of influenza virus strains by employing the cytopathic effect (CPE) and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Several berberine-benzothiazole derivatives (BBDs), such as BBD1, BBD3, BBD4, BBD5, BBD7, and BBD11, demonstrated interesting anti-influenza virus activity on influenza A viruses (A/PR/8/34, A/Vic/3/75) and influenza B viral (B/Lee/40, and B/Maryland/1/59) strain, respectively. Furthermore, by testing neuraminidase activity (NA) with the neuraminidase assay kit, it was identified that BBD7 has potent neuraminidase activity. The molecular docking analysis further suggests that the BBD1-BBD14 compounds' antiviral activity may be because of interaction with residues of NA, and the same as in oseltamivir.

Analytical methods for determination of carbonyl compounds and nicotine in electronic No-Smoking aid refill solutions.

The present investigation aimed to develop analytical methods to determine carbonyl compounds and nicotine and to assess the carbonyl compounds and nicotine concentrations in commercial refill solutions for electronic no-smoking aids (ENSAs). The analytical methods for carbonyl compounds and nicotine in refill solutions for ENSAs were developed and analyzed from 30 popular branded products by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. They were then validated in terms of linearity of the calibration curve, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy (%), and precision (%). Further, the existence of carbonyl compounds and nicotine in the refill solutions for ENSAs was also evaluated. None of the samples contained nicotine, but carbonyl compounds were sensed in a concentration range from 0.9 to 11.65 µg/mL. Manufacturers of ENSA refill solutions have advertised no-smoking aids as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes and as free from harmful substances. However, carbonyl compounds were detected in all 30 samples. The investigation of ENSA refill solutions needs to be broadened to gain a better accepting of the existence of harmful materials in ENSA refill solutions and prevent unsuspected ill-health effects.

Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance.

Medicinal herbs are one of the imperative sources of drugs all over the world. Star anise (Illicium verum), an evergreen, medium-sized tree with star-shaped fruit, is an important herb with wide distribution throughout southwestern parts of the Asian continent. Besides its use as spice in culinary, star anise is one of the vital ingredients of the Chinese medicinal herbs and is widely known for its antiviral effects. It is also the source of the precursor molecule, shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), an antiviral medication for influenza A and influenza B. Besides, several other molecules with numerous biological benefits including the antiviral effects have been reported from the same plant. Except the antiviral potential, star anise possesses a number of other potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, secretolytic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, sedative properties, expectorant and spasmolytic, and estrogenic effects. This review aimed to integrate the information on the customary attributes of the plant star anise with a specific prominence on its antiviral properties and the phytochemical constituents along with its clinical aptness.

Anti-Melanogenesis Activity of 6-O-Isobutyrylbritannilactone from Inula britannica on B16F10 Melanocytes and In Vivo Zebrafish Models.

A potential natural melanogenesis inhibitor was discovered in the form of a sesquiterpene isolated from the flowers of Inula britannica, specifically 6-O-isobutyrylbritannilactone (IBL). We evaluated the antimelanogenesis effects of IBL on B16F10 melanocytes and zebrafish embryos. As a result, we found that 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanin production was reduced in a dose-dependent manner in B16F10 cells by IBL. We also analyzed B16F10 cells that were and were not treated with IBMX, investigating the melanin concentration, tyrosinase activity, mRNA levels. We also studied the protein expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related proteins (TRP1, and TRP2). Furthermore, we found that melanin synthesis and tyrosinase expression were also inhibited by IBL through the modulation of the following signaling pathways: ERK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT, and CREB. In addition, we studied antimelanogenic activity using zebrafish embryos and found that the embryos had significantly reduced pigmentation in the IBL-treated specimens compared to the untreated controls.

Phenylsulfonyl piperazine bridged [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromenones as promising antiproliferative and antioxidant agents.

Two series of sulfonylpiperazines linked [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromenones were synthesized featuring phenyl (7a-k) and chalcone (12a-k) bridge representing flavones or homoisoflavonoids core. New molecules are synthesized utilizing aldol condensation to inspect as antioxidants against DPPH and ABTS+ and antiproliferative agents toward selected human cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity of new compounds was confirmed using SRB assay against non-cancer MDCK cell line. The results concluded that both individual structures of 7 and 12 were vital for modulating pharmacological potencies and presence of different electron withdrawing and electron donating functional group(s) on the phenylsulfonyl entity yielded varied biological effects. Substituent h (OCF3) and j, k (OCH3) were found to play a crucial role scavenging DPPH and ABTS+ as well as inhibiting cancer cell lines SK-OV-3 and HT-29. Moreover, molecules bearing halogen atom(s) such as substituent b-g expressed excellent inhibitory potential against HeLa and A-549 cancerous cell lines. Bioassay data displayed some interesting structure-activity relationships which are discussed in this paper. The results justified that tested derivatives are promising antioxidants and cytotoxic agents and warrant further structural optimization and bioassay studies. Spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis (CHN) were carried out to confirm the final structures.

Sulfonylpiperazines based on a flavone as antioxidant and cytotoxic agents.

Chrysin-based sulfonylpiperazines 7a-k were synthesized and investigated for their in vitro free radical scavenging potential as well as cytotoxic efficacies against selected cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity of the new compounds toward noncancer cells was confirmed using the SRB assay against Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells. Reaction of piperazine with different substituted benzenesulfonyl chlorides in triethylamine furnished sulfonylpiperazines (3a-k), which were then allowed to react with 7-(4-bromobutoxy)-5-hydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (6) prepared reacting chrysin with 1,4-dibromobutane to give the final derivatives 7a-k. The results concluded that chrysin-sulfonylpiperazines exerted better antioxidant and anticancer efficacies than previously studied chrysin-piperazine precursors. For example, compounds 7h, 7j, and 7k with 4-OCF3 , 4-OCH3 , and 2,4-diOCH3 groups exhibited the best antioxidant potential against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals. Moreover, halogenated analogues (7b, 7c, 7g, and 7h) demonstrated promising anticancer potential against SK-OV3, HeLa, and HT-29 cell lines, whereas those bearing a methoxy functional group (7j and 7k) had beneficial effects against the cell lines A-549 and HT-29. Thus, it can be confirmed from the bioassay results that the overall structural design as well as proper substitution is crucial to deliver the anticipated biological effects. Spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, mass and elemental analysis (CHN) were carried out to confirm the final structures.

Nano based drug delivery systems: recent developments and future prospects.

Nanomedicine and nano delivery systems are a relatively new but rapidly developing science where materials in the nanoscale range are employed to serve as means of diagnostic tools or to deliver therapeutic agents to specific targeted sites in a controlled manner. Nanotechnology offers multiple benefits in treating chronic human diseases by site-specific, and target-oriented delivery of precise medicines. Recently, there are a number of outstanding applications of the nanomedicine (chemotherapeutic agents, biological agents, immunotherapeutic agents etc.) in the treatment of various diseases. The current review, presents an updated summary of recent advances in the field of nanomedicines and nano based drug delivery systems through comprehensive scrutiny of the discovery and application of nanomaterials in improving both the efficacy of novel and old drugs (e.g., natural products) and selective diagnosis through disease marker molecules. The opportunities and challenges of nanomedicines in drug delivery from synthetic/natural sources to their clinical applications are also discussed. In addition, we have included information regarding the trends and perspectives in nanomedicine area.

Study on formation of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from different roasting condition in coffee.

Nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are organic, carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds that originate from the reaction of PAHs with NOx and OH radicals. In this study, an analytical method was developed, for the determination of seven nitro-PAHs and the method was applied to quantify the nitro-PAHs, in coffee model systems, prepared with coffee beans produced from three distinct locations and under various roasting conditions. Also, experiments were performed to study the effect of adding various amino acids on the formation of nitro-PAHs. The free radicals produced, were quantified by electron spin resonance (ESR), to assess their correlation with the formed nitro-PAHs. After extraction and cleanup, the nitro-PAHs in coffee were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass selective detection. In all heated coffee model systems, the addition of the amino acids, significantly increased the nitro-PAHs compared to the control. The ESR results were consistent with previous outcomes on the formation of nitro-PAHs.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content and risk assessment from edible oils in Korea.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content and a risk assessment from consumption of Korean edible oils were investigated. Liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy were used to measure eight PAH in edible oils commonly consumed in Korea. The total average PAH concentration was 0.548 µg/kg from edible oils and the content of the 8 PAH was lower than 2 µg/kg, which is the maximum tolerable limit reported by the commission regulation. The contents of the eight PAH were converted to exposure assessment and risk characterization values. Dietary exposure to PAH from edible oils was 0.025 ng-TEQBaP/kg/d, and margin of exposure (MOE) was 4 × 10(6), which represents negligible concern. Although PAH were detected from edible oils in Korea, their contribution to human exposure to PAH is considered not significant.

Potential application of benzo(a)pyrene-associated adducts (globin or lipid) as blood biomarkers for target organ exposure and human risk assessment.

In order to investigate the potential application of blood biomarkers as surrogate indicators of carcinogen-adduct formation in target-specific tissues, temporal formation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-associated DNA adducts, protein adducts, or lipid damage in target tissues such as lung, liver, and kidney was compared with globin adduct formation or plasma lipid damage in blood after continuous intraperitoneal (ip) injection of [(3)H]BaP into female ICR mice for 7 d. Following treatment with [(3)H]BaP, formation of [(3)H]BaP-DNA or -protein adducts in lung, liver, and kidney increased linearly, and persisted thereafter. This finding was similar to the observed effects on globin adduct formation and plasma lipid damage in blood. The lungs contained a higher level of DNA adducts than liver or kidneys during the treatment period. Further, the rate of cumulative adduct formation in lung was markedly greater than that in liver. Treatment with a single dose of [(3)H]BaP indicated that BaP-globin adduct formation and BaP-lipid damage in blood reached a peak 48 h after treatment. Overall, globin adduct formation and lipid damage in blood were significantly correlated with DNA adduct formation in the target tissues. These data suggest that peripheral blood biomarkers, such as BaP-globin adduct formation or BaP-lipid damage, may be useful for prediction of target tissue-specific DNA adduct formation, and for risk assessment after exposure.

Risk assessment of volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in consumer products.

Exposure and risk assessment was performed by evaluating levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in 207 consumer products. The products were categorized into 30 different items, consisting of products of different brands. Samples were analyzed for BTEX by headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (headspace-GC/MS) with limit of detection (LOD) of 1 ppm. BTEX were detected in 59 consumer products from 18 item types. Benzene was detected in whiteout (ranging from not detected [ND] to 3170 ppm), glue (1486 ppm), oil-based ballpoint pens (47 ppm), and permanent (marking) pens (2 ppm). Toluene was detected in a leather cleaning product (6071 ppm), glue (5078 ppm), whiteout (1130 ppm), self-adhesive wallpaper (15-1012 ppm), shoe polish (806 ppm), permanent pen (609 ppm), wig adhesive (372 ppm), tapes (2-360 ppm), oil-based ballpoint pen (201 ppm), duplex wallpaper (12-52 ppm), shoes (27 ppm), and air freshener (13 ppm). High levels of ethylbenzene were detected in permanent pen (ND-345,065 ppm), shoe polish (ND-277,928 ppm), leather cleaner (42,223 ppm), whiteout (ND-2,770 ppm), and glue (ND-792 ppm). Xylene was detected in permanent pen (ND-285,132 ppm), shoe polish (ND-87,298 ppm), leather cleaner (12,266 ppm), glue (ND-3,124 ppm), and whiteout (ND-1,400 ppm). Exposure assessment showed that the exposure to ethylbenzene from permanent pens ranged from 0 to 3.11 mg/kg/d (men) and 0 to 3.75 mg/kg/d (women), while for xylene, the exposure ranges were 0-2.57 mg/kg/d and 0-3.1 mg/kg/d in men and women, respectively. The exposure of women to benzene from whiteout ranged from 0 to 0.00059 mg/kg/d. Hazard index (HI), defined as a ratio of exposure to reference dose (RfD), for ethylbenzene was 31.1 (3.11 mg/kg/d/0.1 mg/kg/d) and for xylene (2.57 mg/kg/d/0.2 mg/kg/d) was 12.85, exceeding 1 for both compounds. Cancer risk for benzene was calculated to be 3.2 × 10(-5) based on (0.00059 mg/kg/d × 0.055 mg/kg-d(-1), cancer potency factor), assuming that 100% of detected levels in some products such as permanent pens and whiteouts were exposed in a worst-case scenario. These data suggest that exposure to VOC via some consumer products exceeded the safe limits and needs to be reduced.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy as a rapid and non-destructive analysis tool for curcuminoids in turmeric.

INTRODUCTION: Turmeric has been widely used in curry powders as the main spice. Conventional chemical analysis such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) may take several hours to extract curcuminoids and prepare samples in many turmeric processing industries. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate curcuminoids in turmeric powder using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). METHODS: All spectral acquisition ranged from 1100 to 2500 nm and a chemometrics analysis using partial least-squares (PLS) regression was performed to quantify the contents of individual curcuminoids. The HPLC was carried out (n = 129) to develop a PLS model based on the reference values. RESULTS: High correlation coefficient (R(2) > 0.93) and low standard error of cross-validation (SECV < 0.20 g/100 g) and standard error of prediction (SEP < 0.13 g/100 g) values were obtained for precision and accuracy. In addition, the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD > 2.65) values was also calculated. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that NIRS could be utilised as a control procedure or as an alternative rapid and effective quantification method.

Evaluation of Methylene Blue Migration from Time-Temperature Indicators Using LC-MS/MS.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and validate methylene blue migration from printed time-temperature indicators (TTIs) into food. It also highlights the importance of establishing regulatory measures and safety standards for food packaging, suggesting that this can contribute to improving food packaging safety. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify methylene blue migration in various food simulant and food matrix samples. The results show that the level of methylene blue migration varies significantly depending on the chemical properties of the food mimetic and the composition of the food matrix. The established method demonstrated a high sensitivity, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.0019-0.0706 µg/L (kg) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of 0.0057-0.2138 µg/L (kg). This study highlights the need for a regulatory framework to mitigate the health risks associated with methylene blue in intelligent packaging systems and argues that regulatory thresholds should be set to ensure food safety and quality.