Knowledge and handling practices for raw hen's eggs during purchase, preparation, storage, and consumption: a cross sectional study.

The study aimed to assess the hen's eggs knowledge, handling practices, and consumption among Palestinian consumers using the cross-sectional survey design. Online questionnaire was sent via social media platforms including well-known Facebook and WhatsApp groups in West bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, along with an invitation explaining the research objectives and the voluntary participation. The online questionnaire consisted of three main sections: socio demographic, knowledge and practices for hen's eggs during purchase, preparation, storage, and consumption. The items were developed based on previous literature and international guidelines for hen's eggs purchase and handling, and subjected to content validity process, followed by a pilot study to determine the reliability of the questionnaire using Cronbach's alpha test. The final data were analysed based on the dichotomous Rach model for knowledge and polytomous Rasch model for practices using Winsteps version 5.1.3. The Rasch SPSS output interval data files were used in the inferential analyses tests (one-way ANOVA test and independent samples t-test). The Rasch analysis showed that on average the participants had quite low level of knowledge of hen's eggs consumption safety, (person ability Mean 0.10 logit). The item difficulty measures ranged between + 1.65 (most difficult) and - 2.24 logit (easiest). It was not easy for the participants to endorse the items pertaining their practices in handling the hen's eggs during purchase, preparation, storage and consumption, (person ability Mean - 0.11 logit). The item difficulty measures ranged between + 2.68 logits (most difficult) to - 2.45 logit (easiest). In addition, female participants significantly outperformed males in knowledge scores; and the level of hen's eggs hygiene practices and storage during purchase depended on participants' knowledge level. The research recommended interventional programs to enhance Palestinians' awareness and knowledge about hen's eggs knowledge, handling practices, and consumption. Further quantitative and qualitative research studies were also recommended.

Properties of Active Levan-Bitter Vetch Protein Films for Potential Use in Food Packaging Applications.

ζ-potential and Z-average were determined on film-forming solutions of bitter vetch-levan-based films prepared at different ratios in the absence and presence of glycerol as a plasticizer. The casting method was used to obtain manageable films. The results revealed that levan increases the elongation at break of bitter vetch protein films and reduces the tensile strength. The optimal result was obtained through the film that was prepared with the ratio of 50% bitter vetch proteins and 50% levan, in terms of mechanical properties. The surfaces of the prepared films appeared to be more compact and smooth. On increasing the glycerol concentration in the bitter vetch protein-levan films, the oxygen and water vapor permeability increased compared to the control (P < 0.05). Based on the overall results, the reinforcement of bitter vetch proteins with levan at a ratio of 1:1 represents optimal film properties in the presence of a low concentration of glycerol. The proposed film is suggested as an innovative packaging system for beef meat to preserve its quality over time.

On-target delivery of intense ultrafast laser pulses through hollow-core anti-resonant fibers.

We report the flexible on-target delivery of 800 nm wavelength, 5 GW peak power, 40 fs duration laser pulses through an evacuated and tightly coiled 10 m long hollow-core nested anti-resonant fiber by positively chirping the input pulses to compensate for the anomalous dispersion of the fiber. Near-transform-limited output pulses with high beam quality and a guided peak intensity of 3 PW/cm2 were achieved by suppressing plasma effects in the residual gas by pre-pumping the fiber with laser pulses after evacuation. This appears to cause a long-term removal of molecules from the fiber core. Identifying the fluence at the fiber core-wall interface as the damage origin, we scaled the coupled energy to 2.1 mJ using a short piece of larger-core fiber to obtain 20 GW at the fiber output. This scheme can pave the way towards the integration of anti-resonant fibers in mJ-level nonlinear optical experiments and laser-source development.

Effect of rotational Raman response on ultra-flat supercontinuum generation in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fibers.

We experimentally and numerically investigate flat supercontinuum generation in gas-filled anti-resonant guiding hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. By comparing results obtained with either argon or nitrogen we determine the role of the rotational Raman response in the supercontinuum formation. When using argon, a supercontinuum extending from 350 nm to 2 µm is generated through modulational instability. Although argon and nitrogen exhibit similar Kerr nonlinearity and dispersion, we find that the energy density of the continuum in the normal dispersion region is significantly lower when using nitrogen. Using numerical simulations, we find that due to the closely spaced rotational lines in nitrogen, gain suppression in the fundamental mode causes part of the pump pulse to be coupled into higher-order modes which reduces the energy transfer to wavelengths shorter than the pump.

Physicochemical Characterization of Chitosan/Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid Glass-like Materials.

This paper sets up a new route for producing non-covalently crosslinked bio-composites by blending poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) of microbial origin and chitosan (CH) through poly-electrolyte complexation under specific experimental conditions. CH and two different molecular weight γ-PGA fractions have been blended at different mass ratios (1/9, 2/8 and 3/7) under acidic pH. The developed materials seemed to behave like moldable hydrogels with a soft rubbery consistency. However, after dehydration, they became exceedingly hard, glass-like materials completely insoluble in water and organic solvents. The native biopolymers and their blends underwent comprehensive structural, physicochemical, and thermal analyses. The study confirmed strong physical interactions between polysaccharide and polyamide chains, facilitated by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding. The materials exhibited both crystalline and amorphous structures and demonstrated good thermal stability and degradability. Described as thermoplastic and saloplastic, these bio-composites offer vast opportunities in the realm of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). This unique combination of properties allowed the bio-composites to function as glass-like materials, making them highly versatile for potential applications in various fields. They hold potential for use in regenerative medicine, biomedical devices, food packaging, and 3D printing. Their environmentally friendly properties make them attractive candidates for sustainable material development in various industries.

Generation and characterization of frequency tunable sub-15-fs pulses in a gas-filled hollow-core fiber pumped by a Yb:KGW laser.

We investigate soliton self-compression and photoionization effects in an argon-filled antiresonant hollow-core photonic crystal fiber pumped with a commercial Yb:KGW laser. Before the onset of photoionization, we demonstrate self-compression of our 220 fs pump laser to 13 fs in a single and compact stage. By using the plasma driven soliton self-frequency blueshift, we also demonstrate a tunable source from 1030 to ∼700 nm. We fully characterize the compressed pulses using sum-frequency generation time-domain ptychography, experimentally revealing the full time-frequency plasma-soliton dynamics in hollow-core fiber for the first time.

Effects of Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) and Coconut Meals (Cocos nucifera) on Broiler Performance and Cecal Microbiota.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with black cumin seed meal (BCSM) and coconut meal (CM) on the performance and cecal microbiota of Cobb 500 hybrid broilers. The study was conducted on 600 chicks on the first day of hatching; the chicks were randomly distributed equally into 12 equal-sized floor pens. Four dietary treatments (C, T1, T2 and T3) were replicated three times (50 chicks/replicate): C was the control group; T1 was supplemented with 10% BCSM; T2 was supplemented with 10% CM; T3 was supplemented with 5% BCSM and 5% CM. At slaughter age on day 35, our findings showed that treatment T2 increased significantly body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to C, T1 and T3. In addition, the hot carcass dressing percentages in treatments T1, T2, and T3 were significantly higher than that of the C group. The results of relative normalized comparative gene expression of Clostridioides difficile, Roseburia and Streptococcus were not significantly changed in all treatments (p > 0.05). Treatment T1 resulted in a significant decrease in gene expression of the entire microbiota, while treatment T2 resulted in a significant increase in gene expression of all microbes, leading to an enriched and diverse microbial community. It can be concluded that supplementation with 10% BCSM is beneficial in inhibiting pathogenic microbes during early post-hatch days. In contrast, CM may promote and enhance the diversity of microbial communities during broiler growth. The inclusion of non-conventional feed ingredients in poultry diets may improve growth performance and may reduce the cost of broiler feed.

Chemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves and Seeds.

Moringa oleifera is a traditional food crop widespread in Asiatic, African, and South American continents. The plant, able to grow in harsh conditions, shows a high nutritional value and medicinal potential evidencing cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The purpose of this study was the phytochemical analysis of M. oleifera and the identification of the antimicrobial compounds by combining a chemical approach with in vitro tests. The metabolite profile of M. oleifera polar and apolar extracts of leaves and seeds were investigated by using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The antimicrobial activity of all of the obtained extract was evaluated against four bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica). The chemical analysis provided a wide set of metabolites that were identified and quantified. Moreover, apolar extracts from seeds showed a significant concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, (4 mg/mL reduced the viability up to 50%) that was associated to the content of specific fatty acids. Our results remarked the advantages of an integrated approach for the identification of plant metabolites and its use in association with biological tests to recognize the compounds responsible for bioactivity without compounds purification.

Application of the Hurdle Technology Concept to the Fresh Za'atar (Origanum syriacum) Preservation.

Oregano (Origanum syriacum) is popularly called za'atar in the Middle East region. It is widely used in the Mediterranean diet as an aromatic herb. This study aimed to evaluate the preservation effect of natural additives, vacuum packaging, and refrigeration on the quality traits of fresh oregano. In total, 132 fresh oregano samples were formulated and split into 4 groups (n = 33) labeled group A (100% fresh oregano leaves, Control), group B (fresh oregano 63.2%, 15% fresh onion, 20% oil, 1.8% salt), group C (fresh oregano 61.91%, 15% fresh Allium cepa, 20% oil, 1.8% salt, 1.29% sumac), and group D (fresh oregano 59.2%, 15% fresh Allium cepa, 20% corn oil, 1.8% salt, 4% lactic acid, ultimate pH 4.4). Different quality traits such as color index (L*a*b*), microbiological analysis (total aerobic, anaerobic, and psychrotrophic bacteria and yeasts and molds), and sensory features (taste, flavor, appearance, saltiness, and overall acceptance) were assessed during the storage period (42 days) for all groups. Our study showed that the addition of lactic acid (group D) exhibited a strong preservation effect against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. In this context, group D had significantly lower aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts (5.12 vs. 6.7, 6, and 6.7 log (cfu/g); p < 0.05) and (4.75 vs. 6.6, 6.1, 6.77 (cfu/g); p < 0.05) than group A, B, and C; respectively. Group D exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower psychrotrophic bacterial count (3.6 log (cfu/g)) during the whole period of storage compared with control. Group B had a lower redness index (a*) (−3.3 vs. −1.8, −1.65, −1.23; p < 0.05) than groups A, C, and D; respectively. In conclusion, our study showed that there is a possibility of improving the preservation of oregano (Origanum syriacum) by using lactic acid and sumac combined with vacuum packaging under refrigeration conditions.

Bio-Based Materials for Packaging.

Plastic pollution is currently one of the most pressing environmental problems, especially in countries with a low recycling rate that is mainly due to the insufficient collection of plastic waste [...].

Case Report: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient With Severe Aortic Stenosis, Left Ventricular Dysfunction, and an Anomalous Left Circumflex Artery.

The role of cardiac computed tomography in the evaluation of patients for transcatheter aortic valve implantation is well-established. However, its role in the evaluation of anomalous vessels in the pre-procedure planning, intra-procedural fusion imaging and post-procedure assessment of vessel patency is not yet defined. This case report illustrates the utility of cardiac CT throughout the management of complex structural interventions. Here, we describe an anomalous left coronary artery where the course of the anomalous vessel and its proximity to the aortic valve annulus is defined allowing the selection of the most appropriate balloon expandable valve with a planned deployment. Upon follow up, patency of this anomalous vessel is ascertained using CT as well as the transcatheter valve function and leaflet thickening.

Host defense peptides identified in human apolipoprotein B as novel food biopreservatives and active coating components.

The effectiveness of three novel "host defence peptides" identified in human Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) as novel antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents to be employed in food industry is reported. ApoB-derived peptides have been found to exert significant antimicrobial effects towards Salmonella typhimurium ATCC® 14028 and Salmonella enteritidis 706 RIVM strains. Furthermore, they have been found to retain antimicrobial activity under experimental conditions selected to simulate those occurring during food storage, transportation and heat treatment, and have been found to be endowed with antibiofilm properties. Based on these findings, to evaluate the applicability of ApoB-derived peptides as food biopreservatives, coating solutions composed by chitosan (CH) and an ApoB-derived peptide have been prepared and found to be able to prevent Salmonella cells attachment to different kinds of surfaces employed in food industry. Finally, obtained coating solution has been demonstrated to hinder microbial proliferation in chicken meat samples. Altogether, obtained findings indicate that ApoB-derived peptides are promising candidates as novel biopreservatives for food packaging.

Basil Essential Oil: Composition, Antimicrobial Properties, and Microencapsulation to Produce Active Chitosan Films for Food Packaging.

The essential oil (EO) from basil-Ocimum basilicum-was characterized, microencapsulated by vibration technology, and used to prepare a new type of packaging system designed to extend the food shelf life. The basil essential oil (BEO) chemical composition and antimicrobial activity were analyzed, as well as the morphological and biological properties of the derived BEO microcapsules (BEOMC). Analysis of BEO by gas chromatography demonstrated that the main component was linalool, whereas the study of its antimicrobial activity showed a significant inhibitory effect against all the microorganisms tested, mostly Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, the prepared BEOMC showed a spheroidal shape and retained the EO antimicrobial activity. Finally, chitosan-based edible films were produced, grafted with BEOMC, and characterized for their physicochemical and biological properties. Since their effective antimicrobial activity was demonstrated, these films were tested as packaging system by wrapping cooked ham samples during 10 days of storage, with the aim of their possible use to extend the shelf life of the product. It was demonstrated that the obtained active film can both control the bacterial growth of the cooked ham and markedly inhibit the pH increase of the packaged food.

Biopolymers as Food Packaging Materials.

Oil-derived plastics are the most commonly used materials for packaging because of their features, low cost, and availability of resources for manufacturing [...].

Glutamic Acid as Repeating Building Block for Bio-Based Films.

Commercial inexpensive preparations of poly-γ-glutamic acid were used to obtain films made with a polypeptide constituted by a single repeating unit. The homopolymer was characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry, as well as by zeta potential and Z-average measurements. Manipulatable materials were obtained by casting film-forming solutions prepared at pH values between 3.0 and 4.0 and containing extensively dialyzed samples of the commercial product. The analysis of the mechanical properties highlighted a marked extensibility and plasticity of the films obtained without plasticizer, even though the addition of low amounts of glycerol (1-4%) was able to further increase these features. The characterization of poly-γ-glutamic acid molecular species, performed by membrane ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography, coupled with triple-detection analysis of the obtained fractions, suggested that biopolymer chain length is responsible not only for its capacity to form film, but also for conferring to the films different features depending on the homopolymer molecular weight.

Hydrocolloid-Based Coatings with Nanoparticles and Transglutaminase Crosslinker as Innovative Strategy to Produce Healthier Fried Kobbah.

This study addresses the effect of coating solutions on fried kobbah. Coating solutions were made of pectin (PEC) and grass pea flour (GPF), treated or not with transglutaminase (TGase) and nanoparticles (NPs)-namely mesoporous silica NPs (MSN) or chitosan NPs (CH-NPs). Acrylamide content (ACR), water, oil content and color of uncoated (control) and coated kobbah were investigated. Zeta potential, Z-average and in vitro digestion experiments were carried out. Zeta potential of CH-NPs was stable from pH 2.0 to pH 6.0 around + 35 mV but decreasing at pH > 6.0. However, the Z-average of CH-NPs increased by increasing the pH. All coating solutions were prepared at pH 6.0. ACR of the coated kobbah with TGase-treated GPF in the presence nanoparticles (MSN or CH-NPs) was reduced by 41.0% and 47.5%, respectively. However, the PEC containing CH-NPs showed the higher reduction of the ACR by 78.0%. Water content was higher in kobbah coated by PEC + CH-NPs solutions, while the oil content was lower. The color analysis indicated that kobbah with lower browning index containing lower ACR. Finally, in vitro digestion studies of both coating solutions and coated kobbah, demonstrated that the coating solutions and kobbah made by means of TGase or nanoparticles were efficiently digested.

Black Edible Films from Protein-Containing Defatted Cake of Nigella sativa Seeds.

Black biodegradable/edible protein-based films were prepared from defatted cake waste obtained from Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds as by-product of oil extraction process. The effects of pH, glycerol concentrations, and transglutaminase-catalyzed protein cross-linking activity on the stability of film-forming solutions were studied to determine the best experimental conditions to produce handleable films. Proteins contained in the analyzed defatted cake were shown to be able to act as transglutaminase acyl donor and acceptor substrates being polymerized when incubated in vitro in the presence of the enzyme. Film-forming solutions containing 20% glycerol and casted at pH 8.0 after treatment with the enzyme gave rise to morphologically more homogeneous films possessing mechanical and barrier properties, as well as antimicrobial activity, compatible with their possible applications as food packaging materials and mulching sheets. These findings confirm the validity of the strategy to consider the seed oil processed cakes as protein-based renewable sources to produce not only fertilizers, animal feed, or culinary food but also further valuable products such as bioplastics.

Effect of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles on The Physicochemical Properties of Pectin Packaging Material for Strawberry Wrapping.

Citrus peel pectin was used to prepare films (cast with or without glycerol) containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Nanoparticles reduced significantly the particle size, and had no effect on the Zeta potential of pectin solutions. Mechanical characterization demonstrates that pectin+nanoparticles containing films slightly increased tensile strength and significantly decreased the Young's modulus in comparison to films made only of pectin. However, elongation at the break increased in the pectin+nanoparticles films cast in the presence of glycerol, while both Young's modulus and tensile strength were reduced. Moreover, nanoparticles were able to reduce the barrier properties of pectin films prepared with or without glycerol, whereas positively affected the thermal stability of pectin films and the seal strength. The 0.6% pectin films reinforced or not with 3% nanoparticles in the presence of 30% glycerol were used to wrap strawberries in order to extend the fruit's shelf-life, over a period of eighty days, by improving their physicochemical properties.

Plasticizing Effects of Polyamines in Protein-Based Films.

Zeta potential and nanoparticle size were determined on film forming solutions of native and heat-denatured proteins of bitter vetch as a function of pH and of different concentrations of the polyamines spermidine and spermine, both in the absence and presence of the plasticizer glycerol. Our results showed that both polyamines decreased the negative zeta potential of all samples under pH 8.0 as a consequence of their ionic interaction with proteins. At the same time, they enhanced the dimension of nanoparticles under pH 8.0 as a result of macromolecular aggregations. By using native protein solutions, handleable films were obtained only from samples containing either a minimum of 33 mM glycerol or 4 mM spermidine, or both compounds together at lower glycerol concentrations. However, 2 mM spermidine was sufficient to obtain handleable film by using heat-treated samples without glycerol. Conversely, brittle materials were obtained by spermine alone, thus indicating that only spermidine was able to act as an ionic plasticizer. Lastly, both polyamines, mainly spermine, were found able to act as "glycerol-like" plasticizers at concentrations higher than 5 mM under experimental conditions at which their amino groups are undissociated. Our findings open new perspectives in obtaining protein-based films by using aliphatic polycations as components.

Tuning the Functional Properties of Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) Protein Films Grafted with Spermidine.

Bitter vetch protein films containing positively charged spermidine, alone or with low amounts of glycerol, showed high tensile strength that progressively decreased by increasing the plasticizer concentration. Accordingly, lower film elongation at break and higher Young's module values were detected in the presence of the polyamine without or with small amounts of glycerol. These data suggest that spermidine not only acts as a plasticizer itself by ionically interacting with proteins, but that it also facilitates glycerol-dependent reduction of the intermolecular forces along the protein chains, consequently improving the film flexibility and extensibility. Thus, spermidine may be considered not only as a primary, but also as a secondary plasticizer because of its ability to enhance glycerol plasticizing performance. Such double behavior of the polyamine was confirmed by the film permeability tests, since spermidine increased the barrier properties to gases and water vapor, while glycerol emphasized this effect at low concentrations but led to its marked reversal at high concentrations. Film microscopic images also substantiated these findings, showing more compact, cohesive, and homogeneous matrices in all spermidine-containing films.