New Healthy Low-Sugar and Carotenoid-Enriched/High-Antioxidant Beverage: Study of Optimization and Physicochemical Properties.

Lutein is a prominent biologically active carotenoid pigment with a polyene skeleton that has great benefits for human health. The study examined the synergistic effects of potentially functional components, including lutein carotenoid (LC), Mentha × Piperita extract (MPE), and Citrus × aurantifolia essential oil (CAEO), all three as bioactive components and antioxidants (AOs), on the physicochemical characteristics of a new low-sugar and carotenoid-enriched high-antioxidant beverage. Sucralose was utilized as a non-nutritive sweetener. Polynomial equations obtained by combined design methodology (CDM) were fitted to the experimental data of total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) and antioxidant potential of the beverages using multiple regression analysis with R2 (determination coefficient) values of 0.87, 0.89, and 0.97, respectively. Estimated response values for the TPC, TFC, and antioxidant potential (determined as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging activity) of the optimum beverage formulation were 41.90 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per L-1, 27.51 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) per L-1, and 34.06%, respectively, with a desirability value of 0.74. The potentially functional components had a synergistic effect on the antioxidant potential. This healthy beverage can have the potential to enhance health benefits and may have therapeutic potential for diabetic patients.

Physico-Mechanical Optimization and Antimicrobial Properties of the Bionanocomposite Films Containing Gallic Acid and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.

The mechanical and physical properties of the bionanocomposite films based on κ-carrageenan (KC)-gelatin (Ge) containing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and gallic acid (GA) were optimized using the response surface method, and the optimum amounts of 11.19 wt% GA and 1.20 wt% ZnONPs were obtained. The results of XRD, SEM, and FT-IR tests showed the uniform distribution of the ZnONPs and GA in the film microstructure, and suitable interactions between biopolymers and these additives, which led to increasing the structural cohesion of the biopolymer matrix and improving the physical and mechanical properties of the KC-Ge-based bionanocomposite. In the films containing gallic acid and ZnONPs, an antimicrobial effect was not observed against E. coli; however, the GA-loaded and optimum films show an antimicrobial effect against S. aureus. The optimum film showed a higher inhibition effect against S. aureus compared to the ampicillin- and gentamicin-loaded discs.

Development of a Novel Low-Calorie Lime Juice-Based Prebiotic Beverage Using a Combined Design Optimization Methodology.

A novel lime-juice based low-calorie functional beverage was developed by using D-optimal combined design optimization. For the preparation of the beverage, the following functional ingredients were used: lime juice, lime peel essential oil (LEO) as a flavoring agent and bioactive component, sucralose as a low-calorie sweetener, an inulin/polydextrose (I/P) mixture as prebiotic fibers, pectin as a thickening agent and soluble dietary fiber, lutein as a carotenoid colorant and antioxidant, and peppermint extract (ME) as a flavoring agent and bioactive component. A combined design consisting of one mixture factor (LEO/ME ratio), one numeric factor (lutein concentration), and one categoric factor (presence or absence of prebiotics) was used for optimizing the functional beverage based on the sensory quality. Regression models were adequately fitted to the data of sensory acceptance with a determination coefficient >90%. The sample containing a mixture of prebiotics, 2:3 (v/v) ratio of LEO: ME, and 3 mg/100 mL lutein was selected as the best formulation among the six optimal beverages which was suggested by Design-Expert software. This final optimum sample showed the highest total phenolic (44.22 mg gallic acid equivalents/L) and flavonoid (25.49 mg quercetin equivalents/L) contents, and its antioxidant activity (as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging) was 38.30%. The newly designed beverage has the potential to promote health benefits and in therapeutic applications.

Photo-catalytic and biotic degradation of polystyrene packaging film: Effect of zinc oxide photocatalyst nanoparticles and nanoclay.

Synergistic effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as photocatalyst and organonanoclay (ONC) as biodegradable promoter on the degradation of polystyrene (PS) film was investigated. The films were exposed to ultraviolet irradiation under ambient air at room temperature for photo-catalytic degradation and then submitted to biodegradation test in soil using respirometric procedure. Fourier-transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, colorimeter technique, contact angle measurement, and the carbon dioxide evolution results showed higher photo- and biodegradation efficiency of PS-ONC-ZnO nanocomposite compared to the neat PS, PS-ONC and PS-ZnO nanocomposites. Thermal stability, optical band gap, and water contact angle of photo-degraded PS-ONC-ZnO nanocomposite decreased by 11.37, 18.33 and 63.99%, respectively, while that of PS film was only 6.20, 6.44 and 5.84%, respectively. The photo-degraded PS-ONC-ZnO and PS-ZnO film indicated a biodegradation percentage value of 3.3 and 2.1%, respectively, over 16 weeks of incubation in soil. The possible degradation mechanism of nanocomposites was briefly discussed.