Free-standing carboxymethyl cellulose film incorporating nanoformulated pomegranate extract for meat packaging.

This study aimed to explore an innovative approach to enhancing the shelf-life and quality of meat products through the application of an active packaging system. The study involved the development of new free-standing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nanocomposite films incorporated with nanoencapsulated flavonoids derived from pomegranate extract. The loaded flavonoids, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, were nanoencapsulated via a self-assembly approach in a mixture of chitosan and sodium alginate to improve their stability, solubility, and controlled release characteristics. Chemical structure, size, and morphology of the obtained nanoparticles (Pg-NPs) were studied with FTIR, zeta-sizer, and TEM. The Pg-NPs showed particle size of 232 nm, and zeta-potential of -20.7 mV. Various free-standing nanocomposite films were then developed via incorporation of Pg-NPs into CMC-casted films. FTIR, SEM, thermal and mechanical properties, and surface wettability were intensively studied for the nanocomposite films. Barrier properties against water vapor were investigated at 2022 g·m-2d-1. The nanocomposite films possessed superior properties for inhibiting bacterial growth and extending the shelf-life of beef and poultry meat for 12 days compared with the Pg-NPs-free CMC films. This study presented a promising approach for development of active packaging systems with improved antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and economic and environmental impacts.

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on broilers' performance and health status.

The current study investigated the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) and oxytetracycline (OTC) supplementation on broilers' behavior, performance, carcass quality, biochemical parameters, and intestinal microbial populations and birds' response to Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine. A total of 336 seven-day-old IR broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm ZONPs or 50 ppm OTC. Each diet was fed to 7 replicates (8 birds/pen). The results clarified that 10 ppm ZONPs significantly improved the body weight gain and feed conversion in comparison to the control. No changes in behavior were recorded. The 10 ppm and 30 ppm ZONPs and OTC significantly reduced the gizzard weight in comparison to the control. While, 10 ppm ZONPs significantly increased the spleen weight, and all ZONPs doses increased bursa weight in comparison to the control and OTC groups. 20 ppm ZONPs increased the eviscerated yield and edible yield in comparison to the control and OTC groups. 40 ppm ZONPs increased pH, reduced meat color and overall acceptability in comparison to the control. In addition, results revealed that the 20 ppm ZONPs increased Calcium (Ca), High density low cholesterol (HDL-C), reduced urea (UA) and triglyceride (TG). Also, 40 ppm ZONPs and OTC increased creatinine (Cr) and reduced ND-HI titer in comparison to the control. For microbial population, OTC group was significantly lower than ZONPs groups in the total anaerobic, aerobic and lactobacilli count. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of ZONPs can be applied as antibiotic growth promoter substitutions in broilers' diet. However, further investigations are still needed.

Incidence and virulence characteristics of Aeromonas spp. in fish.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of Aeromonas spp. in raw and ready-to-eat (RTE) fish commonly consumed in Assiut city, Egypt, and to determine virulence factors due to they play a key role in their pathogenicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 samples of raw and RTE fish samples were taken from different fish markets and fish restaurants in Assiut Governorate and screened for the presence of Aeromonas spp. by enrichment on tryptic soy broth then incubated at 30°C for 24 h. Plating unto the sterile Petri dishes containing Aeromonas agar base to which Aeromonas selective supplement was added. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Presumptive Aeromonas colonies were biochemically confirmed and analyzed for pathogenicity by hemolysin production, protease, and lipase detection. RESULTS: The results indicated that raw fish were contaminated with Aeromonas spp. (40% in wild and 36% in cultured Nile tilapia). Regarding RTE, Aeromonas spp. could be isolated with the percentage of 16%, 28% and 20% in fried Bolti, grilled Bolti and fried Bayad, respectively. Out of 35 isolates obtained, 22 were categorized as Aeromonas hydrophila, 12 were classified as Aeromonas sobria and Aeromonas caviae were found in only one isolate. The virulence factors of Aeromonas spp. were detected and the results showed that all isolates produced of hemolysin (91.4%), protease (77.1%), and lipase enzyme (17.1%). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the presence of A. hydrophila with virulence potential in fresh and RTE fish may be a major threat to public health.