Progress in understanding the health promoting effect of egg yolk immunoglobulin

As an important immuneoactive component in eggs, yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) shows great competitiveness in research and production due to its good stability, high safety, low cost, easy availability, strong immune activity, and no drug resistance. This article highlights the significant advantages of IgY as a good antibiotic substitute in the prevention and treatment of viral and bacterial diseases. Also, IgY has great potential in the regulation of nutrient metabolism balance, intestinal microflora and immune homeostasis by affecting key rate-limiting enzymes, and relevant receptors and inflammatory factors specifically. Proper diet and targeted delivery of foodborne IgY may be a new perspective on inflammation regulation, disease control, nutritional balance or homeostasis, and oral microencapsulated IgY is expected to be a new approach against increasing public health emergencies (such as COVID-19 pandemic).

Coating of favipiravir (FVP) on silver nanoparticles: First principle study

Silver nanoparticles, thanks to their antiviral and antibacterial properties, have great potential in a variety of applications, such as drug-delivery carriers. The coating properties of silver nanoparticles (size range of 1.6 nm) with a well-known drug, Favipirair, were investigated in this study using quantum mechanical and classical atomistic molecular dynamics simulation in order to use as the drug delivery to treat COVID-19 disease. The drug molecule's optimized structure, frequencies, charge distribution, and electrostatic potential maps were simulated using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–311++g(d,p) level of theory. The coating of AgNP with each of these drugs was then studied using molecular dynamics simulation. The interaction affinity obtained from MD results agrees with the DFT results on drug adsorption on the Ag(1 1 1) slab. © 2023

In silico-based studies on phytochemicals from native Indian plants as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2

This study aims to analyze the AntiCovid effect of Phytocompounds extracted from Native Indian Plant species by computational methods such as Molecular Docking. Through this study keeping the Indian Heritage alive we characterized the ability of these phytochemicals as inhibiting agents of the Main Protease enzyme of this Virus. The lack of any effective treatment and the reoccurrence of cases despite Vaccination necessitates the quick provision of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. Natural substances are getting a lot of attention for SARS-CoV-2 therapy as they have proven antimicrobial activities and are a key source for numerous antiviral drugs. Despite the fact that this virus has several identified target receptors, Main Protease (Mpro) is crucial for viral replication. In this study, 26 phytochemicals from 10 native Indian plant species were studied. Our docking studies demonstrated that compounds Quercetin, Withaferin A, Sominone, and Nimbin were likely to be more favorable than the natural inhibitor N3, with binding energies of-8.42, -9.21, -9.95, and -8.88 kcal/mol, respectively. These four candidate natural compounds were further examined for their bioavailability scores through ADMET analysis to prove the safety of these compounds as well as their drug likeliness. Through the results it was indicated that these natural phytochemicals have a significant potential of inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme and might be utilized to treat SARS-CoV-2 and manage public health, subject to in vitro validation in the future.

An In-Situ Fabrication Method of ZnO and Other Zn(II) Compounds Containing Polypropylene Composites.

This study investigated the methods of preparation of zinc oxide-polypropylene nanocomposites and their antibacterial properties. Seven solutions with ZnO nanoparticles or zinc ions were formulated as a PP additive. Two methods of ZnO NPs syntheses were carried out: (1) a modified hydrothermal method where a water solution of zinc acetate dihydrate, PEI, and ammonia were mixed with a final pH 11; (2) a thermal decomposition of a water solution of zinc acetate in the presence of PEI and ammonia using a two-screw extruder. During the experiments, the influence of various amounts of particle stabilizer, heating of the solutions, and the temperatures of the syntheses were examined. As a result, the simultaneous crystallization of ZnO in the extrusion process confirmed this method's attractiveness from the application point of view. Fabricated PP-ZnO composite shows antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Cu2O based on core-shell nanostructure for enhancing the fire-resistance, antibacterial properties and mechanical properties of epoxy resin

The hazards of epoxy resin (EP) are not only reflected in the large amount of smoke and heat released during combustion, but also in the long survival time of bacterial on their surfaces at a time when COVID-19 are prevalent. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the antibacterial properties and fire-resistance of EP. Herein, this paper reports a multifunctional nanoparticle (Cu2O@KF) to overcome this issue. It is found that Cu2O@KF can confer great fire-resistance (LOI = 34.7% and pHRR reduced by 56.3%), antibacterial properties (over 99.99% antibacterial efficiency), and mechanical properties (hardness and Young's modulus increased by 80.0% and 24.0%, respectively) at a low loading level (7 wt%). These ideal characteristics are derived from the multi-synergistic properties among Cu2O and KF. © 2022

Electrospun PVB/AVE NMs as mask filter layer for win-win effects of filtration and antibacterial activity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious social and public health problems. In the field of personal protection, the facial masks can prevent infectious respiratory diseases, safeguard human health, and promote public safety. Herein, we focused on preparing a core filter layer for masks using electrospun polyvinyl butyral/apocynum venetum extract nanofibrous membranes (PVB/AVE NMs), with durable interception efficiency and antibacterial properties. In the spinning solution, AVE acted as a salt to improve electrical conductivity, and achieve long-lasting interception efficiency with adjustable pore size. It also played the role of an antibacterial agent in PVB/AVE NMs to achieve win-win effects. The hydrophobicity of PVB-AVE-6% was 120.9° whereas its filterability reached 98.3% when the pressure drop resistance was 142 Pa. PVB-AVE-6% exhibited intriguing properties with great antibacterial rates of 99.38% and 98.96% against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. After a prolonged usability test of 8 h, the filtration efficiency of the PVB/AVE masks remained stable at over 97.7%. Furthermore, the antibacterial rates of the PVB/AVE masks on S. aureus and E. coli were 96.87% and 96.20% respectively, after using for 2 d. These results indicate that PVB/AVE NMs improve the protective performance of ordinary disposable masks, which has certain application in air filtration.

Obtaining Medical Textiles Based on Viscose and Chitosan/Zinc Nanoparticles with Improved Antibacterial Properties by Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge.

This study aimed to obtain functional viscose textiles based on chitosan coatings with improved antibacterial properties and washing durability. For that reason, before functionalization with chitosan/zinc nanoparticles (NCH+Zn), the viscose fabric was modified by nonthermal gas plasma of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to introduce into its structure functional groups suitable for attachment of NCH+Zn. NCH+Zn were characterized by measurements of hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential and AFM. DBD-plasma-modified and NCH+Zn-functionalized fabrics were characterized by zeta potential measurements, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, the calcium acetate method (determination of content of carboxyl and aldehyde groups), SEM, breaking-strength measurements, elemental analysis, and ICP-OES. Their antibacterial activity was determined under dynamic contact conditions. In addition to SEM, the NCH+Zn distributions on viscose fabrics were also indirectly characterized by measuring their absorbent capacities before and after functionalization with NCH+Zn. Washing durability was monitored through changes in the zeta potential, chitosan and zinc content, and antibacterial activity after 1, 3, and 5 washing cycles. The obtained results showed that DBD plasma modification contributed to the simultaneous improvement of NCH+Zn sorption and antibacterial properties of the viscose fabric functionalized with NCH+Zn, and its washing durability, making it suitable for the production of high-value-added medical textiles.

The effect of the addition of gambir catechins on antioxidants and antibacterial hard candy products

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed consumer demands for food products due to the importance of eating functional foods capable of increasing the body's immune system, such as those containing natural bioactive compounds. Immune system enhancement through food intake is one of the top priorities for consumers globally. Hard candy products are ordinary foods consumed by people of all ages and social classes with numerous negative consumer perceptions due to their ability to cause dental caries. Therefore, it is imperative to develop hard candy as a functional food with antioxidant and antibacterial properties derived from natural ingredients. This research aims to innovate and design hard candy products that are acceptable to consumers with the addition of gambir catechins to its formulas. This research is considered novel for it provides innovation and design of hard candy products that are acceptable to consumers with the addition of gambir catechins. The result showed that all hard candy product formulas have Staphylococcus aureus with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities;hence, increased catechin concentration significantly affects these activities. Products in formulas 17, 8, 18, 4, and 7 with 4-5 ratings after organoleptic testing are standard products manufactured in accordance with SNI 3547.1:2018.

Deterrent to COVID-19 infection - adopting a Srilankan university research study

This study provides a simple, widely available deterrence medication to minimize COVID-19 infection using by tea and coffee infusions. By mixing white with an equal amount of water, add a small amount of tea/coffee infusion. Dull brownish albumen-tannin complex, a soft precipitate is formed and sinks to the bottom. The infusion should reach the furthest points in the respiratory tract so that a maximum number of viral particles are trapped. It is necessary to hold the infusion rolling about for a little while, 20 seconds in the mouth before swallowing. Gargling with the infusion is better. Tannins in tea or coffee infusions will form complexes with the 4-5 types of viral surface proteins [spikes], rendering them ineffective. Protein-tannin astringent complexation is a fundamental chemical reaction and is bound to act, unlike specific antimetabolites or enzyme-mediated actions of antibiotics. In fact, tannins react to some extent with the cell lining of the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach. Tannins also chelate iron [Fe] and other metal ions required for many of the metabolic reactions of micro-organisms [viruses?], depriving them of these nutrients and further retarding their propagation. Two gargles per day, 12 hours apart, are recommended to disable the virus and eventually kill it. The procedure disables free viruses before tissue invasion. Therefore, the earlier the gargle commences, the better. Suspected contacts should preferably have three daily eight-hourly gargles. Astringent activity is an added activity of tea and coffee, demonstrated in this study [using E. coli and Salmonella] to that of immune boosting action generally spoken about.

Inactivation Effect of All-Solid-State 228 nm Far-UVC Pulsed Laser

Objective The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has propelled the need for new approaches to disinfection, especially for airborne viruses. The 254 nm emission of low-pressure vacuum lamps is known for its antimicrobial effect;however, its radiation is harmful to human health, causing skin cancer and cataracts. Some studies have shown that short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light in the spectral region of 200-230 nm (far-UVC) can inactivate pathogens without harming human cells. Thus, it has great prospects for many applications. Sufficient studies have proved the antibacterial performance of far-UVC band range in an excimer lamp emitting a peak wavelength of 222 nm light. Furthermore, laser light sources can realize long-distance transmission and complement the deficiency of excimer lamps in remote sterilization and disinfection. This study investigates the antibacterial effect of a self-developed far-UVC laser with a peak wavelength of 228 nm and hopes to provide a new technical approach for the inactivation of the novel coronavirus and other microbial pathogens. Methods Bacterial sample preparation: Escherichia coli (E. coli) widely exists naturally and is a pathogen of major focus in human public health defense. It is also one of the most drug-resistant species in the enterobacterium group. Therefore, it is often used in ultraviolet disinfection and environmental health research. Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), which is closely related to humans, causes food poisoning and cannot be eliminated by pasteurization or normal hygiene procedures due to the heat and acid resistance of its spores. Therefore, the strains used in this experiment are E. coli and B. cereus. E. coli and B. cereus are provided by the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Hainan Normal University, and subsp. Kustaki HD-1, provided by the Environmental Microbial Ecology Laboratory of Hainan Normal University. Both strains are cultured in a nutrient agar medium and placed in an incubator at 35 degrees C for 1 day. Nutrient agar medium is provided by Guangdong Huankai Microbial Technology Co., LTD, China. UV irradiation source: the irradiation source is a self-developed all-solid-state 228 nm far-UVC laser, which provides UV irradiance of up to 35 mW/cm(2), and its spectral linewidth is less than 0.1 nm. The laser is realized by LD-pumped Nd3+ laser crystal, Q-switched technology, and nonlinear optical frequency conversion technology. All-solid-state lasers have the advantages of small size, high efficiency, good beam quality, high reliability, long life, and portability. 228 nm far-UVC laser sterilization: we input a certain concentration of 1 mL bacterial suspension sample into a high permeability UVC cuvette. The 228 nm laser irradiance of 0.1 mW/cm(2) is obtained by adjusting the laser output power and the placement of the colorimeter. E. coli suspension samples are irradiated for 5, 10, 15, and 20 s [Fig. 1 (b), and B. cereus suspension samples are irradiated for 15, 30, 45, and 60 s [Fig. 1(c)] at 228 nm far-UV light of 0.1 mW/cm(2). The experiment is repeated three times for each sample at the same irradiation dose. Results and Discussions Figs. 1 (b) and (c) show the distribution of bacteria before and after 228 nm laser irradiation. The concentration of bacterial suspension samples in the control and irradiated groups is determined using the nutrient agar plate counting method. The detection results are shown in Table 1. When the E. coli suspension is irradiated by 228 nm laser for 10, 15, and 20 s (1, 1.5, and 2 mJ/cm(2)), the inactivation rates are 90. 7 %, 96.9 %, and 100 yo, respectively. When the B. cereus suspension is irradiated by 228 nm laser for 30, 45, and 60 s (3, 4. 5, and 6 mJ/cm(2)), the inactivation rates are 88. 4%, 98.6 %, and 100 %, respectively. Conclusions This experimental study shows that the use of several mJ/cm(2) doses of far-UVC 228 nm pulsed laser irradiation can effectively inactivate E. coli and B. cereus, whereas the use of excimer lamps requires dozens of mJ/cm(2) doses. Compared with the excimer light source, the far-UVC pulsed laser light source shows a stronger sterilization effect. The next step is to conduct experimental research on the inactivation of the influenza virus using a far-UVC 228 nm pulsed laser.

Preparation of polydopamine-induced nanosilver-modified polypropylene meltblown nonwoven fabric and study on its antibacterial properties

Polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric has good physical and mechanical properties, and the production process is simple and cost is low, so it is widely used in the fields of adsorption and filtration, medical and health care. After the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the market demand for PP nonwovens for medical and health care, such as masks and protective clothing has surged. Nanosilver, with high efficiency and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, has potential application prospects in the new generation of medical nonwoven materials. However, due to the undiversified macromolecular structure of polypropylene and the lack of polar functional groups on the surface, it is not easy for inorganic antimicrobial agents to hind to PP nonwoven substrates, thus limiting its application and development to a certain extent. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to research and develop PP nonwoven fabric with antibacterial and antiviral properties to achieve long-lasting antibacterial effects. Surface modification methods such as radiation grafting, plasma treatment and chemical etching are commonly used for nonwoven fabric to improve the binding properties of fabrics with antimicrobial agents, but these methods involve harsh treatment conditions and complicated preparation processes. Therefore, this study intends to develop a simple nonwoven modification pathway to enhance the surface binding of inorganic antimicrobial agents to fabrics and achieve sustainability of the antimicrobial effect of PP nonwoven fabric. Dopamine is a low-molecular-weight catecholamine that mimics an adhesion protein and can polymerize spontaneously on various organic-inorganic surfaces to form uniform polydopamine (PDA) films under mild conditions. In addition, the phenolic hydroxyl groups in PDA have redox activity and thus can be used as metal reducing agents. In this paper, inspired by mussel adhesion proteins, PDA coatings were deposited on the surface of PP nonwovens by impregnation using nonwovens with different structures as substrates, and the optimal process conditions for dopamine impregnation were optimally selected using orthogonal tests. Further, nanosilver was generated in situ on the modified PP nonwoven surface by chemical plating method, and the antibacterial PP nonwoven fabric was characterized using FTIR , XRD, SEM, and pore testing. The results showed that the best film formation and coating effect of PDA was achieved when the dopamine concentration was 4 g/L, the pH of the buffer solution was 8.5, and the impregnation time was 24 h. When the amount of PVP was small, irregular silver nanoparticles were easily generated on the fabric surface, and the appropriate amount of PVP could effectively prevent the agglomeration of Ag nanoparticles;when mPVp∗mAKN03 = 1:1, spherical Ag with narrow particle size distribution range and good dispersion was obtained, the antibacterial performance was tested using agar plate diffusion method, and the results showed that 25 g/nr sample fabric after 30 times of water washing. The antibacterial activity of the sample was 74. 22% against influenza A ( HI N1) virus. In this study, an effective antibacterial and potentially antiviral PP nonwoven fabric was prepared based on the surface modification of mussel mimicry, which expands its application in the medical and health care field. © 2022 China Silk Association. All rights reserved.

Diosmin and hesperidin - the current state of knowledge

Diosmin is the 7-rutinoside of 3 ', 5,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (7-O-rutinoside of diosmetin), and hespheridine is the 7-rutinoside of 3', 5,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone (7 -O-rutinoside hesperetin). Diosmin, is a gray-yellow or pale-yellow, hygroscopic powder, whereas hesperidine is in the form of light-yellow spherocrystals. Diosmin was isolated from fruits of the Citrus genus (C. sinensis, C. limonia), now it is obtained semi-synthetically from natural hesperidin. These flavonoids have, among others: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, analgesic, antioxidant and possibly anti-virus activity, that cause COVID-19. The metabolism of diosmin takes place initially in the small intestine and involves demethoxylation and hydrolysis. In contrast, oxidation and conjugation take place in the liver. There is no presence of diosmin and diosmetin in the urine, which are mainly eliminated in the form of glucuronic acid conjugates. The dominant metabolite detected in urine samples is m-hydroxy-phenylpropionic acid, excreted in conjugated form. Diosmin may reduce the aggregation of Red Blood Cells, and thus it is able to reduce blood viscosity. The LD50 of the mixture of 90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin for rats is over 3 g/kg. The tests did not reveal any mutagenic effects or effects on reproductive functions. It also does not pose a significant threat during breast feeding, as it poorly passes into breast milk.

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Araceae): a nutraceutical for food disorders, novel bacterial & viral infections

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is a very common tuber plant having diverse secondary metabolites and palatability levels. Keeping the problems of food shortage & novel infectious diseases throughout the world, an attempt has been made through fieldworks during 2009 to 2020 to gather the information on its ethnobotany, bioactive compounds from lab work and pharmacological properties from secondary sources to make it future nutraceutical against food disorders & novel microbial diseases. The tuber is used as food and medicines, it is rich with primary & secondary metabolites and its extracts are used to treat various infectious diseases. The compounds present in the species have potential to make novel drugs against present health problems throughout the world. The present study highlights the importance of wild tuberous plants in mitigation of food shortage, food disorders, anti-microbial resistance, novel bacterial & viral diseases like MDR-TB and COVID-19.

Biological activities of Egyptian grape and mulberry by-products and their potential use as natural sources of food additives and nutraceuticals foods

Interest in the biological role of bioactive compounds present in plant by-products has increased over the last few years. This study aimed to investigate the nutritive value and biological activities of Egyptian Grape leaves (GL), Grape seeds (GS) and Mulberry leaves (ML), as well as investigate the impact of P-irradiation for improving the utilization of these plant by-products. The dose level 5.0 kGy showed highest the content of crude protein (24.42, 19.41 and 13.50 mg/100 g), as well as crude fiber (34.26 and 21.18 mg/100 g) for ML, GL and GS, respectively. Mulberry leaves has a highest content of protein and fiber at dose 5.0 kGy compared with GL and GS. The highest total phenolic content was found in GS (9.75 mg/g DW), followed by GL (7.32 mg/g DW) and the lowest in ML (5.97 mg/g DW). While ML had a higher total flavonoids content (5.61 mg/g DW) than GS (4.88 mg/g DW) and GL (2.86 mg/g DW). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were significantly increased at 5.0 kGy. The highest level (83.25% and 80.24%) of scavenging activity (DPPH %) and inhibition activity of HCT 116 cells was recorded at 5.0 kGy by GS. All extracts irradiated at 5.0 kGy exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activity against (Gram+ve and Gram-ve), the GS followed by GL then ML showed strong antibacterial activity with a diameter of inhibition zone of 26.2, 24.5 and 19.7 mm, against L. monocytoganes, respectively and 24.4, 21.4 and 17.2 against S. typhimurium, respectively. This study suggests that P-irradiation is an effective technique to enhance the recovery of phenolics and flavonoids from GL, GS and ML. Also in current study, antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activity has been suggested to appear a clear positive relationship with the total phenolic material. This study has proved that the Egyptian GL, GS and ML are rich sources of valuable phytochemicals and nutrients that can serve as a potential source of nutraceuticals and multifunctional food additives (antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer). Phenolic compounds recovered from GL, GS and ML may have a potential role in fighting the COVID-19.

Nutritional and industrial value of turkey meat "Meleagris Gallopavo": review

The relationship between meat consumption and health is complex and should be analyzed in detail, paying particular attention to the relevant differences that characterize the effects of different types of meat, and in several studies on poultry meat, including turkey, which is characterized by its highly digestible proteins (with low levels of collagen), and of good nutritional quality as well as unsaturated fats (found mainly in the skin and easily removed) and vitamins of group B (mainly thiamine, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid), Minerals (such as iron, zinc, and copper) make its meat a valuable food. Through this study, it was found that there is a relationship between the consumption of turkey meat within a balanced diet and good health. Consuming it as part of a diet rich in vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of weight gain, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. White meat (and poultry in particular) is considered moderately protective or neutral against cancer risk. The importance of poultry meat to humans has also been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which considers this widely available and relatively inexpensive food to be particularly beneficial in developing countries, as it can help fill in the deficiency of essential nutrients. Consumption of Turkey also contributes to the overall quality of the diet at specific ages and conditions (before conception, during pregnancy until the end of breastfeeding, during growth, and into old age) and is suitable for those with an increased need for calories and protein compared to the general population. And it was found that turkey meat contains some vital amines, which are an indicator of quality, as well as having antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and it has been proven that eating this type of meat reduces the incidence of COVID-19 disease.

Facile preparation of antibacterial MOF‐fabric systems for functional protective wearables

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown numerous potentials as promising materials to address real‐world problems. However, their practical utilization in commercial products was largely limited by the lack of downstream processing methodologies to transform MOF powders into functional products. In this study, a commercially viable solution for the general synthesis of MOF‐fabric composites was introduced. On account of coordination bonding between poly(acrylic acid) and MOF substrates, MOF powders securely adhered onto the surface of fabric materials via a drip cast method to give MOF‐fabric composites easily. This strategy can be applied to different MOF types, as well as a wide variety of fabric materials. The prepared materials showed excellent bacterial killing efficacy attributed to the embedded HKUST‐1 MOF. In light of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this methodology could enable the large‐scale fabrication of essential MOF‐based personal protective wearables (e.g., clothing and masks) for use by healthcare professionals.

Polyethylene Films Containing Plant Extracts in the Polymer Matrix as Antibacterial and Antiviral Materials.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) films covered with active coatings containing mixtures of rosemary, raspberry, and pomegranate CO2 extracts were found to be active against selected bacterial strains that may extend the shelf life of food products. The coatings also offer antiviral activity, due to their influence on the activity of Φ6 bacteriophage, selected as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 particles. The mixture of these extracts could be incorporated into a polymer matrix to obtain a foil with antibacterial and antiviral properties. The initial goal of this work was to obtain active LDPE films containing a mixture of CO2 extracts of the aforementioned plants, incorporated into an LDPE matrix via an extrusion process. The second aim of this study was to demonstrate the antibacterial properties of the active films against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and to determine the antiviral effect of the modified material on Φ6 bacteriophage. In addition, an analysis was made on the influence of the active mixture on the polymer physicochemical features, e.g., mechanical and thermal properties, as well as its color and transparency. The results of this research indicated that the LDPE film containing a mixture of raspberry, rosemary, and pomegranate CO2 extracts incorporated into an LDPE matrix inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. This film was also found to be active against Bacillus subtilis. This modified film did not inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas syringae cells; however, their number decreased significantly. The LDPE active film was also found to be active against Φ6 particles, meaning that the film had antiviral properties. The incorporation of the mixture of CO2 extracts into the polymer matrix affected its mechanical properties. It was observed that parameters describing mechanical properties decreased, although did not affect the transition of LDPE significantly. Additionally, the modified film exhibited barrier properties towards UV radiation. Modified PE/CO2 extracts films could be applied as a functional food packaging material with antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Effect of TiO2 Concentration on Microstructure and Properties of Composite Cu-Sn-TiO2 Coatings Obtained by Electrodeposition.

In this work, Cu-Sn-TiO2 composite coatings were electrochemically obtained from a sulfate bath containing 0-10 g/L of TiO2 nanoparticles. The effect of TiO2 particles on kinetics of cathodic electrodeposition has been studied by linear sweep voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. As compared to the Cu-Sn alloy, the Cu-Sn-TiO2 composite coatings show rougher surfaces with TiO2 agglomerates embedded in the metal matrix. The highest average amount of included TiO2 is 1.7 wt.%, in the case of the bath containing 5 g/L thereof. Composite coatings showed significantly improved antibacterial properties towards E. coli ATCC 8739 bacteria as compared to the Cu-Sn coatings of the same composition. Such improvement has been connected with the corrosion resistance of the composites studied by linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In the bacterial media and 3% NaCl solutions, Cu-Sn-TiO2 composite coatings have lower corrosion resistance as compared to Cu-Sn alloys, which is caused by the nonuniformity of the surface.

Packaging Covered with Antiviral and Antibacterial Coatings Based on ZnO Nanoparticles Supplemented with Geraniol and Carvacrol.

The purpose of the study was to obtain an external coating based on nanoparticles of ZnO, carvacrol, and geraniol that could be active against viruses such as SARS-Co-V2. Additionally, the synergistic effect of the chosen substances in coatings was analyzed. The goal of the study was to measure the possible antibacterial activity of the coatings obtained. Testing antiviral activity with human pathogen viruses, such as SARS-Co-V2, requires immense safety measures. Bacteriophages such as phi 6 phage represent good surrogates for the study of airborne viruses. The results of the study indicated that the ZC1 and ZG1 coatings containing an increased amount of geraniol or carvacrol and a very small amount of nanoZnO were found to be active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is also important that a synergistic effect between these active substances was noted. This explains why polyethylene (PE) films covered with the ZC1 or ZG1 coatings (as internal coatings) were found to be the best packaging materials to extend the quality and freshness of food products. The same coatings may be used as the external coatings with antiviral properties. The ZC1 and ZG1 coatings showed moderate activity against the phi 6 phage that has been selected as a surrogate for viruses such as coronaviruses. It can be assumed that coatings ZG1 and ZC1 will also be active against SARS-CoV-2 that is transmitted via respiratory droplets.