The food industry faces numerous challenges to assure provision of tasty and convenient food that possesses extended shelf life and shows long‐term high‐quality preservation. Research and development ...of antimicrobial materials for food applications have provided active antibacterial packaging technologies that are able to meet these challenges. Furthermore, consumers expect and demand sustainable packaging materials that would reduce environmental problems associated with plastic waste. In this review, we discuss antimicrobial composite materials for active food packaging applications that combine highly efficient antibacterial nanoparticles (i.e., metal, metal oxide, mesoporous silica and graphene‐based nanomaterials) with biodegradable and environmentally friendly green polymers (i.e., gelatin, alginate, cellulose, and chitosan) obtained from plants, bacteria, and animals. In addition, innovative syntheses and processing techniques used to obtain active and safe packaging are showcased. Implementation of such green active packaging can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen outbreaks, improve food safety and quality, and minimize product losses, while reducing waste and maintaining sustainability.
Targeted nanomaterials for cancer theranostics have been the subject of an expanding volume of research studies in recent years. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are particularly attractive for ...such applications due to possibilities to synthesize nanoparticles (NPs) of different morphologies, pore diameters and pore arrangements, large surface areas and various options for surface functionalization. Functionalization of MSNs with different organic and inorganic molecules, polymers, surface-attachment of other NPs, loading and entrapping cargo molecules with on-desire release capabilities, lead to seemingly endless prospects for designing advanced nanoconstructs exerting multiple functions, such as simultaneous cancer-targeting, imaging and therapy. Describing composition and multifunctional capabilities of these advanced nanoassemblies for targeted therapy (passive, ligand-functionalized MSNs, stimuli-responsive therapy), including one or more modalities for imaging of tumors, is the subject of this review article, along with an overview of developments within a novel and attractive research trend, comprising the use of MSNs for CRISPR/Cas9 systems delivery and gene editing in cancer. Such advanced nanconstructs exhibit high potential for applications in image-guided therapies and the development of personalized cancer treatment.
Advanced nanoarchitectures involving mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) for simultaneous cancer targeting, therapy and imaging are overviewed. In addition, recent MSN-based strategies for cancer therapy through gene editing are reviewed, considering the significance of the topic, spotlighted by the 2020 Nobel prize in Chemistry “for the development of a method for genome editing” awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna. Display omitted
The use of magnetic nanoparticles for sensing and theranostics of cancer has grown substantially in the last decade. Since the pioneering studies, which reported magnetic nanoparticles for ...bio-applications more than fifteen years ago, nanomaterials have increased in complexity with different shapes (nanoflowers, nanospheres, nanocubes, nanostars etc.) and compositions (e.g. core-shell) of nanoparticles for an increase in the sensitivity (imaging or sensing) and efficiency through synergistic treatments such as hyperthermia and drug delivery. In this review, we describe recent examples concerning the use of magnetic nanoparticles for bio-applications, from the surface functionalization methods to the development of cancer sensors and nanosystems for magnetic resonance and other imaging methodologies. Multifunctional nanosystems (nanocomposites, core shell nanomaterials) for theranostic applications involving treatments such as hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, targeted drug delivery, and gene silencing are also described. These nanomaterials could be the future of medicine, although their complexity raises concerns about their safety.
A supramolecular assembly for visible light responsive release of cargo molecules is presented. Sulforhodamine 101 was loaded inside the mesopores of mercaptopropyl-functionalized mesoporous silica ...nanoparticles (MP-MSN) and entrapped by mercaptopropyl-coordinated Ru(bpy)(2)(PPh(3))-moieties. Irradiation with visible light triggers the release of capping species and loaded molecules.
Simple and low-cost biosensing solutions are suitable for point-of-care applications aiming to overcome the gap between scientific concepts and technological production. To compete with sensitivity ...and selectivity of golden standards, such as liquid chromatography, the functionalization of biosensors is continuously optimized to enhance the signal and improve their performance, often leading to complex chemical assay development. In this research, the efforts are made on optimizing the methodology for electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide to produce thin film-modified gold electrodes. Under the employed specific conditions, 20 cycles of cyclic voltammetry (CV) are shown to be optimal for superior electrical activation of graphene oxide into electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO). This platform is further used to develop a matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) biosensor, where specific anti-MMP2 aptamers are utilized as a biorecognition element. MMP-2 is a protein which is typically overexpressed in tumor tissues, with important roles in tumor invasion, metastasis as well as in tumor angiogenesis. Based on impedimetric measurements, we were able to detect as low as 3.32 pg mL−1 of MMP-2 in PBS with a dynamic range of 10 pg mL−1 – 10 ng mL−1. Further experiments with real blood samples revealed a promising potential of the developed sensor for direct measurement of MMP-2 in complex media. High specificity of detection is demonstrated – even to the closely related enzyme MMP-9. Finally, the potential of reuse was demonstrated by signal restoration after experimental detection of MMP-2.
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•Optimized electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide thin films.•Lithography-free process for rGO-based electrochemical sensor using commercial gold IDEs.•Novel, ERGO based impedimetric aptasensor for Matrix metalloproteinase 2 detection.•Ultrasensitive detection of MMP-2 with limit of 3.32 pg mL−1, high specificity, reusability, and application to human serum MMP-2 detection was demonstrated.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) and periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles containing bridging benzene (PMOBTB) and ethane (PMOBTE) moieties are synthesized, characterized, and ...evaluated for application in skin protection from UVA/UVB sun irradiation. Furthermore, the influence of surface functionalization with chelating 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propylsilane and Zn2+ ions on the UV-blocking ability of MSN is evaluated, along with the photostability and capability of the synthesized nanomaterials to carry avobenzone, a known UV-absorbing agent. The obtained results reveal promising characteristics of MSN and PMO materials with regard to their potential for sunscreen applications, which could be beneficial in terms of alleviating concerns about health and environmental hazards of sunscreen ingredients.
The properties of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) (biocompatibility, surface area, particle diameter, mesoporous structure, and ease of functionalization) are reviewed regarding their benefits ...for the construction of cancer‐targeting drug delivery systems, with an overview of literature reports within this research area. Intrinsic properties characteristic of tumor tissues (enhanced permeability and retention effect, overexpressed receptors, and acidic extracellular pH) are further discussed which can be utilized for cancer targeting. Recent literature reports are also accounted concerning MSN‐based cancer targeting that takes advantage of characteristics of the tumor environment and also nanotherapeutics capable of stimulus (acidification, exposure to light irradiation, magnetic field) responsive drug delivery. Finally, gene therapy approaches for cancer treatment and MSN‐based gene delivery vectors are reviewed. The research on mesoporous silicates possesses great potential for the development of complex multipurpose nanotherapeutics for simultaneous application in effective targeted treatment and imaging of cancer tissues.
Nanotherapeutics are designed and constructed from mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the targeted treatment of cancer based on characteristics of tumor tissues. The picture shows drug delivery triggered by the acidic extracellular environment of cancer, endocytosis of the drug carrier, and intracellular release of cargo drugs.
Lately, there has been a growing interest in anticancer therapy with a combination of different drugs that work by different mechanisms of action, which decreases the possibility that resistant ...cancer cells will develop. Herein we report on the development of a drug delivery system for photosensitive delivery of a known anticancer drug camptothecin along with cytotoxic cadmium sulfide nanoparticles from a magnetic drug nanocarrier. Core-shell nanoparticles consisting of magnetic iron-oxide-cores and mesoporous silica shells are synthesized with a high surface area (859 m(2) g(-1)) and hexagonal packing of mesopores, which are 2.6 nm in diameter. The mesopores are loaded with anticancer drug camptothecin while entrances of the mesopores are blocked with 2-nitro-5-mercaptobenzyl alcohol functionalized CdS nanoparticles through a photocleavable carbamate linkage. Camptothecin release from this magnetic drug delivery system is successfully triggered upon irradiation with UV light, as measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. Photosensitive anticancer activity of the drug delivery system is monitored by viability studies on Chinese hamster ovarian cells. The treatment of cancer cells with drug loaded magnetic material leads to a decrease in viability of the cells due to the activity of capping CdS nanoparticles. Upon exposure to low power UV light (365 nm) the loaded camptothecin is released which induces additional decrease in viability of CHO cells. Hence, the capping CdS nanoparticles and loaded camptothecin exert a cooperative anticancer activity. Responsiveness to light irradiation and magnetic activity of the nanocarrier enable its potential application for selective targeted treatment of cancer.
Meat cultivation via cellular agriculture holds great promise as a method for future food production. In theory, it is an ideal way of meat production, humane to the animals and sustainable for the ...environment, while keeping the same taste and nutritional values as traditional meat and having additional benefits such as controlled fat content and absence of antibiotics and hormones used in the traditional meat industry. However, in practice, there is still a number of challenges, such as those associated with the upscale of cultured meat (CM). CM food safety monitoring is a necessary factor when envisioning both the regulatory compliance and consumer acceptance. To achieve this, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. This includes extensive development of the sensitive and specific analytical devices i.e., sensors to enable reliable food safety monitoring throughout the whole future food supply chain. In addition, advanced monitoring options can help in the further optimization of the meat cultivation which may reduce the currently still high costs of production. This review presents an overview of the sensor monitoring options for the most relevant parameters of importance for meat cultivation. Examples of the various types of sensors that can potentially be used in CM production are provided and the options for their integration into bioreactors, as well as suggestions on further improvements and more advanced integration approaches. In favor of the multidisciplinary approach, we also include an overview of the bioreactor types, scaffolding options as well as imaging techniques relevant for CM research. Furthermore, we briefly present the current status of the CM research and related regulation, societal aspects and challenges to its upscaling and commercialization.
Drug (9-aminoacridine) loaded core/shell magnetic iron oxide-containing mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSN) were treated with HeLa cells and the drug carriers were agitated by expo- sure to ...magnetic field. Viability studies show the applicability of drug loaded magnetic material for anticancer treatment, which is enhanced upon stimulation with magnetic field. Confocal micrographs of fluorescein grafted MMSN-treated HeLa cells confirmed the ability of magnetic field to concentrate the synthesized material in the exposed area of the cells. The synthesized material and the applied drug delivery method may find application in magnetic field-responsive targeted treatment of cancer.
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