The challenges of the current era in food packaging have led to a continuous diversification of sources of biopolymers. Edible Orthopterans have garnered significant interest worldwide as potential sources of biopolymers for the production of biodegradable and active packaging. These insect species have emerged as a potential and sustainable substitute for conventional protein and chitosan sources due to their ...
Abstract: Sternal bursitis is an underexplored lesion in poultry, often overlooked in microbiological diagnostics. In this study, we characterized 36 Escherichia coli isolates recovered from sternal bursitis in broiler chickens, combining phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCRbased screening, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). The genetic analysis revealed a diverse population spanning 15 sequence...
The food industry produces substantial amounts of fruit byproducts, which are often discarded despite their high content of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. Pyrus communis (pear) residues, which are particularly rich in phenolic compounds, represent a valuable yet underutilized resource. These byproducts have demonstrated significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, suggesti...
Apple by-products represent a valuable source of phenolic compounds with significant antimicrobial potential, aligning with sustainable strategies for waste valorisation within the circular bioeconomy. This review focuses on the phenolic profile and antimicrobial relevance of ‘Maçã de Alcobaça,’ a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) apple variety from Portugal. The main phenolics identified include phloridz...
Plant-based beverages are gaining attention due to their potential to offer sustainable and health-promoting alternatives to traditional dairy products. This study aimed to develop a dehydrated functional plant-based beverage composed of tigernut tubers (Cyperus esculentus L.), mukua pulp (Adansonia digitata L.), and thermal water. All matrices and the final beverage were fully characterized in terms of physica...
Edible coatings enriched with bioactive compounds have emerged as promising alternatives to synthetic preservatives, aligning with sustainability goals and offering solutions for the conservation of perishable fruits. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the efficacy of edible coatings formulated with celery (Apium graveolens L.) and banana inflorescence (Musa acuminata var. “Dwarf Cavendish”) extracts, kno...
The Mediterranean diet, well known for its health benefits, is characterized by high consumption of plant-based foods, along with low to moderate amount of seafood and animal products. In contrast, life in the 21st century is marked by a fast-pace, making the consumption of nutritious foods challenging, as ultra-processed foods have become the default option for their convenience, despite their negative impact ...
Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely distributed in the plant kingdom, valued for their strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These bioactive compounds are promising natural alternatives to artificial preservatives in the food industry, aligning with consumer demand for sustainable solutions that ensure food quality and safety. In this review, the structural complexity of bioactive phe...
The rising global population has created an urgent need for increased food production. Food loss and waste remain significant challenges throughout the food supply chain, from cultivation to consumption. Blockchain, a decentralized peer-to-peer network that stores information can help making food more traceable, from production to consumption. It can also help enhance food production sustainability, transparenc...
Unconventional food plants (UFPs) are increasingly valued for their nutritional composition and bioactive potential. This study proposes a comprehensive characterization of the chemical and bioactive properties of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) (PA); Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott (Araceae) (XS); Stachys byzantina K. Koch (Lamiaceae) (SB); and inflorescences from three cultivars of Musa acuminata (M...