The use of metal oxide nanoparticles is one of the promising ways for overcoming antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have found wide applications in different fields of biomedicine. Several studies have suggested using the antimicrobial potential of IONPs. Iron is one of the key microelements and plays an important role in the function of living systems of different hierarchies. Iron abundance and its physiological functions bring into question the ability of iron compounds at the same concentrations, on the one hand, to inhibit the microbial growth and, on the other hand, to positively affect mammalian cells. At present, multiple studies have been published that show the antimicrobial effect of IONPs against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Several studies have established that IONPs have a low toxicity to eukaryotic cells. It gives hope that IONPs can be considered potential antimicrobial agents of the new generation that combine antimicrobial action and high biocompatibility with the human body. This review is intended to inform readers about the available data on the antimicrobial properties of IONPs, a range of susceptible bacteria, mechanisms of the antibacterial action, dependence of the antibacterial action of IONPs on the method for synthesis, and the biocompatibility of IONPs with eukaryotic cells and tissues.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/7/884/pdf

Do Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Have Significant Antibacterial Properties

Covid-19 pandemic effects on food safety - Multi-country survey study

The field of nanotechnology is concerned with the creation and application of materials having a nanoscale spatial dimensioning. Having a considerable surface area to volume ratio, nanoparticles have particularly unique properties. Several chemical and physical strategies have been used to prepare zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). Still, biological methods using green or natural routes in various underlying substances (e.g., plant extracts, enzymes, and microorganisms) can be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than chemical and/or physical methods in the long run. ZnO-NPs are now being studied as antibacterial agents in nanoscale and microscale formulations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the prevalent traditional method of generating ZnO-NPs, as well as its harmful side effects, and how it might be addressed utilizing an eco-friendly green approach. The study’s primary focus is on the potential biomedical applications of green synthesized ZnO-NPs. Biocompatibility and biomedical qualities have been improved in green-synthesized ZnO-NPs over their traditionally produced counterparts, making them excellent antibacterial and cancer-fighting drugs. Additionally, these ZnO-NPs are beneficial when combined with the healing processes of wounds and biosensing components to trace small portions of biomarkers linked with various disorders. It has also been discovered that ZnO-NPs can distribute and sense drugs. Green-synthesized ZnO-NPs are compared to traditionally synthesized ones in this review, which shows that they have outstanding potential as a potent biological agent, as well as related hazardous properties.

/pdf/exploring-the-journey-of-zinc-oxide-nanoparticles-zno-nps-16vpp5c9.pdf

Exploring the Journey of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) toward Biomedical Applications

The degradation of the environment is associated with economic activity, particularly with the linear way in which the economy does not make efficient use of resources. However, the circular economy is opposed to this linear paradigm, since it makes the most of the resources in trying to achieve zero waste. In this context, this study investigates the relationship between industry 4.0 technologies, COVID-19 outbreak, environmental regulation policies and circular economy practices. A questionnaire is designed to collect information from 214 big and private manufacturing firms in Ecuador, and subsequently, through CB-SEM, the information is processed, and the study paths are validated. The results suggest that industry 4.0 technologies and environmental regulation policies are driving circular economy practices during the pandemic. The study finds no evidence favoring COVID-19 being a determining factor in the adoption of the circular economy. The results provide a policy framework for the adoption of a circular economy.

Digital Technologies, Circular Economy Practices and Environmental Policies in the Era of COVID-19

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a tough test on companies in the global food sector supply chain, exacerbating the realities and deficiencies it presents in developing economies. This situation has been reflected in the firm’s performance (F.P.) due to the lack of business conditions to respond to the current pandemic. However, in some companies, the adverse effects of COVID-19 have been counteracted due to endowment and technological capabilities. Thus, this study examined the role of technological innovation (T.I.) and business data analytics (B.D.A.) in the F.P. of foods in Ecuador during COVID-19. A questionnaire collected the information from the food firms. Then, Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling processed the collected information. We found that (B.D.A.) mechanisms and different levels of T.I. within the developing market significantly shape the F.P. The results showed that the B.D.A. enables circular economy (C.E.) practices and the improvement of product delivery services, which constitutes an improvement of the F.P. The COVID-19 outbreak did not significantly affect T.I., unlike what happened with B.D.A. This study concluded that firms with the most extraordinary technological production processes have been the least affected during COVID-19. This study suggested that policy measures should boost food firms’ technological endowment to improve their resilience in uncertainty and risk scenarios.

Technological Innovation and Circular Economy Practices: Business Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of COVID-19

The meat industry is one of the most important sectors of the economy closely related to animal husbandry. In the human diet, meat is the main source of animal protein. Therefore, quality of a final product is extremely important and depends on many factors at all stages of the production. Requirements for parameters of food safety and quality are established in the most countries and are revised permanently depending on the new scientific data. In the Russian Federation and the Customs Union, the controlled parameters are normalized on the basis of scientific data and approved for use in the relevant Technical Regulations. In order to avoid actions misleading consumers, special requirements for product labeling have been developed. In particular, the labeling of slaughter products and meat products must be conformed in accordance to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union "Food products in terms of their labeling " - TR CU 022/2011, as well as to the some clauses of the Technical Regulation TR CU 034/2013 On the Safety of Meat and Meat Products. According to the working regulation, the manufacturers must indicate nutritional parameters (protein, fat, carbohydrates) of meat products on the product label as the parameter true values. At the same time, each standard for analytical methods includes a permissible relative error of the measured value at the confidence level of 0.95, which had not to be exceeded under the conditions described in the standard. In that way target measurement uncertainty is established. This paper shows the possible risks of false decisions when assessing meat products for its compliance with the labeling, depending on the measurement uncertainty, as well as methods for minimizing these risks.

https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2192/1/012022

Metrological aspects of the safety and quality of meat products

Formulating a functional drink with antiosteoporosis effects

We report the bactericidal effect of Ag and Cu NPs with different concentrations on methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain in comparison to the effect of AgNO3 and CuCl2 solutions, characterized by microbiological tests, TEM and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. NPs were produced by nanosecond laser ablation in distilled water and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis, energy dispersive X-ray, FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering size and zeta-potential measurements. Microbiological tests showed antibacterial activity of NPs and metal ion-containing salts. Comparative FT-IR spectroscopy of bacteria, treated with metal NPs and salts, showed the broadening of amide I and II bands, a CH2-related peak and its frequency decrease, indicating the increase of membrane fluidity. The main mechanisms of the antibacterial effect were proposed: Ag and Cu NPs release ions and ROS, which result in lipid peroxidation; AgNO3 forms precipitates on the cell surface, which lead to the mechanical rupture of the membrane and subsequent possible penetration of the precipitates in the emerged damaged spots, complete destruction of the membrane and bacterial death; Cu ions from the CuCl2 solution cause damage to phosphorus- and sulfur-containing biomolecules, which leads to disruption of intracellular biochemical processes. The theories were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and TEM.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/21/3857/pdf?version=1667295442

Direct Bactericidal Comparison of Metal Nanoparticles and Their Salts against S. aureus Culture by TEM and FT-IR Spectroscopy

Additive laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) of metal bactericidal nanoparticles from a polymer substrate directly onto food bacterial biofilms has demonstrated its unprecedented efficiency in combating pathogenic microorganisms. Here, a comprehensive study of laser fluence, metal (gold, silver and copper) film thickness, and the transfer distance effects on the antibacterial activity regarding biofilms of Gram-negative and Gram-positive food bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp.) indicated the optimal operation regimes of the versatile modality. LIFT-induced nanoparticle penetration into a biofilm was studied by energy-dispersion X-ray spectroscopy, which demonstrated that nanoparticles remained predominantly on the surface of the biofilm.

/pdf/additive-nanosecond-laser-induced-forward-transfer-of-high-gyf251at.pdf

Additive Nanosecond Laser-Induced Forward Transfer of High Antibacterial Metal Nanoparticle Dose onto Foodborne Bacterial Biofilms

The review paper examines the main risk factors for microbial contamination of meat at different stages of its processing. Particular emphasis has been placed on primary animal processing being the most hazardous in terms of microbial contamination of meat. Carcass cross-contamination most frequently occurs during skinning and evisceration since hides and the digestive tract are the primary sources of microbial pathogens. It is necessary to observe stringent sanitary and hygienic rules when performing these operations. Continuous cold chain management along all following stages of meat processing and control of the sanitary status of cold chambers during meat storage are of extreme importance. An increase in the microbial counts due to the high number of manual operations was observed during meat cutting, boning, and trimming. Subsequent stages of meat processing, including mincing, curing, the addition of spices, also promote significant microbial growth. Strict control regarding detection of dangerous pathogens, especially L. monocytogenes, is needed at this stage. In general, to minimize problems linked with meat and meat product safety, it is necessary to take timely measures on sanitary treatment of meat processing facilities, including the prevention of biofilm formation.

/pdf/factors-influencingmicrobial-transmission-in-a-meat-2lo08oaf1b.pdf

Anastasia Semenova

Papers

Metrological aspects of the safety and quality of meat products

Formulating a functional drink with antiosteoporosis effects

Direct Bactericidal Comparison of Metal Nanoparticles and Their Salts against S. aureus Culture by TEM and FT-IR Spectroscopy

Additive Nanosecond Laser-Induced Forward Transfer of High Antibacterial Metal Nanoparticle Dose onto Foodborne Bacterial Biofilms

Factors influencingmicrobial transmission in a meat processing plant