Renata Dobrucka

Biosynthesis and antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles using Trifolium pratense flower extract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has broad applications in various areas. Nanoparticle synthesis using plants is an alternative to conventional physical and chemical methods. It is known that the biological synthesis of nanoparticles is gaining importance due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness and extensive antimicrobial activity. Also, in this study we report the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using Trifolium pratense flower extract. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles have been characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Besides, this study determines the antimicrobial efficacy of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles against clinical and standard strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and standard strain of E. coli.

Active and intelligent packaging food - research and development - a review.

Abstract Innovation in food and beverage packaging is mostly driven by consumer needs and demands influenced by changing global trends, such as increased life expectancy, and fewer organizations investing in food production and distribution. Food industry has seen great advances in the packaging sector since its inception in the 18th century with most active and intelligent innovations occurring during the past century. These advances have led to improved food quality and safety. Active and intelligent packaging is a new and exciting area of technology which received efficient contemporary consumer response. The aim of this review article was to present active and intelligent packaging currently existing on the market

Antimicrobial Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Using Water Extract of Arnicae anthodium

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has gained significant importance in recent years and has become the one of the most preferred methods. Also, green synthesis of nanoparticles is valuable branch of nanotechnology. Plant extracts are eco-friendly and can be an economic option for synthesis of nanoparticles. This study presents method the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using water extract of Arnicae anthodium. Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–visble spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis. The morphology of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was verified by SEM–EDS. The obtained silver nanoparticles were used to study their antimicrobial activity.

Intelligent food packaging - research and development

Packaging also fosters effective marketing of the food through distribution and sale channels. It is of the utmost importance to optimize the protection of the food, a great quality and appearance better than typical packaged foods. In recent years, intelligent packaging becam e very popular. Intelligent packaging is becoming m ore and more widely used for food products. Application of this type of solution contributes to improvement of the quality consumer life undoubtedly. Intelligent packaging refers to a package that can sense environmental changes, and in turn, informs the users about the changes. These packaging systems co ntain devices that are capable of sensing and provi ding information about the functions and properties of the packaged foo s. Also, this paper will review intelligent pac k ging technologies and describe different types of indicators (time-te mp rature indicators, freshness indicators).

Investigation of the effectiveness of disinfectants against planktonic and biofilm forms of P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis cells using a compilation of cultivation, microscopic and flow cytometric techniques

This study evaluated the effectiveness of selected disinfectants against bacterial cells within a biofilm using flow cytometry, the conventional total viable count test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A flow cytometric procedure based on measurement of the cellular redox potential (CRP) was demonstrated to have potential for the rapid evaluation of activity against biofilm and planktonic forms of microbes. Quaternary ammonium compound-based disinfectant (QACB) demonstrated a higher level of anti-microbial activity than a performic acid preparation (PAP), with mean CRP values against P. aeruginosa cells of 2 and 1.33 relative fluorescence units (RFU) vs 63.33 and 61.33 RFU for 8 and 24 h cultures respectively. Flow cytometric evaluation of the anti-biofilm activity demonstrated a higher efficacy of QACB compared to PAP for P. aeruginosa cells of 1 and 0.66 RFU vs 18.33 and 22.66 RFU for 8 and 24 h cultures respectively. SEM images of treated P. aeruginosa cells demonstrated disinfectant-specific effects on cell morphology.

Biofabrication of platinum nanoparticles using Fumariae herba extract and their catalytic properties

Due to the increasing popularity of using plant extract in the synthesis of nanoparticles, this study presented the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Fumariae herba extract. The formation of platinum nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS profile. Transmission electron micrograph presented the hexagonal and pentagonal shape of the synthesized nanoparticles sized about 30 nm. Moreover, platinum nanoparticles presented good catalytic properties in the reduction of methylene blue and crystal violet.

Antimicrobial packaging with natural compunds - a review

Background: Packaging problems are an integral part of logist ics and the implementation of packaging significantly affects the effectiveness of logistic processes, as a factor which increases the safety nd the quality of products being transported. Active packaging is an area of technology needed to meet the requirements of the contemporary consumer. Active packaging creates add itional opportunities in systems for packing goods, a well as offering a solution in which the packaging, the pro duct and surroundings interact. Furthermore, active packaging allows packaging to interact with food and the environment a d play a dynamic role in food preservation. The main role of antimicrobial packaging is to inhibit the growth of microorganisms that reduce the quality of the pack aged product. Methods: The application of natural antimicrobial agents ap pears to be safe for food products. Also, these com pounds have potential applications as a natural preservati ve in the food packaging industry. This study prese nt some antibacterial agents, namely chitosan, nisin and pe ctins. Results and conclusion: Natural substances used in active packaging can el iminate the danger of chemical substances migrating to food.

Antimicrobial activity of the biogenically synthesized core-shell Cu@Pt nanoparticles

The interest in the biological synthesis of mono metal nanoparticles has been visible for years. As more attention is also given to the biological methods of synthesizing bimetallic nanoparticles, this work used the Agrimoniae herba extract in order to obtain bimetallic core-shell Cu@Pt nanoparticles. The formed core-shell Cu@Pt nanoparticles were characterized by Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–vis), Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) measurements. The obtained core-shell Cu@Pt nanoparticles were analysed in terms of their antibacterial activity. It was discovered that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited maximum activity against gram-negative bacteria E. coli ATCC 25922, S. aureus ATCC 25923, and P. aeruginosa NCTC 6749. The core-shell Cu@Pt nanoparticles also exhibited activity against the yeast C. albicans ATCC 10231 and dermatophytes T. mentagrophytes ATCC 9533.

Preparation of Ethylene Scavenger Based on KMNO4 to the Extension of the Storage Time of Tomatoes

Ethylene is one of the simplest plant growth regulators and is known to play a role in many physiological processes in fruit and vegetables. It helps to accelerate ripening in fruit, followed by aging and ultimately death. It is known that much fresh produce emits relatively large amounts of ethylene and smaller amounts of alcohol, aldehyde, and ester vapours in addition to carbon dioxide. Th e eff ect on the respiration rate depends primarily on the relative concentration compared to the ethylene emission of the plant, rather than on the absolute ethylene concentration. Th e removal of ethylene gas from the package headspace slows senescence and prolongs shelf life. Various methods of ethylene control are off ered commercially, including several based on ethylene adsorption/oxidation. Th e aim of this study was to prepare an ethylene scavenger with the use of potassium permanganate. Th e prepared ethylene scavenger was used extend the storage time of fresh tomatoes. Th e storage conditions were similar to tomato vegetable storage conditions at home and on shop shelves. Th is test used three equal groups (fi ve replicates per group) and placed them in commercial plastic packaging. Th e fi rst group of tomatoes was placed in packaging without any ethylene absorber, while the other two groups were placed in packaging with any ethylene absorber. Th e sachets placed in the packaging contained respectively 1 and 2 grams of previously prepared ethylene absorber. Th e fi rst mold on the tomatoes in the packaging with ethylene absorber occurred on the ninth day of the experiment. In the two remaining packets, mold appeared aft er nearly fi fty days. Th ere were diff erences in the fi rst group of stored tomatoes. Also, the obtained results confi rmed the possibility of using ethylene absorber with zeolite for food storage. SOEP 2017-07 – 4 kor.indd 7 2017-09-25 10:33:15 8 Renata Dobrucka, Andrzej Leonowicz, Ryszard Cierpiszewski