The use of biodegradable materials in food packaging has gained increasing attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. In this study, calcium chloride-loaded nanofilms were developed using sodium alginate (NaAlg) as the primary polymer matrix, with chitosan (Ch) added at varying concentrations, resulting in three formulations (NF1–NF3). The films were further reinforced with bimetallic ZnO@MgO nanoparticles to enhance functionality. Comprehensive characterization was conducted to evaluate structural, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties. FTIR analysis confirmed strong interactions between NaAlg and Ch, indicating successful formation of a blended polymer network, while characteristic bands verified nanoparticle incorporation. SEM observations showed that increasing chitosan content resulted in denser, rougher film surfaces, suggesting enhanced intermolecular interactions. Thermal analysis demonstrated improved stability of the nanofilms compared to neat polymers, likely due to crosslinking effects and the presence of inorganic nanoparticles. Mechanical testing revealed enhanced tensile properties across all formulations compared with pure alginate films. Biocompatibility assessment using Vero and Wi-38 cell lines confirmed low cytotoxicity, with cell viability remaining above safe limits. Antimicrobial activity significantly increased with higher chitosan and nanoparticle content, with NF3 showing the strongest inhibition against the tested microorganisms. Additionally, antioxidant activity improved progressively, reaching 87.50% in NF3. Moreover, biodegradation of the formulated films in soil was rapid. Calcium and bimetallic ion migration test exhibited controlled release in the food simulation system. In conclusion, the developed alginate–chitosan nanofilms reinforced with ZnO@MgONPs exhibited enhanced physicochemical, mechanical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, highlighting their strong potential as safe and effective biodegradable materials for active food packaging applications.
S. Selim, S. Al-Mijalli, A. Hashem et al.· RSC Advances· 0 citations
The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance has increased the need for anti-infective approaches beyond conventional single-target antibiotics. Defensins, a conserved family of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides, are promising candidates owing to their structural stability, membrane activity, target-specific mechanisms, immunomodulatory functions, and potential synergy with existing antibiotics. This critical narrative review discusses defensins as potential therapeutics against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, with a focus on structure-activity relationships, bacterial envelope biology, resistance evolution and cross-resistance, antibiofilm activity, and translational feasibility. Data were synthesized from mammalian, plant, fungal, and insect defensins, together with defensin-derived peptides and defensin mimetics. Unrelated AMPs were included only as contextual comparators and were not treated as defensin-specific evidence. Antibacterial proof-of-concept and translational-readiness evidence were appraised separately, including activity under physiological ionic-strength and serum conditions, protease stability, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, resistance selection, and
in vivo
efficacy. However, clinical translation has been hampered by inconsistent testing standards, incomplete pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characterization, safety concerns, manufacturing challenges, and inadequate resistance surveillance. Existing evidence does not support classifying defensins as resistance-proof or uniformly less resistance-prone than conventional antibiotics. Instead, they should be regarded as versatile scaffolds whose resistance risk requires candidate-specific evaluation. Future studies should combine standardized broth microdilution with testing in serum, protease-rich environments, and mature biofilms. Candidate progression should require infection-site PK/PD, route-appropriate safety, and efficacy in chronic-wound, device-biofilm, or mucosal-infection models. AI-guided design and delivery systems should advance only when they demonstrably improve stability, exposure, activity, or tolerability, with resistance monitored throughout development and use.
E. Abdallah, S. Al-Mijalli, N. Al Hakawati et al.· Frontiers in Cellular and In...· 0 citations
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