Currently, silver nanoparticles have boomed in food and medicine due to their potential applications, such as antibacterial and anticancer activity. These nanoparticles have been synthesized by several techniques; however, green synthesis has taken on greater importance due to the non‐generation of toxic residues. Green synthesis has been constructed from plant parts; however, the new trend comprises the use of agri‐food waste extracts, known as sustainable green synthesis. The use of agri‐food waste reduces environmental pollution and confers on its added value. The main waste generated is found in agricultural crops and industry from fruits and vegetables, cereal, bagasse from the food industry, and alcoholic beverages, oil cake of the oil industry, among others. The main biomolecules in agri‐food waste extracts include phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenes, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and proteins, whose function is to reduce the agents of the silver ion. Therefore, the objective of this review was to promote the use of agri‐food waste for the sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application as antibacterial and anticancer agents.

Nanoparticles based on chitosan modified with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were synthetized by nanoprecipitation (EGCG-g-chitosan-P). Chitosan was modified by free-radical-induced grafting, which was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Furthermore, the morphology, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were investigated. The grafting degree of EGCG, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of EGCG-g-chitosan-P were evaluated and compared with those of pure EGCG and chitosan nanoparticles (Chitosan-P). FTIR results confirmed the modification of the chitosan with EGCG. The EGCG-g-chitosan-P showed spherical shapes and smoother surfaces than those of Chitosan-P. EGCG content of the grafted chitosan nanoparticles was 330 μg/g. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EGCG-g-chitosan-P (15.6 μg/mL) was lower than Chitosan-P (31.2 μg/mL) and EGCG (500 μg/mL) against Pseudomonas fluorescens (p < 0.05). Additionally, EGCG-g-chitosan-P and Chitosan-P presented higher Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibition (100%) than EGCG at the lowest concentration tested. The nanoparticles produced an increase of ROS (p < 0.05) in both bacterial species assayed. Furthermore, EGCG-g-chitosan-P exhibited higher antioxidant activity than that of Chitosan-P (p < 0.05) in 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assays. Based on the above results, EGCG-g-chitosan-P shows the potential for food packaging and biomedical applications.

Recent bibliographic research highlights the innovative application of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in edible coatings for seafood preservation. Given the high susceptibility of seafood to spoilage, incorporating nanoparticles into coatings presents a promising solution. These nanoparticles possess significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which contribute to maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of seafood products. This study reviews various materials and synthesis techniques for nanoparticles, assessing their characteristics and suitability for food applications. It emphasizes the role of nanotechnology in enhancing the mechanical properties of biopolymer-based coatings, which are biodegradable and non-toxic, thus promoting environmental sustainability. The findings indicate that nanoparticle-infused coatings effectively improve the physicochemical properties of seafood, such as pH stabilization and the reduction in total nitrogenous volatile bases, while also inhibiting microbial growth. This multifaceted approach not only addresses food waste and safety concerns but also supports the fishing industry by enhancing product quality. Overall, this research underscores the potential of nanoparticle coatings as a viable strategy for seafood preservation, paving the way for future innovations in sustainable food packaging solutions.

The increasing demand for sustainable materials has propelled research into polysaccharide modifications for various applications, particularly in active packaging. This review aims to explore the incorporation of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols into polysaccharides, focusing on chemical modification through free radical grafting techniques. The methods examined include enzymatic, physical, and chemical grafting techniques, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing the properties of polysaccharide-based films. Recent studies have demonstrated that free radical grafting can significantly improve the mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of these films, extending their applicability in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, challenges such as the stability of polyphenols and the understanding of grafting mechanisms remain critical areas for further investigation. This review discusses these advancements and outlines future research directions, emphasizing the potential of polysaccharide modifications to create innovative materials that meet the evolving needs of consumers and industries alike.

In the present research, an orange extract (OE) was obtained and encapsulated in a zein matrix for its subsequent physicochemical characterization and evaluation of its antioxidant capacity. The OE consists of phenolic compounds and flavonoids extracted from orange peel (Citrus sinensis) by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). The results obtained by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that zein nanoparticles with orange extract (NpZOE) presented a nanometric size and spherical shape, presenting a hydrodynamic diameter of 159.26 ± 5.96 nm. Furthermore, ζ-potential evolution and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were used to evaluate the interaction between zein and OE. Regarding antioxidant activity, ABTS and DPPH assays indicated no significant differences at high concentrations of orange peel extract and NpZOE; however, NpZOE was more effective at low concentrations. Although this indicates that ultrasonication as an extraction method effectively obtains the phenolic compounds present in orange peels, the nanoprecipitation method under the conditions used allowed us to obtain particles in the nanometric range with positive ζ-potential. On the other hand, the antioxidant capacity analysis indicated a high antioxidant capacity of both OE and the NpZOE. This study presents the possibility of obtaining orange extracts by ultrasound and coupling them to zein-based nanoparticulate systems to be applied as biomedical materials functionalized with antioxidant substances of pharmaceutical utility.

The aim of this research was to separate the over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen, from an aqueous solution using the adsorption method, as this NSAID is one of the most globally consumed. An adsorbent was crafted from the Agave angustifolia bagasse, a byproduct of the bacanora industry (a representative alcoholic beverage of the state of Sonora, in northwestern Mexico). Three bioadsorbents (BCT1, BCT2, and BCT3) were produced via pyrolysis at a temperature of 550 °C, with slight variations in each process for every bioadsorbent. The bioadsorbents achieved material yields of 25.65%, 31.20%, and 38.28% on dry basis respectively. Characterization of the bagasse and adsorbents involved scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The biomass morphology exhibited a cracked surface with holes induced via the bacanora production process, while the surface of the bioadsorbents before ibuprofen adsorption was highly porous, with a substantial surface area. After adsorption, the surface of the bioadsorbents was transformed into a smoother grayish layer. The macromolecules of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin were present in the biomass. According to functional groups, cellulose and hemicellulose degraded to form the resulting bioadsorbents, although traces of lignin persisted after the pyrolysis process was applied to the biomass. In an adsorption study, BCT1 and BCT2 bioadsorbents successfully removed 100% of ibuprofen from aqueous solutions with an initial concentration of 62.6 mg/L. In conclusion, the biocarbon derived from Agave angustifolia bagasse exhibited significant potential for removing ibuprofen via adsorption from aqueous solutions.