Polymer nanocomposites containing nanometals became a subject of interest due to their bactericidal properties. Different polysaccharides have been used as matrices for nanosilver and nanogold synthesis. In this study, we present a novel, environmentally friendly method for the preparation of sodium alginate/nanosilver/graphene oxide (GOX) and sodium alginate/nanogold/graphene oxide GOX nanocomposites and their characteristics. The formation of approximately 10–20 nm ball-shaped Ag and Au nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The incorporation of GOX sheets within the ALG matrix improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites film, which was measured using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We also estimated the molecular weights of polysaccharide chains of the matrix with the size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle laser light scattering and refractometric detectors (HPSEC-MALLS-RI). The composites were more prone to enzymatic hydrolysis. The strongest bacteriostatic activity was observed for the sample containing nanosilver.

This study describes functional properties of bionanocomposites consisting of starch/chitosan/graphene oxide (GO) obtained using the green synthesis method, such as water-barrier and optical properties, as well as the rate of degradation by enzymatic and acid hydrolysis. The toxicity of the composites and their effects on the development of pathogenic microflora during storage of meat food products was also investigated. Although the results showed that the barrier properties of the composites were weak, they were similar to those of biological systems. The studies carried out confirmed the good optical properties of the composites containing chitosan, which makes it possible to use them as active elements of packaging. The susceptibility of starch and chitosan films to enzymatic and acid hydrolyses indicates their relatively high biodegradability. The lack of toxicity and the high barrier against many microorganisms offer great potential for applications in the food industry.

Background: The growing demand for sustainable and nutrient-rich food has drawn attention to aquatic plants, particularly those of the Lemnoideae subfamily, commonly known as duckweed. These fast-growing plants are rich in high-quality protein and offer an attractive alternative to traditional plant and animal protein sources, especially in the context of targeted nutrition and sustainable diets. Methods: This review is a critical assessment of Lemnoideae potential as a functional food ingredient for various population groups, including vegans, diabetics, the elderly, and individuals with specific dietary needs. Their amino acid profile, protein digestibility, allergenicity, and bioactive compound content are evaluated in the paper. Also examined are health-related outcomes and applications, including clinical and space nutrition, alongside current barriers such as limited consumer acceptance and regulatory hurdles. Results and conclusions: Lemnoideae demonstrate a favorable amino acid profile, high digestibility, and low allergenic potential. They are a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, and show promising effects in managing metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Legal approvals in the EU and U.S. mark a shift towards broader acceptance. While sensory attributes and consumer unfamiliarity remain challenges, the findings allow us to highlight Lemnoideae as a promising next-generation plant protein source that could contribute to sustainable food systems and support the development of novel functional foods tailored to specific dietary needs.

This study involved the creation and characterisation of double-layer films based on furcellaran (FUR) and chitosan (CHIT)—furcellaran complexes. Although chitosan films are quite widely described, a double CHIT-FUR membrane with high solubility and water vapour permeability is seldom reported in the literature. In this work, the physicochemical, mechanical and thermal properties of the obtained double-layer films were examined. The structural properties and morphology of the prepared films were presented using FTIR and AFM analysis. The obtained results confirmed the production of double-layer films, the layers of which differed from each other. The characterisation of the obtained films indicated that the 9:1 ratio (complex_9:1) is superior in terms of uniformity and performance. The obtained double-layer films have the potential to replace traditional plastics in food packaging and may also serve as a new material for medicine capsules in the pharmaceutical industry.

Background. Enzyme immobilization on a support can bring benefits not only due to cost reduction through reuse or ensuring process continuity, but also by changing the specificity of the catalyst for products. A major challenge in enzymatic reactions is the variability of the specificity of the amount of products, which makes the widespread use of enzymatic reactions difficult, increases the costs of product separation and purification. A directed change of enzymes, for example by immobilization, has become a valuable approach to generating enzymes tailored to customer needs. Results and conclusions. This paper presents studies on the immobilization of cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase) EC 2.4.1.19 on dialdehyde starch (DAS), obtained by oxidation of potato starch. Due to the high content of aldehyde groups, CGTase was catalytically inactive towards dialdehyde starch. The CGTase-DAS biocatalyst obtained as a result of immobilization was active in six reaction cycles of obtaining cyclodextrins from potato starch. Higher efficiency than in homogeneous catalysis was obtained in four reaction cycles catalyzed by immobilized CGTase. The biocatalyst was still active in the subsequent cycles, but the reaction proceeded with lower efficiency compared to the reaction with the enzyme in the free state. A change in the ratio of obtained α:β:γ cyclodextrins was observed. The most β-CD was obtained in the reaction with the non-immobilized enzyme. More α-CD was obtained in the reaction with the heterogeneous catalyst in cycles I-III, in subsequent cycles the efficiency of γ-CD was higher than βCD. Due to the multiple use of the heterogeneous biocatalyst, the total amount of obtained cyclodextrins was significantly increased. The presented CGTase-DAS biocatalyst can be successfully used in technological processes to reduce the costs of obtaining cyclodextrins.