The unique properties and advantages of edible films over conventional food packaging have led the way to their extensive exploration in recent years. Moreover, the incorporation of bioactive components during their production has further enhanced the intrinsic features of packaging materials. This study was aimed to develop edible and bioactive food packaging films comprising yeast incorporated into bacterial cellulose (BC) in conjunction with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and glycerol (Gly) to extend the shelf life of packaged food materials. First, yeast biomass and BC hydrogels were produced by Meyerozyma guilliermondii (MT502203.1) and Gluconacetobacter xylinus (ATCC53582), respectively, and then the films were developed ex situ by mixing 30 wt.% CMC, 30 wt.% Gly, 2 wt.% yeast dry biomass, and 2 wt.% BC slurry. FE-SEM observation showed the successful incorporation of Gly and yeast into the fibrous cellulose matrix. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the development of composite films through chemical interaction between BC, CMC, Gly, and yeast. The developed BC/CMC/Gly/yeast composite films showed high water solubility (42.86%). The yeast-incorporated films showed antimicrobial activities against three microbial strains, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Saccharomyces aureus, by producing clear inhibition zones of 16 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm, respectively, after 24 h. Moreover, the films were non-toxic against NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. Finally, the coating of oranges and tomatoes with BC/CMC/Gly/yeast composites enhanced the shelf life at different storage temperatures. The BC/CMC/Gly/yeast composite film-coated oranges and tomatoes demonstrated acceptable sensory features such as odor and color, not only at 6 °C but also at room temperature and further elevated temperatures at 30 °C and 40 °C for up to two weeks. The findings of this study indicate that the developed BC/CMC/Gly/yeast composite films could be used as edible packaging material with high nutritional value and distinctive properties related to the film component, which would provide protection to foods and extend their shelf life, and thus could find applications in the food industry.

Ahmed A. Rawwash, Emad Ahmed Fathy Hussein, Omar Mohammad Atta. J Pharmacopuncture 2025;28:255-68. https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2025.28.4.255

Egyptian propolis, a resinous material collected by honeybees from a variety of botanical sources, has received increased scientific attention due to its complex chemical composition and diverse biological activities. Egyptian propolis contains a diverse range of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and aromatic aldehydes, and its chemical composition varies depending on botanical origin and geographic region. This review conducts a thorough analysis of its chemical constituents and investigates the biodiversity in its composition across various Egyptian ecosystems. The biological properties of Egyptian propolis are thoroughly discussed, including its powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant properties, which have been validated by numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. These properties have enabled their use in various biomaterial domains, including food preservation, wound healing, and dental care. Egyptian propolis has been used in medicine, industry, and in the production of nanoparticles due to its antimicrobial properties. However, more research is needed on Egyptian propolis because there are few studies exploring its various applications. This work is to consolidate current knowledge and identify future directions for the development of Egyptian propolis as a sustainable and multifunctional material.

Algae and honeybee products are showing up more and more in skincare and in topical or adjunctive treatments because they’re rich, natural sources of active molecules. Macroalgae and microalgae produce sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, and peptides—compounds known for antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, photoprotective, brightening, and moisturizing effects. From the beehive, medical‑grade honey, beeswax, and bee venom (BV) stand out for supporting wound repair and calming inflammatory skin conditions thanks to their antimicrobial, anti‑inflammatory, immunomodulatory, barrier‑strengthening, and pro‑regenerative actions. This review pulls together recent progress on the chemistry, mechanisms, delivery systems, and real‑world uses of algae‑ and bee‑derived ingredients. Meta‑analyses suggest that medical-grade honey can modestly yet meaningfully speed healing in chronic wounds, while combinations of bee products are gaining traction for acne care and biofilm control. Crucially, sustainable sourcing and careful standardization are making it easier to create products that perform as both effective cosmetics and credible therapeutics. With better evidence and formulation practices, these algae‑ and bee‑based actives can move from promising products to fully evidence‑backed ingredients in modern skincare and medicine.