The synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles for diverse applications is an active research area that involves physical and chemical methods, which typically are expensive, involve hazardous chemical reagents, use complex equipment and synthesis conditions, and consume large amounts of time and energy. Thus, green synthesis methods have emerged as eco-friendly and easy alternatives for inorganic nanoparticle synthesis, particularly the use of plant-based extracts from fruit juice, leaves, seeds, peel, stem, barks, and roots, which act as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and circular economy principles. Therefore, diverse inorganic nanoparticles have been synthesized using plant-based extracts, including gold, silver, titanium dioxide, zinc, copper, platinum, zirconium, iron, selenium, magnesium, nickel, sulfur, cobalt, palladium, and indium nanoparticles, which exhibit different biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, dye degradation, cytotoxic, analgesic, sedative, wound-healing, skin protection, sensor development, and plant-growth-promoting effects. Therefore, this review summarizes the advantages and limitations of plant-based extracts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents for inorganic nanoparticle green synthesis.

Due to the current concerns against opportunistic pathogens and the challenge of antimicrobial resistance worldwide, alternatives to control pathogen growth are required. In this sense, this work offers a new nanohybrid composed of zinc-layered hydroxide salt (Simonkolleite) and thymol for preventing bacterial growth. Materials were characterized with XRD diffraction, FTIR and UV–Vis spectra, SEM microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. It was confirmed that the Simonkolleite structure was obtained, and thymol was adsorbed on the hydroxide in a web-like manner, with a concentration of 0.863 mg thymol/mg of ZnLHS. Absorption kinetics was described with non-linear models, and a pseudo-second-order equation was the best fit. The antibacterial test was conducted against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus strains, producing inhibition halos of 21 and 24 mm, respectively, with a 10 mg/mL solution of thymol–ZnLHS. Moreover, biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa inhibition was tested, with over 90% inhibition. Nanohybrids exhibited antioxidant activity with ABTS and DPPH evaluations, confirming the presence of the biomolecule in the inorganic matrix. These results can be used to develop a thymol protection vehicle for applications in food, pharmaceutics, odontology, or biomedical industries.

YMnO₃ is a P-type semiconductor with a perovskite-type structure (ABO₃). It presents two crystalline systems: rhombohedral and hexagonal, the latter being the most stable and studied. In the hexagonal system, Mn³⁺ ions are coordinated by five oxygen ions forming a trigonal bipyramid, and the Y³⁺ ions are coordinated by five oxygen ions. This arrangement favors its ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties, which have been widely studied since 1963. However, applications based on their optical properties have yet to be explored. This work evaluates the photoelectric response and the photocatalytic activity of yttrium manganite in visible spectrum wavelengths. To conduct this, a rod-obelisk-shaped yttrium manganite with a reduced indirect bandgap value of 1.43 eV in its hexagonal phase was synthesized through the precipitation method. The synthesized yttrium manganite was elucidated by solid-state techniques, such as DRX, XPS, and UV-vis. It was non-toxic as shown by the 100% leukocyte viability of mice BALB/c.

Hydrogel particles are essential in biological applications because of their distinctive capacity to retain water and encapsulate active molecules within their three-dimensional structure. Typical particle sizes range from nanometers (10–500 nm) to micrometers (1–500 µm), depending on the specific application and method of preparation. These characteristics render them optimal carriers for the administration of active compounds, facilitating the regulated and prolonged release of pharmaceuticals, including anticancer agents, antibiotics, and therapeutic proteins. Hydrogel particles can exhibit various morphologies, including spherical, rod-shaped, disk-shaped, and core–shell structures. Each shape offers distinct advantages, such as improved circulation time, targeted drug delivery, or enhanced cellular uptake. Additionally, hydrogel particles can be engineered to respond to various stimuli, such as temperature, pH, light, magnetic fields, and biochemical signals. Furthermore, their biocompatibility and capacity to acclimate to many biological conditions make them appropriate for sophisticated applications, including gene treatments, tissue regeneration, and cell therapies. Microfluidics has transformed the creation of hydrogel particles, providing precise control over their dimensions, morphology, and stability. This technique facilitates reproducible and highly efficient production, reducing reagent waste and optimizing drug encapsulation. The integration of microfluidics with hydrogels provides opportunities for the advancement of creative and effective solutions in contemporary medicine.

Glyphosate (GLYP) is an effective and low-cost broad-spectrum herbicide. However, this herbicide and its primary degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), have been linked with adverse human health effects. The global use of glyphosate has significantly increased in recent years, resulting in more direct and indirect human exposure. In this context, GLYP and AMPA are often detected in fresh and processed foods for adults and infants, as well as in drinking water worldwide. Diverse extraction and quantification methods for GLYP and AMPA from foods have been developed. Solid-phase extraction and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) are the most frequently employed cleanup strategies, while LC-MS/MS is one of the most sensitive and selective techniques for detecting GLYP and AMPA in food products. Although most studies show that GLYP and AMPA concentrations in foods remain within established maximum residue limits, occasionally they exceed legal limits. Thus, the widespread presence of GLYP and AMPA in foodstuffs is a public concern that may lead to consumers exceeding the acceptable daily intake due to prolonged dietary exposure, even if levels remain within thresholds. Therefore, this review explores the different approaches and techniques used in the extraction, detection, and quantification of GLYP and AMPA in foods.

Blue maize is rich in bioactive compounds which are at risk of extinction due to monoculture practices. Carrot bagasse, considered a byproduct of the food industry, contains compounds that have been shown to benefit human health while also enhancing sustainability. Ellagic acid can prevent and assist in the treatment of various pathologies. Extrusion is a process characterized by its use of low energy, which minimizes the degradation of nutrients and bioactive compounds compared to other technologies. The objective of this research was to develop a functional food with high value of sensorial acceptance, desirable physicochemical, and antioxidant properties, using an 85:13:2% mixture of nixtamalized blue maize flour, carrot bagasse flour, and ellagic acid, processed with optimal conditions of extrusion determined with a surface response model. Operational conditions using a central rotatable experimental design were die temperature (DT = 120–170 °C), and screw speed (SS = 50–240 rpm), while response variables were physicochemical properties (expansion index, bulk density, breaking force, water absorption index and water solubility index) and antioxidant activity (free phenols inhibition of ABTS and DPPH). Sensory analysis, bromatological characterization and ellagic acid content determination with HPLC-DAD in reversed phase were also made. The optimal operational conditions were found to be DT = 144 °C and SS = 207 rpm, resulting in a mixture with high sensorial acceptability on a five-point hedonic scale. The optimized functional food may be used to promote the utilization of endemic ingredients and reduce food waste in the treatment of pathologies and prevention of diseases due to its high antioxidant activity attributed to phenolic and terpene compounds.