The new generation of food packaging should not only be biodegradable, but also provide additional protective properties for packaged products, extending their shelf life. In this paper, we present the results of research on cast-extruded poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) films coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) modified with CO₂ extract from sea buckthorn (ES) or its ethosomes (ET) at amounts of 1 or 5 pph per HPMC. In addition, the developed films were exposed to accelerated aging (UV radiation and elevated temperature) to determine its effect on the films’ properties. Based on SEM, it can be concluded that accelerated aging results in the uncovering of the extract and ethosomes from the coating’s bulk. GPC showed a decrease in the molecular weight of PBS after treatment, additionally amplified by the presence of HPMC. However, the addition of ES or ET in low concentrations reduced the level of polyester degradation. The presence of the modified coating and its treatment increased the oxygen barrier (a decrease from 324 cm³/m² × 24 h for neat PBS to 208 cm³/m² × 24 h for the coated and modified PBS ET5). Despite the presence of colored extract or ethosomes in the coating, the color differences compared with neat PBS were imperceptible (ΔE < 1). The addition of 5 pph of sea buckthorn extract or its ethosomes in combination with accelerated aging resulted in the complete inhibition of the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, which was not observed in non-aged samples. The results obtained demonstrate an improvement in bioactive properties and protection against the negative effects of UV radiation on the film due to the presence of ET or ES in the coating. The developed systems could be used in the food industry as active packaging.

The aim of this work was to estimate the impact of polypropylene (BOPP) films with active coatings applied on their surface on the quality of sliced, plant-based meat analogue (PBMA) sausages. The coatings contained zinc oxide nanoparticles and geraniol (AG) or zinc oxide and carvacrol (AC) as active compounds. The outcomes of the study indicated that the total microbial count of ready-to-eat, sliced PBMAs bought from a local store was high, confirming that the plant-based sausage must have been contaminated during slicing. It was shown that BOPP bags and spacers covered with the AG layer reduced the number of mesophilic bacteria in sliced plant-based sausages stored for 96 h, proving that this packaging material maintained the microbial quality of PBMA samples. It has to be underlined that neither S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. nor coliform bacteria were detected in the plant sausage samples after 48 h and 96 h of storage in the BOPP packaging covered with the AG and AC coatings, confirming that these slices were acceptable for consumption. However, the textural analysis showed that bags coated with the AC layer were the best bags for 96 h of storage.

The study of interactions between gut microbiota and the well-being of the host has become increasingly popular in the last decades. Growing interest in gut microbiota–host interactions has brought attention to faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a clinically effective, though still debated, therapeutic approach. This review discusses how limitations in the characterisation of gut bacteriomes—particularly interindividual variation and methodological inconsistencies—may influence the outcomes of FMT. The concept of enterotypes is considered as a framework that could support more refined stratification of donors and recipients, offering a possible route toward greater precision in microbiota-based interventions. Further on, the review touches on the subject of interactions among the host, the bacteriome, and the phageome—the community of bacteriophages—with specific focus on the presence and intriguing distribution patterns of crAssviruses. The final chapters are dedicated to discussing the current state of the FMT procedure and its variations, as well as the possibility of performing faecal virome transplants (FVTs) as a potentially safer and equally efficient alternative.

The aim of the study was to modify polylactide with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO), raspberry leaf extract (E), and a combined ZnO/extract system (EZnO) in order to prepare novel packaging materials via a solvent-free method, namely cast extrusion. Physicochemical properties: Morphology (GPC, SEM, FTIR), mechanical (tensile tests, puncture), barrier (WVTR, OTR, UV-Vis) and water contact angle for PLA-based films with two thickness ranges were investigated. Additionally, antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral) tests were performed. GPC results revealed that the presence of the extract counteracted biopolyester degradation during hot melt processing. The best mechanical properties (TS ca. 50 MPa, EB ca. 18%) were obtained for PLA modified with raspberry leaf extract (PLA/E). EZnO addition led to the highest increase in oxygen (with 25%) and water vapor (up to ca. 28%) barrier properties. The material with EZnO addition was also found to be the only one to demonstrate antibacterial effectiveness, although the activity was insignificant. However, the incorporation of EZnO into the biopolymer matrix enhanced its antiviral properties, resulting in the complete inactivation of Φ6 bacteriophage particles used as a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The study investigated the antimicrobial and antiviral effects of polypropylene foil coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) layer containing tea tree oil (TTO) as the active agent. Moreover, the influence of accelerated aging using Q-SUN treatment on the efficacy of the non-coated and coated foils was also investigated. The results of the study indicated a slight antimicrobial effect of the irradiated coating against S. aureus, noticeable antibacterial activity of both irradiated and non-irradiated coating against E. coli and a complete inhibition of B. cereus growth by the irradiated coating. However, both of these coatings exhibited strong antiviral properties, confirmed by a method consisting of two separate tests conducted on the Φ6 phage as the infectious agent: real-time measurement of the host’s OD during co-culture with the phage and observation of the host’s growth on copper mesh grids using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The characteristics of non-irradiated and irradiated foils were also determined using SEM and FT-IR.

This review addresses methods and conditions for the bioimmobilisation of bacterio-phages, focusing on strategies that will preserve phage activity and enable their effective and/or controlled release in target environments. Key advances in this field are discussed, with particular emphasis on a bibliometric analysis of primary source data. In this context, future directions will include the encapsulation of previously unstudied bacteriophages, particularly those targeting fish pathogens, as well as the optimization of bioimmobilisation processes to develop stable dietary supplements. Attention is also given to identifying suitable systems for the safe incorporation of phages into feed and/or supplement formulations.