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.

Currently, approximately one third of food is wasted; to counteract this, several novel packaging technologies have been developed to extend its shelf life, among which active packaging stands out. In this research, filmogenic solutions of pectin and beeswax with the addition of bioactive compounds as anthocyanins were developed and characterized to evaluate their potential application as active coatings. The antioxidant and antifungal activity of anthocyanins and coatings were determined, and the rheological properties, pH, color, SEM and FT-IR of the coatings were evaluated. The antioxidant activity of the anthocyanins had IC50 values of 79.52 and 56.14 μg/mL for DPPH^• and ABTS^•+, respectively, and 0.25% (w/v) for the antifungal activity against Colletotrichum siamense, which was inhibited by 32.16% and had morphological affectations in the fungus. The best formulation for coating was obtained with 3% (w/v) pectin, 1% (w/v) wax, and 1% (w/v) Tween 80, and 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% anthocyanins were added. The rheological properties showed adequate viscosity values (0.08–0.12 Pa·s), and the pH values were acidic (3.05–3.78) and showed reddish tones. FT-IR analysis showed that the interactions between the components included the C=O stretching band being shifted due to intermolecular interactions and SEM micrographs showed that the film coatings presented continuous areas of pectin with embedded wax crystals. Promising results were obtained for antioxidant and antifungal activity for the coatings. The formulations presented suitable characteristics for their use as active coating in food.

This review explores the eco-friendly synthesis of metallic nanoparticles derived from polysaccharides obtained from agricultural and food industry waste. Initially, it outlines the problem of agri-food waste, highlighting its abundance and the potential to extract valuable polysaccharides such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. The focus is on green synthesis methods that use these polysaccharides to produce metallic nanoparticles, emphasizing the environmental benefits compared to conventional methods. The article reviews the physicochemical properties of key polysaccharides and details their extraction processes from various agricultural waste. The synthesis of diverse types of metallic nanoparticles, including monometallic (e.g., gold, silver, and platinum), bimetallic (e.g., gold–silver and gold–zinc), and oxide nanoparticles (e.g., zinc oxide and iron oxide), is extensively covered. Additionally, mechanisms of nanoparticle synthesis, such as nucleation, growth, stabilization, and capping, are examined, alongside examples from existing research. The article highlights the applications of these nanoparticles in diverse fields, including food safety, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection. It concludes by underscoring the potential of green synthesis to reduce waste and promote sustainable industrial practices and calls for further research to optimize these methods.

Maclura is a plant genus little known and used, species of which have been mainly used in the recovery of soils, for medicinal purposes such as dental infection treatments, and as wood for making furniture and construction. The overexploitation of this genus has placed certain species in endangered extinction status in some countries, such as Brazil. In addition, the scarce research and information limit the development, cultivation, and management of its species regarding their biochemical composition, which includes bioactive compounds such as the phenolic and flavonoid compounds found in some species such as M. pomifera, M. cochinchinensis, and M. tinctoria. The plants’ antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities have been attributed to these compounds. Other biochemical components such as ashes, insoluble lignin, holocellulose, and the high content of lipids and carbohydrates have been identified to be used to produce biofuels, with characteristics very similar to fuels derived from petroleum. This review aims to analyze the current knowledge on the plant genus Maclura, exploring its biochemical compounds and potential applications, including as a food additive, antioxidant supplement, in agriculture, for therapeutic purposes, aquaculture, and the cosmetic and industrial sector.

Background: The negative effects caused by chemical fertilizers on the environment have led in recent years to the use of ecological alternatives for the management of crops of economic interest, with the application of bioproducts. Objective: To evaluate the application of the EcoMic biofertilizer and the bioproducts based on Trichoderma and QuitoMax in the production of organic potatoes. Methodology: The research was carried out at Finca “El Viñedos” Los Palacios, where 1 ha of the tuber variety SPECTRA, of Dutch origin, was planted in a Red Ferralitic leached Quartzite soil and three blocks were established, in one of which potatoes were produced conventionally (control), in another it was the combination of bioproducts (QuitoMax, Trichoderma and EcoMic) and in the remaining only QuitoMax and Trichoderma was applied. For the treated blocks, applications of QuitoMax (4) and Trichoderma (8) were made after sprouting. Results: The number of tubers per plant increased by 47 and 50% in those biologically treated (QuitoMax, Trichoderma and EcoMic) and (QuitoMax and Trichoderma), respectively. A similar behavior was obtained with the block based on QuitoMax, Trichoderma and EcoMic in the size of the tubers (caliber) with 63% while the one treated with QuitoMax and Trichoderma obtained 14%; in agricultural yield it was 31 and 21%, with QuitoMax, Trichoderma and EcoMic standing out. Implications: The production of organic potatoes is possible with the application of bioproducts. Conclusions: With the combined application of the EcoMic biofertilizer and other bioproducts, it was possible to produce 19 t of organic potatoes on the “El Viñedo” Los Palacios farm.

Electrospraying has emerged as a promising technique for producing biopolymeric structures containing bioactive compounds. In this study, gelatin and gelatin–curcumin nanoparticles were produced by uniaxial electrospraying, and the effects of gelatin and curcumin extract concentrations on their rheological, morphological, and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. Gelatin solutions (5–15% w/v) were first characterized by rheological analysis, which exhibited Newtonian flow behavior over the evaluated concentration range, favorable for the electrospraying process. Electrospraying was performed at fixed conditions of 15 kV voltage, 0.1 mL h⁻¹ flow rate, and 10 cm tip-to-collector distance. Increasing gelatin concentrations influenced the resulting morphology, with structures ranging from pearled fibers to spherical particles and, at higher concentrations, fibers with few pearls. Gelatin structures exhibited mean hydrodynamic diameters of 420.63–762.66 nm, determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), with PDI values of 0.49–0.89. At a fixed gelatin concentration of 8% (w/v), varying curcumin extract concentration from 1 to 5% (w/v) resulted in a non-linear change in particle size, with mean diameters ranging from 196.30 to 622.16 nm and PDI values of 0.60–0.79. The selected formulation containing 8% (w/v) gelatin and 5% (w/v) curcumin extract exhibited the highest absolute zeta potential (−28.56 ± 1.25 mV), suggesting a lower tendency toward particle aggregation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) supported molecular interactions between gelatin and curcumin. Overall, the results demonstrate that formulation composition influences the morphology, particle size distribution, and surface charge of gelatin–curcumin structures produced by uniaxial electrospraying. Further studies are required to evaluate encapsulation efficiency, curcumin storage stability, release behavior, and biological performance.