Ulva lactuca was used to produce edible films containing its methanolic extract, based on cellulose (C), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), or their mixture (C/CNC). FT-IR analysis showed hydrogen bonding interactions among the film components. The C/CNC film exhibited reduced thickness (0.058 mm), oxygen permeability (3.11 × 10⁻³ g/100 µm m² s), water vapor permeation (0.97 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mm m⁻² s⁻¹), and higher lightness (87.12) with blocking over 99% of light at 280–600 nm with low Pa⁻¹. Moisture uptake followed Peleg’s model, showing lower sorption for the C/CNC film. Antioxidant assays revealed significant differences between films and the influence of food simulants.

Increasing the productivity and thermostability of phycocyanin (PC) are key challenges in its industrial production. This study utilized aqueous and acidic hydrolysates derived from the seaweed Ulva lactuca for fed-batch mixotrophic cultivation of Synechocystis sp. AUPL1. The acidic hydrolysate contained higher levels of nutrients and reducing sugars (0.08 mg mL− 1 ) compared to the aqueous hydrolysate (0.03 mg mL− 1 ). Supplementing the cyanobacterial culture with 3 % (v/v) acidic hydrolysate every three days significantly increased biomass productivity, PC content, and PC productivity, achieving approximately 2-, 3-, and 6.5-fold improvements, respectively, compared to the autotrophic control. Additionally, ulvan polysaccharide, extracted from the same seaweed, was tested as a natural preservative to prevent PC degradation at elevated temperatures. Ulvan at 3 % (w/v) significantly extended the PC half-life at 60 ◦C to 293.21 min, compared to 101.65 min in the control. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the thermostabilizing effect of the PC-ulvan mixture, revealing that the thermal degradation process was endothermic and non-spontaneous. This study underscores the potential of U. lactuca biomass as a low-cost, sustainable nutrient source for enhancing PC productivity, while also demonstrating that ulvan effectively improves PC thermostability.

The aqueous ethanolic extract of Salsola imbricata (AEESI) demonstrated significant protective effects against UV-C radiation damage, using earthworms and isopods as models for human skin and eyes, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified 15 bioactive polyphenolic compounds in AEESI, with chlorogenic acid (55.51 µg/ml) and gallic acid (46.69 µg/ml) as the dominant phenolic acids, and naringenin (40.42 µg/ml) as the primary flavonoid. The extract effectively mitigated histological and ultrastructural damage caused by UV-C radiation in both models. Additionally, quality control parameters, including moisture content, pH, acidity index, ash content, and elemental composition, were determined for the first time. These findings highlight the potential of S. imbricata extract as a protective agent against UV-C radiation-induced damage, attributed to its rich polyphenolic content.

Camel whey protein (CWP) is rich in potent antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, while the iron-based metal–organic framework (MOF)-235 offers high biocompatibility for drug delivery. This study synthesised and characterised CWP/MOF-235 nano-conjugates to enhance CWP stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy. GC–MS analysis confirmed the presence of hepatoprotective and antimicrobial fatty acids in CWP, including oleic acid, palmitic acid methyl ester, and cis-vaccenic acid. Antimicrobial assays revealed that CWP/MOF-235 exhibited greater activity against Candida albicans than CWP or MOF-235, achieving a maximum inhibition zone of 36.3 mm. Using earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa), cobalt chloride-induced chloragogen cell toxicity was effectively ameliorated by CWP/MOF-235, restoring normal intestinal histoarchitecture and reducing cellular necrosis as confirmed by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. These findings demonstrate that CWP/MOF-235 nano-conjugates synergistically combine the bioactivity of camel whey proteins with the delivery potential of MOF-235, offering a promising eco-friendly strategy for managing heavy metal toxicity and microbial infections.

The current study aimed to investigate the molecular toxic effects of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-NPs) on rat skeletal muscle tissue. It also explored the forensic implications of ZnS toxicity on postmortem carrion infestation, particularly its potential impact on postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, ZnS-treated, and ZnS-NP–treated (both administered at the LD50 dose of 2000 mg/kg). Muscle tissues were harvested for histopathological, ultrastructural, and acridine orange staining analysis. Arthropods were col lected and identified across five decomposition stages to assess changes in carrion infestation patterns. Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis showed marked deformation, necrosis, and degeneration of muscle fibers, more severe in the ZnS-NP group. Collagen deposition significantly decreased in both treatment groups. Electron microscopy revealed dis sociation and degradation of myofibrils with increased interfibrillar spacing. Arthropod analysis indicated altered coloniza tion patterns, with decreased adult abundance and disrupted succession stages, especially during the active decay phase. ZnS and ZnS-NPs induce significant skeletal muscle toxicity that may mimic postmortem autolysis and lead to PMI misinterpretation. ZnS-NPs exert more severe effects than bulk ZnS. The observed entomological disruption highlights the forensic relevance of ZnS exposure and underscores the need for integrated toxicological and entomological analyses in PMI estimation8