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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in industrial and consumer applications for ages. The pervasive and persistent nature of PFAS in the environment is a universal concern due to public health risks. Experts acknowledge that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS have consequences, including reduced vaccine efficacy, elevated cholesterol, and increased risk of high blood pressure. While considerable research has been conducted to investigate the presence of PFAS in the environment, the pathways for human exposure through food and food packaging/contact materials (FCM) remain unclear. In this review, we present an exhaustive overview of dietary exposure pathways to PFAS. Also, the mechanism of PFAS migration from FCMs into food and the occurrence of PFAS in certain foods were considered. Further, we present the analytical techniques for PFAS in food and food matrices as well as exposure pathways and human health impacts. Further, recent regulatory actions working to set standards and guidelines for PFAS in food packaging materials were highlighted. Alternative materials being developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy in food contact applications, offering promising alternatives to PFAS were also considered. Finally, we reported on general considerations and perspectives presently considered.

Protein engineering mechanisms can be an efficient approach to enhance the biochemical properties of various biocatalysts. Immobilization of biocatalysts and the introduction of new-to-nature chemical reactivities are also possible through the same mechanism. Discovering new protocols that enhance the catalytic active protein that possesses novelty in terms of being stable, active, and, stereoselectivity with functions could be identified as essential areas in terms of concurrent bioorganic chemistry (synergistic relationship between organic chemistry and biochemistry in the context of enzyme engineering). However, with our current level of knowledge about protein folding and its correlation with protein conformation and activities, it is almost impossible to design proteins with specific biological and physical properties. Hence, contemporary protein engineering typically involves reprogramming existing enzymes by mutagenesis to generate new phenotypes with desired properties. These processes ensure that limitations of naturally occurring enzymes are not encountered. For example, researchers have engineered cellulases and hemicellulases to withstand harsh conditions encountered during biomass pretreatment, such as high temperatures and acidic environments. By enhancing the activity and robustness of these enzymes, biofuel production becomes more economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Recent trends in enzyme engineering have enabled the development of tailored biocatalysts for pharmaceutical applications. For instance, researchers have engineered enzymes such as cytochrome P450s and amine oxidases to catalyze challenging reactions involved in drug synthesis. In addition to conventional methods, there has been an increasing application of machine learning techniques to identify patterns in data. These patterns are then used to predict protein structures, enhance enzyme solubility, stability, and function, forecast substrate specificity, and assist in rational protein design. In this review, we discussed recent trends in enzyme engineering to optimize the biochemical properties of various biocatalysts. Using examples relevant to biotechnology in engineering enzymes, we try to expatiate the significance of enzyme engineering with how these methods could be applied to optimize the biochemical properties of a naturally occurring enzyme.

Chemicals used for storage majorly possess insecticidal activities – deterring destructive insect pests and microorganisms from stored agricultural produce. Despite the controversy about their safety, local farmers and agro-wholesalers still predominantly use these chemicals in developing countries, especially Africa, to ensure an all-year supply of agriproducts. These chemicals could have short- or long-term effects. Despite the state-of-the-art knowledge, factors such as poor education and awareness, limited agricultural subventions, quests for cheap chemicals, over-dosage, and many more are the possible reasons for these toxic chemicals' setback and persistent use in developing countries. This paper provides an up-to-date review of the environmental and ecological effects, as well as the health impacts arising from the indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals in agriproducts. Existing data link pesticides to endocrine disruption, genetic mutations, neurological dysfunction, and other metabolic disorders, apart from the myriad of acute effects. Finally, this study recommended several naturally sourced preservatives as viable alternatives to chemical counterparts and emphasized the invaluable role of education and awareness programs in mitigating the use in developing nations for a sustainable society.

Micro-and nanoplastics (MNPs) are particles that are smaller than a millimeter in size and have infiltrated both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. MNPs pollution have become a widespread problem causing severe adverse effects on human health and the environment worldwide. Once in the environment, these polymers are not easily degradable due to their recalcitrant nature and small size and are easily consumed by aquatic organisms and transported through the food chain, at great risk to human health. Substantial evidence demonstrates the negative effects of MNPs residues on aquatic organisms' reproductive and developmental defects. Similarly, soil flora, soil quality, and plant height have been severely impacted by their presence in the agroecosystem. This is evident in the inhibition of water absorption by blocked seed pores, delayed germination, and the dramatic decline in transpiration rates and growth of plant roots, inevitably leading to drop in biomass and crop production, posing an overall threat to global food security. In this review, we present the impact of MNPs in agroecosystems around the globe, including their sources, occurrence, distribution, transport, and ultimate fate. We recommend using bio-based plastics, eco-friendly remediation strategies, reformed agricultural practices, non-single-use synthetic plastic legislation, and increased plastic waste disposal awareness campaigns as effective tools to mitigate this problem.

Microalgae are pervasive organisms regarded as conservative alternatives for the sustainable synthesis of various high-value-added bio-products to replace depleting fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions. However, microalgae biorefinery is still very far from being commercially viable due to high costs, intensive energy requirements, and low availability of biomass and biomolecules. In this review, the current status of microalgae biorefinery is discussed by establishing the efficiency of green biotechnology in producing microalgae from wastewater and the diverse bio-products derived from the biotechnology of microalgae biorefinery. In addition, various aspects involved in the sustainable production of bulk chemicals and value-added bio-products from microalgae biorefinery, including their roles in environmental protection and the promotion of an integrated green circular bio-economy are elucidated. Lastly, the challenges facing microalgae biorefinery and recommendations to guide future research toward cost-effective, more efficient, and sustainable microalgae biorefinery are presented.

Although the use of plastics varies across different regions, Africa is ranked second after Asia as an indiscernible consumer of plastics that break down into microplastic. Moreover, little is known about the impact of these microplastics across the African continent. This review provides insight into what microplastics are and their impact on the environment across Africa. The mismanagement of plastic waste is at its peak in Africa, as the continent mismanages over 70% of daily generated waste on average through activities such as tourism, fishing, and waste transport from one end to the other through waterways. Regarding the impact of microplastics on the environment, we found that they facilitate severe environmental consequences, such as the development of metal toxicity within aquatic and terrestrial organisms, disruptions of the food chain in the ecosystem, and public health challenges to humans who consume seafood. Alternatively, bioplastics are promising biodegradable and environmentally friendly plastic materials that could be crucial in expanding Africa's plastic industry. Furthermore, the continent has some widely spread biobased renewable raw materials that can be harnessed for developing bioplastics. Therefore, biomass-based polymers are promising alternative plastic feedstocks for producing plastics because they can readily biodegrade and break down in industrial compost facilities.

Africa is a large continent ranked amongst the top consumer of plastic materials. However, the improper handling of plastic wastes has resulted in massive pollution of different aspects of the environment (water, soil, sediments, air, food, etc.) within and around the region. The fragmentation and biodegradation of the bulk plastic material into small-sized particles has given rise to microplastic and nanoplastics. Owing to their small sizes, ease of transport, and large surface area, they tend to wreak serious havoc in the environment. Nevertheless, the growing awareness of the pollution problems caused by micro/nanoplastic debris is instrumental towards circumventing its widespread across the ecosystem. This review provides a state-of-the-art information on the prevailing nanoplastic surge across the borders of Africa, the ineffective management policies of plastic wastes, potential environmental hazards, and possible remediation strategies. Additionally, prospective insights into new areas for advanced research were highlighted.

The prevalence of micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) across the various environments and their negative impact on ecosystems have become a serious global threat and are currently a subject of many environmental concerns. Studies have provided evidence that MNPs have the potential to leach toxic plastic chemical additives and can adsorb a variety of persistent organic environmental pollutants, thereby enhancing their bioavailability, toxicity, and dispersion. Moreover, these MNPs easily penetrate the food chain and might cause health problems when ingested by humans and other organisms. Currently, there is complexity in understanding the mechanisms by which these toxic chemicals adsorb/desorb onto/from MNPs, and the physical and biological impacts of these chemical additives. To date, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the major chemical additives of concern used in the plastic industry, their fate once MNPs dispose into the environment, the factors that affect their degradation, and their consequent impacts on human health. This review critically analyzes the current knowledge concerning the physical, chemical, and biological impacts of MNPs, and the various chemical and organic pollutants associated with MNPs. Emphasis was laid on their types, occurrence, fate, and distribution in the environment. The different techniques used in their identification, characterization, and removal were also elucidated. Furthermore, the consequent harmful effects of MNPs on human health were discussed to spur more future studies and fill knowledge gaps in this area.

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been known for its potent medicinal activities and its interesting culinary role since ancient times. With over 200 phytochemicals and flavoring compounds elucidated and many others yet to, garlic promises to improve human health and vitality. Just like other phytochemical classes, essential oils for garlic have been reported to show interesting medical activities delving across diverse antimicrobial, cardio-protective, anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer, anti-diabetic, and immunomodulatory activities. Garlic essential oils contain mainly volatile and non-volatile allyl-sulphur-based compounds, which are a product of the stream decomposition of Allicin (a major component of garlic extract). Although a lot of work has been done on Allicin, there is little substantive work on the bio-availability and toxicities of its essential oil. This study, however, reviewed the methods that in recent times have been used to extract essential oils from garlic, recent studies on composition and therapeutic activities of Garlic essential oils, and a predictive overview of their bioavailability and toxicity. Finally, recommendations for future studies and other interesting prospects of garlic were also highlighted.

Pandemics are global challenges that lead to total disruption of human activities. From the inception of human existence, all pandemics have resulted in loss of human lives. The coronavirus disease caused by SAR-CoV-2 began in China and is now at the global scale with an increase in mortality and morbidity. Numerous anthropogenic activities have been implicated in the emergence and severity of pandemics, including COVID-19. These activities cause changes in microbial ecology, leading to evolution due to mutation and recombination. This review hypothesized that an understanding of these anthropogenic activities would explain the dynamics of pandemics. The recent coronavirus model was used to study issues leading to microbial evolution, towards preventing future pandemics. Our review highlighted anthropogenic activities, including deforestation, mining activities, waste treatment, burning of fossil fuel, as well as international travels as drivers of microbial evolution leading to pandemics. Furthermore, human-animal interaction has also been implicated in pandemic incidents. Our study recommends substantial control of such anthropogenic activities as having been highlighted as ways to reduce the frequency of mutation, reduce pathogenic reservoirs, and the emergence of infectious diseases.

The occurrence of emerging contaminants (ECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs) and pesticides in the aquatic environment has raised serious concerns about their adverse effects on aquatic species and humans. Because of their toxicity and bioactive nature, PPCPs and pesticides have more potential to impair water systems than any other contaminants, causing several adverse effects, including antibiotic resistance, reproductive impairment, biomagnification, bioaccumulation, etc. Over 35 publications from Africa have reported on the occurrence and fate of PPCPs and pesticides in African water systems with little or no data on remediation and control. As a result, adequate intervention strategies are needed for regulating the persistence of PPCPs and pesticides in African water systems.

The interest in proteomic studies of fermented food is increasing; the role of proteins derived from fermentation extends beyond preservation, they also improve the organoleptic, anti-pathogenic, anti-cancer, anti-obesogenic properties, and other health conferring properties of fermented food. Traditional fermentation processes are still in use in certain cultures, but recently, the controlled process is gaining wider acceptance due to consistency and predictability. Scientists use modern biotechnological approaches to evaluate reactions and component yields from fermentation processes. Pieces of literature on fermented fish and vegetable end-products are scanty (compared to milk and meat), even though fish and vegetables are considered health conferring diets with high nutritional contents. Evaluations of peptides from fermented fish and vegetables show they have anti-obesity, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogenic, anti-anti-nutrient, improves digestibility, taste, nutrient content, texture, aroma properties, etc. Despite challenges impeding the wider applications of the metaproteomic analysis of fermented fish and vegetables, their potential benefits cannot be underestimated.