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BioTech, Volume 14, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 5 articles

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25 pages, 5782 KB

Open AccessReview

Molecular Docking as a Key Driver of Biocontrol for Agri-Food Security

by María Isabel Iñiguez-Luna, Jorge David Cadena-Zamudio, Marco A. Ramírez-Mosqueda, José Luis Aguirre-Noyola, Daniel Alejandro Cadena-Zamudio, Jorge Cadena-Iñiguez and Alma Armenta-Medina

BioTech 2025, 14(4), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech14040080 - 14 Oct 2025

Abstract

Molecular docking has emerged as a pivotal computational approach in agri-food research, offering a rapid and targeted means to discover bioactive molecules for crop protection and food safety. Its ability to predict and visualize interactions between natural or synthetic compounds and specific biological targets provides valuable opportunities to address urgent agricultural challenges, including climate change and the rise in resistant crop pathogens. By enabling the in silico screening of diverse chemical entities, this technique facilitates the identification of molecules with antimicrobial and antifungal properties, specifically designed to interact with critical enzymatic pathways in plant pathogens. Recent advancements, such as the integration of molecular dynamics simulations and artificial intelligence-enhanced scoring functions, have significantly improved docking accuracy by addressing limitations like protein flexibility and solvent effects. These technological improvements have accelerated the discovery of eco-friendly biopesticides and multifunctional nutraceutical agents. Promising developments include nanoparticle-based delivery systems that enhance the stability and efficacy of bioactive molecules. Despite its potential, molecular docking still faces challenges related to incomplete protein structures, variability in scoring algorithms, and limited experimental validation in agricultural contexts. This work highlights these limitations while outlining current trends and future prospects to guide its effective application in agri-food biotechnology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic From Plant to Pharmacology: Understanding the Metabolism of Natural Products)

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24 pages, 2566 KB

Open AccessReview

Valorization of Second Cheese Whey Through Microalgae-Based Treatments: Advantages, Limits, and Opportunities

by Gloria Sciuto, Nunziatina Russo, Cinzia L. Randazzo and Cinzia Caggia

BioTech 2025, 14(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech14040079 - 9 Oct 2025

Viewed by 182

Abstract

The dairy sector produces considerable amounts of nutrient-rich effluents, which are frequently undervalued as simple by-products or waste. In particular, Second Cheese Whey (SCW), also known as scotta, exhausted whey, or deproteinized whey, represents the liquid fraction from ricotta cheese production. Despite its abundance and high organic and saline content, SCW is often improperly discharged into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, causing both environmental impact and resource waste. The available purification methods are expensive for dairy companies, and, at best, SCW is reused as feed or fertilizer. In recent years, increasing awareness of sustainability and circular economy principles has increased interest in the valorization of SCW. Biological treatment of SCW using microalgae represents an attractive strategy, as it simultaneously reduces the organic load and converts waste into algal biomass. This biomass can be further valorized as a source of proteins, pigments, and bioactive compounds with industrial relevance, supporting applications in food, nutraceuticals, biofuels, and cosmetics. This review, starting from analyzing the characteristics, production volumes, and environmental issues associated with SCW, focused on the potential of microalgae application for their valorization. In addition, the broader regulatory and sustainability aspects related to biomass utilization and treated SCW are considered, highlighting both the promises and limitations of microalgae-based strategies by integrating technological prospects with policy considerations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Sustainable Approach to Macroalgae and Microalgae: From Cultivation to Compound Recovery and Biotechnological Applications)

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24 pages, 13022 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of PCR Methods for Detecting Wheat and Maize Allergens in Food

by Tata Ninidze, Tamar Koberidze, Kakha Bitskinashvili, Tamara Kutateladze, Boris Vishnepolsky and Nelly Datukishvili

BioTech 2025, 14(4), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech14040078 - 1 Oct 2025

Viewed by 267

Abstract

The detection of allergens is essential for ensuring food safety, protecting public health, and providing accurate information to consumers. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) are recognized as important food allergens. In this study, novel PCR methods were developed for the reliable detection of wheat and maize allergens, including wheat high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (LMW-GS), as well as three maize allergens, namely, Zea m 14, Zea m 8, and zein. Wheat and maize genomic DNA, as well as allergen genes, were examined during 60 min of baking at 180 °C and 220 °C. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed degradation of genomic DNA and amplified PCR fragments in correlation with increasing baking temperature and time. For each target gene, the best primers were identified that could detect HMW-GS and LMW-GS genes in wheat samples and Zea m 14, Zea m 8, and zein genes in maize samples after baking at 220 °C for 60 min and 40 min, respectively. The results indicate that these PCR methods can be used for the reliable and sensitive detection of wheat and maize allergens in processed foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Industry, Agriculture and Food Biotechnology)

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15 pages, 3351 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biotic Elicitor-Driven Enhancement of In Vitro Micropropagation and Organogenesis in Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Fianna

by Mario James-Forest, Ma del Carmen Ojeda-Zacarías, Alhagie K. Cham, Héctor Lozoya-Saldaña, Rigoberto E. Vázquez-Alvarado, Emilio Olivares-Sáenz and Alejandro Ibarra-López

BioTech 2025, 14(4), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech14040077 - 24 Sep 2025

Viewed by 334

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of biotic elicitors and hormone regimes on the in vitro establishment, shoot multiplication, and organogenesis of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Fianna under controlled laboratory conditions. Explants derived from pre-treated tubers were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with vitamins and varying concentrations of growth regulators or elicitors. Aseptic establishment achieved a high success rate (~95%) using a 6% sodium hypochlorite disinfection protocol. Multiplication was significantly enhanced with a combination of 0.2 mg L⁻¹ naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5–1.0 mg L⁻¹ benzylaminopurine (BAP), producing the greatest number and length of shoots and roots. Direct organogenesis was stimulated by bio-elicitors Activane^®, Micobiol^®, and Stemicol^® in (MS) basal medium at mid-level concentrations (0.5 g or mL L⁻¹), improving shoot number, elongation, and root development. Activane^®, Micobiol^®, and Stemicol^® are commercial elicitors that stimulate plant defense pathways and morphogenesis through salicylic acid, microbial, and jasmonic acid signaling mechanisms, respectively. Indirect organogenesis showed significantly higher callus proliferation in Stemicol^® and Micobiol^® treatments compared to the control medium, resulting in the highest fresh weight, diameter, and friability of callus. The results demonstrate the potential of biotic elicitors as alternatives or enhancers to traditional plant growth regulators in potato tissue culture, supporting more efficient and cost-effective micropropagation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Industry, Agriculture and Food Biotechnology)

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15 pages, 1133 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Scale-Up Cultivation Modes for Aspergillus oryzae Biomass Production Using VFA-Rich Effluents from Agro-Industrial Residues

by Taner Sar, Clarisse Uwineza, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh and Amir Mahboubi

BioTech 2025, 14(4), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech14040076 - 24 Sep 2025

Viewed by 305

Abstract

Organic-waste-derived volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are promising substrates for fungal biomass cultivation, offering a nutrient-rich medium capable of meeting microbial growth requirements. However, the growth and biomass productivity are highly influenced by the VFAs’ composition and mode of operation. This study investigated the cultivation of Aspergillus oryzae fungal biomass using agro-industrial-derived VFA effluent, employing repeated-batch and fed-batch (stepwise and continuous-feeding) cultivation modes to evaluate fungal growth and biomass composition. The highest dry biomass yield of 0.41 dry biomass/gVFAs_fed (g/g) was achieved in fed-batch mode with continuous feeding, where the biomass exhibited pellet morphology, facilitating ease of harvesting. The crude protein content varied according to the cultivation strategy, reaching 45–53% in continuous-feeding fed-batch mode, while it was 34–42% in stepwise fed-batch mode. Additionally, the fungal biomass contained significant levels of essential macronutrients and trace elements, including Mg, Ca, K, Mn, and Fe, which are crucial if the biomass is intended to be used in animal feed formulations. This study highlights the effects of cultivation modes on biomass composition and the potential of VFA-derived fungal biomass as a sustainable feed ingredient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) and Their Potential in Waste-Based Biorefineries)

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