Macromol

Coatings based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based polymeric microspheres can be easily fabricated via non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and electrostatic spraying (ES) techniques. Both techniques are promising strategies for constructing superhydrophobic surfaces on various substrates. However, PVDF and PDMS inherently suffer from severe aggregation, which generates oversized particles and inhomogeneous microstructures. Conventionally, costly and environmentally hazardous dispersants are required to alleviate this issue, severely restricting the industrial scalability and practical application of such coatings. In this work, methyltrimethoxysilane-modified cellulose nanocrystals (Si-CNCs) were introduced as a green multifunctional modifier to tackle these issues. The results revealed that as structural building blocks and dispersants, Si-CNCs inhibited polymer aggregation via electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance, refined the particle size and formed uniform micro/nano hierarchical structures. Increasing Si-CNC loading further improved polymer dispersion and superhydrophobic performance. Coatings fabricated by ES showed better hydrophobicity than those fabricated by NIPS. ES achieved a water contact angle (WCA) of 160–166° and a sliding angle (SA) near 1° on cotton fabric, while NIPS had a WCA of 153.8–158° and an SA of around 2°. Wood and glass substrates also obtained favorable superhydrophobicity, with WCAs above 150° and SAs below 1°. Furthermore, all modified surfaces exhibited excellent abrasion resistance. This work provides a relatively eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable, scalable and substrate-flexible strategy for fabricating high-performance PVDF/PDMS-based superhydrophobic coatings. Full article

Pectin, a natural biopolymer, is a cost-effective, biocompatible, non-toxic, abundant, and flexible material, making it suitable for recording high-quality bioelectric signals from the dynamic surface of the human body. In this work, pectin-based flexible bioelectrodes were developed for the non-invasive monitoring of biopotentials. The bioelectrodes are composed of pectin, polyaniline emeraldine salt (PANI-ES), glycerol, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and therefore abbreviated as PPGP. The PPGP electrodes demonstrated a bulk electrical conductivity of (7.54 ± 0.81) × 10⁻³ S/cm, a very low impedance of 34 Ω, and a high charge storage capacity of 4.63 ± 2.70 mC/cm². The surface morphology of the PPGP electrode plays a crucial role in enhancing biopotential signal detection by improving adhesion to skin contours. PPGP electrodes have been successfully used for high-fidelity electromyographic (EMG) bioelectric signal measurements. The developed PPGP bioelectrodes have the potential to advance next-generation human–machine interface (HMI) technologies and wearable healthcare systems, including prosthetic control, rehabilitation monitoring, and assistive communication devices. Full article

The global plastic pollution crisis demands a fundamental re-evaluation of materials systems beyond incremental improvements to fossil fuel-based polymers. Bioplastics, polymers derived from renewable biological feedstocks, biodegradable under defined conditions, or both, offer a chemically diverse and rapidly evolving platform for transitioning toward circular materials economies in which the value of carbon, energy, and material is retained across multiple use cycles. This review provides a comprehensive and critically organized account of the bioplastics field, spanning three generations of feedstock development from food crops through lignocellulosic residues to algae and waste streams; primary production pathways including microbial fermentation, ring-opening polymerization, and biosynthesis; forming processes from extrusion and injection molding to additive manufacturing; and the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties that determine application fitness. Particular emphasis is placed on life cycle assessment, which reveals that bioplastics’ climate benefits are conditional on feedstock choice, land-use management, energy source at manufacturing, and end-of-life pathway, and that burden-shifting from greenhouse gas emissions to land use, water consumption, and eutrophication is a systematic risk requiring integrated LCA evaluation rather than single-metric optimization. The review further examines end-of-life recycling, composting, and biodegradation pathways; market applications across packaging, agriculture, automotive, biomedical, and electronics sectors; and the growing role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in accelerating materials design, process optimization, and lifecycle data management. Critical barriers to scale, such as cost premiums of 20–75% over conventional plastics, inadequate composting infrastructure, recycling stream contamination, regulatory fragmentation, and consumer labeling confusion, are systematically analyzed alongside mitigation strategies. The review concludes with a forward-looking discussion of emerging feedstocks, smart and functional bioplastics, and the policy and infrastructure investments required to translate the environmental promise of bio-based polymers into realized circular economy impact. Full article

This study reports a comparative evaluation of natural polymeric biomaterial films impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using the ethyl acetate (EA) extract of Centratherum anthelminticum (CA), yielding CA-EA extract-mediated AgNPs (CA-EA-AgNPs). The biopolymeric films were solution cast and confirmed for nanoparticle impregnation using techniques such as FTIR, XRD, and FESEM-EDAX. In addition to possessing antimicrobial activity, AgNPs also act as structural modifiers. AgNPs significantly enhanced tensile strength from 19.00 ± 0.62 MPa to 24.52 ± 0.97 MPa and Young’s modulus from 106.2 ± 18.2 MPa to 143.8 ± 7.15 MPa for chitosan (CH)-based films. For agar (AA)-based films, tensile strength increased modestly from 105.31 ± 1.18 MPa to 111.81 ± 1.78 MPa, maintaining a high Young’s modulus (1411.8 MPa). The water contact angle changed from 31.5° to 49.9° and from 56.9° to 86.7° for CH and AA films, respectively. The nanocomposite films demonstrated controlled equilibrium swelling kinetics without structural disintegration. The films exhibited moderately improved antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis, yielding zones of inhibition (diameter) from 7.67 ± 0.47 mm to 10.33 ± 0.47 mm, 7.33 ± 0.47 mm to 9.67 ± 0.47 mm, and 7.67 ± 0.47 mm to 8.67 ± 0.47 mm for chitosan-based films and from 7.67 ± 0.47 mm to 11.67 ± 0.47 mm, 7.67 ± 0.47 mm to 10.67 ± 0.47 mm, and 7.33 ± 0.47 mm to 8.67 ± 0.47 mm for agar-based films, respectively, against their respective controls. The above findings demonstrate the potential of these nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer films as potent antimicrobial biomaterials for prospective wound management applications. Full article

Dexamethasone phosphate (DexP) is a potent glucocorticoid limited by rapid clearance and a short half-life. To enable sustained DexP delivery, we developed polyelectrolyte complexes based on chitosan (CS) or diethylaminoethyl chitosan (DeaeCS) cross-linked with dextran sulfate (DS) via Zn²⁺ ions, which are proposed to form coordination bonds with sulfate, phosphate, and amino groups, creating a denser hybrid matrix. The resulting spherical particles (132–180 nm) exhibited tunable surface charge (−23.0 to +28.3 mV) and high encapsulation efficiency (up to 100%). XRD indicated amorphization of DexP within the matrix. In vitro release in simulated tear fluid showed that both Zn²⁺ cross-linking and DeaeCS significantly prolonged release. The optimized DexP-DS-DeaeCS-Zn-10 formulation achieved 1.5-fold higher corneal permeability (P_app = 14.28 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s) compared to free DexP while maintaining low cytotoxicity in SIRC and THP-1 cells. Encapsulated DexP effectively suppressed TNF-α-induced CD54 expression in macrophages, confirming preserved anti-inflammatory activity. These hybrid particles combine sustained release, enhanced corneal penetration, and Zn²⁺-mediated anti-inflammatory effects, representing a promising platform for improved DexP delivery. Full article

Agricultural residues represent an abundant renewable resource for sustainable lignocellulosic biorefineries, offering opportunities to produce value-added biopolymers while mitigating the environmental impacts associated with conventional disposal. This study evaluated the technical feasibility of using sorghum stubble as a feedstock for the recovery of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin through an ethanol–water organosolv process. Specifically, the study aimed to separate the main structural polymers of sorghum stubble and evaluate the performance of the proposed fractionation system. The biomass was treated at 180 °C and approximately 30 bar, followed by chlorine-free peroxide bleaching. The hemicellulose fraction was obtained by extracting the holocellulose (Wise method) and precipitating the dissolved hemicellulose using a 3:1 (v/v) ethanol-to-liquor ratio. The lignin fraction was isolated from the black liquor through vacuum distillation and drying. This approach yielded a cellulose fraction (23.66 wt%), a hemicellulose fraction (36.22 wt%), and a lignin fraction (30.35 wt%), corresponding to an overall polymer recovery of approximately 90 wt%. Structural and physicochemical characterization (FTIR, SEM, XRD, and TGA) supported the fractionation of the lignocellulosic matrix and identified characteristic structural and physicochemical features of the recovered cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin fractions. SEM revealed substantial structural breakdown following the organosolv treatment, while TGA demonstrated distinct degradation behaviors among the components. Notably, the crystallinity index increased from 38% in the raw material to 71% in the cellulose fraction, indicating effective removal of amorphous components. A preliminary mass–energy analysis showed that approximately 96% of the initial energetic content of the biomass was retained in the polymers. Furthermore, approximately 70% of the ethanol used was recycled, highlighting the potential for solvent reintegration under the evaluated laboratory conditions. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of sorghum stubble as a renewable feedstock for the recovery of lignocellulosic polymers and provide a technical basis for the future optimization of organosolv-based biorefineries. Full article

Hydrogels are considered to be a versatile and desirable material, due to their great ability of water retention, flexibility, viscoelasticity, and good mechanical properties. Silk fibroin (SF) is one of the most abundant biopolymers used for preparation of hydrogels. SF hydrogels can be prepared by self-assembly or induced by physical or chemical cross-linking. Self-assembly of SF hydrogels was shown to be favorable due to its simplicity and the potential harmfulness of chemical cross-linking agents. However, it is often very slow and time-consuming process, which is the main drawback and limitation of SF industrial application. In this study, a novel method of preparing SF hydrogels from aqueous dispersions of SF powder is presented. The results showed that the gelation time is significantly reduced when SF hydrogels are prepared from SF dispersions instead of SF solutions, yet both types of hydrogels had similar rheological and viscoelastic properties, within the investigated concentration range. All prepared hydrogels showed thixotropic behavior and the prevailing of storage modulus in comparison to loss modulus. Full article

Ketoprofen is a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug whose therapeutic performance is limited by its poor aqueous solubility, though complexation with cyclodextrins is a well-established strategy to overcome this limitation. The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize inclusion complexes of ketoprofen with HPβCD. Complexes were obtained by the solution (magnetic-stirring) method at ketoprofen–HPβCD molar ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 and were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDX, and computer-assisted dimensional analysis and statistics (AutoCAD/MathCAD). The bulk and tapped densities were used to derive the Carr index and the Hausner ratio, respectively. FT-IR showed attenuation and shifting of the characteristic C=O, C=C, and –CH bands of ketoprofen and the presence of the 1655 cm⁻¹ band in complexes demonstrates inclusion. DSC revealed a marked reduction of the ketoprofen melting endotherm, the degree of inclusion reaching 75% (1:1) and 62% (2:1). SEM and statistical analysis confirm, individualized particles, predominantly 20–100 µm in perimeter size. The dissolution test showed a faster release of the complexes than in the case of pure ketoprofen. Therefore, HPβCD forms stable inclusion complexes with ketoprofen having pharmacotechnical properties suitable for compressed tablets. Full article

Starch-based bioplastics are renewable and biodegradable, but their wider use is constrained by moisture sorption, humidity-dependent aging, insufficient tensile performance, and weak water- and oxygen barrier stability. This review critically synthesizes the peer-reviewed literature from 2020 to 2026 on enzymatically engineered starch for film, packaging, and thermoplastic applications using an architecture–property framework that links enzyme specificity, chain-length distribution, crystallinity, processing route, and material response. Controlled α-1,4 hydrolysis mainly improves processability by lowering molecular weight, viscosity, and gelatinization resistance. However, excessive hydrolysis can increase water uptake, solubility, and loss of cohesive strength. Debranching by pullulanase or isoamylase increases amylose-like linear chains and can promote B-type crystallinity or V-type starch–lipid complexes, with reported gains in tensile strength, contact angle, and water vapor barrier when the chain lengths and recrystallization conditions are controlled. Branching enzymes and transglycosylases increase branch density or redistribute glucan chains, suppressing retrogradation and improving flexibility, water retention, and aging resistance, but often with trade-offs in strength, crystallinity, and barrier performance. Lipase- and laccase-catalyzed functionalization expands starch functionality by increasing hydrophobicity, compatibility with hydrophobic phases, antioxidant activity, and active-packaging potential. The evidence indicates that enzymatic modification should not be generalized as uniformly improving starch bioplastics; performance gains are conditional on the starch source, amylose content, enzyme dosage, reaction severity, plasticizer composition, processing method, film conditioning, and storage humidity. Industrial implementation remains limited by enzyme cost and reuse, high-solids mass transfer, reaction time, enzyme stability under heat and shear, and reproducibility across botanical sources. Overall, enzymatic molecular editing is most promising when mechanistic architecture control is coupled with standardized structure–property reporting and scalable processing, such as immobilized-enzyme reactors, high-solids systems, and reactive extrusion. Full article

Nanomedicine-based liposomal delivery systems are gaining increasing attention as advanced therapeutic platforms for managing ocular infections associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm formation. The primary objective of this review is to critically evaluate the potential of liposomal drug delivery systems for improving the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant and biofilm-associated ocular infections by integrating current knowledge on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, biofilm-targeted therapeutic strategies, and advances in liposomal formulations, while also identifying the major limitations, translational challenges, and knowledge gaps in this rapidly evolving field. Traditional ocular antimicrobial treatments are frequently limited by poor drug penetration, short precorneal residence time, low bioavailability, systemic side effects, and inadequate activity against resistant microorganisms and biofilm-embedded pathogens. This review provides a comprehensive overview of different liposomal systems, including conventional, cationic, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified, deformable, and stimulus-responsive liposomes, and discusses their advantages in ophthalmic drug delivery, such as enhanced corneal permeation, prolonged drug retention, controlled release, improved biocompatibility, and reduced ocular toxicity. The review further examines the mechanisms through which liposomes help overcome AMR, including improved epithelial transport, membrane disruption, intracellular drug delivery, efflux pump evasion, and enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. In addition, liposomal approaches targeting ocular biofilms are explored, focusing on improved biofilm penetration and the delivery of anti-biofilm agents such as antibiotics, enzymes, quorum-sensing inhibitors, and antimicrobial peptides. Current evidence from in vitro and in vivo ocular infection models is summarized together with disease-specific applications in keratitis, endophthalmitis, and contact lens-related infections. The article also compares liposomes with other ocular nanocarriers and addresses important considerations related to safety, stability, sterilization, large-scale production, and regulatory translation. In addition to highlighting recent advances, this review critically discusses the current limitations of liposomal formulations, the major barriers to clinical translation, and the key knowledge gaps that should be addressed to facilitate the future development and successful clinical application of these systems. Finally, emerging directions including ligand-targeted and stimulus-responsive liposomes, AI-driven formulation development, personalized nanotherapy, and gene therapy combinations are discussed as promising future strategies for combating resistant ocular infections. Full article

Methylene blue (MB) dye–contaminated wastewater, particularly from the textile industries, contributes to environmental pollution, posing significant threats to human and aquatic life. Therefore, eco–friendly and low–cost adsorbents for efficient MB removal from contaminated wastewater are needed. This study presents the first comparative investigation of MB removal from water using silk cocoon and silk fibroin (SF) powders from the African wild silkworm Argema mimosae. The silk materials were ball milled at different times for up to 150 min and characterized using the XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM-EDS, zeta potential analysis, and DLS. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the effects of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, and temperature on MB adsorption. The experimental data best fitted the Langmuir and pseudo–second order models for both adsorbents, suggesting monolayer adsorption with a chemisorption rate–limiting step. The maximum adsorption capacities were 78.13 and 81.98 mg g⁻¹ for cocoon and SF powders, respectively. The cocoon and SF powders achieved removal percentages of 86.0% and 93.5%, respectively, within 90 min. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous. The findings demonstrate the good potential of A. mimosae silk biomaterials as promising, low–cost, eco–friendly, and sustainable adsorbents for the removal of dyes from contaminated water. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable protein sources has intensified interest in plant-based food systems. Pulses are well established and recognized as nutritious, sustainable protein sources (~15–30% dry weight), rich in lysine and limited in cysteine, methionine, and tryptophan amino acids. In contrast, Spirulina is characterized by a complete amino acid profile, high protein content (~50–70% dry weight), and bioactive potential. This comprehensive review explores the role of Spirulina as a complementary protein source in plant-based systems, with emphasis on its structural, technofunctional, and processing characteristics. A literature analysis was conducted to identify advances, trends, and gaps in their incorporation into food matrices. The findings indicate that, despite their nutritional and functional advantages, the application of microalgae and beans remains constrained by sensory and technological challenges, such as off-flavors and textural issues. The combination of microalgae with pulse-based ingredients represents a promising strategy to enhance amino acid balance, improve functionality, and develop nutritionally enriched products. Studies addressing multi-component systems remain scarce, especially in bakery and flour-based applications, as well as in understanding synergistic interactions between microalgae and pulse proteins in food matrices. This review highlights the potential of microalgae as key ingredients in next-generation food formulations. It identifies critical gaps that must be addressed to enable their broader application in food products. Full article

Natural macromolecules and biopolymers are central components in biological, food, pharmaceutical, and materials systems. Pectins, polysaccharides, cellulose, lignin, chitin, chitosan, polyhydroxyalkanoates, proteins, and macromolecular complexes can be recovered from renewable matrices or modified to obtain specific technological functions. Hydrodynamic cavitation is assessed as an intensification platform for the recovery and processing of these fractions. Attention is directed to the relationship between process configuration, molecular structure, and final performance. Extraction yield alone is not considered sufficient to define the technological value of the treatment. Matrix disintegration, mass transfer, dispersion, emulsification, fibrillation, controlled depolymerization, and structural modification are considered. Reactor configuration, operating severity, fraction stability, molecular characterization, rheological properties, colloidal behavior, energy consumption, and scale-up transferability are also evaluated. The available evidence, including representative quantitative and functional descriptors reported in the literature, indicates that hydrodynamic cavitation should not be interpreted as a universally superior technology. Its relevance is stronger when a measurable, reproducible, and functionally meaningful advantage is demonstrated against appropriate controls and alternative technologies. Full article

Lignin present in black liquor represents a major renewable resource that can be valorized into high-value bio-based materials; however, its recovery typically relies on strong mineral acids that pose environmental and corrosion concerns. In this study, citric acid was employed as a greener and less corrosive alternative for lignin precipitation from black liquor. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to optimize recovery conditions, identifying a precipitation pH of 2.0 and a lignin-to-deionized water washing ratio of 1:100 as the optimal parameters. Under these conditions, the recovered lignin exhibited high purity (91.69 ± 0.23%), with very low ash (0.11 ± 0.02%) and volatile content (5.01 ± 0.51%). Bench-scale validation confirmed the reproducibility of the optimized process, yielding lignin with comparable purity (91.30 ± 1.28%) and recovery yield (14.05 ± 0.21%). Gel permeation chromatography revealed that the isolated lignin possessed a relatively high molecular weight (Mw ≈ 45,000–47,000 g mol⁻¹) with a narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI = 1.09), which remained consistent during scale-up. Structural characterization by elemental analysis, FTIR, and ¹H NMR further confirmed that the chemical composition and functional groups of lignin were preserved across both processing scales. These findings demonstrate that citric-acid-based precipitation is a promising approach for recovering structurally consistent lignin from kraft black liquor and provide valuable insights into the bench-scale implementation of green lignin recovery processes. Full article

Protein hydrolysates (PHs) have emerged as a pivotal category of plant biostimulants in sustainable agriculture. They are derived from the enzymatic, chemical, or thermal hydrolysis of agro-industrial by-products of animal or plant origin. These complex mixtures of free amino acids, oligopeptides, and polypeptides enhance crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and abiotic stress resilience. This review examines and compares the production methods, chemical composition, agronomic performance, physiological mechanism, and safety profiles of animal-derived (A-PHs) and vegetal-derived (V-PHs) protein hydrolysates, with particular emphasis on hydrolyzed collagen (HC) as an emerging biostimulant. Furthermore, the specific physiological roles of proline in mediating plant stress tolerance and hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins in maintaining cell wall integrity are evaluated. Animal-derived sources, including collagen, keratin, and fish by-products, are characterized by elevated glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline concentrations, amino acids with established roles in root architecture promotion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, and osmotic adjustment under stress. Conversely, V-PH exhibit richer bioactive peptide profiles and superior environmental sustainability indices. Underlying mechanisms encompass hormone-like activities mimicking auxin and gibberellin signaling, transcriptional reprogramming of nitrogen assimilation pathways, antioxidant enzyme modulation, and rhizosphere microbiota stimulation. Full article

To overcome the challenges of low water solubility, nonspecific biodistribution, limited tumor penetration, and easy inactivation of bortezomib (BTZ) under physiological conditions, we designed and synthesized a novel methoxypolyethylene glycol-modified bortezomib prodrug (mPEG₂₀₀₀-DEA-BTZ). This prodrug employs diethanolamine as a linker and mPEG₂₀₀₀ as the polymer chain, synthesized through a three-step reaction, with its chemical structure confirmed by ¹H NMR. Solubility studies demonstrated that in PBS buffer at pH 7.4, the solubility of mPEG₂₀₀₀-DEA-BTZ was ≥436.0 mg/mL, corresponding to a bortezomib solubility of ≥66.7 mg/mL, over 167-fold higher than that of free BTZ (399 μg/mL). In vitro release experiments showed that only approximately 2% of BTZ was released from the prodrug within 24 h at pH 7.4, indicating excellent physiological stability. In contrast, drug release was significantly accelerated under acidic conditions (pH 6.5 and pH 5.0), with the cumulative release exceeding 90% at pH 5.0 within 4 h and approaching complete release at 24 h. Compared to the previously reported mPEG₅₀₀₀-CA-BTZ prodrug, the lower molecular weight mPEG₂₀₀₀ and diethanolamine linker employed in this study significantly improved the drug release rate and completeness. This pH-sensitive prodrug is expected to enhance the pharmacokinetic profile of bortezomib and achieve acidic tumor microenvironment-triggered targeted release, demonstrating significant potential for clinical translation. Full article

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) composites represent a promising sustainable solution to address the environmental challenges posed by conventional polymers across multiple sectors. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on PHB-based composites, examining their development, performance, and biodegradation characteristics in diverse applications such as packaging, biomedical devices, agriculture, aerospace, and environmental remediation. Various composite fabrication methods, including melt blending, solution casting, electrospinning, and in situ polymerization, are evaluated for their impact on functional properties. Natural fiber- and nanomaterial-reinforced PHB composites are critically analyzed for their mechanical integrity, thermal stability, surface chemistry, biodegradability, and environmental compatibility. Practical challenges, including manufacturing scalability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term stability in complex environments, are discussed within circular economy and regulatory frameworks to situate PHB composites for realistic industrial and environmental deployment. This review provides timely insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to develop environmentally compatible, scalable biopolymer-based solutions across multiple domains. Full article

This study evaluated the impact of heat treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis using Viscozyme^® L (a carbohydrase blend) on the proteolytic profile, total phenolic content, and the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihypertensive properties of tepejilote (Chamaedorea tepejilote Liebm) inflorescence powders. Heat treatment increased free amino groups relative to the untreated sample, with the greatest increase observed when combined with enzymatic hydrolysis, particularly under boiling and steam-pressure conditions, due to the release of intracellular compounds. This pattern was confirmed by electrophoretic analyses using Tris–Glycine and Tris–Tricine buffers. The phenolic content also showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) following thermal processing, reaching approximately 1.3- to 1.8-fold higher values than the untreated control. The addition of Viscozyme^® L further enhanced this effect, indicating improved bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds, which was reflected in increased antioxidant activity, as measured by DPPH• and FRAP assays. In assays for DPP-IV enzyme inhibition, heat treatments, particularly steam pressure, enhanced inhibitory activity compared to the control. Likewise, the combination of heat and Viscozyme^® L resulted in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition exceeding 50%. These findings suggest that integrating thermal processing and enzymatic hydrolysis significantly enhances the biofunctional properties of tepejilote, highlighting its potential as a value-added ingredient in food and nutraceutical formulations. Full article

Polylactic acid (PLA) remains poorly mineralized under mesophilic conditions relevant to home and decentralized composting. This study assessed whether bioaugmentation with Amycolatopsis orientalis, protein-based biostimulation with skimmed milk powder, or their combined application could enhance the mineralization of compression-molded amorphous PLA fragments at 28 °C in activated vermiculite. Closed respirometric bioreactors were monitored for 90 days, and the PLA mineralization extent was calculated from the cumulative CO₂ evolution after correction using treatment-specific blanks. The recovered PLA fragments were further analyzed by FTIR-ATR and DSC to provide complementary physicochemical monitoring. The final mineralization remained low, reaching 1.19 ± 1.88% for bioaugmentation, 3.49 ± 1.82% for biostimulation, and 8.75 ± 4.31% for the combined treatment. The combined treatment gave the highest mean value, which was significantly higher than bioaugmentation alone, but the individual biological replicates followed heterogeneous trajectories. In particular, BABS-3 reached 13.19% mineralization, indicating that higher responses can occur at the individual bioreactor level, although they were not consistently reproduced. FTIR-ATR and DSC revealed treatment- and replicate-dependent physicochemical changes but did not provide evidence of extensive bulk PLA transformation. These results contrast those of previous reports of higher PLA mineralization under warmer, mature compost conditions, emphasizing the complexity of the combined influence of temperature and matrix. Overall, the tested strategies were insufficient to achieve effective home compostability of PLA at 28 °C. Full article