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Gels
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Advanced Gel-Based Materials and Coatings with Enhanced Bioactivity
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Advanced Gel-Based Materials and Coatings with Enhanced Bioactivity

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 7884

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Isabel Gouveia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
FibEnTech Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: antimicrobial function; nanofiber structures; microplastic; gels; bacterial cellulose; sustainable; biomedical applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cláudia Mouro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
FibEnTech Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, University of Beira Interior, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: electrospinning; biomaterials; gels; antibacterial

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We cordially invite submissions for our Special Issue dedicated to exploring the vast domain of advanced gel-based materials and coatings, specifically those accentuating their heightened bioactivity directed towards mitigating biofilm formation in diverse sectors.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate research elucidating antimicrobial functionalities across a spectrum of applications encompassing medical and hospital contexts—such as medical devices, surface treatments, and air and water systems—as well as within the domains of the food industry, pharmaceutics, textiles, and various material surfaces. Our focal point is to curate insights and innovations advancing the efficacy of gel-based solutions in combatting biofilm formation across these multifaceted arenas.

The primary objective of this initiative is to spotlight innovative methodologies and advancements in the realm of gel-based materials and coatings. By harnessing biobased solutions and cutting-edge gel technologies, our endeavor can advance sustainable development amid the challenges posed by climate change, while steering away from conventional fossil-based materials. Concurrently, we aim to amalgamate biomimetic and bio-inspired strategies, fostering bioactive functionalities while addressing pertinent concerns surrounding bacterial resistance.

Topics of interest encompass, but are not confined to:

  • Novel bioactive materials showcasing amplified antimicrobial properties;
  • Development and characterization of antimicrobial surfaces and coatings;
  • Explorations in biobased solutions demonstrating efficacy against microbial growth;
  • Biomimetic approaches employed for advancing bioactive functionalities;
  • Integration of principles ensuring safe-by-design development of bioactive functionalities.

We welcome researchers, academics, and industry experts to submit abstracts elucidating groundbreaking research, novel methodologies, and significant breakthroughs in the realm of gel-based materials and coatings, with a dedicated focus on strengthening bioactivity against biofilm formation.

Dr. Isabel Gouveia
Dr. Cláudia Mouro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioactive function
  • antimicrobial coatings
  • antimicrobial materials
  • bioactive gels
  • biofilms
  • bacteria resistance

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3322 KiB  
Article
Wound Healing Potential of Herbal Hydrogel Formulations of Cedrus brevifolia Extracts in Mice
by Georgia Lyggitsou, Christina Barda, Maria Anagnostou, Andreas Douros, Dimitra Statha, Christina Karampasi, Anastasia Ioanna Papantonaki, Ioannis Svoliantopoulos, Ioannis Sfiniadakis, Andreas Vitsos, Helen Skaltsa and Michail Ch. Rallis
Gels 2024, 10(11), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10110750 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1570
Abstract
Wound healing stands as a paramount therapeutic pursuit, imposing significant challenges on healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations. Cedrus brevifolia, a species endemic to Cyprus, thrives in the Tripylos region, commonly known as Cedar Valley, within the Paphos forest. Despite its endemism, this [...] Read more.
Wound healing stands as a paramount therapeutic pursuit, imposing significant challenges on healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations. Cedrus brevifolia, a species endemic to Cyprus, thrives in the Tripylos region, commonly known as Cedar Valley, within the Paphos forest. Despite its endemism, this species exhibits negligible genetic divergence from its Mediterranean related species. This study aims to investigate the potential of C. brevifolia resin and bark extracts in promoting wound healing in a mouse model. Previous in vitro investigations have elucidated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of extracts and isolates derived from the title plant, warranting further exploration in an in vivo setting. This experimental design employed 40 male SKH-hr2 black and brown mice aged 2–4 months. Wounds measuring 1 cm2 were meticulously induced in the anesthetized mice and the potential healing effect of the herbal hydrogel formulations was evaluated. The healing potential of the C. brevifolia extracts was rigorously assessed through the daily application of gel formulations containing resin concentrations of 5% and 10% w/w, alongside sapwood and heartwood extracts at concentrations of 0.5% and 1% w/w. The evaluation of the treatments encompassed a multifaceted approach, incorporating clinical observations, skin biophysical parameter assessments utilizing an Antera 3D camera, and FT-IR spectroscopy, in addition to histopathological examination. The chemical compositions were also investigated through NMR and bio-guided isolation. The most prominent herbal hydrogel preparation proved to be the 10% resin, followed by the sapwood at 1%. The chemical analysis unveiled abietic acid, manool, and lariciresinol derivatives that potentially contributed to the observed results. Bridging the gap between in vitro observations and in vivo outcomes attempts to shed light on the potential therapeutic benefits of C. brevifolia hydrogels in wound care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Gel-Based Materials and Coatings with Enhanced Bioactivity)
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19 pages, 3340 KiB  
Article
Lidocaine-Loaded Thermoresponsive Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing in Dry Socket and Oral Wounds
by Nuttawut Supachawaroj, Kunchorn Kerdmanee and Sucharat Limsitthichaikoon
Gels 2024, 10(11), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10110739 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1899
Abstract
Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, presents significant challenges in oral surgery because of severe pain and delayed wound healing. This study aims to address these challenges by developing and evaluating a lidocaine-loaded polyelectrolyte complex thermoresponsive gel (LG) designed to enhance wound [...] Read more.
Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, presents significant challenges in oral surgery because of severe pain and delayed wound healing. This study aims to address these challenges by developing and evaluating a lidocaine-loaded polyelectrolyte complex thermoresponsive gel (LG) designed to enhance wound healing and provide effective pain management in oral wounds. The thermoresponsive gel transitions from a liquid to a gel at body temperature, ensuring sustained contact with the wound site and prolonged release of lidocaine. The in vitro assessments, including cytotoxicity and wound scratch assays, demonstrated the biocompatibility and therapeutic potential of the LG formulation. Following this, palatal wounds were induced in rats, with healing monitored over a 14-days period. Histological analyses were conducted to assess tissue regeneration and inflammation. The results indicated that the LG formulation significantly improved wound closure rates, reduced inflammation, and accelerated epithelialization compared with control groups, primarily because of the high content of hyaluronic acid (HA). The synergistic effects of HA combined with the thermoresponsive properties of the gel facilitated faster healing. These findings suggest that LG is a promising therapeutic option for enhancing oral wound healing and effectively managing pain, particularly in conditions such as dry socket. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Gel-Based Materials and Coatings with Enhanced Bioactivity)
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17 pages, 2672 KiB  
Article
Alginate- and Chitosan-Modified Gelatin Hydrogel Microbeads for Delivery of E. coli Phages
by Farzaneh Moghtader, Sencer Solakoglu and Erhan Piskin
Gels 2024, 10(4), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10040244 - 2 Apr 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3243
Abstract
Bacterial infections are among the most significant health problems/concerns worldwide. A very critical concern is the rapidly increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which requires much more effective countermeasures. As nature’s antibacterial entities, bacteriophages shortly (“phages”) are very important alternatives to antibiotics, having many [...] Read more.
Bacterial infections are among the most significant health problems/concerns worldwide. A very critical concern is the rapidly increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which requires much more effective countermeasures. As nature’s antibacterial entities, bacteriophages shortly (“phages”) are very important alternatives to antibiotics, having many superior features compared with antibiotics. The development of phage-carrying controlled-release formulations is still challenging due to the need to protect their activities in preparation, storage, and use, as well as the need to create more user-friendly forms by considering their application area/site/conditions. Here, we prepared gelatin hydrogel microbeads by a two-step process. Sodium alginate was included for modification within the initial recipes, and these composite microbeads were further coated with chitosan. Their swelling ratio, average diameters, and Zeta potentials were determined, and degradations in HCl were demonstrated. The target bacteria Escherichia coli (E.coli) and its specific phage (T4) were obtained from bacterial culture collections and propagated. Phages were loaded within the microbeads with a simple method. The phage release characteristics were investigated comparatively and were demonstrated here. High release rates were observed from the gelatin microbeads. It was possible to reduce the phage release rate using sodium alginate in the recipe and chitosan coating. Using these gelatin-based microbeads as phage carrier matrices—especially in lyophilized forms—significantly improved the phage stability even at room temperature. It was concluded that phage release from gelatin hydrogel microbeads could be further controlled by alginate and chitosan modifications and that user-friendly lyophilized phage formulations with a much longer shelf life could be produced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Gel-Based Materials and Coatings with Enhanced Bioactivity)
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Review

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19 pages, 1189 KiB  
Review
From Lab to Shelf: Gelatin-Based pH Sensors Revolutionizing Food Packaging
by Ruirui Wang
Gels 2025, 11(5), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11050327 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 296
Abstract
The development of multifunctional smart food packaging has garnered considerable attention in research. Gelatin exhibits outstanding characteristics, featuring remarkable gel strength, molecular binding affinity, excellent colloidal dispersibility, low solution viscosity, sustained dispersion stability, and significant water retention properties. Gelatin-based film is ideally suited [...] Read more.
The development of multifunctional smart food packaging has garnered considerable attention in research. Gelatin exhibits outstanding characteristics, featuring remarkable gel strength, molecular binding affinity, excellent colloidal dispersibility, low solution viscosity, sustained dispersion stability, and significant water retention properties. Gelatin-based film is ideally suited for the developing simple, portable, and rapid pH sensors, owing to its satisfactory biocompatibility, biodegradability, biosafety, affordability, and facilitation of easy handling and usage. This paper aims to explore the challenges and opportunities relating to gelatin-based pH sensors. It begins by outlining the sources, classifications, and functional properties of gelatin, followed by an analysis of the current research landscape and future trends related to intelligent indicators and active carriers. Subsequently, potential research directions for gelatin-based pH sensors are proposed. Using a literature analysis, it can be concluded that novel gelatin-based smart packaging represents the future of food packaging. It is hoped that the paper can provide some basic information for the development and application of gelatin-based smart packaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Gel-Based Materials and Coatings with Enhanced Bioactivity)
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