Search Results (3,526)

Sustainable development and the circular economy have become key challenges in the modern food sector, calling for innovative solutions that reduce waste and promote the efficient use of resources. The aim of this study was to develop a functional food product by utilizing by-products from chokeberry processing, thereby contributing to circularity in food systems. The integration of design thinking with fermentation of chokeberry pomace is presented in this study as an approach to developing value-added food ingredients. Qualitative consumer research (focus group interviews, n = 36) identified preferences and expectations regarding functional foods containing by-products. Conducted by an interdisciplinary team, the project followed five stages, involving both qualitative and quantitative research. Liquid surface fermentation was performed using Aspergillus niger, selected for its proven ability to enhance the antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content of plant matrices. The optimal process was 2-day fermentation under controlled pH conditions with glucose supplementation, which significantly enhanced the quality and nutritional value of the final product. Antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC assays), total polyphenols, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins were determined, showing significant increases compared to non-fermented controls. The outcome was the development of a dried, fermented chokeberry pomace product that meets consumer expectations and fulfils sustainability goals through waste reduction and innovative reuse of fruit processing by-products. Full article

The increasing demand for food necessitates that agri-food systems adopt innovative techniques to enhance food production while optimizing the use of limited resources, such as water. In agriculture, hydrogels are being increasingly used to enhance water retention and reduce irrigation requirements. However, most of these materials are based on synthetic polymers that are not biodegradable. This raises serious environmental and health concerns, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Biomass-derived from agro-industrial waste presents a substantial potential for producing hydrogels, which can effectively function as water collectors and suppliers for crops. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the application of agro-industrial waste for the formulation of hydrogels. Additionally, it offers a critical analysis of the development of hydrogels utilizing natural and compostable materials. Agro-industrial and food waste, which are rich in hemicellulose and cellulose, have been utilized to enhance the mechanical properties and water absorption capacity of hydrogels. These biomaterials hold significant potential for the development of effective hydrogels in agricultural applications; they can be either hybrid or natural materials that exhibit efficacy in enhancing seed germination, improving water retention capabilities, and facilitating the controlled release of fertilizers. Natural hydrogels derived from agro-industrial waste present a sustainable technological alternative that is environmentally benign. Full article

A comprehensive techno-economic assessment was undertaken to determine the viability of bioethanol production from sugarcane bagasse in Thailand through organosolv fractionation, incorporating three distinct catalytic systems: sulfuric acid, formic acid, and sodium methoxide. Rigorous process simulations were executed using Aspen Plus, facilitating the derivation of detailed mass and energy balances, which served as the foundational input for downstream cost modeling. Economic performance metrics, including the total annualized cost and minimum ethanol selling price, were systematically quantified for each scenario. Among the evaluated configurations, the formic acid-catalyzed organosolv system exhibited superior techno-economic attributes, achieving the lowest unit production costs of 1.14 USD/L for ethanol and 1.84 USD/kg for lignin, corresponding to an estimated ethanol selling price of approximately 1.14 USD/L. This favorable outcome was attained with only moderate capital intensity, indicating a well-balanced trade-off between operational efficiency and investment burden. Conversely, the sodium methoxide-based process configuration imposed the highest economic burden, with a TAC of 15.27 million USD/year, culminating in a markedly elevated MESP of 5.49 USD/kg (approximately 4.33 USD/L). The sulfuric acid-driven system demonstrated effective delignification performance. Sensitivity analysis revealed that reagent procurement costs exert the greatest impact on TAC variation, highlighting chemical expenditure as the key economic driver. These findings emphasize the critical role of solvent choice, catalytic performance, and process integration in improving the cost-efficiency of lignocellulosic ethanol production. Among the examined options, the formic acid-based organosolv process stands out as the most economically viable for large-scale implementation within Thailand’s bioeconomy. Full article

In light of the environmental impact of disposable products made from petroleum-based plastics, this study focused on developing biodegradable foam trays made from a starch (PS) derived from potato waste and beer malt flour (BMBF). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the concentration of BMBF on the physical and mechanical properties of potato starch-based foam trays prepared by the thermoforming process at temperatures of 150 °C (upper plate) and 145 °C (lower plate) for 5 min and 40 s. The results showed that increasing the BMBF concentration from 0 to 40% reduced the moisture content from 4.68% to 3.42%, increased the thickness from 2.63 cm to 4.77 cm, and decreased the density from 0.28 g.cm⁻³ to 0.15 g.cm⁻³. Meanwhile, the water absorption capacity increased from 38.7% to 69.7%. In terms of mechanical properties, increasing the BMBF concentration in the PS foam tray resulted in a decrease in hardness from 5.61 N to 2.87 N, a decrease in tensile strength from 2.92 MPa to 0.85 MPa, and a decrease in elongation from 1.42% to 0.59%. Meanwhile, fracturability increased from 2.04 mm to 3.68 mm. FTIR analysis revealed interactions between BMBF and PS in the composite foam tray. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed two thermal events: one between 20.96 °C and 172.89 °C, and another between 189.14 °C and 517.69 °C, with weight losses of 5.53% and 74.23%, leaving an ash residue of 20.24%. Differential calorimetry analysis (DSC) showed a glass transition at 152.88 °C and a melting at 185.94 °C, with an enthalpy of fusion of 74.11 J.g⁻¹. Higher concentrations of BMBF (>10%) decreased the water resistance, mechanical strength, and flexibility of the PS foam trays. Therefore, a formulation of 90% PS and 10% BMBF was better for producing a foam tray with improved mechanical properties and water resistance, which could be used as a sustainable alternative to conventional single-use plastic. Full article

Induced mutation plays an integral part in plant breeding as it introduces new variability among the population. A study was conducted in cowpeas [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] to assess the yield divergence, heritability, genetic advance, and correlation among the M5 Tswana cowpea mutants. The experiment utilized seven genotypes under rainfed and supplementary irrigation during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 cropping seasons. The mutant lines demonstrated significant variations in days to 50% emergence (DE) and days to 50% flowering (DF). Tswana emerged earlier (5–7 days) and flowered in 21–54 days across the two seasons, compared to some of the mutant lines. The yield and yield components varied among some mutant lines and the control. Most importantly, mutants outperformed the Tswana control for some of these traits, indicating potential for genetic improvement. An analysis of genetic parameters revealed minimal environmental influences on some of the observed traits (GH, PN, GY), while others showed little environmental impact. Variation in heritability (H²) and genetic advance (GA%) between the two seasons limited the contribution of genotypic effects in the expression of the studied traits. Correlation analysis revealed strong and significant positive associations between DE and GH, as well as between DF and PW. Most traits, except DF and PW, were positively correlated with grain yield (GY), although the correlations were not significantly different. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the superiority of mutant lines (Tswana-300Gy-214, Tswana-400Gy mutant lines, and Tswana-500Gy-31) in their association with improved GY, pod weight (PW), 100-seed weight (100-SW), and seed number per pod (SN/P). Interestingly, the Tswana control formed a separate cluster and diverged from the mutants in PCA, suggesting that induced mutagenesis effectively targeted genes controlling the traits considered in this study. Full article

Cancer and infectious diseases are major causes of global morbidity and mortality stressing the need to find novel drugs with promising dual anticancer and antimicrobial efficacy. Gold complexes have been studied for the past years due to their anticancer properties, with a few of them displaying antimicrobial properties, which support their pharmacological interest. Within this scope, we investigated six gold bisdithiolate complexes [Au (bdt)₂]⁻ (1), [Au (dcbdt)₂]⁻ (2), [Au (3-cbdt)₂]⁻ (3), [Au (4-cbdt)₂]⁻ (4), [Au (pdt)₂]⁻ (5) and [Au (dcdmp)₂]⁻ (6), and) against the ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and A2780cisR, the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus Newman, the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Burkholderia contaminans IST408, and the pathogenic yeasts Candida glabrata CBS138 and Candida albicans SC5134. Complexes 2 and 6, with ligands containing aromatic pyrazine or phenyl rings, substituted with two cyanonitrile groups, showed after 24 h of incubation high anticancer activities against A2780 ovarian cancer cells (IC₅₀~5 µM), being also able to overcome cisplatin resistance in A2780cisR cells. Both complexes induced the formation of ROS, activated caspase-3/7, and induced necrosis (LDH release) in a dose-dependent way, in a greater extent in the case of 6. Among the bacterial and fungal strains tested, only complex 6 presented antimicrobial activity against S. aureus Newman, indicating that this complex is a potential novel anticancer and antibacterial agent. These results delve into the structure-activity relationship of the complexes, considering molecular alterations such as replacing a phenyl group for a pyrazine group, and the inclusion of one or two cyanonitrile appendage groups, and their effects on biological activity. Overall, both complexes were found to be promising leads for the development of future anticancer drugs against low sensitive or cisplatin resistant tumors. Full article

Low-commercial-value natural pistachios (broken, closed, or immature) can be revalorised through oil extraction, obtaining a high-quality oil and partially defatted flour as by-product. This study evaluated the techno-functional and nutritional properties of the flours obtained by hydraulic press (HP) and single-screw press (SSP) systems, combined with pretreatment at 25 °C and 60 °C. The extraction method significantly influenced flour’s characteristics, underscoring the need to tailor processing conditions to the specific technological requirements of each food application. HP-derived flours presented lighter colour, greater tocopherol content, and higher water absorption capacity (up to 2.75 g/g), suggesting preservation of hydrophilic proteins. SSP-derived flours showed higher concentration of protein (44 g/100 g), fibre (12 g/100 g), and minerals, and improved emulsifying properties, enhancing their suitability for emulsified products. Pretreatment at 25 °C enhanced functional properties such as swelling power (~7.0 g/g) and water absorption index (~5.7 g/g). The SSP system achieved the highest oil extraction yield, with no significant effect of pretreatment temperature. The oils extracted showed high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid (~48% of ω-9), highlighting their nutritional and industrial value. The findings support the valorisation of pistachio oil extraction by-products as functional food ingredients, offering a promising strategy for reducing food waste and promoting circular economy approaches in the agri-food sector. Full article

Polymicrobial biofilms involving fungal and bacterial species are increasingly recognized as contributors to persistent infections, particularly in the oral cavity. Candida albicans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are two commensals that can turn into opportunistic pathogens and are able to form robust biofilms. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the interaction dynamics between these two microorganisms and to evaluate their susceptibility to fluconazole and azithromycin in single- and mixed-species forms. Methods: Biofilm biomass was quantified using crystal violet assays, while biofilm cell viability was assessed through CFU enumeration (biofilm viability assay). To assess the resistance properties of single versus mixed-species coincubations, we applied the antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) to each drug, and analysed spatial organization with confocal laser scanning microscopy, using PNA-FISH. Results: The results indicated that both species can coexist without significant mutual inhibition. However, a non-reciprocal synergism was also observed, whereby mixed-species biofilm conditions promoted the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans, while C. albicans growth remained stable. As expected, antimicrobial tolerance was elevated in mixed cultures, likely due to enhanced extracellular matrix production and potential quorum-sensing interactions, contributing to increased resistance against azithromycin and fluconazole. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into previously rarely explored interactions between C. albicans and A. actinomycetemcomitans. These findings underscore the importance of investigating interspecies interactions within polymicrobial biofilms, as understanding their mechanisms, such as quorum-sensing molecules and metabolic cooperation, can contribute to improved diagnostics and more effective targeted therapeutic strategies against polymicrobial infections. Full article

Background: Accurate and timely prediction of mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, particularly those with COVID-19, remains clinically challenging due to complex immune responses. Proteomic cytokine profiling holds promise for refining mortality risk assessment. Methods: Serum samples from 89 ICU patients (55 discharged, 34 deceased) were analyzed using a multiplex 21-cytokine panel. Samples were stratified into three groups based on time from collection to outcome: ≤48 h (Group 1: Early), >48 h to ≤7 days (Group 2: Intermediate), and >7 days to ≤14 days (Group 3: Late). Cytokine levels, simple cytokine ratios, and previously unexplored complex ratios between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Machine learning-based feature selection identified the most predictive ratios, with performance evaluated by area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Results: Complex cytokine ratios demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to traditional severity markers (APACHE II, SAPS II, SOFA), individual cytokines, and simple ratios, effectively distinguishing discharged from deceased patients across all groups (AUC: 0.918–1.000; sensitivity: 0.826–1.000; specificity: 0.775–0.900). Conclusions: Multiplex cytokine profiling enhanced by computationally derived complex ratios may offer robust predictive capabilities for ICU mortality risk stratification, serving as a valuable tool for personalized prognosis in critical care. Full article

Microalgae, with their unparalleled capabilities for sunlight-driven growth, CO₂ fixation, and synthesis of diverse high-value compounds, represent sustainable cell factories for a circular bioeconomy. However, industrial deployment has been hindered by biological constraints and the inadequacy of conventional genetic tools. The advent of CRISPR-Cas systems initially provided precise gene editing via targeted DNA cleavage. This review argues that the true transformative potential lies in moving decisively beyond cutting to harness CRISPR as a versatile synthetic biology “Swiss Army Knife”. We synthesize the rapid evolution of CRISPR-derived tools—including transcriptional modulators (CRISPRa/i), epigenome editors, base/prime editors, multiplexed systems, and biosensor-integrated logic gates—and their revolutionary applications in microalgal engineering. These tools enable tunable gene expression, stable epigenetic reprogramming, DSB-free nucleotide-level precision editing, coordinated rewiring of complex metabolic networks, and dynamic, autonomous control in response to environmental cues. We critically evaluate their deployment to enhance photosynthesis, boost lipid/biofuel production, engineer high-value compound pathways (carotenoids, PUFAs, proteins), improve stress resilience, and optimize carbon utilization. Persistent challenges—species-specific tool optimization, delivery efficiency, genetic stability, scalability, and biosafety—are analyzed, alongside emerging solutions and future directions integrating AI, automation, and multi-omics. The strategic integration of this CRISPR toolkit unlocks the potential to engineer robust, high-productivity microalgal cell factories, finally realizing their promise as sustainable platforms for next-generation biomanufacturing. Full article

An increasing global population, rising energy demands, and the shift toward a circular bioeconomy are driving the need for more resource-efficient waste management. The increase in the world population—now exceeding 8 billion as of 2024—results in an increased need for alternative proteins, both human and feed grade proteins, as well as for biopolymers and bioenergy. As such, agricultural, forest, and marine waste biomass represent a valuable feedstock for production of food and feed ingredients, biopolymers, and bioenergy. However, the lack of integrated and efficient valorization strategies for these diverse biomass sources remains a major challenge. This literature review aims to give a systematic approach on the recent research status of agricultural, forest, and marine waste biomass valorization, focusing on cascade processing (a sequential combination of processes such as pretreatment, extraction, and conversion methods). Potential products will be identified that create the most economic value over multiple lifetimes, to maximize resource efficiency. It highlights the challenges associated with cascade processing of waste biomass and proposes technological synergies for waste biomass valorization. Moreover, this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential of waste biomass valorization in the context of sustainable and circular bioeconomy. Full article

Marine biomass, particularly from waste streams, by-products, underutilized, invasive, or potential cultivable marine species, offers a sustainable source of high-value biopolymers such as collagen and chitin. These macromolecules have gained significant attention due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, functional versatility, and broad applicability across health, food, wellness, and environmental fields. This review highlights recent advances in the uses of marine-derived collagen and chitin/chitosan. In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we analyze how these applications contribute to sustainability, particularly in SDGs related to responsible consumption and production, good health and well-being, and life below water. Furthermore, we contextualize the advancement of product development using marine collagen and chitin/chitosan within the European Union’s Blue bioeconomy strategies, highlighting trends in scientific research and technological innovation through bibliometric and patent data. Finally, the review addresses challenges facing the development of robust value chains for these marine biopolymers, including collaboration, regulatory hurdles, supply-chain constraints, policy and financial support, education and training, and the need for integrated marine resource management. The paper concludes with recommendations for fostering innovation and sustainability in the valorization of these marine resources. Full article

Timely and accurate monitoring of crop nitrogen (N) status is essential for precision agriculture. UAV-based hyperspectral remote sensing offers high-resolution data for estimating plant nitrogen concentration (PNC), but its cost and complexity limit large-scale application. This study compares the performance of UAV hyperspectral data (S185 sensor) with simulated multispectral data from DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral (P4M), PlanetScope (PS), and Sentinel-2A (S2) in estimating winter wheat PNC. Spectral data were collected across six growth stages over two seasons and resampled to match the spectral characteristics of the three multispectral sensors. Three variable selection strategies (one-dimensional (1D) spectral reflectance, optimized two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) spectral indices) were combined with Random Forest Regression (RFR), Support Vector Machine Regression (SVMR), and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) to build PNC prediction models. Results showed that, while hyperspectral data yielded slightly higher accuracy, optimized multispectral indices, particularly from PS and S2, achieved comparable performance. Among models, SVM and RFR showed consistent effectiveness across strategies. These findings highlight the potential of low-cost multispectral platforms for practical crop N monitoring. Future work should validate these models using real satellite imagery and explore multi-source data fusion with advanced learning algorithms. Full article

The worldwide increase in antifungal resistance, particularly in Candida sp., requires the exploration of novel therapeutic agents. Natural compounds have been a rich source of antimicrobial molecules, where peptides constitute the class of the most bioactive components. Therefore, this study looks into the target-specific binding efficacy of insect-derived antifungal peptides (n = 37) as possible alternatives to traditional antifungal treatments. Using computational methods, namely the HPEPDOCK and HDOCK platforms, molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interactions between selected key fungal targets, lanosterol 14-demethylase, or LDM (PDB ID: 5V5Z), secreted aspartic proteinase-5, or Sap-5 (PDB ID: 2QZX), N-myristoyl transferase, or NMT (PDB ID: 1NMT), and dihydrofolate reductase, or DHFR, of C. albicans. The three-dimensional peptide structure was modelled through the PEP-FOLD 3.5 tool. Further, we predicted the physicochemical properties of these peptides through the ProtParam and PEPTIDE 2.0 tools to assess their drug-likeness and potential for therapeutic applications. In silico results show that Blap-6 from Blaps rhynchopeter and Gomesin from Acanthoscurria gomesiana have the most antifungal potential against all four targeted proteins in Candida sp. Additionally, a molecular dynamics simulation study of LDM-Blap-6 was carried out at 100 nanoseconds. The overall predictions showed that both have strong binding abilities and are good candidates for drug development. In in vitro studies, Gomesin achieved complete biofilm eradication in three out of four Candida species, while Blap-6 showed moderate but consistent reduction across all species. C. tropicalis demonstrated relative resistance to complete eradication by both peptides. The present study provides evidence to support the antifungal activity of certain insect peptides, with potential to be used as alternative drugs or as a template for a new synthetic or modified peptide in pursuit of effective therapies against Candida spp. Full article