Search Results (31)

The One Health paradigm—recognizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment—promotes the development of sustainable technologies that enhance human health while minimizing ecological impact. In this context, bio-based hydrogels have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials for advanced medical applications. Produced through biotechnological methods such as genetic engineering and microbial fermentation, these hydrogels are composed of renewable and biocompatible materials, including recombinant collagen, elastin, silk fibroin, bacterial cellulose, xanthan gum, and hyaluronic acid. Their high water content, structural tunability, and biodegradability make them ideal candidates for various biomedical applications such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, and the design of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffolds. By offering controlled mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and the potential for minimally invasive administration, sustainable hydrogels represent a strategic innovation for regenerative medicine and therapeutic interventions. This review discusses the characteristics and medical applications of these hydrogels, highlighting their role in advancing sustainable healthcare solutions within the One Health framework. Full article

The wine industry produces substantial amounts of organic waste, particularly in the form of dealcoholized grape pomace—the primary residual biomass that remains after the fermentation process and the extraction of alcohol from winery by-products. This study explores the potential of upcycling dealcoholized pomace, an often-overlooked by-product, into a sustainable platform for innovative bio-based materials. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines materials science, biotechnology, and principles of the circular economy, we carefully examine the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of dealcoholized pomace. Our research includes comprehensive analyses of its structural integrity, biodegradability, and potential applications, including biocomposites, eco-friendly packaging solutions, and other sustainable materials. The results of our study highlight not only the promising performance characteristics of dealcoholized pomace, such as its strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility, but also underscore its significant role in advancing waste valorization strategies. By effectively transforming waste into valuable resources, we contribute to the development of sustainable materials, thereby supporting a more circular economy within the wine industry and beyond. Full article

One of the world’s most sustainable solutions is to replace fossil-based polymers with biopolymers. The production of xanthan gum can be optimized using various renewable and cost-effective raw materials, which is a key focus in industrial biotechnology. Xanthan gum is a bioengineered thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent. It has unique properties for use in many industries (food, biotechnology, petrochemicals, agricultural, cosmetics, wastewater treatment) and medical applications. It is tasteless, environmentally safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable. The biotechnological production of xanthan gum depends on several factors: bacterial strain development, culture medium preparation, carbon sources, fermentation parameters and modes, pH, temperature, recovery, purification, and quality control regulations. Bio-innovative strategies have been developed to optimize the production of xanthan gum. A variety of carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as alternative renewable sources, have been used in the production of xanthan gum. The aim of the present study was to optimize the xanthan gum yield using Xanthomonas campestris bacteria and different carbon (D-glucose, D-sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, D-mannitol, D-fructose, erythritol, coconut palm sugar, L-arabinose, unrefined cane sugar), various nitrogen (bacterial peptone, casein peptone, L-glutamic acid, L-arginine, L-methionine, L-tryptophan, malt extract, meat extract, L-phenylalanine, soy peptone) and alternative carbon (orange peels, tangerine peels, lemon peels, avocado peels, melon peels, apple peels, cellulose, xylose, xylitol) sources. The xanthan gum samples were analyzed using antioxidant methods. Our study showed that using L-glutamic acid as the carbon source for 72 h of bacterial fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris resulted in the highest xanthan gum yield: 32.34 g/L. However, using renewable resources, we achieved a very high concentration of xanthan gum in just 24 h of fermentation. According to the reducing power and DPPH methods, the highest antioxidant activities were measured for xanthan gum whose biosynthesis was based on renewable resources. Xanthan gum structures have been verified by FT-IR and ¹H NMR analysis. The sustainable biotechnology study has the advantage of increasing the sustainable production of xanthan gum by using renewable alternative resources compared to other production processes. Xanthan gum continues to be a valuable biopolymer with a wide range of industrial applications while promoting environmentally friendly production practices. Full article

Microorganisms metabolising low-value carbon sources can produce a diverse range of bio-based and biodegradable materials compatible with circular economy principles. One such material is bacterial cellulose (BC), which can be obtained in high purity through the fermentation of sweetened tea by a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY). In recent years, there has been a growing research interest in SCOBYs as a promising solution for sustainable material design. In this work, we have explored a novel method to grow SCOBYs vertically using a waste-based scaffold system. Waste sheep wool and cotton fabric were soaked in a SCOBY infusion to serve as scaffolds, carrying the infusion and facilitating vertical growth through capillary forces. Remarkably, vertical membrane growth up to 5 cm above the liquid–air interface (LAI) was observed after just one week. Membranes with different microstructures were found in sheep wool and cotton, randomly oriented between the scaffold fibre, resulting in a high surface area. This study demonstrated that vertical growth in scaffolds is possible, proving the concept of a new method of growing composite materials with potential high-value applications in biomedicine, energy storage, or filtration. Full article

The sustainable production of bioplastics is increasingly important for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and addressing environmental challenges. The acidogenic fermentation of waste streams offers a promising pathway for generating key bioplastic precursors, such as volatile fatty acids, which can be used to produce polymers like polyhydroxyalkanoates. This review explores the potential of various waste streams, including agricultural residues, industrial by-products, and food waste, as substrates for acidogenic fermentation, aligning with circular economy principles by reducing waste and environmental impact. A key feature of this review is its focus on targeted acidogenic fermentation, which optimizes process conditions to maximize the production of specific acids based on waste characteristics. The analysis emphasizes how the chemical composition and biodegradability of waste streams influence the selection of microbial consortia and metabolic pathways, determining the yield and composition of the products generated. The review also highlights the adaptability of acidogenic fermentation to heterogeneous and variable waste streams, underlining its potential as a scalable and sustainable solution for bioplastic precursor production. By tailoring process parameters such as pH and hydraulic retention time to the specific characteristics of the substrate, targeted acidogenic fermentation can effectively transform waste into high-value intermediates. Finally, challenges related to the scalability and economic feasibility of these processes are discussed, along with opportunities for integrating acidogenic fermentation with complementary waste valorization technologies to advance the bio-based economy. The findings underscore the critical role of waste streams in enabling the sustainable and efficient generation of bioplastic precursors, contributing to a circular economy framework. Full article

The increasing demand for bio-based chemicals and sustainable materials has placed biomass-derived lactic acid in the spotlight as a key building block for biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a promising feedstock due to its high dry matter (DM) yield, adaptability, and widespread agricultural use. This study investigates an integrated lactic acid–silage cascade process, focusing on how pH regulation, harvest timing, and biomass characteristics influence lactic acid production while maintaining agronomic efficiency. The results highlighted the crucial role of pH management and silage duration in optimizing lactic acid production. A silage period of 21 days was found to be optimal, as peak lactic acid yields were consistently observed at this stage. Maintaining a pH range of 4.5 to 6 proved essential for stabilizing fermentation, with citrate buffering at pH 6 leading to the highest lactic acid yields and minimizing undesirable by-products. Harvest timing also significantly affected lactic acid yield per hectare. While later harvesting increased total DM yield, it led to a decline in lactic acid concentration per kg DM. Tetraploid ryegrass (Explosion) maintained stable lactic acid yields due to higher biomass accumulation, whereas diploid varieties (Honroso) experienced a net reduction. From an agronomic perspective, optimizing harvest timing and variety selection is key to balancing biomass yield and fermentation efficiency. While tetraploid varieties offer greater flexibility, diploid varieties require precise harvest timing to avoid losses. These findings contribute to sustainable forage management, improving lactic acid production, silage efficiency, and agricultural resource use. Full article

Actions for improving water quality are critical and include the remediation of polluted groundwater. The effectiveness of the remediation strategy to remove contamination by chlorinated solvents may be increased by combining physicochemical treatments (i.e., adsorption) and biological degradation (i.e., biological reductive dechlorination (BRD)). Recent studies have shown the potentialities of bio-based materials for bioremediation purposes, including polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable microbial polyester tested as a fermentable source of slow-release electron donors. Further, a low-cost biochar derived from the pyrolysis of pinewood waste (PWB), used as sorbent material, has recently been proposed to accelerate reductive microbial dehalogenation. Here, we propose a coupled adsorption and biodegradation (CAB) process for trichloroethylene (TCE) removal in a mini pilot-scale reactor composed of two reactive zones, the first one filled with PHB and the second one with PWB. This work aimed to evaluate the performance of the CAB process with particular regard to the effectiveness of the PWB in sustaining the biofilm, mostly enriched by Dehalococcoides mccartyi. The main results showed the CAB system treated around 1300 L of contaminated water, removing 102 mg TCE per day. Combining PHB and PWB had a positive effect on the growth of the dechlorinating community with a high abundance of Dhc cells. Full article

Pigment production has a substantial negative impact on the environment, since mining for natural pigments causes ecosystem degradation, while synthetic pigments, derived from petrochemicals, generate toxic by-products that accumulate and persist in aquatic systems due to their resistance to biodegradation. Despite these challenges, pigments remain essential across numerous industries, including the cosmetic, textile, food, automotive, paints and coatings, plastics, and packaging industries. In response to growing consumer demand for sustainable options, there is increasing interest in eco-friendly alternatives, particularly bio-based pigments derived from algae, fungi, and actinomycetes. This shift is largely driven by consumer demand for sustainable options. For bio-pigments, actinomycetes, particularly from the Streptomyces genus, have emerged as a promising green source, aligning with global sustainability goals due to their renewability and biodegradability. Scale-up of production and yield optimization challenges have been circumvented with the aid of biotechnology advancements, including genetic engineering and innovative fermentation and extraction methods, which have enhanced these bio-pigments’ viability and cost-competitiveness. Actinomycete-derived pigments have successfully transitioned from laboratory research to commercialization, showcasing their potential as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes. With the global pigment market valued at approximately USD 24.28 billion in 2023, which is projected to reach USD 36.58 billion by 2030, the economic potential for actinomycete pigments is extensive. This review explores the environmental advantages of actinomycete pigments, their role in modern industry, and the regulatory and commercialization challenges they face, highlighting the importance of these pigments as promising solutions to reduce our reliance on conventional toxic pigments. The successful commercialization of actinomycete pigments can drive an industry-wide transition to environmentally responsible alternatives, offering substantial benefits for human health, safety, and environmental sustainability. Full article

The group of innovative ingredients in cosmetic preparations includes bio-ferments (Bs), which are characterized by high bioactivity and biocompatibility, and one of the plants rich in bioactive compounds that has a beneficial effect on the skin and the body is Silybum marianum. Bio-ferments obtained from this plant are becoming increasingly useful as active ingredients in cosmetics. In the present study, four different bio-ferments were obtained by fermentation of pomace (B-P), extract (B-E), oil (B-O), and seeds (B-S) of milk thistle. Their biodegradability (%B), total polyphenols content (Folin–Ciocalteu method), and antimicrobial, antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods), chelating (Fe²⁺ ions), and reduction (Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions) properties, as well as the acidity, were evaluated. The contact angle using the sessile drop method was assessed to investigate bio-ferments’ impact on skin wettability. Finally, the content of selected phenolic acids in the Bs was evaluated using the HPLC method, while the lactic acid (LA) content was assessed using the GC-MS method. All bio-ferments were characterized by high polyphenols content (13.56 ± 0.10–15.28 ± 0.12 mmol GA/L B), chelating (0.08 ± 0.01–0.17 ± 0.01 mmol Fe²⁺/L B) and antioxidant activity (DPPH method, 2.41 ± 0.01–3.53 ± 0.01 mmol Tx/L B), and reducing Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, and LA were identified in Bs. The most increased antibacterial activity for B-P was observed for a strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 250 μL/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 250 μL/mL). Simultaneously, B-S demonstrated the highest inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli (MIC = 125 μL/mL), emphasizing the varied antimicrobial profiles of these bio-ferments against different bacterial strains. Research on aerobic biodegradation demonstrated a high level of degradation (%B = 60 ± 1–65 ± 3), and all Bs were categorized as readily degradable according to the OECD classification. Full article

Food waste (FW) is a significant global issue with a carbon footprint of 3.3 billion tonnes (Bt), primarily generated due to improper food supply chain management, storage issues, and transportation problems. Acidogenic processes like dark fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and a combination of DF-AD can produce renewable biofuels (Bio-CH₄, Bio-H₂) by valorising FW, aligning with the UN SDGs. FW is an ideal substrate for acidogenic processes due to its high moisture content, organic matter, and biodegradability. However, the choice of FW valorisation pathways depends on energy yield, conversion efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Acidogenic processes are not economically viable for industrial scale FW treatment due to reduced energy recovery from stand-alone processes. So, this study reviews comparative studies on biogas, biohydrogen, and biohythane production from FW via acidogenic processes, focusing on energy yield, energy recovery, and environmental and economic impact to provide a clear understanding of energy recovery and yield from all acidogenic processes. Additionally, this review also explores the recent advancements in digestate slurry management and the synergistic effects of AD and HTC processes. Lastly, a futuristic integrated bio-thermo-chemical process is proposed for maximum energy recovery, valuing food waste to energy vectors (Bio-H₂, Bio-CH₄, and hydro-char) along with digestate management and biofertilizer production. Full article

In the present study, extract (E) and bio-ferment (B) were obtained from ground and defatted thistle seeds of Silybum marianum. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP techniques, while total polyphenols were measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. High antioxidant activity was found in both the E (0.91 mmol Trolox/L ± 0.2) and B (1.19 mmol Trolox/L ± 0.2) using DPPH methods, so the obtained cosmetic raw materials were incorporated into hydrogel and organogel substrates to obtain cosmetic formulations with antioxidant activity. However, there is a scarcity of research providing information on the skin penetration of the main active components of S. marianum, which have an antioxidant effect. Therefore, we assessed in vitro the penetration through pig skin of the main components contained in the obtained B and E, such as silybin and taxifolin, which are part of the silymarin complex. We also used pure silymarin (S) for comparison. Among the tested preparations, H-S showed the utmost significant penetration of taxifolin, having a cumulative permeation of 87.739 ± 7.457 μg/cm². Biodegradation tests of the prepared formulations were also performed, containing cosmetic raw materials and S. Studies of the effect of the cosmetic formulations on aerobic biodegradation showed a good level of degradation for the prepared formulations, some of which (O-B and O-S) were classified as easily degradable (OECD). Full article

The increasing demand for avocado consumption has led to a vast generation of waste products. Despite the high nutritional value of avocados, the waste generated from their processing poses a significant environmental challenge. Therefore, the development of a sustainable approach to avocado waste management is a major concern. Biorefinery presents a promising approach to the valorization of avocado waste components, including the seed, peel, and pulp residues. This paper explores the potential of avocado waste biorefinery as a sustainable solution to produce bio-based products. Several approaches, including extraction, hydrolysis, fermentation, and biodegradation, to obtain valuable products such as starch, oil, fiber, and bioactive compounds for food or feed goods have been proposed. The review also highlights the approaches towards addressing challenges of energy security and climate change by utilizing avocado waste as a source to produce biofuels such as biogas, biodiesel, and bioethanol. In conclusion, the development of avocado waste biorefinery presents a promising avenue for sustainable development. This process can efficiently convert the avocado waste components into valuable bio-based products and clean energy sources, contributing to the attainment of a circular economy and a more sustainable future. Full article

In order to improve the performance of methane production from agro-waste, a batched four-stage–two-phase anaerobic digestion (4S2P-AD) system was designed to combine the advantages of both anaerobic co-digestion (co-AD) and two-phase AD. The initial separation of two phases was performed using rice straw (RS) as a feedstock in acidogenic phase and cow manure (CM) in methanogenic phase at low inoculum/substrate (I/S) ratios of 0.5 and 0.2 and a high organic loading of 60 g volatile solid (VS)/L. The periodic round-trip reflux of leachate during the 4S2P-AD process facilitated re-inoculation throughout the four stages. The results showed that this round-trip reflux also dispersed toxic ammonia, balanced the carbon/nitrogen ratio, unified the microbial community structure, and led to the selection of Methanosarcina (relative abundance > 80%) as the dominant methanogens. With the abilities to overcome volatile fatty acid accumulation, shorten lag times, improve biodegradability, and foster synergistic effects, it was verified that the 4S2P-AD process can maintain efficient and stable methanogenesis from high-solid lignocellulosic feedstock. The averaged methane production throughout the four stages of 4S2P-AD was 234 mL/g VS. This result is 96% higher than the averaged methane production obtained from the four one-step AD groups using mono-feedstock, and 91% higher than that obtained using co-feedstock. This study provides a scientific reference for the development of new processes of bio-methane production from agro-waste with a high fermentation capacity and stability in the future. Full article

Prebiotic effects have been attributed to agave fructans through bacterial and yeast fermentations, but there are few reports on their use as raw materials of a carbon source. Kefir milk is a fermented drink with lactic acid bacteria and yeast that coexist in a symbiotic association. During fermentation, these microorganisms mainly consume lactose and produce a polymeric matrix called kefiran, which is an exopolysaccharide composed mainly of water-soluble glucogalactan, suitable for the development of bio-degradable films. Using the biomass of microorganisms and proteins together can be a sustainable and innovative source of biopolymers. In this investigation, the effects of lactose-free milk as a culture medium and the addition of other carbon sources (dextrose, fructose, galactose, lactose, inulin and fructans) in concentrations of 2, 4 and 6% w/w, coupled with initial parameters such as temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), % of starter inoculum (2, 5 and 10% w/w) was evaluated. The method of response surface analysis was performed to determine the optimum biomass production conditions at the start of the experiment. The response surface method showed that a 2% inoculum and a temperature of 25 °C were the best parameters for fermentation. The addition of 6% w/w agave fructans in the culture medium favored the growth of biomass (75.94%) with respect to the lactose-free culture medium. An increase in fat (3.76%), ash (5.57%) and protein (7.12%) content was observed when adding agave fructans. There was an important change in the diversity of microorganisms with an absence of lactose. These compounds have the potential to be used as a carbon source in a medium culture to increase kefir granule biomass. There was an important change in the diversity of microorganisms with an absence of lactose, where the applied image digital analysis led to the identification of the morphological changes in the kefir granules through modification of the profile of such microorganisms. Full article

1,3-dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is an underrated bio-based synthon, with a broad range of reactivities. It is produced for the revalorization of glycerol, a major side-product of the growing biodiesel industry. The overwhelming majority of DHA produced worldwide is intended for application as a self-tanning agent in cosmetic formulations. This review provides an overview of the discovery, physical and chemical properties of DHA, and of its industrial production routes from glycerol. Microbial fermentation is the only industrial-scaled route but advances in electrooxidation and aerobic oxidation are also reported. This review focuses on the plurality of reactivities of DHA to help chemists interested in bio-based building blocks see the potential of DHA for this application. The handling of DHA is delicate as it can undergo dimerization as well as isomerization reactions in aqueous solutions at room temperature. DHA can also be involved in further side-reactions, yielding original side-products, as well as compounds of interest. If this peculiar reactivity was harnessed, DHA could help address current sustainability challenges encountered in the synthesis of speciality polymers, ranging from biocompatible polymers to innovative polymers with cutting-edge properties and improved biodegradability. Full article