Search Results (3,281)

Kappaphycus alvarezii is an important source of carrageenan, a polysaccharide widely utilized for its gelling and stabilizing properties. However, understanding advancements in its application is crucial for broadening its biotechnological uses and promoting sustainable practices. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the applications of carrageenan from K. alvarezii, following PRISMA guidelines. A search was conducted in the CAPES Journals Portal and Scopus databases from 2010 to 2025, using the descriptors “Kappaphycus alvarezii” and “carrageenan.” Out of 491 analyzed articles, 38 met the inclusion criteria, categorized into health/medicine (n = 11), human food (n = 10), general industry (n = 8), animal nutrition (n = 6), and agriculture (n = 3). The findings reveal various applications, including scaffolds, antimicrobial agents, encapsulants, and wound dressings in health/medicine; edible films and food additives in human food; biomaterials and bioproducts, as well as applications in biorefinery in general industry; applications in aquaculture and livestock in animal nutrition; and as a defense inducer or biostimulant in agriculture. Despite a limited number of articles specifically addressing the direct applications of carrageenan from K. alvarezii, its uses are extensive across various industries. Full article

Fumaric acid is one of the most important bio-based chemicals, with applications in the food, feed, polymer, pulp, and pharmaceutical industries. To overcome the limitations of the current petrochemical production process, alternative methods are being developed. Biotechnological production using wild-type fungi like Rhizopus sp. is a promising alternative. In this study, apple pomace was used as a carbohydrate source for fumaric acid production using Rhizopus arrhizus NRRL 1526. Our focus was on the use of free, non-structurally bound carbohydrates present in high amounts in apple pomace originating from direct apple juice processing. Three processes were compared: pressing, extraction, and a combination of both. Two cultivation strategies were applied: pre-culture and separate upstream biomass production. Using the pre-culture approach, a fumaric acid titer of 68.3 g/L was achieved with a yield of 0.53 g/g and a productivity of 0.29 g/(L·h) from synthetic apple pomace juice. Separate biomass production enabled growth-decoupled fumaric acid production, yielding 50.2 g/L and 79.3 g/L with yields of 0.82 g/g and 0.54 g/g and productivities of 0.17 g/(L·h) and 0.27 g/(L·h) from synthetic and real apple pomace juice, respectively. Thus, the efficient use of apple pomace for the fermentative production of fumaric acid is shown. Full article

Members of the Rosaceae family possess substantial economic and ornamental value, making their effective propagation and genetic improvement critical. Plant regeneration represents a foundational technology for efficient breeding, genetic transformation, functional genomics, molecular breeding, germplasm conservation, and large-scale commercial propagation. The regenerative capacity of explants in many Rosaceae taxa remains limited, despite significant progress. This review systematically synthesized conventional and emerging plant regeneration strategies and critically examined the principal biological and technical constraints affecting regenerative efficiency. A comprehensive comparison was first made among the various genera of the Rosaceae family regarding regeneration processes, environmental conditions, PGRs, exogenous additives, basal media, common obstacles and regeneration suggestions. The application of molecular biotechnology approaches in elucidating the mechanisms underlying regeneration and in enhancing regeneration capacity is also evaluated. Finally, this review assesses the future potential of these advanced technologies for improving regeneration systems in Rosaceae plants, providing a comprehensive reference framework for both academic research and industrial applications. Full article

The genus Rhodococcus is relevant for its biosynthetic capabilities and metabolic versatility, resulting in the production of different metabolites to adapt to harsh environmental conditions. Exopolysaccharides are secreted by different members of Rhodococcus and have many biotechnological applications. Their use benefits different industries such as environmental remediation, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and food, among others, that appear in existing literature. This study presents the advances, weaknesses, and future directions in the production of this biopolymer by Rhodococcus. It also provides an overview of their taxonomic distribution within the genus, their composition, structures, yield, and the underexplored genes and possible mechanisms involved in the synthesis of extracellular polymeric substances. By combining past and current research with future directions on production in Rhodococcus, this work aims to present this genus as a serious alternative for obtaining these unique natural polymers. Full article

Microbial biosurfactants have emerged as natural and sustainable alternatives to synthetic surfactants used in the food industry, due to the growing demand for biodegradable and safe ingredients. Produced by bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, these compounds exhibit important physicochemical properties, such as emulsifying capacity, surface tension reduction, foam stabilization, and favorable interaction with different food matrices. In addition to their technological function, they exhibit relevant biological activities, including antioxidant and antimicrobial action, which contribute to the control of lipid oxidation and microbiological deterioration. These characteristics make biosurfactants attractive for applications in emulsions, fermented beverages, aerated products, probiotic systems, and bioactive packaging. The objective of this work is to provide a narrative literature review that integrates recent advances in the production, functionality, safety, sustainability, and application perspectives of biosurfactants in the food sector. In the field of production, biotechnological advances have made it possible to overcome historical limitations such as high cost and low yield. Strategies such as the use of agro-industrial waste, metabolic engineering, microbial co-cultures, continuous fermentations, and in situ removal techniques have increased efficiency and reduced environmental impacts. Despite the advances, significant challenges remain. Future prospects and advances tend to facilitate industrial adoption and consolidate biosurfactants as strategic ingredients for the development of more sustainable, functional, and technologically advanced foods. Full article

The selection of an optimal antifoam is critical for efficient fermentation, as industrial agents often have detrimental side effects like growth inhibition, while some can enhance productivity. We studied the efficacy of novel silicone–polyol antifoam emulsions for use in fermentation as defoamers. Except for agent 3L10, all antifoams tested did not show inhibition on six bacterial and one fungal culture. Interestingly, agent 3L10 strongly inhibited Gram-positive bacteria (especially Corynebacterium glutamicum) but not Gram-negative strains. A comprehensive evaluation protocol—combining chemical design, cytotoxicity screening across diverse microorganisms, the determination of minimum effective concentrations (MECs), and validation in model bioreactor fermentations—was established. Through this process, 6T80 was identified as a promising antifoam agent for fermentation. It exhibited a low MEC, high emulsion stability, and no cytotoxicity and did not impair growth or recombinant protein production in Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas putida fermentations. This study concludes that agent 6T80 is suitable for further application in processes involving Gram-negative and certain Gram-positive hosts. The developed methodology enables the targeted selection of highly efficient and biocompatible antifoams for specific biotechnological processes. Full article

A protocol was developed for the isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Coffea arabica cell suspension cultures (CSCs). The isolation method involved differential ultracentrifugation of the CSC filtrate, yielding two fractions: the pellet after 100,000×g for 36 min (100k×g) and the pellet obtained from the previous supernatant after 125,000 g for 6 h (125k×g). Both fractions were characterized by size, morphology, and proteomic profiles (ProteomeXchange identifier PXD071909). While no significant differences in average EV size were observed between the two fractions, proteomic analysis revealed distinct quantitative and compositional variations. The 100k×g fraction was enriched in proteins associated with cell periphery, plasma membrane, and extracellular region, whereas the 125k×g fraction predominantly contained proteins from the extracellular region. Proteomic marker analysis confirmed that both fractions contained protein EV markers, such as transmembrane and transport proteins, soluble EV-associated proteins, and proteins targeted to the extracellular environment or cell wall. Conversely, negligible contamination from non-EV-related proteins was detected. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the average size of the fractions was consistent with that reported for plant EVs. These findings demonstrate that the protocol utilized to isolate EVs from coffee CSC applies to the release of such vesicles without mechanical harsh grinding that leads to tissue/cell rupture and consequent contamination by other cell components. EVs obtained from coffee CSC represent a valuable and scalable platform, paving the way for the development of tools for biotechnological applications. Full article

The family Lactobacillaceae, reclassified in 2020 into 25 genera comprising 261 species, remains one of the most extensively studied groups of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) due to its wide distribution in fermented products, commensal presence in the gastrointestinal tract, and studied health effects. Long classified as “generally recognized as safe (GRAS)” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these organisms not only contribute to the flavor, texture, and preservation of fermented foods and beverages but also provide important health benefits as probiotics. Their metabolic versatility allows them to produce lactic acid, bacteriocins, and other bioactive compounds that inhibit pathogenic microorganisms and enhance food quality. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the functional roles of members of the Lactobacillaceae family in the context of the food matrix in fermentation, health, and biotechnology, and examines recent advances in functional genomics, metabolomics, and extracellular vesicle research to highlight future directions for leveraging these microorganisms in sustainable and innovative applications. Full article

The thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus represents a crucial genetic reservoir for exploring thermostable enzymes as valuable biocatalysts for industrial and biotechnology applications. Here, we identify, clone, and characterize Ces1-ET, Est1-ET, and Plp1-ET, three lipolytic enzymes obtained from T. thermophilus strain ET-1 isolated from El Tatio Geothermal Field in Northern Chile. To enable recombinant expression, we constructed the pTGT-1 expression system, a versatile bifunctional shuttle vector compatible with both Escherichia coli and T. thermophilus. The three thermoenzymes Ces1-ET, Est1-ET, and Plp1-ET, were successfully cloned, expressed, and purified using the pTGT-1 system, with a molecular mass of 25 kDa, 36 kDa, and 28 kDa, respectively. The recombinant purified enzymes displayed optimal temperatures at 60 °C, 80 °C, and 70 °C and optimal pH of 7.5, 9.0, and 8.0 for Ces1-ET, Est1-ET, and Plp1-ET, respectively. Functional biochemical assays revealed a broad tolerance to surfactants, detergents, divalent cations, and high salinity, relevant properties for their application in an industrial setting. These thermostable esterases expand the repertoire of thermozymes from Thermus spp., introducing pTGT-1 as an innovative tool for thermophilic protein expression and highlighting T. thermophilus strain ET-1 from El Tatio Geothermal Field as a valuable source of thermostable enzymes for industrial and biotechnology applications. Full article

Plant RNA interference (RNAi) is a fundamental antiviral defense that relies on coordinated activities of DICER-like endonucleases (DCLs), Argonaute proteins (AGOs) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs). Over the past decades, studies using model and crop species have uncovered complex and often redundant roles for DCLs and RDRs in generating and amplifying virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs), in addition to connections with transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) and epigenetic defenses against DNA viruses. Concurrently, plant viruses have evolved diverse counterstrategies—proteinaceous RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs), exoribonuclease (XRN)-resistant noncoding RNAs, and indirect manipulation of host pathways—to evade RNAi. Driven by the co-evolutionary arms race, plants have developed sophisticated counter-countermeasures that modulate or overcome viral anti-RNAi activity. Accumulated evidence suggests that plants encode host factor genes that are activated to degrade or sequester viral components such as RSSs against viral infection. On the other hand, plants have also evolved endogenous host modulators of antiviral RNAi that can either reinforce the antiviral response or be co-opted by viruses to antagonize it, representing a furious dynamic molecular battling mechanism. Here, we review recent advances in the molecular functions of DCLs and RDRs across species, summarize newly discovered viral counter-defenses (including RNA-based suppressors), and discuss host counter-countermeasures. We research key areas—such as the roles of RDRγ-class proteins, RTL1 (RNase three-like 1)-mediated competition with DCLs, and the mechanistic impact of viral noncoding RNAs—and outline translational opportunities for improving virus resistance in crops through breeding, biotechnological approaches, and RNA-based applications. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based structure prediction tools have emerged as powerful methods for understanding previously unsolved structures. AI-predicted models are widely used for protein function identification, drug development, and protein engineering. Although AI-predicted structures offer significant opportunities to advance research, their inaccuracies can lead to misinterpretations of molecular mechanisms. Thus, evaluating the structural differences between AI-predicted and experimental structures is crucial for accurately understanding molecular mechanisms and guiding the design of subsequent experiments. In this study, the previously unreported crystal structure of xylanase from Hypocrea virens (HviGH11) was compared with the structures predicted by ESMFold, AlphaFold2, AlphaFold3, and RoseTTAFold. The overall fold of HviGH11 was highly similar between the experimental and AI-predicted models; however, the conformation of the thumb domain of the protein varied across the models. The substrate-binding cleft of experimental HviGH11 was similar to that in the model structures generated by ESMFold, AlphaFold2, and AlphaFold3, but significantly different from those in the model structures generated by RoseTTAFold. The substrate docking study illustrated that the binding mode of xylohexaose in the substrate-binding cleft differed between the experimental and AI-predicted HviGH11 structures. These findings provide insights into the applications of AI-predicted models and offer guidance for appropriate application in structural and functional studies and biotechnology. Full article

Fungi, including yeasts, have played a central role in the development of knowledge about cell physiology and molecular biology as experimental eukaryotic models. However, much of this knowledge has been generated using classical organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which display inherent limitations, as many cellular processes operate under extreme conditions, including high salinity, extreme pH, oxidative stress, exposure to toxic compounds, and temperature fluctuations. In this context, extremophilic and extremotolerant yeasts have emerged as complementary systems with strong potential for basic research and biotechnological applications. This review integrates recent advances in the taxonomic diversity, ecology, physiology, molecular mechanisms, and omics-based analyses of extremophilic yeasts, with a particular focus on how these organisms achieve stress integration through coordinated regulation of signaling pathways, metabolism, and organelle function. We discuss representative applications in environmental toxicology, bioremediation, and industrial bioprocesses, as well as their relevance in the context of climate change and space biotechnology. Finally, we outline key conceptual and methodological challenges and propose future perspectives that position extremophilic yeasts as next-generation eukaryotic models for investigating adaptation as a systems-level, constitutive cellular state under complex and dynamic stress conditions. Full article

Collagenases can specifically degrade collagen, showing a wide application prospect in food, leather, waste utilization, biotechnology, and other industries. Currently, Hathewaya histolytica is commonly used in industry to produce collagenases, but its application is greatly limited by its pathogenicity. This study first identified five potential Pseudomonas-derived collagenases by sequence alignment. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze their structures and functions. Heterologous expression of two P. chlororaphis-derived collagenases was achieved in E. coli, and their enzymatic properties were characterized. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the Pseudomonas-derived collagenases had low molecular weights (22.1~50.5 kDa) and good thermal stability (aliphatic index 73.73~88.81). Deletion of P. chlororaphis GP72ANO strain colP1 and colP2 genes had no significant effect on cell growth. The yields of collagenase ColP1 and ColP2 obtained from E. coli BL21(DE3) cultivation broth were 148 mg/L and 322 mg/L, respectively. The optimum temperature of each collagenase was 28 °C, and the soluble collagen activities of ColP1 and ColP2 were up to 42.64 U/mg and 21.21 U/mg, respectively. Collagenase ColP1 had the highest enzyme activity at pH 8, while collagenase ColP2 had the highest enzyme activity at pH 4. Metal ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺ inhibited the activity of collagenases to different degrees. This study successfully achieved recombinant expression and preliminary purification of Pseudomonas-derived collagenases in E. coli and explored their function and physicochemical properties. Full article

In this study, a Nocardia niigatensis strain was isolated from boron-rich mining soils in the Bigadiç region of Türkiye and comprehensively characterized. The primary aim of this study was to isolate boron-tolerant Nocardia species and evaluate their physiological, enzymatic, and biochemical profiles. Selective isolation techniques were employed to obtain Nocardia isolates, and species-level identification was achieved using both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS analysis, which consistently confirmed the isolate as N. niigatensis. In addition to molecular identification, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the strain were extensively investigated. The strain demonstrated notable boron tolerance, exhibiting robust growth at concentrations up to 50 mM, highlighting its potential applicability in the bioremediation of boron-contaminated environments. Physiological assays further revealed moderate halotolerance and a mesophilic growth profile, with optimal growth observed at 27–37 °C. Enzymatic screening indicated positive L-glutaminase activity, an enzyme of considerable industrial relevance. Moreover, API ZYM profiling revealed a broad enzymatic spectrum, including esterases, arylamidases, phosphatases, and glucosidases, suggesting substantial metabolic versatility. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed sensitivity to doxycycline, tobramycin, and erythromycin, whereas resistance was observed against imipenem and several β-lactam antibiotics. Metagenomic analysis of boron-rich soils from two distinct mining sites revealed marked differences in microbial community composition, with variations in Actinobacteria abundance associated with mineral type. Overall, these findings emphasize the adaptive capacity and biotechnological potential of environmental Nocardia strains inhabiting chemically stressful ecosystems, warranting further genomic and metabolomic investigations. Full article

Lactoferrin (Lf) occurs predominantly within milk, coexisting with measurable levels across different glandular products and body fluids. Lf exhibits variation in relative molecular mass, influenced by its biological source and glycosylation profile; nevertheless, it is a close to 80 kDa glycoprotein. Provided that its bioactive structure is preserved, Lf performs a spectrum of physiological roles, comprising antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, antiapoptotic, and antimicrobial actions. To sustain its bioactivity after isolation and ensure its effectiveness in subsequent applications, optimal conditions must be established throughout the optimization protocol, since inadequate optimization of parameters such as pH, temperature, ion balance, and protease activity may lead to aggregation, denaturation, and deterioration in functional regions, including the iron-binding domains. This review offers a comprehensive framework that associates isolation methodologies with structural integrity, preservation of iron-binding domains, and antimicrobial performance. Ion-exchange, affinity-based, and membrane-based approaches are systematically evaluated from analytical and functional perspectives, thereby yielding a synthesis that facilitates procedure selection and optimization for Lf isolation. In addition, the objectives of analytical characterization techniques implemented following isolation and the broadening scope of biotechnological applications of Lf are outlined. Full article