Search Results (2,809)

The growing demand for sustainable materials has led to increased interest in biodegradable polymer fibers and nonwoven mats due to their eco-friendly characteristics and potential to reduce plastic pollution. This review highlights how mechanical properties influence the performance and suitability of biodegradable polymer fibers across diverse applications. This covers synthetic polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), as well as natural polymers including chitosan, collagen, cellulose, alginate, silk fibroin, and starch-based polymers. A range of fiber production methods is discussed, including electrospinning, centrifugal spinning, spunbonding, melt blowing, melt spinning, and wet spinning, with attention to how each technique influences tensile strength, elongation, and modulus. The review also addresses advances in composite fibers, nanoparticle incorporation, crosslinking methods, and post-processing strategies that improve mechanical behavior. In addition, mechanical testing techniques such as tensile test machine, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis are examined to show how fabrication parameters influence fiber performance. This review examines the mechanical performance of biodegradable polymer fibers and fibrous mats, emphasizing their potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional materials in applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, medical implants, wound dressings, packaging, and filtration. Full article

Cultured meat is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal agriculture, with scaffolds playing a central role in supporting cellular attachment, growth, and tissue maturation. This review focuses on the development of gel-based hybrid biomaterials that meet the dual requirements of biocompatibility and food safety. We explore recent advances in the use of naturally derived gel-forming polymers such as gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and plant-based proteins as the structural backbone for edible scaffolds. Particular attention is given to the integration of food-grade functional additives into hydrogel-based scaffolds. These include nanocellulose, dietary fibers, modified starches, polyphenols, and enzymatic crosslinkers such as transglutaminase, which enhance mechanical stability, rheological properties, and cell-guidance capabilities. Rather than focusing on fabrication methods or individual case studies, this review emphasizes the material-centric design strategies for building scalable, printable, and digestible gel scaffolds suitable for cultured meat production. By systemically evaluating the role of each component in structural reinforcement and biological interaction, this work provides a comprehensive frame work for designing next-generation edible scaffold systems. Nonetheless, the field continues to face challenges, including structural optimization, regulatory validation, and scale-up, which are critical for future implementation. Ultimately, hybrid gel-based scaffolds are positioned as a foundational technology for advancing the functionality, manufacturability, and consumer readiness of cultured meat products, distinguishing this work from previous reviews. Unlike previous reviews that have focused primarily on fabrication techniques or tissue engineering applications, this review provides a uniquely food-centric perspective by systematically evaluating the compositional design of hybrid hydrogel-based scaffolds with edibility, scalability, and consumer acceptance in mind. Through a comparative analysis of food-safe additives and naturally derived biopolymers, this review establishes a framework that bridges biomaterials science and food engineering to advance the practical realization of cultured meat products. Full article

Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms with absorptive heterotrophic nutrition, capable of feeding on organic matter rich in cellulose and lignocellulose. Since ancient times, they have been considered allies and, in certain cultures, they were seen as magical beings or food of the gods. Of the great variety of edible mushrooms identified worldwide, less than 2% are traded on the market. Although mushrooms have been valued for their multiple nutritional and healing benefits, some cultures perceive them as toxic and do not accept them in their culinary practices. Despite the existing skepticism, several researchers are promoting the potential of edible mushrooms. There are two main methods of mushroom cultivation: solid-state fermentation and submerged fermentation. The former is the most widely used and simplest, since the fungus grows in its natural environment; in the latter, the fungus grows suspended without developing a fruiting body. In addition, submerged fermentation is easily monitored and scalable. Both systems are important and have their limitations. This article discusses the main methods used to increase the performance of submerged fermentation with emphasis on the modes of operation used, types of bioreactors and application of morphological bioengineering of filamentous fungi, and especially the use of intelligent automatic control technologies and the use of non-invasive monitoring in fermentation systems thanks to the development of machine learning (ML), neural networks, and the use of big data, which will allow more accurate decisions to be made in the fermentation of filamentous fungi in submerged environments with improvements in production yields. Full article

The textile industry’s reliance on synthetic dyes contributes significantly to pollution, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives like biopigments. This study investigates the production and application of the biopigment prodigiosin, which was produced by Pseudomonas putida with a yield of 1.85 g/L. Prodigiosin was prepared under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions, resulting in varying protonation states that influenced its affinity for cotton and polyester fibers. Three surfactants (anionic, cationic, non-ionic) were tested, with non-ionic Tween 80 yielding a promising color strength (above 4) and fastness results with neutral prodigiosin at 1.3 g/L. Cotton and polyester demonstrated good washing (color difference up to 14 for cotton, 5 for polyester) and light fastness (up to 15 for cotton, 16 for polyester). Cellulose acetate, used in the conventional printing process as a thickener, produced superior color properties compared to commercial thickeners. Neutral prodigiosin achieved higher color strength, and cotton fabrics displayed halochromic properties, distinguishing them from polyester, which showed excellent fastness. Prodigiosin-printed samples also exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and retained halochromic properties over 10 pH cycles. These findings suggest prodigiosin as a sustainable dye alternative and pH sensor, with potential applications in biomedical materials, such as antimicrobial and pH-responsive wound dressings. Full article

The production of bionanocomposite films based on carboxymethyl derivatives of starch and cellulose with sodium montmorillonite (MMT-Na) as a filler was described. The developed films with high absorbency can be used in the preparation of adhesive dressings for wounds oozing as a result of abrasions or tattoos. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl starch (CMS), and potato starch were used as the raw materials for film manufacturing. Citric acid was used as a crosslinking agent and glycerol as a plasticizer. The following parameters were evaluated for the obtained films: solubility in water, swelling behavior, moisture absorption, and mechanical durability (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus). This study revealed that filler concentration has a significant influence on the stability, durability, and moisture absorption parameters of films. The best nanocomposite with a high absorption capacity was a two-component film CMS/CMC containing 5 pph of sodium montmorillonite and can be used as a base material for wound dressing, among other applications. Full article

In recent years, biofuels and bioenergy derived from algae have gained increasing attention, fueled by the growing demand for renewable energy sources and the urgent need to lower CO₂ emissions. This research examines the generation of bioethanol and biomethane using freshly harvested and sedimented algal biomass. Employing a factorial experimental design, various trials were conducted, with ethanol yield as the primary optimization target. The findings indicated that the sodium hydroxide concentration during pretreatment and the amylase dosage in enzymatic hydrolysis were key parameters influencing the ethanol production efficiency. Under optimized conditions—using 0.3 M NaOH, 25 μL/g starch, and 250 μL/g cellulose—fermentation yielded ethanol concentrations as high as 2.75 ± 0.18 g/L (45.13 ± 2.90%), underscoring the significance of both enzyme loading and alkali treatment. Biomethane potential tests on the residues of fermentation revealed reduced methane yields in comparison with the raw algal feedstock, with a peak value of 198.50 ± 25.57 mL/g volatile solids. The integrated process resulted in a total energy recovery of up to 809.58 kWh per tonne of algal biomass, with biomethane accounting for 87.16% of the total energy output. However, the energy recovered from unprocessed biomass alone was nearly double, indicating a trade-off between sequential valorization steps. A comparison between fresh and dried feedstocks also demonstrated marked differences, largely due to variations in moisture content and biomass composition. Overall, this study highlights the promise of integrated algal biomass utilization as a viable and energy-efficient route for sustainable biofuel production. Full article

Ceramic pastes used in additive manufacturing offer several advantages, including low production costs due to the availability of raw materials and efficient processing methods, as well as a reduced environmental footprint through minimized material waste, optimized resource use, and the inclusion of recyclable or sustainably sourced components. This study evaluates the effect of diatomite content in a ceramic paste composed of carboxymethyl cellulose, kaolinite, and feldspar on its extrusion behavior and thermal conductivity, with additional analysis of its implications for microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal performance. Four ceramic pastes were prepared with diatomite additions of 0, 10, 30, and 60% by weight. Thermal conductivity, extrusion behavior, morphology, and distribution were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while thermal degradation was assessed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that increasing diatomite content leads to a reduction in thermal conductivity, which ranged from 0.719 W/(m·°C) for the control sample to 0.515 W/(m·°C) for the 60% diatomite sample, as well as an improvement in extrusion behavior. The ceramic paste demonstrated adequate extrusion performance for 3D printing at diatomite contents above 30%. These findings lay the groundwork for future research and optimization in the development of functional ceramic pastes for advanced manufacturing applications. Full article

Soil salinization poses a significant constraint to agricultural productivity. However, certain plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can mitigate salinity stress and enhance crop performance. In this study, a bacterial isolate, R-18, isolated from saline-alkali soil in Ningxia, China, was identified as Enterobacter bugandensis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolate was characterized for its morphological, biochemical, and plant growth-promoting traits and was evaluated for its potential to alleviate NaCl-induced stress in maize (Zea mays L.) under hydroponic conditions. Isolate R-18 exhibited halotolerance, surviving at NaCl concentrations ranging from 2.0% to 10.0%, and alkaliphilic adaptation, growing at pH 8.0–11.0. Biochemical assays confirmed it as a Gram-negative bacterium, displaying positive reactions in the Voges–Proskauer (V–P) tests, catalase activity, citrate utilization, fluorescent pigment production, starch hydrolysis, gelatin liquefaction, and ammonia production, while testing negative for the methyl red and cellulose hydrolysis. Notably, isolate R-18 demonstrated multiple plant growth-promoting attributes, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, ACC deaminase activity, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis. Under 100 mM NaCl stress, inoculation with isolate R-18 significantly enhanced maize growth, increasing plant height, stem dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight by 20.64%, 47.06%, 34.52%, and 31.25%, respectively. Furthermore, isolate R-18 improved ion homeostasis by elevating the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in maize tissues. Physiological analyses revealed increased chlorophyll and proline content, alongside reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating mitigated oxidative damage. Antioxidant enzyme activity was modulated, with decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities but increased catalase (CAT) activity. These findings demonstrated that Enterobacter bugandensis R-18 effectively alleviated NaCl-induced growth inhibition in maize by enhancing osmotic adjustment, reducing oxidative stress, and improving ion balance. Full article

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a highly pure biopolymer with promising applications in the biomedical, food, and textile industries. However, the high production costs and low yields obtained in static conditions limit its scalability and industrial applications. This study addresses the sustainable production of BNC using a rotary disk bioreactor (RDB) and explores the use of grape pomace extract as an alternative carbon source for BNC production. Parameters such as the BNC production and biomass yield were evaluated using Komagataeibacter xylinus ATCC 53524 under different operational conditions (disk surface, rotation speed, and number of disks). The results showed that cellulose production increased using silicone-coated disks at 7–9 rpm (up to 2.72 g L⁻¹), while higher yields (5.23 g L⁻¹) were achieved when using grape pomace extract as the culture medium in comparison with conventional HS medium. FTIR and TGA characterizations confirmed that BNC obtained with grape pomace extract presents the same thermal and chemical characteristics than BNC produced with HS medium. This work provides insight into the feasibility of upscaling BNC production using a bioprocessing strategy, combining production in the RDB system and the use of an agro-industrial waste as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Full article

This study aimed to develop novel oleogels using whey protein (WP) and bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers (BCNW) to expand the potential applications of spent coffee grounds oil (SCGO). An emulsion-templated approach was employed to structure SCGO with varying WP:SCGO ratios, while the incorporation of BCNW was evaluated as a potential stabilizing and reinforcing agent. All oleogels behaved as “true” gels (tan δ < 0.1). Rheological analysis revealed that higher WP content significantly increased gel strength, indicating enhanced structural integrity and deformation resistance. The addition of BCNW had a significant reinforcing effect in oleogels with a higher oil content (WP:SCGO 1:5), while its influence was less evident in formulations with lower oil content (WP:SCGO 1:2.5). Notably, depending on the WP:SCGO ratio, the storage modulus (G′) data showed that the oleogels resembled both hard (WP:SCGO 1:2.5) and soft (WP:SCGO 1:5) solid fats, highlighting their potential as fat replacers in a wide range of food applications. Consequently, this study presents a sustainable approach to structuring SCGO while tailoring its rheological behavior, aligning with global efforts to reduce food waste and develop sustainable food products. Full article

The β-glucosidase CEL1B has been linked to regulating cellulase expression in Trichoderma reesei, yet its inducer-specific functions and broader regulatory roles remain poorly characterized. In this study, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knockout was applied in the industrial high-producing T. reesei Rut C30 to investigate CEL1B function without the confounding effects of KU70 deletion. Unlike previous studies focused solely on cellulose or lactose induction, transcriptomic analysis of the CEL1B knockout strain revealed its regulatory roles under both lactose- and sophorose-rich conditions, with sophorose representing the most potent natural inducer of cellulase expression. Under lactose induction, CEL1B deletion resulted in a 52.4% increase in cellulase activity (p < 0.05), accompanied by transcriptome-wide upregulation of β-glucosidase genes (CEL3A: 729%, CEL3D: 666.8%, CEL3C: 110.9%), cellulose-sensing receptors (CRT1: 203.0%, CRT2: 105.8%), and key transcription factors (XYR1: 2.7-fold, ACE3: 2.8-fold, VIB1: 2.1-fold). Expression of ER proteostasis genes was significantly upregulated (BIP1: 3.3-fold, HSP70: 6.2-fold), contributing to enhanced enzyme secretion. Conversely, under sophorose induction, CEL1B deletion reduced cellulase activity by 25.7% (p < 0.05), which was associated with transcriptome profiling showing significant downregulation of β-glucosidase CEL3H (66.6%) and cellodextrin transporters (TrireC30_91594: 79.3%, TrireC30_127980: 76.3%), leading to reduced cellobiohydrolase expression (CEL7A: 57.8%, CEL6A: 67.8%). This first transcriptomic characterization of the CEL1B knockout strain reveals its dual opposing roles in modulating cellulase expression in response to lactose versus sophorose, providing new strategies for optimizing inducer-specific enzyme production in T. reesei. Full article

To rationally utilize and develop agricultural waste products, this research involved the synthesis of degradable high water-absorbing resin through the graft copolymerization of cotton straw (CS) with monomers. Among them, acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (Am) are used as grafting copolymer monomers, cellulose in the straw serves as the network framework, and MBA acts as the crosslinking agent. ⁶⁰Co gamma rays as initiators. Different concentrations of alkaline solution were used to dissolve the cellulose in the straw. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to optimize the experimental conditions. various analytical methods such as thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray crystallography (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the structure and properties of the product. ⁶⁰Co gamma rays as initiators, can reduce the pollution caused by chemical initiators and lower energy consumption. Through this research, agricultural waste can be effectively utilized, reducing environmental pollution, lowering industrial energy consumption, and synthesizing degradable and environmentally friendly high-absorbent resins. The product can be applied to agricultural water retention agent, fertilizer controlled release agent and other aspects. Full article

Conventional methods for the synthesis of porous carbons are typically time- and energy-consuming and often contribute to the excessive accumulation of waste solvents. An alternative approach is to employ environmentally friendly procedures, such as mechanochemical synthesis, which holds great potential for large-scale production of advanced carbon-based materials in coming years. This review covers mechanochemical syntheses of highly porous carbons, with a particular focus on new adsorbents and catalysts that can be obtained from biomass. Mechanochemically assisted methods are well suited for producing highly porous carbons (e.g., ordered mesoporous carbons, hierarchical porous carbons, porous carbon fibers, and carbon–metal composites) from tannins, lignin, cellulose, coconut shells, nutshells, bamboo waste, dried flowers, and many other low-cost biomass wastes. Most mechanochemically prepared porous carbons are proposed for applications related to adsorption, catalysis, and energy storage. This review aims to offer researchers insights into the potential utilization of biowastes, facilitating the development of cost-effective strategies for the production of porous carbons that meet industrial demands. Full article

A novel cellulose-degrading bacterial strain, D3-1, capable of degrading cellulose under medium- to high-temperature conditions, was isolated from soil samples and identified as Staphylococcus caprae through 16SrRNA gene sequencing. The strain’s cellulase production was optimized by controlling different factors, such as pH, temperature, incubation period, substrate concentration, nitrogen and carbon sources, and response surface methods. The results indicated that the optimal conditions for maximum cellulase activity were an incubation time of 91.7 h, a temperature of 41.8 °C, and a pH of 4.9, which resulted in a maximum cellulase activity of 16.67 U/mL, representing a 165% increase compared to pre-optimization levels. The above experiment showed that, when maize straw flour was utilized as a natural carbon source, strain D3-1 exhibited relatively high cellulase production. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of products in the degradation liquid revealed the presence of primary sugars. The results indicated that, in the denitrification of simulated sewage, supplying maize straw flour degradation liquid (MSFDL) as the carbon source resulted in a carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 6:1 after a 24 h reaction with the denitrifying strain WH-01. The total nitrogen (TN) reduction was approximately 70 mg/L, which is equivalent to the removal efficiency observed in the glucose-fed denitrification process. Meanwhile, during a 4 h denitrification reaction in urban sewage without any denitrifying bacteria, but with MSFDL supplied as the carbon source, the TN removal efficiency reached 11 mg/L, which is approximately 70% of the efficiency of the glucose-fed denitrification process. Furthermore, experimental results revealed that strain D3-1 exhibits some capacity for nitrogen removal; when the cellulose-degrading strain D3-1 is combined with the denitrifying strain WH-01, the resulting TN removal rate surpasses that of a single denitrifying bacterium. In conclusion, as a carbon source in municipal sewage treatment, the degraded maize straw flour produced by strain D3-1 holds potential as a substitute for the glucose carbon source, and strain D3-1 has a synergistic effect with the denitrifying strain WH-01 on TN elimination. Thus, this research offers new insights and directions for advancement in environmental sewage treatment. Full article

This study assessed the presence, abundance, and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in farmed Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and evaluated the efficacy of depuration in reducing MPs under laboratory-controlled and commercial conditions. Oysters cultivated in the Lima estuary (NW Portugal) were sampled in autumn and winter, along with adjacent surface water and sediment, to investigate potential contamination sources. MP concentrations in oysters varied temporally, with higher levels in October 2023 (0.48 ± 0.34 MPs g⁻¹ ww) than in February 2024 (0.09 ± 0.07 MPs g⁻¹ ww), while the environmental levels remained stable across dates. All MPs were fibres, predominantly transparent, followed by blue and black. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed cellulose and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as dominant polymers in oysters and environmental samples. No clear correlation was found between MPs in oysters and surrounding compartments. Laboratory depuration reduced MPs by 78% within 48 h, highlighting its potential as a mitigation strategy. However, depuration was less effective under commercial conditions, possibly due to lower initial contamination levels. These findings suggest that oysters may act as a vector for human exposure to MPs via seafood consumption. While depuration shows promise in reducing contamination, further research is needed to optimise commercial protocols and enhance the safety of aquaculture products. Full article