Search Results (355)

Hydrogels constructed from natural biomacromolecules with multifunctional properties, such as improved mechanical strength, ionic stability, biocompatibility, and ionic conductivity, are highly desirable for advanced food and biomedical applications, yet remain challenging to design. Although alginate is one of the most widely used hydrogel-forming polysaccharides due to its biocompatibility and gelation ability, its intrinsic limitations often hinder the development of hydrogels with fully optimized performance. This review provides a systematic comparison of alginate-based composite hydrogels formed with complementary biopolymers, including whey proteins, gelatin, pectin, starch, and chitosan, focusing on their synergistic effects on structural, mechanical, and functional properties. Recent studies are critically analyzed to elucidate how polymer–polymer interactions influence gel network formation, environmental ionic stability, and encapsulation performance. Particular attention is given to fabrication strategies and formulation parameters that enhance the immobilization and controlled release of probiotics, vitamins, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds. By integrating current knowledge on structure–function relationships and processing approaches, this review offers practical design guidelines for the development of multifunctional alginate-based hydrogel systems for applications in functional foods and nutraceutical delivery. Full article

In recent years, the global use of dietary supplements has surged, largely due to their appeal as tools for improving well-being and preventing disease. While these products may offer clear advantages—such as addressing micronutrient shortages and enhancing physical or mental performance—they also carry significant risks, including toxicity, potential drug interactions, and limited clinical validation. This paper explores the current body of scientific literature on dietary supplements, offering a nuanced analysis of their advantages and drawbacks, particularly in general and military populations. Drawing upon peer-reviewed studies, regulatory documents, and expert guidelines, the review outlines key safety considerations and presents practical recommendations for evidence-based use. In addition to conventional formulations, attention is given to the emergence of nutritional gels and hydrogel-based delivery systems, which are increasingly investigated as strategies to improve portability, gastrointestinal tolerability, and bioavailability of bioactive compounds in high-demand civilian and occupational settings. These platforms illustrate a broader shift toward advanced supplement technologies and precision nutrition approaches. Full article

A novel co-encapsulation platform based on curcumin-loaded liposomes (Cur-Lip) incorporated into thermosensitive hydrogels (TSH) was developed to address the physicochemical and biological limitations of topical curcumin (Cur) delivery. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize Pluronic^® F-127, glycerol, and alginate concentrations with respect to gelation time and viscosity. The optimized formulation (22% Pluronic^® F-127, 5% glycerol, and 0.5% alginate) exhibited rapid time sol–gel transition (~86 s), suitable viscosity (~377 mPa·s), excellent model fitting (R² = 0.99) and prediction accuracy. Three formulations (TSH, Cur-TSH, and Cur-Lip-TSH) were subsequently prepared and displayed appropriate thermoresponsive behavior. The Cur-Lip system showed high encapsulation efficiency (~78%). Upon incorporation into the TSH, Cur-Lip-TSH displayed increased viscosity and mechanical strength at physiological temperature. In vitro studies confirmed its cytocompatibility toward human keratinocytes, significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and no irritation potential as assessed by the Hen’s Egg Test on the Chorioallantoic Membrane assay (HET-CAM). Overall, Cur-Lip-TSH represents a safe and robust thermosensitive platform that provides a foundation for future studies on controlled curcumin release and topical performance. Full article

Microfluidics-based preparation methods for cell-laden hydrogel microspheres are well-suited for large-scale comparative analysis of single or few cells. However, in existing studies, the preparation of cell-laden hydrogel microspheres and the cell culture process are typically separated, requiring the fabricated microspheres to be eluted and transferred from the preparation device to cell culture dishes or plates for cultivation. This transfer process can easily compromise sterility, while conventional cell culture methods consume more reagents and cause microsphere stacking, hindering single-cell observation and analysis. To address these issues, this paper presents an integrated microfluidic chip that sequentially enables droplet generation with cell encapsulation, gel droplet solidification, hydrogel microsphere trapping, and microsphere-based cell culture and analysis, facilitating the cultivation and observation of single or small numbers of cells. Integrating cell-laden microsphere preparation and 3D cell culture within a sealed chip structure reduces contamination risks associated with cell transfer, enables automation of multiple cell analysis workflows, and minimizes reagent and sample consumption. Using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with good gas permeability and processability as the chip material, biocompatible fluorinated oil was selected as the oil phase for microsphere preparation. A mild sodium alginate-calcium ion gelation system was employed, where calcium ions were released under acidic conditions after droplet generation to trigger solidification, yielding uniform hydrogel microspheres. Under optimized conditions, the single-cell encapsulation efficiency for test samples of human myeloid leukemia cells (K562) was 33.8% ± 1.8%, with a size uniformity coefficient of variation (CV) reaching 3.85%. Cells encapsulated within hydrogel microspheres were cultured in 286 on-chip independent cell culture chambers, achieving >95% viability after 24 h. Full article

Hydrogel fluorescent microspheres function as versatile tracers with applications spanning across biomedicine, complex plasma systems, hydrodynamics, and drug delivery. However, the controlled release of fluorescent material in hydrogel microspheres is challenging to achieve. The fluorescent hydrogel microsphere (namely poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate@rhodamine B-tannic acid, PEGDA@RhB-TA) was fabricated by incorporating tannic acid and RhB into PEGDA microspheres. The stable encapsulation and responsive release of RhB can be achieved by leveraging the non-covalent interactions between TA and RhB. RhB was stably encapsulated within PEGDA microspheres through noncovalent interactions (hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π–π, and ion–π interactions) between RhB and TA. Both molecular dynamics simulations by GROMACS and experimental results confirmed the noncovalent binding mechanisms between RhB and TA. The microspheres retained RhB following 24 h immersion in a highly concentrated salt solution (1 M NaCl) and exhibited minimal RhB release (7.1%) under heating at 80 °C for 24 h. However, PEGDA@RhB-TA microspheres underwent rapid RhB release in a 50% v/v ethanol–water solution, liberating 73% of the encapsulated dye within 24 h. TA within the PEGDA@RhB-TA microsphere acts as a molecular lock by forming non-covalent interactions with RhB, significantly enhancing the stability of encapsulated RhB, and enabling the responsive release of RhB under specific conditions. Upon introduction into a microfluidic chip, PEGDA@RhB-TA microspheres enable the calculation of flow velocity through position tracking using high-speed camera imaging and fluorescence microscopy. These microspheres overcome the dual challenges of tracer stability and controlled release, making them suitable for fluid tracing and measuring flow rates. Full article

Polysaccharide–protein composite hydrogels have demonstrated remarkable potential in targeted gastrointestinal delivery owing to their excellent biocompatibility, adjustable physicochemical characteristics, and intelligent responsiveness. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms and diverse applications of these composite hydrogels in gastrointestinal targeted delivery, with a particular emphasis on their stimuli-responsive release behaviors triggered by internal and external factors such as pH, enzymes, magnetic fields. Special attention is also given to their advantages in protecting sensitive bioactive ingredients, including curcumin, EGCG, probiotics. Furthermore, this review highlights their capabilities in achieving high encapsulation efficiency, smart controlled release and targeted delivery, while also presenting current challenges associated with material stability, targeting precision, large-scale production, and clinical translation. Finally, future perspectives are discussed, focusing on the development of multi-response system design, innovative biomaterials, advanced manufacturing technology applications, and AI-assisted optimization. These directions aim to provide theoretical foundations and technical strategies for advanced research and practical applications of polysaccharide–protein composite hydrogels in a targeted gastrointestinal delivery system. Overall, this review underscores the significant promise of polysaccharide–protein composite hydrogels as intelligent gastrointestinal delivery platforms and provides a systematic reference for their rational design and future translational development. Full article

Alginate, primarily sodium alginate, is a biopolymer derived from brown algae or bacterial sources that forms hydrogels via ionic crosslinking with certain divalent cations. Its incorporation into soils, earthen materials, cementitious composites, and asphalt mixtures improves mechanical performance and durability. This review collates recent advances in alginate-based treatments for geotechnical and construction applications, highlighting how alginate dosage, substrate type, gelation method, mixing strategy, and curing regime influence mechanical strength, physical properties, and self-healing efficiency. In soil stabilization, alginate treatments increase unconfined compressive strength (UCS) by 0.2–1.5 MPa in sand, with some studies reporting increases of over 2 MPa. Reported UCS improvements in alginate-treated clayey soils generally fall within the range of 50–150% compared to untreated samples, although isolated studies document increases exceeding 200%, depending on material composition and curing conditions. In cementitious systems, alginate-based capsules and hydrogels facilitate self-healing, achieving high closure rates of 70–100% for microcracks <0.4 mm, with some studies achieving complete sealing of macrocracks up to 4 mm while also recovering significant mechanical strength. Depending on dosage and formulation, alginate can also serve as a viscosity-modifying admixture, increasing the plastic viscosity and yield stress of the fresh mix, with this thickening effect becoming pronounced at dosages above approximately 0.1 w/w% by cementitious binder mass. For asphalt pavements, alginate-encapsulated rejuvenators facilitate high healing efficiency under cyclic loading and thermal cycling; rheological tests confirm elevated complex modulus and improved viscoelastic response. This review also synthesizes an explanatory framework for the divergent results found in the literature, advocates for standardized experimental protocols and material characterization, and outlines future research directions to advance alginate as a suitable alternative to conventional stabilizers. Full article

Tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder that increases the risk of tendon rupture if not properly treated. Current local injection therapies require frequent administration, and no fully effective drug is yet available. Curcumin (Cur) exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but its poor water solubility and low stability limit its clinical application. To overcome these challenges, this study encapsulated Cur into pluronic F127-based nanomicelles (Cur-F127) to improve its aqueous solubility and stability. Subsequently, the micelles were incorporated into a hydrogel network (Cur-F127&gel) formed by oxidized hyaluronic acid (oxi-HA) and adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) to achieve sustained release. The resulting Cur-F127 micelles had a particle size of 20.14 ± 0.287 nm, an encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 89.95 ± 0.60%, and a drug loading (DL%) of 5.57 ± 0.05%. The composite hydrogel possessed a loose, porous three-dimensional network, excellent biocompatibility, and favorable degradation behavior. The system enabled sustained release of Cur for over 20 days without an initial burst. In a rat model of tendinopathy, Cur-F127&gel significantly promoted tendon repair, as evidenced by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, improved collagen fiber alignment, restored expression of key mitochondrial-related proteins (Ndufs3, Uqcrq, Uqcr10, Atp5mc3), and alleviated oxidative stress damage demonstrated by increased SOD activity and decreased MDA content in tendon tissue, thereby suppressing disease progression. This injectable sustained-release hydrogel system for poorly soluble drugs provides an effective approach for the local, long-acting delivery of Cur and long-term repair of tendinopathy, highlighting its potential value for clinical application. Full article

The utilization of microorganisms as biocontrol agents represents a sustainable alternative to agrochemicals. Trichoderma spp. has been identified as a fungus that promotes plant growth and suppresses phytopathogens. Nonetheless, conventional commercial formulations are constrained by factors such as their limited shelf life, environmental sensitivity, and inadequate carrier systems. In this study, Trichoderma harzianum (T22) and T. viride (T18) strains were encapsulated in a hydrogel composed of chitosan, gelatin, and polyvinyl alcohol, which was prepared by pH-induced gelation via alkaline precipitation. The characterization of the hydrogels was conducted in several domains. Initially, the water absorption of the samples was examined at varying pH values. Secondly, the morphology of the samples was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stereo microscopy. Thirdly, the chemical interactions in the hydrogels were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The final stage of the experiment involved assessing the degradation behaviour of the hydrogels in both sterile and inoculated soils. The efficacy of the isolates in protecting chilli plants from Phytophthora capsici was subsequently evaluated. As demonstrated in the extant research, encapsulation techniques have been shown to preserve the viability of fungal organisms and promote their growth after 10 days of storage at ambient temperature. These effects have been observed to exhibit strain-dependent variations. It is noteworthy that hydrogels loaded with T. viride (HT18) induced resistance against P. capsici, resulting in complete symptom suppression and enhanced plant growth, whereas hydrogels loaded with T. harzianum (HT22) showed no protective effect. These results demonstrate the potential of the hydrogel formulated with T18 as an effective carrier, as it maintains Trichoderma spp. viability and protects chilli plants against P. capsici infection. Full article

Fermented extracts of Flourensia cernua (F. cernua), enriched with bioactive polyphenols such as caffeic acid, apigenin, myricetin, and quercetin, exhibit strong potential to promote tissue regeneration. However, controlled delivery systems are required to enhance their bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, F. cernua extracts (7–21 wt.%) were encapsulated in collagen hydrogels to develop bioactive matrices with sustained release properties. The hydrogel with 14 wt.% enabled sustained extract release from day 5 under physiological conditions and skin-mimicking pH (4.5). Increasing the extract concentration led to enhanced hydration behavior (>1400%) and crosslinking density (>45%), contributing to faster gelation. SEM analysis revealed fibrillar morphologies with amorphous globular domains whose prevalence increased with extract content and conferred improved thermal stability. Mechanical analysis indicated a decrease in matrix stiffness due to repulsive interactions between the extract components and the polymer network. Biodegradation studies showed slow hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation at skin pH in hydrogels containing 7 wt.% extract. All hydrogels demonstrated hemocompatibility, with no erythrocyte lysis. Moreover, hydrogels with 14 wt.% extract significantly enhanced the metabolic activity and proliferation of monocytes and fibroblasts, while 7 wt.% extract reduced TNF-α secretion, indicating anti-inflammatory potential. In vitro wound closure assays revealed 90% contraction within 10 days in fibroblast cultures exposed to 14 wt.% extract-loaded hydrogels. These results support the use of F. cernua-enriched collagen hydrogels as multifunctional scaffolds for wound healing and tissue regeneration. Full article

Oral wound healing is a robust process; however, complications from surgery, systemic diseases, and aging can impair healing. While some treatments exist, regenerative therapies to promote mucosal wound healing remain limited. In recent years, there has been a significant rise in FDA-approved cell-based therapies; however, extracellular vesicles represent an emerging cell-free alternative that may mitigate risks associated with cellular therapies, including tumorigenesis and immunogenicity. These lipid-encapsulated nanovesicles can deliver therapeutic cargo, such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, or drugs, to the wound site. Extracellular vesicles can be derived from mesenchymal stromal cells, immune cells, bodily fluids, or bacteria, and engineered through genetic modification, preconditioning, or direct cargo loading to enhance therapeutic potency. Furthermore, advanced delivery platforms, including hydrogels, microneedles, and aerosols, allow for sustained and localized EV delivery to the oral wound site. This review examines differences between cutaneous and oral wound healing; factors that impair oral repair; extracellular vesicle sources and engineering strategies; and delivery strategies for developing EV-based therapeutics for oral wound healing. Full article

Cryopreservation is a critical strategy for the long-term conservation of plant germplasm, particularly for clonally propagated crops, endangered species, and plants producing recalcitrant seeds. Hydrogel-based encapsulation systems can improve survival during ultra-low-temperature storage by providing mechanical protection, moderating dehydration, and regulating cryoprotectant uptake. Although calcium–alginate beads remain the traditional matrix for encapsulation–dehydration and encapsulation–vitrification, recent advances in biomaterials science have enabled the development of composite polysaccharide blends, protein-based matrices, synthetic polymer networks, macroporous cryogels, and functionalized hybrid hydrogels incorporating surfactants, antioxidants, or nanomaterials. These engineered systems provide improved control over water state, pore architecture, diffusion kinetics, and thermal behavior, thereby reducing cryoinjury and enhancing post-thaw recovery across diverse plant explants. This review synthesizes current knowledge on hydrogel platforms used in plant cryopreservation, with emphasis on how physicochemical properties influence dehydration dynamics, cryoprotectant transport, vitrification stability, and rewarming responses. Performance across major explant types is assessed, key limitations in existing materials and protocols are identified, and design principles for next-generation hydrogel systems are outlined. Future progress will depend on material standardization, integration with automated cryopreservation workflows, and the development of responsive hydrogel matrices capable of mitigating cryogenic stresses. Full article

Wildfires are increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change, resulting in degraded soils with diminished microbial activity, reduced water retention, and low nutrient availability. In many regions, previously restored areas face repeated burning events, which further exhaust soil fertility and limit the potential for natural regeneration. Traditional reforestation approaches such as seed scattering or planting seedlings often fail in these conditions due to extreme aridity, erosion, and lack of biological support. To address this multifaceted problem, this study proposes a living, biodegradable hydrogel that integrates an engineered soil-beneficial microorganism consortium, designed to deliver beneficial compounds and nutrients combined with endemic plant seeds into a single biopolymeric matrix. Acting simultaneously as a biofertilizer, soil conditioner, and reforestation aid, this 3-in-1 system provides a microenvironment that retains moisture, supports microbial diversity restoration, and facilitates plant germination even in nutrient-poor, arid soils. The concept is rooted in circular economy principles, utilizing polysaccharides from food industry by-products for biopolymer formation, thereby ensuring environmental compatibility and minimizing waste. The encapsulated microorganisms, a Bacillus subtilis strain and a Nostoc oryzae strain, are intended to enrich the soil with useful compounds. They are engineered based on synthetic biology principles to incorporate specific genetic modules. The B. subtilis strain is engineered to break down large polyphenolic compounds through laccase overexpression, thus increasing soil bioavailable organic matter. The cyanobacterium strain is modified to enhance its nitrogen-fixing capacity, supplying fixed nitrogen directly to the soil. After fulfilling its function, the matrix naturally decomposes, returning organic matter, while the incorporation of a quorum sensing-based kill-switch system is designed to prevent the environmental escape of the engineered microorganisms. This sustainable approach aims to transform post-wildfire landscapes into self-recovering ecosystems, offering a scalable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional restoration methods while advancing the integration of synthetic biology and environmental engineering for climate resilience. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound healing represents a pervasive and urgent clinical challenge. Hard-to-heal chronic wounds are frequently complicated by infections, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. Currently, wound dressings are broadly categorized into dry and moist types, with moist wound dressings for chronic wounds accounting for approximately 70% of market revenue. Recently, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), which possess self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capabilities, have emerged as a promising strategy for promoting tissue regeneration and wound repair. Methods: In this study, we developed a novel luteolin nanoparticle–ADSCs composite hydrogel (GelCA@LUT@ADSCs). This system was constructed by first encapsulating ADSCs within a chitosan/alginate hydrogel (GelCA), followed by coating the hydrogel with luteolin-loaded nanoparticles (LUT@NPs). Results: The sustained release of LUT@NPs from the hydrogel modulates the wound microenvironment, enhancing the pro-healing functions of ADSCs at the wound site. The GelCA hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that GelCA@LUT@ADSCs treatment effectively reduced inflammation, promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition, stimulated cell proliferation and migration, and polarized macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory, pro-healing M₂ phenotype, thereby accelerating wound healing. Conclusions: Overall, this innovative therapeutic approach provides a novel strategy for wound management through a synergistic division of labor between pharmaceutical agents and stem cells. Full article

The increasing resistance of Candida tropicalis to conventional antifungal agents has necessitated the development of effective, biocompatible alternatives derived from natural sources. Garlic (Allium sativum), known for its potent antimicrobial activity, contains 33 bioactive sulfur compounds, some of them being allicin, ajoene, and diallyl sulfides, that exhibit strong antifungal effects. However, the clinical application of garlic extract in pharmaceutical formulations remains limited due to its chemical instability, rapid degradation, and limited bioavailability. This review highlights recent advancements in pharmaceutical processing and particle engineering approaches to enhance the stability, delivery, and therapeutic efficacy of garlic extract-based antifungal formulations. Key strategies such as nanoparticle encapsulation, nanoemulsification, advanced drying techniques, and hydrogel-based delivery systems are discussed as effective approaches to enhance the stability and antifungal performance of garlic extract formulations. Special attention is given to hydrogel-based systems due to their excellent mucoadhesive properties, ease of application, and sustained release potential, making them ideal for treating localized C. tropicalis infections. The review also discusses formulation challenges and in vitro evaluation parameters, including minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, and biofilm inhibition. By analyzing recent findings and technological trends, this review underscores the potential of garlic extract-based particle-engineered systems as sustainable and effective antifungal therapies. The scope of this review includes an in-depth evaluation of garlic extract-derived formulations, the application of particle processing technologies, and their translational potential in the design of next-generation antifungal delivery systems for managing C. tropicalis infections. Full article