Search Results (104)

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

Sericin, a natural glycoprotein constituting 20–30% of the silk cocoon, has emerged as a promising biomaterial due to its excellent biological properties, including biocompatibility, antioxidant properties and potential applications in regenerative medicine. The quality and the features of sericin are strongly dependent on the extraction and purification methods, which can employ mild conditions to preserve the molecular integrity of the protein or recovery techniques from waste streams produced during the industrial degumming processes. The silk industry prioritizes fiber yield over protein preservation, so often harsh alkaline conditions at high temperatures are adopted. These divergent approaches result in fundamentally different products with distinct molecular characteristics and functional capabilities. This review comprehensively examines the current technological approaches for sericin extraction techniques and for its recovery from textile industry waste, focusing on how these aspects affect the biological properties of the protein and the potential applications. Full article

This study assessed the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, phytosterol content, amino acids, and fatty acid profiles of watermeal cultivated under farm conditions (WF1) and harvested from natural environments (WF2 and WF3). WF1 exhibited the highest levels of protein (22.7%), dietary fiber (16.5%), total phenolic content (3.9 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid content (5.0 mg QE/g DW). Chlorophyll and β-glucan contents were comparable across all samples. WF1 also showed the highest total amino acid content, while WF2 had the highest lysine and tryptophan levels. Although essential amino acid profiles were slightly below WHO/FAO/UNU reference values, watermeal remains a promising complementary plant protein source. Fatty acid analysis revealed a consistently high α-linolenic acid content (30%) across all samples, highlighting its value as a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Minor differences in amino acid and fatty acid profiles suggest an influence of environmental conditions. The most pronounced difference between the farmed and naturally sourced samples was observed in phytosterol content, which was highest in the farmed sample. Overall, despite variations in cultivation sources, watermeal consistently exhibits a rich nutritional profile, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable, nutrient-rich biomaterial for functional food applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Efficient wound treatment embraces the management of four overlapping phases, starting with hemostasis, an immediate physiological response aimed at stopping bleeding from damaged blood vessels caused by skin injury. This paper proposes an innovative, nature-based hemostatic biomaterial designed to assist natural self-healing regenerative mechanisms. Methods: Light, transparent, and skin-adhesive films based on κ-carrageenan, meadow polyfloral honey, and Calendula officinalis flower extract were fabricated via solution casting. Comprehensive characterization revealed the physicochemical, structural, swelling, and barrier properties and the influence of each bioactive compound utilized for film preparation. Results: The samples subcutaneously implanted in Wistar rats induced vascularization, deposition of collagen, and orientation of collagen fibers while being fully phagocytosed and gradually biodegraded. The rat tail-cut model demonstrated that the films significantly reduced blood loss (0.1875 ± 0.0732 g) compared to the control (0.7837 ± 0.3319 g), and hemostasis was achieved notably faster (355.75 ± 71.42 s) than in the control group (704.25 ± 85.29 s). The rat liver punch biopsy model confirmed reduced blood loss (2.8025 ± 1.5174 g) and shorter time to hemostasis (303.25 ± 77.90 s) compared to the control (3.1475 ± 1.5413 g, 383.00 ± 36.53 s). Conclusions: The results indicate the great potential of the fabricated films as hemostatic wound dressings. Full article

Silk fibroin (SF), a natural high-molecular-weight fiber protein extracted from silk, has demonstrated immense potential in bone tissue repair and regeneration due to its exceptional physicochemical properties. Silk fibroin can be processed into various scaffold forms using diverse fabrication techniques, combined with other biomaterials to create composite structures, or chemically modified to address a wide range of bone defect conditions. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the role of silk fibroin and its composites in bone tissue engineering, with particular emphasis on preclinical studies investigating various silk fibroin-based composite scaffolds in osteogenesis. Additionally, it discusses the current status and challenges in preparing silk fibroin scaffolds tailored to bone tissue defects and explores innovative approaches such as silk fibroin membranes, hydrogels, and 3D-printed constructs. The review begins with an introduction to bone biology, including its composition, structure, healing mechanisms, and the development of bone repair materials. It then delves into the unique properties of silk fibroin, including its composition, structure, and physicochemical attributes, which make it an ideal candidate for bone tissue engineering. This review provides valuable insights into their design, fabrication, and application by critically analyzing recent advancements in silk fibroin-based scaffolds and their functional modifications. Finally, it offers a forward-looking perspective on the future development and translational potential of silk fibroin and its composites in the field of bone repair materials. Full article

Paper has the multiple advantages of being breathable, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic for medical care. However, the flammability stemming from the raw materials of paper has limited its use in medical heat therapy. In this paper, a composite flame-retardant coating is assembled layer by layer on a medical paper surface using medically safe natural biomaterials with starch and adenosine triphosphate as internal layers, and starch and phytic acid as external layers. With the layer-by-layer assembly using the ultrathin adsorption method, the microscopic morphology and elemental mapping reveal that all the biomaterials are deposited uniformly and have completely capsulated the paper surface fiber. The flame-retardant coating shows less impact on medical paper appearance morphology and mechanical properties in medical usability. The coated medical paper exhibits significant flame-retardant performance, such that the limiting oxygen index increases from 19.70% to 25.40% where both internal and external layers reached 100 layers (BL), and relevant residual charring in the thermogravimetric test increases 17.00 wt% in a nitrogen atmosphere and 18.00 wt% in an air atmosphere at 800 °C. The peak and total heat release rates of 100 BL medical paper reduced by approximately 91.10% and 53.10%, respectively, and the variations in both CO and CO₂ production also suggest that flame-retardant coating could effectively inhibit combustion. Benefiting from the intumescent flame-retardant function of different biomaterial combinations and the multilayer design on different thermal response temperatures, the flame retardancy of medical paper significantly improved, and this advancement will make medical heat therapy safer and healthier for patients. Full article

With the depletion of fossil fuels, more and more green products are appearing in daily necessities. Bamboo is a common sustainable biomaterial with the characteristics of fast growth, easy bending, low cost, and easy processing, and it is widely used in furniture design. However, the poor aging resistance and UV resistance of natural bamboo materials limit their application in outdoor furniture. In order to improve the service life of outdoor bamboo furniture, this study prepared bamboo boards from bamboo powder and utilized them in the design of outdoor furniture. The research was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, functional modification was carried out on the surface of bamboo fibers (BF). Epoxy resin and UV absorber ZnO were introduced into the bamboo powder matrix, and a three-dimensional network structure of bamboo powder-based polymer material was formed by adjusting the material ratio and reaction conditions. With the increase of ZnO content, the absorption of moisture by the bamboo powder-based polymer materials decreased. The compressive strength of 1.5%ZnO-Board reached 36.8 MPa, exceeding the compressive strength of C30 concrete. In the second stage, 1.5% ZnO-Board was selected for solidification and demolding, and used as the seat surface for outdoor chairs. Through the car crushing experiment, the chair panel did not undergo significant deformation during the car crushing process. The anti-aging experiment showed that the structure and morphology of the panel would not be damaged by long-term UV irradiation. The panel did not show any weight changes in the anti-water-absorption experiment. By using low-contrast color combinations, the seats can be organically integrated into the environmental background, effectively enhancing the coordination and unity of the overall aesthetic harmony of the space. Compared with the commonly used plastic outdoor seats, the outdoor seats prepared in this study showed a 144% increase in carbon reduction effect. This study highlights the potential of modified bamboo powder for the design of outdoor furniture, which is of great significance to reducing outdoor plastic products and promoting sustainable life. Full article

Spider silk is part of a special class of natural protein fibers that have high strength and toughness: these materials have excellent comprehensive properties that are not found in other natural fibers (including silk) or most synthetic fibers. Spider egg case filaments have good hardness, can resist water, can protect spider eggs from external threats, have a significantly high initial modulus and high moisture absorption rate, and are expected to be used as a new generation of environmentally friendly natural polymer fibers and biomaterials. However, spiders are predatory and difficult to rear in large numbers, and it is also difficult to obtain spider egg case filaments in large quantities. Silkworms and spiders have a similar spinning system, and the use of transgenic technology in silkworms can obtain stable and high-yield exogenous gene proteins for a long time, representing an ideal bioreactor for the production of spider silk. In this study, the eukaryotic bioreactor and piggyBac transposon system were employed to recombinantly introduce the egg case silk protein of Nephila clavata (Nc-CYSP1) into the silkworm in the silkworm heavy-chain expression system. The results revealed that the silk glands produced a new type of transgenic silk with a significantly high initial modulus and high moisture absorption. In summary, this study provides an experimental reference for future research on the large-scale production and application of spider egg case filamentous protein, with great application prospects in the development of new environmentally friendly materials. Full article

Recently there has been growing interest in dyeing biomaterials using natural sustainable plant extracts classified as eco-friendly. The microwave-assisted method provides fast heating and energy efficiency, more homogenous heat distribution in dyeing baths, less use of chemicals, and less heat loss, resulting in this method being greener—more sustainable and ecological. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used to predict the dyeing properties of fibers, which are often complex and dependent on multiple variables. This saves time and reduces costs compared to trial-and-error methods. This study presents the green dyeing of merino wool fiber with natural dye extracted from Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut) shells using the microwave-assisted method. Before dyeing, the merino wool fiber underwent a pre-mordanted process with aluminum potassium sulfate with different concentrations using the microwave-assisted method. Spectrophotometric analysis of the light, washing, and rubbing fastness of the dyed merino wool fibers was performed. The color strength, light, washing, and rubbing fastness of the dyed merino wool fiber were developed using the pre-mordanting process. After the pre-mordanting process, the light fastness of the samples improved from 1–2 to 3, the color change increased from 2 to 3–4, and the rubbing fastness developed from 2–3 to 4 according to mordant concentration, mordanting time, and dyeing time quantities. The spectrophotometric analysis results indicate that color coordinates vary based on mordant concentration, mordanting, and dyeing duration. Furthermore, the results proved that microwave energy significantly shortened the mordanting and dyeing duration, resulting in an eco-friendly dyeing process. In this investigation, a feed-forward neural network (FFNN) model with sigmoid hidden neurons and a linear output neuron was used to predict the color strength dyeing property of merino wool fiber. Experimental results showed that the proposed model achieved a regression value of 0.9 for the color strength dyeing property. As demonstrated, the proposed FFNN model is effective and can be utilized to forecast the color strength dyeing properties of merino wool fiber. Full article

Regenerated cellulose fibers are a highly adaptable biomaterial with numerous medical applications owing to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and robust mechanical properties. In the domain of wound care, regenerated cellulose fibers facilitate a moist environment conducive to healing, minimize infection risk, and adapt to wound topographies, making it ideal for different types of dressings. In tissue engineering, cellulose scaffolds provide a matrix for cell attachment and proliferation, supporting the development of artificial skin, cartilage, and other tissues. Furthermore, regenerated cellulose fibers, used as absorbable sutures, degrade within the body, eliminating the need for removal and proving advantageous for internal suturing. The medical textile industry relies heavily on regenerated cellulose fibers because of their unique properties that make them suitable for various applications, including wound care, surgical garments, and diagnostic materials. Regenerated cellulose fibers are produced by dissolving cellulose from natural sources and reconstituting it into fiber form, which can be customized for specific medical uses. This paper will explore the various types, properties, and applications of regenerated cellulose fibers in medical contexts, alongside an examination of its manufacturing processes and technologies, as well as associated challenges. Full article

Inorganic–organic hybrid biomaterials have recently attracted much attention because of their widespread use. Silkworm cocoon filaments resulting from sericulture as prospective nanobiomaterials need to be improved, and their properties need to be used for broader purposes. This study was aimed at investigating methods for siliconization of silkworm cocoon filaments and characterizing their cocoon filament properties in terms of their yarn quality, natural dyeing, and antibacterial properties. Three methods of hybridization processes were used in this experiment, namely, in situ natural dyeing of silk yarns while silk filaments were spined, feed engineering through spraying the mulberry leaves with natural dyes and silica–phosphate–M (M = Cu, Fe, or Al) nano pastes, and a combination of both methods. The resulting cocoon filaments were characterized by their siliconization of filament fibers by using FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDS methods. The yarn tensile strength, color quality, color fastness properties affected by the siliconization of silk filament fibers, and antibacterial properties were also investigated. Results showed that the combination method produced better siliconization of silk fibers, and, consequently, the better siliconization of silk fibers produced better natural dyeing as well as antibacterial properties of their resulting silk yarns. Full article

Nanocellulose is considered a promising and sustainable biomaterial, with excellent properties of biorenewability with improved mechanical properties. As a unique natural biopolymer, it has been applied to many different industries, where efficient and environmentally friendly productions are in demand. For the first time, ferns from the class Polypodiopsida were used for the isolation of cellulose fibers, which was performed using a chemo-mechanical method. As chemical treatment plays a crucial role in the isolation of nanocellulose, it affects the efficiency of the extraction process, as well as the properties of the resulting nanocellulose. Therefore, mechanical fibrillation was performed via grinding, while the chemical process consisted of three different treatments: alkali treatment, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis. In three different experiments, each treatment was separately prolonged to investigate the differing properties of isolated nanocellulose. Structural analysis and morphological analysis were investigated by SEM, EDS, FT-IR, and DLS. The thermal stability of cellulose fibers was investigated by TGA/DSC. The morphology of obtained nanocellulose was confirmed via SEM analysis for all samples, with particles ranging from 20 nm up to 600 nm, while the most consistent sizes were observed for NC3, ranging from 20 to 60 nm. FT-IR spectra showed prominent absorption peaks corresponding to cellulose, as well as the absence of absorption peaks, corresponding to lignin and hemicellulose. The EDS confirmed the elemental purity of nanocellulose, while TGA/DSC indicated higher thermal stability of nanocellulose, compared to untreated fern, which started to degrade earlier than nanocellulose. Such characteristics with unique properties make nanocellulose a versatile biomaterial for the industrial production of cellulosic materials. Full article

Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, likely due to anthropogenic activities such as intense fishing and pollution. Nowadays, plastic debris contamination is a subject of concern due to its extensive presence in the sea and the digestive tracts of many fish species. The possible effects of plastic debris as a vector of other pollutants are still unknown. We analyzed the digestive tract of 58 hammerhead sharks to investigate the correlation between plastic and other anthropogenic microparticle contamination and their feeding habits in the eastern region of the Gulf of California, revealing a debris contamination occurrence of 79.3%. Out of these, 91.4% corresponded to fibers, and the remaining 8.6% to fragments. The main component of the debris was cellulose (64.4%). According to their diet, these organisms exhibit benthopelagic habits, feeding both in the water column and on the seabed. These results indicate a high level of contamination of anthropogenic cellulosic microfibers in the area. Although cellulosic microfibers are recognized as a biomaterial, they can be harmful to marine species, posing an additional threat to this iconic shark. This changed according to the year, indicating that the anthropogenic microparticle ingestion is related to the discharges of human activities and their seasonality rather than to a selection process by the sharks. Full article

Fiber-reinforced mycelium (FRM) composites offer an innovative and sustainable approach to construction materials for architectural structures. Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be combined with various natural fibers (NF) to create a strong and lightweight material with environmental benefits. Incorporating NF like hemp, jute, or bamboo into the mycelium matrix enhances mechanical properties. This combination results in a composite that boasts enhanced strength, flexibility, and durability. Natural FRM composites offer sustainability through the utilization of agricultural waste, reducing the carbon footprint compared to conventional construction materials. Additionally, the lightweight yet strong nature of the resulting material makes it versatile for various construction applications, while its inherent insulation properties contribute to improved energy efficiency in buildings. Developing and adopting natural FRM composites showcases a promising step towards sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials. Ongoing research and collaboration between scientists, engineers, and the construction industry will likely lead to further improvements and expanded applications. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the current research and applications of natural FRM composites for innovative and sustainable construction materials. Additionally, the paper reviews the mechanical properties and potential impacts of these natural FRM composites in the context of sustainable architectural construction practices. Recently, the applicability of mycelium-based materials has extended beyond their original domains of biology and mycology to architecture. Full article

The current paper highlights the active development of tissue engineering in the field of the biofabrication of living tissue analogues through 3D-bioprinting technology. The implementation of the latter is impossible without important products such as bioinks and their basic components, namely, hydrogels. In this regard, tissue engineers are searching for biomaterials to produce hydrogels with specified properties both in terms of their physical, mechanical and chemical properties and in terms of local biological effects following implantation into an organism. One of such effects is the provision of the optimal conditions for physiological reparative regeneration by the structural components that form the basis of the biomaterial. Therefore, qualitative assessment of the composition of the protein component of a biomaterial is a significant task in tissue engineering and bioprinting. It is important for predicting the behaviour of printed constructs in terms of their gradual resorption followed by tissue regeneration due to the formation of a new extracellular matrix. One of the most promising natural biomaterials with significant potential in the production of hydrogels and the bioinks based on them is the polymer collagen of allogeneic origin, which plays an important role in maintaining the structural and biological integrity of the extracellular matrix, as well as in the morphogenesis and cellular metabolism of tissues, giving them the required mechanical and biochemical properties. In tissue engineering, collagen is widely used as a basic biomaterial because of its availability, biocompatibility and facile combination with other materials. This manuscript presents the main results of a mass spectrometry analysis (proteomic assay) of the lyophilized hydrogel produced from the registered Lyoplast^® bioimplant (allogeneic human bone tissue), which is promising in the field of biotechnology. Proteomic assays of the investigated lyophilized hydrogel sample showed the presence of structural proteins (six major collagen fibers of types I, II, IV, IX, XXVII, XXVIII were identified), extracellular matrix proteins, and mRNA-stabilizing proteins, which participate in the regulation of transcription, as well as inducer proteins that mediate the activation of regeneration, including the level of circadian rhythm. The research results offer a new perspective and indicate the significant potential of the lyophilized hydrogels as an effective alternative to synthetic and xenogeneic materials in regenerative medicine, particularly in the field of biotechnology, acting as a matrix and cell-containing component of bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Full article