The presented study explored the development and end-of-life evaluation of novel biocomposite materials - termed SferiCorn (Sferi) - developed using ground corn stover (CS) in the form of short fibers and three biopolymer matrices: starch (Sferi R), alginate (Sferi S), and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) (Sferi BioTP). The composites were characterized in terms of thermal behavior (DSC/TGA), swelling properties, structure (FTIR), morphology (SEM), and degradation under composting, hydrolytic, and enzymatic conditions. Results showed that matrix composition strongly influenced material properties, but also guided the end-of-life options with starch-based composites degrading rapidly under composting and aqueous conditions, alginate-based composites exhibiting moderate degradability, and PHBH-based composites showing increased stability. Sferi BioTP composite, additive free, was chosen for product prototyping due to its favorable mechanical properties. Developed coat-hanger served as proof-of-concept for a sustainable and scalable product design, eliminating synthetic additives while replacing conventional plastic and metal materials with a circular, bio-based alternative. Importantly, within a circular bio-economy framework, SferiCorn biocomposites were upcycled into a new biopolymer, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), as their hydrolysates supported markedly higher BNC yields than pure glucose media. This work demonstrated the valorization of agro-waste and the potential of using CS in application-specific biocomposites with tailorable end-of-life options. Three biocomposites were developed using CS with starch, alginate, PHBH Properties and degradation were tuned by polymer selection CS- PHBH (Sferi BioTP) proved suitable for development of a coat hanger prototype Biocomposite hydrolysates enabled BNC production, closing the multicircular loop
Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) are a debilitating consequence of diabetes mellitus and are associated with chronic inflammation, reduced angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and bacterial infection that impede wound healing. Current treatment modalities offer palliative care rather than targeting the molecular and cellular pathologies of DFU. It is in this scenario that biomaterials and biotechnology have gained momentum as viable treatment options, providing an active mechanism to modulate the wound milieu. In this regard, the current review highlights recent developments in various types of biomaterials, including those fabricated from natural, synthetic, and combinations of both sources, with an emphasis on smart and responsive formulations that could be used for delivering therapies for diabetic wounds. However, despite emerging preclinical and early clinical data, the translation of biomaterial based therapies into regular clinical practice remains limited due to large scale manufacturing challenges, regulatory pathways and cost-effectiveness. The focus of the review will be on nanoparticles and other nanocarriers, gene activators, growth factor carriers, cells and exosomes that target critical biological processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, and immune dysfunction. Moreover, some innovative technologies like biosensor-based bandages and intelligent systems are analysed in terms of their ability to provide personalised wound care solutions.
Insect pest infestations are a major problem that diminishes agricultural productivity and harms human habitats. Excessive reliance on synthetic insecticides contaminates the environment, food, and aquatic life, and harms human health. Even some of the insect species have become resistant to chemical insecticides. Essential oils (EOs) from the different aromatic plants exhibit promising insecticidal activity. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by volatility and instability. Nanotechnology offers significant opportunities for green insecticides. Nanoemulsions (NEs) made from EOs enhance the physicochemical properties of EOs, improving their bioactivity and targeting capabilities while minimizing harm to non-targeted organisms. This review covers the various preparation methods for nanoemulsions, characterization techniques, and the mechanisms of action against insect pests. The finding indicates that essential oil-based nanoemulsions (EONEs) possess significant insecticidal activity, outperforming traditional formulations in several studies. Further future directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for additional research on production feasibility, regulatory compliance, and ecological impact to facilitate the commercial application of these bioinsecticides. Overall, this review underscores the potential of nanoformulations as a viable, eco-friendly solution for pest management.
Colour plays a crucial role in human expression and existence through its presence in food, textiles, cosmetics and other industries. Synthetic petroleum-based pigments were initially well-received but are currently out of favour due to their non-renewable nature and the push for sustainable options. Among natural reservoirs of pigments, microbial sources are desirable for their rich genetic and chemical diversity. Filamentous fungi are particular useful for colour production. Numerous fungal species isolated from diverse habitats produce bioactive pigments such as melanin, polyketides, azaphilones and carotenoids, which can provide protection against environmental stressors while exhibiting a diverse range of hues. Fungi can generate pigments with potential applications in food, textiles, paints, agriculture, and medicine. This review evaluates the patent landscape for fungal pigments from 2004 to 2024 across fields including food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It also discusses global market trends for natural and microbial pigments, and examines factors slowing their commercialization such as mycotoxin co-production, downstream challenges, and regulatory hurdles. The review highlights the untapped potential of fungal pigments as sustainable options, the need to intensify efforts to overcome commercialization barriers and meet growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
The leather industry in India contributes significantly to water pollution through the discharge of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)]. Conventional Cr (VI) removal techniques are costly and environmentally unsustainable. This study presents an eco-friendly approach of Cr (VI) remediation from tannery wastewater using rice hull biochar (RHB). This study demonstrates the efficacy of RHB as a sustainable biosorbent for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] removal from tannery effluent. Under optimized conditions—pH 4, biosorbent dosage of 0.8 g/L, and contact time of 120 min, RHB achieved 91
This study employed a whole genome based analysis to characterize Streptomyces cavourensis strain BG2AG isolated from Chilika Lake, India. The whole genome sequencing revealed a 7.56 Mb genome with 72.2
Developing biodegradable bioplastics from renewable feedstocks is critical to reduce dependence on fossil-based plastics. This study assessed the feasibility of producing polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from a fast-growing woody crop, Shrub willow (Salix spp.), and examined the effects of pretreatment severity and nutrient parameters on PHB production. Importantly, the study systematically evaluated different nitrogen sources and the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, key factors influencing PHB accumulation. Biomass was pretreated using hot water at 160–220 °C, followed by disk milling. The highest glucose yield during subsequent hydrolysis was observed at 200 °C; however, the hydrolysate obtained from 180 °C supported the highest PHB titer of 1.63 g/L. Among the various organic and inorganic nitrogen sources investigated, yeast extract improved the cell growth by nearly twofold (6.33 g/L) at a C/N ratio of 20 compared to the control. Investigation of a broader range of C/N ratios identified 10 as the most favorable, producing 9.1 g/L cell dry weight, 44.7
Nanomaterials are being explored to overcome the limitations of the traditional antimicrobial agents including bacterial resistance, non-specific toxicity as well as limited therapeutic efficacy. Their unique characteristics, which include targeted delivery, controlled drug release, enhanced bioavailability, tunable surface chemistry, and lower cytotoxicity, render them as promising alternative for biomedical applications. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are among the most promising nanomaterials due to their intrinsic antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, which arise from their high oxygen vacancies and self-regulating capacity between oxidation states of Ce3+ and Ce4+. The redox property allows CNPs to work as an effective scavenger of reactive oxygen species, which helps to maintain prolonged biological activity. Likewise, a nitric oxide donor, S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) shows strong antimicrobial properties and has attracted significant attention as a biomedical agent. In this work, a conjugate of CNP-SNAP incorporated into bacterial cellulose (BC) was fabricated through electrospinning to produce a nanofibrous mat. UV-visible spectroscopic, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed a homogenous nanofibrous morphology with an average fiber diameter of 58 nm. Antimicrobials analysis showed a large zone of inhibition (14 mm) against selected strains of microbes, which signified a strong antimicrobial activity. The cellulosic mat with the SNAP-infused CNPs demonstrated improved biocompatibility with cellular viability reaching 97.95
Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are structurally diverse, high-molecular-weight biopolymers that underpin microbial survival and offer a broad range of biotechnological applications. EPSs are secreted by diverse microorganisms and form the structural and functional core of extracellular matrices, where they mediate adhesion, stress tolerance, and nutrient acquisition. This review critically synthesizes recent advances in EPS research with a dual focus on their roles in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and their expanding applications in bioremediation, sustainable agriculture, green nanomaterial synthesis, and medicine. Notably, EPS-enriched biofilms have demonstrated improvements in MFC power densities ranging from 60 to 150 mW m− 2 and increases in anodic current densities of 20–80
The mango (Mangifera indica) is among the most widely consumed fruits globally. It is the third-largest agricultural product in India, and approximately 2.26 million acres (40
Bacterial cellulose (BC), an important biopolymer with significant potential for biomedical, food packaging and environmental applications. However, their restricted functional features require modification for specific applications. The present report describes the development and comprehensive evaluation of six BC-based composites incorporating functional additives such as gelatin, chitosan, sodium alginate, calcium chloride, polyethylene glycol, acetic acid and glutaraldehyde. Multiple approaches have been employed to investigate the structure and properties of BC-based composite. These techniques include FTIR, PXRD, FE-SEM and TGA. FTIR and PXRD revealed intermolecular hydrogen bonding and crystalline to amorphous transition, improving flexibility and adaptability. FE-SEM analysis illuminated that BCC-04 had a dense cross-linked network due to BC, chitosan, and glutaraldehyde interactions, while BCC-06 had smoother surfaces and reduced porosity due to cellulose-polyethylene glycol interactions. Enhanced thermal stability was observed in BCC-04, attributed to robust interactions among glutaraldehyde, chitosan and cellulose. The water absorption analyses revealed significant change with BCC-06 having maximum absorption capacity (476.5 ± 5.6
The transition to circular building materials require that their biological durability be well understood. Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are bio-fabricated materials produced through fungal biotechnology, where the fungal growth on lignocellulosic substrates forms a natural adhesive through the colonisation and digestion process. While MBCs have emerged as promising low-carbon insulation materials, assessing their durability, specifically resistance to mould, represents a key research gap. Standard mould assessment methods often rely on subjective visual scoring, with this subjectivity a challenge for MBCs due to their inherent surface heterogeneity and natural colour variation. This study investigates the mould susceptibility of MBCs produced from hemp-shiv and Ganoderma curtisii mycelium under high-humidity, wetting conditions. Mould growth was observed on all specimens, confirming the need for routine testing of bio-based materials under moisture stress. To address the limitations of subjective evaluation, a non-destructive image-based method using Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) contrast metrics was developed to quantify changes in surface texture over time, using time-lapse images taken during the incubation period. Human visual detection of mould onset, assessed through a perception survey, aligned with GLCM-derived estimates, validating the method’s ability to capture biologically relevant surface changes. This approach offers a low-cost, scalable, and objective tool for monitoring mould progression on heterogeneous bio-based materials and provides a foundation for improved durability testing and post-installation assessment of biomaterials in construction.
In this study, saccharification of alkali pretreated sugarcane tops biomass and its fermentation was optimized. The saccharification of alkali pretreated sugarcane tops carried out in 20 mL volume gave optimized conditions, 3 • Saccharification of alkali pretreated sugarcane tops gave 18.8 g/L reducing sugar • 1 kg of alkali pretreated sugarcane tops gave 687 g of reducing sugar • Higher scale fermentation by microbial consortium gave 7.4 g/L bioethanol in 24 h • Fermentation of 1 g of total reducing sugar resulted in 0.5 g of bioethanol • 143g of bioethanol was produced from 1 kg of raw sugarcane tops biomass
Numerous species within the family Tephritidae are major agricultural pests and infest a broad array of fruits and vegetables in tropical and subtropical regions. As a result, they pose a serious threat to global fruit production. Traditional pest management techniques often face limitations due to their harmful effects on the environment and reduced efficacy in variable field conditions such as rain, humidity, temperature, and light. Recently, electrospinning technology has demonstrated remarkable potential in the preparation of sustained carriers. While several review articles have addressed the use of electrospun nanofibers for pest control, no comprehensive review has specifically focused on yeast-based nanofibers in fruit fly management. This review highlights the significance of yeast-based nanofibers produced via electrospinning as a promising eco-friendly approach for fruit fly pest management. The unique properties of electrospun nanofibers such as large surface area, high porosity, and controlled release capabilities, improve the stability, longevity, and delivery efficiency of yeast-derived attractants. This novel approach addresses the issue of rapid volatilization and environmental breakdown of volatile compounds, prolonging the shelf life and increasing the field stability of biological attractants. This review synthesizes current knowledge yeast metabolism, genetic engineering of yeast for pest control, and the advancements in electrospinning for controlled release. The technical considerations are critically discussed, including polymer and solvent selection, and the impact of electrospinning on yeast viability and morphology. While emphasizing the multidisciplinary promise of this approach, we also identify key research gaps and future directions, such as optimizing encapsulation protocols, validating field performance, and addressing potential ecotoxicological impacts, to accelerate the translation of yeast-based nanofiber technology into practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions for fruit fly control.
The escalating volumes of agricultural waste pose significant environmental challenges, while the demand for sustainable materials and water purification technologies continues to grow. This review synthesises recent advances in a promising circular economy approach: the use of alkaline treatment to transform lignocellulosic agricultural residues into versatile materials with dual functionality. The pathway of converting these treated residues into effective bioadsorbents for the removal of pollutants such as heavy metals and dyes from wastewater is critically evaluated. Simultaneously, the parallel pathway of using the same alkaline-treated biomass as a precursor for deriving biopolymers, such as cellulose nanofibers or regenerated cellulose films, is explored. A central theme of this review is the integrative analysis of how the chemical and structural modifications induced by alkaline treatment, primarily delignification and increased cellulose accessibility, unlock both adsorption capabilities and processability for biopolymer production. The efficacy of various adsorbents derived from different feedstocks, including rice husk, wheat straw, and sugarcane bagasse, is compared, and the potential of the extracted biopolymers for material applications is discussed. Finally, key knowledge gaps and future research priorities are identified, including techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment, and strategies for scaling integrated biorefineries that can simultaneously produce both bioadsorbents and biopolymers from a single waste stream.
Colors have been used since ancient times to enhance the aesthetics of various commodities. Synthetic colorants, extensively employed in cosmetic, food and textile industries, are known to be recalcitrant, toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic. Their effluents in water bodies decrease sunlight penetration, photosynthesis and plant proliferation. Thus, in the search of sustainable and natural pigment sources, the previously isolated and characterized endophytic fungus Talaromyces assiutensis CPEF04 from the Western Ghats, India, was explored for enhanced extracellular bioactive pigment production. The pigment was combined with supercritical carbon dioxide-extracted hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil to develop a tinted lip salve, assessing its commercial viability. The formulated lip salve’s performance and stability were tested through pH, hardness and color at various temperatures, leading to an optimal red hue with enhanced softening effect. The selected tints were found to be stable for four weeks through accelerated stability assessment under diverse temperatures. Furthermore, the pigmented lip salve exhibited enhanced sun protective factor of 34 ± 1.3, as compared to the unpigmented one. The sensory assessment indicated high consumer preference based on visual and olfactory appeal, with scope of improvement in the taste profile. This study sheds light on bioprospecting bioactive pigment-producing endophytes to foster an eco-friendly lifestyle while creating a sustainable shift from a linear fossil-based economy to bioeconomy.
The current study explores the potential of eugenol as a therapeutic agent for bone regeneration through an integrative approach combining in silico and in vitro analyses. Network pharmacology and molecular docking was employed to investigate the molecular targets and pathways associated with eugenol in the context of bone-related diseases, revealing its multi-targeted therapeutic potential. Based on these findings, composite biomaterials were fabricated using Sodium Alginate, Chitosan, and β-Tricalcium phosphate, infused with Eugenol, to develop a bioactive scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The fabricated scaffolds were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and compression testing to evaluate their physicochemical and mechanical properties. Additionally, porosity, swelling behaviour, in vitro degradation and bio-mineralization were assessed to determine the scaffold’s suitability for bone regeneration. The porous structure, swelling ratio, and controlled degradation profile indicated favourable properties for cell infiltration and tissue integration. Cytocompatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated using the MTT assay on MG-63 osteoblastic cell lines, demonstrating high cell viability and biocompatibility. Overall, the Eugenol-infused Alginate/Chitosan/β-Tricalcium phosphate composite scaffold exhibits promising potential as a multifunctional biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications.
This study investigated the adsorption of Congo red dye on alginate and chitosan hydrogel in batch and continuous modes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate alginate and chitosan hydrogel beads, with and without modifications, for the adsorption of Congo red dye in batch and continuous systems. In batch mode, activated charcoal and microalgal cells were embedded in the alginate and chitosan hydrogel beads. The results were compared against unmodified hydrogel beads, bare charcoal powder, and free microalgal cells. The highest dye removal efficiency was 96.99 ± 0.6
The pursuit of sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) has led to an increasing focus on waste-derived biomaterials. This PRISMA-guided systematic review evaluates current research on the fabrication, biological performance, scalability, and translational challenges of natural biomaterials sourced from marine, agricultural, and food processing wastes. Evidence from eighteen studies published between 2015 and 2025 demonstrates that waste materials such as shrimp shells, fish scales, seaweed, rice husks, and food peels can be effectively transformed into biocompatible, biodegradable scaffolds through scalable methods including demineralization, freeze-drying, electrospinning, and bioprinting. These scaffolds exhibit tissue-specific mechanical properties, favorable degradation profiles, and high cell viability, supporting tissue regeneration across bone, cartilage, skin, and soft tissues. The review highlights the potential of waste valorization for circular economy strategies, contributing to environmental sustainability while advancing regenerative therapies. Nonetheless, challenges such as process standardization, quality control, long-term safety, and regulatory pathways remain critical hurdles to clinical translation. Addressing these issues through technological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential to harness the full potential of waste-derived biomaterials as scalable, sustainable solutions in regenerative medicine.
Since biopolymers are so ecologically benign, sustainable, and biocompatible, they have emerged as a significant class of polymers in the field of polymer sciences, especially for a variety of biological applications. In aqueous acidic circumstances, Chitosan (CS) is generated when 50
