GelsPub Date : 2026-09-30DOI: 10.3390/gels12100882
Alejandro Melero, Ander Pino, José María Alonso, Nagore Martínez de Cestafe, Claudia Goenaga Ibeas, Amaia Huguet-Casquero, Miguel Ucelay López de Heredia, Raúl Pérez González
{"title":"Comparative Rheological Characterization of Hyaluronic Acid Viscosupplements for Synovial Fluid Restoration in Osteoarthritis and Knee Biomechanics.","authors":"Alejandro Melero, Ander Pino, José María Alonso, Nagore Martínez de Cestafe, Claudia Goenaga Ibeas, Amaia Huguet-Casquero, Miguel Ucelay López de Heredia, Raúl Pérez González","doi":"10.3390/gels12100882","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100882","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Synovial fluid (SF) rheological properties deteriorate progressively in knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to a reduction in hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration and molecular weight, compromising joint lubrication and load distribution. Restoring these properties through intra-articular viscosupplementation with HA is a widely used therapeutic strategy. However, commercially available linear HA formulations differ substantially in their mechanical behavior, and single-parameter assessments are insufficient for capturing their functional differences. In this study, eight commercially available intra-articular linear HA hydrogels-TrHLINE 1%<sup>®</sup>, TrHLINE 2%<sup>®</sup>, Hyalubrix<sup>®</sup>, Hyalgan Bio<sup>®</sup>, Pronolis<sup>®</sup> HD 2.5%, Biolevox™ HA ONE 2.5%, Suplasyn<sup>®</sup>, and Arthrum H 2%<sup>®</sup>-were evaluated under standardized conditions using steady-state viscosity, mechanical stress response, first normal stress difference (N1), storage and loss moduli (G', G″), loss factor (tan δ), and elasticity percentage. Results revealed three distinct functional profiles: lubricant-oriented with low to moderate structural organization (Hyalgan Bio<sup>®</sup>, Suplasyn<sup>®</sup>, TrHLINE 1%<sup>®</sup>); balanced viscoelastic with sustained structural persistence (TrHLINE 2%<sup>®</sup>, Hyalubrix<sup>®</sup>, Arthrum H 2%<sup>®</sup>); and high initial rigidity with reduced dynamic persistence (Biolevox™ HA ONE 2.5%, Pronolis<sup>®</sup> HD 2.5%). These findings demonstrate that multi-parametric rheological benchmarking effectively discriminates functional differences among HA viscosupplements and supports indication-oriented product selection based on OA severity and patient mechanical demand.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2026-09-30DOI: 10.3390/gels12100884
Chanju Choi, Dongseong Seo, Taeho Kim, Jonghyun Park, Dongmin Yu, Sohyeon Yu, Jeongmin Shin, Simseok A Yuk, Daekyung Sung, Hyungjun Kim
{"title":"Engineering Smart Hydrogels Through Dynamic Polymer Networks for Controlled Drug Delivery.","authors":"Chanju Choi, Dongseong Seo, Taeho Kim, Jonghyun Park, Dongmin Yu, Sohyeon Yu, Jeongmin Shin, Simseok A Yuk, Daekyung Sung, Hyungjun Kim","doi":"10.3390/gels12100884","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Smart hydrogels are increasingly explored as adaptive platforms for controlled drug delivery because their polymer networks can respond dynamically to chemical, biological, and physical cues. Among these systems, dynamic polymer networks formed through reversible covalent and noncovalent interactions provide a unique means of coupling molecular-scale bond exchange with time-dependent changes in hydrogel structure, mechanics, degradation, and therapeutic transport. This review presents an integrated framework linking dynamic crosslink chemistry, exchange kinetics, network properties, and drug-release behavior. Dynamic covalent, supramolecular, metal-ligand, and hybrid network strategies are compared with particular emphasis on how crosslink lifetime, mesh accessibility, swelling, viscoelasticity, stress relaxation, and degradation govern therapeutic cargo loading, retention, diffusion, and release. Representative release mechanisms and kinetic models are discussed together with cargo-specific design considerations for small molecules, proteins and peptides, nucleic acids, and nanoparticle-based therapeutics. Biomedical applications are further considered according to therapeutic requirements and administration routes, including injectable local depots, topical and transdermal delivery, and regenerative systems. Finally, key translational challenges involving physiological complexity, biocompatibility, reproducibility, scale-up, sterilization, and storage stability are critically assessed. By connecting molecular interaction dynamics with network-level behavior and therapeutic performance, this review provides design principles for developing more predictable, programmable, and clinically translatable dynamic hydrogel drug-delivery systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preparation of a Lotus-Leaf-Inspired PVA-Grape Seed Extract Biomimetic Gel Film and Its Application in Active Packaging for the Postharvest Preservation of <i>Agaricus bisporus</i>.","authors":"Liyan Wang, Lingyu Sun, Yixuan Zhang, Mengdi Cong, Xin Tan, Lili Ren","doi":"10.3390/gels12100881","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100881","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study reports the fabrication of a biomimetic PVA-GSE film featuring a lotus-leaf-like hierarchical micro/nanostructure, and its application as a gel-based active packaging material for the post-harvest preservation of <i>Agaricus bisporus</i> (<i>A. bisporus</i>). A lotus-leaf negative template was prepared using soft etching and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) secondary transfer method; the PVA/GSE solution was then cast onto this template and subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles for physical cross-linking to induce PVA hydrogelation. The resulting biomimetic gel film reproduces the hierarchical lotus-leaf surface morphology and forms a continuous polymer gel network composed of interconnected gel pores, which serve as reservoirs for grape seed extract (GSE). This gel network structure enhances the properties of PVA. Although BPG-40 exhibited the strongest preservation performance during storage owing to its highest GSE loading, BPG-30 was selected as the optimal formulation, because it achieved the best overall balance of mechanical strength, water-vapour barrier and optical quality while retaining 91-93% of the BPG-40 antioxidant and antibacterial activity; beyond 30% loading, the marginal gains in bioactivity were outweighed by a 12.6% decrease in tensile strength, severe colour darkening (L* = 6.07) and surface cracks observed by SEM. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the biomimetic composite film on <i>A. bisporus</i> over a 12 days storage period at 4 °C. Storage results demonstrate that this film effectively reduces the weight loss rate of <i>A. bisporus</i>, lowers their respiration rate, enhances the polyphenol retention rate, and significantly extends the storage life of <i>A. bisporus</i>. This study simulates the surface structural regulation mechanism of lotus leaves and represents an innovative approach that synergistically integrates active ingredients with material structure for use in fresh-keeping packaging materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704083/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2026-09-28DOI: 10.3390/gels12100874
Deborah V Miranda, Alexandra A P Mansur, Herman S Mansur, Isadora C Carvalho
{"title":"Carboxymethylcellulose/Hyaluronic Acid Hybrid Nanoconjugates: Toward Multifunctional Platforms for Melanoma Skin Cancer Theranostics.","authors":"Deborah V Miranda, Alexandra A P Mansur, Herman S Mansur, Isadora C Carvalho","doi":"10.3390/gels12100874","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Melanoma remains one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, characterized by high metastatic potential and risks of tissue trauma and post-surgical recurrence, with limited therapeutic options currently available. While conventional monotherapies often fail to provide comprehensive and efficient treatment, nanoparticle-functionalized hydrogel platforms have emerged as promising multifunctional systems for localized combination cancer therapy, capable of integrating multiple therapeutic modalities, such as chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT), tissue recovery support, antibacterial activity, and image-guided treatment into a single biomaterial. This review examines stimulus-responsive hydrogels based on the anionic polysaccharides carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hyaluronic acid (HA), conjugated with nanoparticles for melanoma theranostic applications. It evaluates their design, synergistic mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. It considers how combining CMC and HA overcomes the limitations of individual polymers, such as poor mechanical integrity and rapid degradation, and enhances key functionalities, particularly cell targeting and specificity. It also analyzes how incorporating functional nanoparticles can enable on-demand drug release, diagnostic imaging, immune microenvironment remodeling, and combined phototherapy (PTT/PDT). While HA-based nanotheranostic systems are widely documented, the potential of CMC in melanoma treatment remains largely untapped, despite its proven success in tissue engineering and wound management. Most significantly, the literature currently lacks any bio-nanohybrid platform that integrates CMC and HA, driven by functional hybrid nanoparticles, for targeted melanoma therapy. By identifying this critical gap, this review proposes new research avenues for designing these unified, multifunctional platforms as a highly promising strategy for cutaneous melanoma management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2026-09-28DOI: 10.3390/gels12100875
Joowan Kim, Jaewoo Park, Yeojin Lee, Goeun Kim, Yunsu Shin, Seoyun Eom, Jinmo Jeong
{"title":"Functional Hydrogels for Wearable and Implantable Neural Interfaces: Materials, Properties, and Applications.","authors":"Joowan Kim, Jaewoo Park, Yeojin Lee, Goeun Kim, Yunsu Shin, Seoyun Eom, Jinmo Jeong","doi":"10.3390/gels12100875","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100875","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Functional hydrogels are increasingly used in neural interfaces. As hydrophilic polymer networks that combine tissue-like softness with tunable conductivity and adhesion, they relieve two fundamental limitations of rigid conventional electrodes within a single material: the mechanical mismatch that drives the chronic foreign body response, and the electrical mismatch that raises interfacial impedance. This review discusses functional hydrogels through their core interfacial properties of biocompatibility, adhesion, and interfacial impedance/conductivity, and highlights how these requirements differ between skin-mounted wearable and implantable devices. Their applications in neural recording, electrical and ultrasound neuromodulation, and external and robotic device control are then covered in detail. Finally, the key challenges and future opportunities are summarized, including gelation control, long-term in vivo stability, integration with robotic hardware, and clinical translation. As the field advances, functional hydrogels are poised to become a core platform for next-generation neural interfaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704630/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ambient-Dried Cellulose Nanofibril/H<sub>2</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> Composite Aerogel for Enhanced Lithium Capture at Seawater-Relevant pH.","authors":"Xueqiao Wang, Jing Wang, Wenxuan Wang, Ruimeng Liu, Yimin Shi, Daxin Liang","doi":"10.3390/gels12100873","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100873","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Efficient seawater lithium harvesting requires adsorbents combining high selectivity with scalable, low-energy fabrication. Although H<sub>2</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> lithium-ion sieves (HTO-LIS) exhibit exceptional Li<sup>+</sup> selectivity, their deployment is hindered by strict alkaline requirements and reliance on energy-intensive shaping processes such as freeze-drying. Herein, we report a cellulose nanofibril (CNF) composite aerogel addressing both challenges simultaneously. Ammonium phytate (AP), a bio-derived polyphosphate, serves a dual function: as a green crosslinker for CNF and as an in situ alkalinity generator, creating a localized alkaline microenvironment around immobilized HTO nanoparticles that enables efficient topotactic H<sup>+</sup>/Li<sup>+</sup> exchange at seawater-relevant pH 8 without requiring strongly alkaline bulk conditions. Crucially, the AP-crosslinked CNF skeleton withstands capillary forces during ambient-pressure drying, preserving a hierarchical macroporous network without freeze-drying. The resulting AP-CNF@HTO monolith achieves a Li<sup>+</sup> capacity of 19.08 mg g<sup>-1</sup> at pH 8, a 128.9% enhancement over pristine HTO, with excellent selectivity against competing ions in real seawater and 88.3% capacity retention after ten cycles. This work demonstrates that rational bio-based crosslinker selection can concurrently solve the alkaline microenvironment and ambient-drying challenges of HTO-LIS composites, offering an ambient-pressure-drying route with reduced reliance on energy-intensive freeze-drying for seawater lithium enrichment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704011/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2026-09-28DOI: 10.3390/gels12100878
Na Hyeon Kim, Maria Jose Silva Pincay, Yeongjun Kim, Hyosub Kim, Eunok Jang, Dong Hyun Kim, Sae-Byuk Lee, Mi-Kyung Park, Seockmo Ku, Eunsook Lee, Deokyeong Choe
{"title":"Composition-Dependent Viscosity and Properties of MCC/CNC Regenerated Cellulose Hydrogels Prepared Using TBAF/DMSO.","authors":"Na Hyeon Kim, Maria Jose Silva Pincay, Yeongjun Kim, Hyosub Kim, Eunok Jang, Dong Hyun Kim, Sae-Byuk Lee, Mi-Kyung Park, Seockmo Ku, Eunsook Lee, Deokyeong Choe","doi":"10.3390/gels12100878","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100878","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) possess the same cellulose backbone, it remains unclear whether they have similar effects on solution viscosity behavior in tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF)/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the properties of the resulting regenerated hydrogels. This study investigated the composition-dependent viscosity behavior of MCC/CNC solutions in TBAF/DMSO and the properties of the regenerated cellulose hydrogels. At 2.5% cellulose, the MCC solution achieved a maximum viscosity of 8.8 Pa·s at 2.5% TBAF, whereas the CNC solution reached 15.0 Pa·s at 5.5% TBAF. In mixed solutions, increasing the CNC content decelerated the viscosity increase, extending the time required for solution preparation and molding. After water-induced regeneration, the gel strength and cutting strength decreased from 70.8 to 33.6 N·mm and from 55.8 to 6.7 N·mm, respectively, as the formulation shifted from MCC-only to CNC-only. Conversely, the CNC-containing hydrogels exhibited higher optical transmittance than MCC-only hydrogels. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements suggested composition-dependent local photophysical relaxation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed no formation of new covalent structures, while X-ray diffraction indicated that the regenerated hydrogels were predominantly amorphous. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed composition-dependent thermal degradation. These results demonstrate that controlling the MCC/CNC compositional ratio provides a means of balancing solution processability and regenerated hydrogel properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13703987/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dual-Drug Chitosan Hydrogel Loaded with Metformin and Cefazolin for Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Treatment of Drug-Resistant Bacteria-Infected Skin Wounds.","authors":"Yilin Zhang, Jie Cao, Yong Yan, Zhaoyang Li, Haiqiang Ren, Chenxiong Xu, Chengfang Qiao, Wei Zhou","doi":"10.3390/gels12100876","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100876","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bacterial-infected skin wounds, especially those caused by drug-resistant pathogens accompanied by persistent inflammation, remain a major clinical therapeutic challenge. Rising antimicrobial resistance compromises the therapeutic effect of conventional single-agent antibiotics, creating an urgent demand for novel wound therapeutics that integrate bactericidal potency, immunomodulation and tissue regeneration capacity. In this work, an injectable multifunctional chitosan-based hydrogel (C@MC) was developed, which simultaneously incorporates metformin hydrochloride (as a potential antibiotic adjuvant) and cefazolin sodium (as a β-lactam class antibacterial drug). The optimized C@MC possesses interconnected three-dimensional pores with an initial storage modulus of ~0.83 kPa (C@MC<sub>360</sub>), featuring desirable mechanical strength, injectability, tissue adhesion and dual pH/glucose-responsive sustained drug release. In vitro evaluations revealed the dose-dependent bactericidal activity of C@MC against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (<i>S. aureus</i>), <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1-producing <i>E. coli</i> (NDM-1 <i>E. coli</i>, resistant bacteria). The highest drug-laden group nearly eliminated all wound bacteria in vitro. It scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) to lower cellular MDA levels and suppress pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In full-thickness mouse wounds infected with NDM-1 <i>E. coli</i>, C@MC<sub>360</sub> achieved nearly complete wound closure, with only a 4.2% residual wound area on day 14, accompanied by suppressed inflammatory infiltration and accelerated wound regeneration. This dual-drug hydrogel integrates antibiotic potentiation, anti-inflammation and antioxidation, providing an intervention regimen for skin wounds infected with drug-resistant bacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704149/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2026-09-28DOI: 10.3390/gels12100872
Pedro C Lopes
{"title":"Functional Gels for Dental Applications: Current Advances and Future Perspectives.","authors":"Pedro C Lopes","doi":"10.3390/gels12100872","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The continuous evolution of biomaterials has profoundly influenced modern dentistry by providing innovative solutions for disease prevention, minimally invasive treatment, tissue regeneration, and implant rehabilitation [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
GelsPub Date : 2026-09-28DOI: 10.3390/gels12100879
Jialong Xu, Sulafa B H Hashim, Haoyang Xu, Aocheng Zhang, Jun Ren, Xiaobo Zou, Qing Sun, Jiyong Shi
{"title":"Physical-Field Engineering of Food Hydrogels: Multiscale Assembly, Processing Windows, and Functional Translation.","authors":"Jialong Xu, Sulafa B H Hashim, Haoyang Xu, Aocheng Zhang, Jun Ren, Xiaobo Zou, Qing Sun, Jiyong Shi","doi":"10.3390/gels12100879","DOIUrl":"10.3390/gels12100879","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Food hydrogels are multiscale, water-rich networks whose functionality depends not only on composition but also on how processing energy is deposited and redistributed during network formation. Although acoustic, electric, magnetic, and pressure-based treatments have expanded the available strategies for hydrogel structuring, current evidence remains fragmented by inconsistent dose reporting, thermal and electrochemical confounding, strong matrix dependence, limited validation in compositionally realistic foods, and insufficient scale-up and safety assessment. This review critically evaluates these technologies through a field-process-structure-function framework that links measurable field inputs and energy deposition to molecular and colloidal reconfiguration, network architecture, water mobility, and food functionality. Across the available literature, ultrasound has the broadest evidence base for precursor restructuring and gel network modification, while high-pressure processing shows comparatively strong support for direct gelation and composite network reinforcement. Electric-field approaches offer controllable electrothermal and directional effects but require more rigorous separation of field-specific contributions from thermal and electrochemical effects. Magnetic and conductive edible hydrogels remain comparatively early-stage, with much of the mechanistic evidence still derived from non-ingestible systems. Overall, beneficial responses occur within matrix-specific processing windows rather than increasing monotonically with treatment intensity. Future progress requires matched controls, quantitative dose reporting, realistic food matrices, food-grade safety validation, continuous-processing equipment, and energy-normalized assessment of technological feasibility.</p>","PeriodicalId":12506,"journal":{"name":"Gels","volume":"12 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13704056/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149265558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}