{"title":"Moroccan Medicinal Plants as a Promising Source of Antitubercular Compounds: Evaluation and Comparison of their Antimycobacterial Activity.","authors":"Hajar Latkal, Soukayna El Khabaze, Moulay Sadiki, Fouad Msanda, Houssaini Mohamed Iraqui, Abdellah Houari","doi":"10.2174/0118722083469507260806045513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083469507260806045513","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Context/Aim: Tuberculosis remains one of the major current health challenges caused by a single infectious pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The severity of this epidemic is mainly associated with the emergence of its multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains against known anti-tuberculosis drugs. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new antimycobacterial molecules to overcome this phenomenon. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimycobacterial activity of extracts from selected Moroccan medicinal plants.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Nine plant species were selected for this study. Three different extracts were prepared from each species using distilled water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The obtained twenty-seven extracts were tested for their antimycobacterial activity using the disc diffusion method and the resazurin microtiter assay against two mycobacterial strains: Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Finally, extracts from the active plants were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The studied plant extracts exhibited variable antimycobacterial activity. The MIC values ranged from 0.3 to 50 mg/mL against Mycobacterium aurum and from 0.7 to 100 mg/mL against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate extract of Marrubium vulgare showed the highest activity, with bactericidal effects reflected by MBC values of 0.7 mg/mL and 1.5 mg/mL against M. aurum and M. smegmatis, respectively. Phytochemical screening indicated that the most active extracts were rich in flavonoids.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results demonstrate a promising antimycobacterial potential of the ethyl acetate extracts from Laurus nobilis, Marrubium vulgare, and Chamaerops humilis, as indicated by significant inhibition zone diameters and low MIC/MBC values. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening suggests that this activity may be associated with the high content of flavonoids in these extracts.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to these results, the studied medicinal plants appear to be a promising source for isolating and purifying new effective antitubercular compounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148888480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Localized Vacuum Infiltration as a Size-Independent Platform for In Planta Transient Gene Expression: Highlight of Patent MX2023015160A.","authors":"Rafael Urrea-López","doi":"10.2174/0118722083490752260714052319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083490752260714052319","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vacuum-assisted agroinfiltration is a widely used technique for transient gene expression in plants. However, its application is limited to small-sized plants that fit completely inside a vacuum chamber. Large, woody, and perennial species are, therefore, excluded from vacuum infiltration. The recently granted patent, titled \"MX2023015160A, System and Method of Localized Vacuum Infiltration\", introduces a novel solution to overcome this physical limitation. This method enables localized vacuum infiltration of attached plant organs, independent of the overall size of the plant. This method is especially useful for large, woody, and perennial species that are difficult to transform. The usefulness of this invention has already been demonstrated by achieving the first transient genetic expression in planta in two economically important fruit trees, avocado (Persea americana) and cacao (Theobroma cacao), as previously published in peer-reviewed scientific articles. This invention advances plant biotechnology by enabling transient gene expression in mature, attached organs of woody perennial plants. Consequently, it extends functional genomics studies beyond detached tissues, thus facilitating investigations into native physiological contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148607123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of the Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Amaranthus viridis Extract on SS-410 in 0.5 M HCl and Its Application in Bio-Coating Formulation.","authors":"Vibha Tripathi, Dwarika Prasad, Rajnish Maithani","doi":"10.2174/0118722083438601260605053222","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083438601260605053222","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The present investigation focuses on investigating the Amaranthus viridis L. aqueous extract (AVWE) as a prolonged corrosion inhibitor when applied to the surface of Stainless steel410 (SS-410) in an acidic solution (0.5 M HCl), and the inhibitory efficacy of AVWE was utilised in the formulation of a bio-coating that comprises the AVWE inhibitor along with other additives.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>AVWE was prepared by Soxhlet extraction using distilled water as the solvent to selectively isolate polar phytochemicals responsible for corrosion inhibition. The extraction was carried out under reflux for 12 h, employing 400 mL of solvent for 200 g of dried plant material previously dried in a water bath. The obtained semi-solid extract was transferred to a clean vial and preserved in a desiccator for further use. The inhibition efficiency of the AVWE inhibitor was analysed by various techniques, including gravimetric analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analysis. Following the completion of studies on the inhibitory effects of AVWE, a bio-coating was formulated with the AVWE and other additives such as resin, metal oxide, and diluents. ASTM D3359 and durability techniques were used to test the adhesion and sustainability of the formulated coating, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>UV-visible and IR spectroscopy validated the formation of a protective film on the metal surface. Morphological findings obtained from SEM, EDX, and AFM techniques indicated that the addition of the green inhibitor resulted in a reduction in the surface corrosion of SS-410. A gravimetric analysis demonstrated a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 97.22%, whereas electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated an inhibition efficiency of 95.12% for SS-410 at an inhibitor concentration of 500 ppm in 0.5 M HCl. LC-MS analysis identifies inhibitor phytochemicals that adsorb on metal. ASTM D 3359 and durability test revealed that the formulated coating is environmentally sustainable and protects SS-410 from corrosion.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Stainless steel, the most commonly used engineering material in a wide range of applications, suffers from severe corrosion and gradual deterioration. The effects of corrosion on the economy are widespread and create significant challenges in various sectors. Most of the products used in corrosion mitigation processes are harmful to the environment. Natural inhibitors such as plant extracts and biopolymers are more effective alternatives. These inhibitors are safe, inexpensive, renewable, and eco-friendly. In view of their environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness, recent investigations","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148550358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vanessa Nascimento do Carmo, Rafael Miranda Carvalho Dos Reis, Cleverton Levi da Cruz Santos, Neila de Paula Pereira
{"title":"Konjac Gum in the Development of Hydrogel for Wound Dressing: A Bibliography and Patent Profile Review.","authors":"Vanessa Nascimento do Carmo, Rafael Miranda Carvalho Dos Reis, Cleverton Levi da Cruz Santos, Neila de Paula Pereira","doi":"10.2174/0118722083445899260213065425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083445899260213065425","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Konjac gum is derived from the tuber Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch and is rich in Glucomannan, a polysaccharide with high gelling power. This study aims to evaluate, through a bibliographic and patent survey, the use of Konjac gum in the production of pharmaceutical hydrogels. The research was carried out through databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline, and by the Orbit Intelligence platform from 2004 to February 2025. In total, 12 articles and 25 patent families were identified, including patents related to the use of the Konjac hydrogel formulation range. 32% of the hydrogel formulations used on skin injuries analyzed had konjac in their composition due to its gelling action, and in 24% of patents, researchers introduced konjac gum in the development because of its healing potential. A 0.05 g concentration of konjac gum was the most common method for preparing antibacterial gels, which exhibited good biocompatibility and possessed excellent antibacterial and hemostatic properties, potentially aiding in the healing of infected wounds. Inventions using 1 g of glucomannan aimed to improve the hydrogel structure. Konjac, due to its greater biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability, in addition to its high gelling, healing, and inflammatory process reduction power, has aroused growing interest in the production of biomedical materials such as hydrogels for the treatment of skin wounds.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148265824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yasaman Farzin, Fereshteh Atabi, Ahmad Movahedpour, Mohammad Hossein Morowvat
{"title":"Design of an Optical Genosensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles for the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Using miR-122.","authors":"Yasaman Farzin, Fereshteh Atabi, Ahmad Movahedpour, Mohammad Hossein Morowvat","doi":"10.2174/0118722083420509260306090710","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083420509260306090710","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Early and accurate detection of breast cancer remains a major clinical challenge. In this study, we developed a rapid, optical genosensor based on gold nanoparticles for the detection of miR-122, a microRNA associated with breast cancer. The biosensor design relies on acid-triggered aggregation of functionalized AuNPs, enabling colorimetric detection without amplification.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The R-122 oligonucleotide probe was designed using bioinformatics software. The designed genosensor was developed based on previously reported patented nanoplasmonic principles, employing gold nanoparticles for amplification-free optical detection of miR-122. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized via the citrate reduction method to obtain a uniform colloidal solution.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The optical sensor exhibited a distinct absorption peak at 520 nm. Clinical serum samples containing complementary and non-complementary sequences produced clearly distinguishable color changes upon hybridization, confirming specific detection of the target sequence. Optimal visual discrimination was achieved by mixing 15 μL of nanobiosensor, 5.2 μL of acid, and 10 μL of PBS.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The results demonstrate that the developed colorimetric AuNP-based genosensor provides an ultra-low detection limit and simple operation, showing promise for rapid clinical screening compared with previously reported SERS and electrochemical assays.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The proposed AuNP-based colorimetric genosensor enables rapid and specific detection of miR-122 without amplification. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliable visual output indicate strong potential for future point-of-care breast cancer diagnostics.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147982971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adropin and Irisin as Potential Patentable Biomarkers in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: Current Evidence and Future Directions.","authors":"Deepa Roshni, Zirha Saleem, Pramedha Kamplikar, Suman Kumar Ray, Ashwin Kotnis, Jagat R Kanwar, Sukhes Mukherjee","doi":"10.2174/0118722083404498260209095141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083404498260209095141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common long-term liver disease. It affects 25% of adults and is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Its rise is linked to rising obesity, especially in Western nations. Unfortunately, no MAFLD medication works. Patents and intellectual property are essential to developing effective cures and protecting new ideas. Long-term aerobic activity can raise hepatic triglycerides and lower visceral fat without weight loss. Due to its complexity, MAFLD is difficult to diagnose and treat. There are no inexpensive, reliable imaging diagnostics or non-invasive biomarkers. Too many liver lipids can cause lipotoxicity. This can cause NASH, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular cancer. More serious MAFLD and NASH accelerate necroinflammation and fibrosis. This shows how important good signals are for diagnosing and treating your ailment. Invasive liver biopsies aren't helpful since people don't handle them well. We need reliable non-invasive assays to detect MAFLD early, improve clinical trials, and confirm therapy. Irisin, a hormone that boosts energy expenditure and mimics brown fat, is elevated in physically active people. Patenting discoveries about it could speed up research and the development of tailored treatments. Patenting innovative biomarker research concepts and intellectual property is essential to combating MAFLD. This will also enable novel illness diagnosis and treatment methods. Our approach must involve new MAFLD diagnosis and treatment methods and patent issues to address all its effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147974836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sepideh Heidaryfar, Maryam Poursadeghfard, Mohammad Hossein Morowvat
{"title":"Advancements in Pharmacotherapy and Mobile Health Applications for Self-Management in Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Sepideh Heidaryfar, Maryam Poursadeghfard, Mohammad Hossein Morowvat","doi":"10.2174/0118722083399912251207132741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083399912251207132741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, affecting nearly three million individuals worldwide. Long-term pharmacotherapy and treatment adherence remain major determinants of relapse prevention and disability progression.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following PRISMA guidelines, a narrative review compared FDA and EMA approved disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS. Clinical, real-world, and patentbased data were synthesized to evaluate efficacy, adherence, and safety profiles. Digital health applications supporting self-management were also assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Injectable therapies such as interferons and glatiramer acetate showed approximately 30% ARR reduction with excellent safety. Oral agents (fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, cladribine) achieved 45-55% ARR reduction and markedly better adherence, though periodic laboratory monitoring was required. Monoclonal antibodies (natalizumab, ocrelizumab) reached up to 68% relapse reduction, representing the highest efficacy while demanding close surveillance for PML and infection risks.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>While newer high-efficacy agents yield stronger disease control, the balance between potency, adherence, and practicality remains crucial. Oral DMTs provide the most realistic compromise for long-term management. Digital self-monitoring through validated m-health applications could substantially improve adherence and disease awareness. Integration of biotechnology with tele-neurology and AI-supported analytics represents the next step toward personalized MS care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Monoclonal antibodies define the upper limit of efficacy in current MS therapy, but sustainability depends on safety oversight and patient engagement. Oral formulations remain clinically pragmatic first-line options. The synergy between pharmacotherapy and mobile health technology offers a pathway to transform adherence, monitoring, and outcome optimization in future MS management.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147494063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohamed A Elashry, Safia Samir, Mohamed Elrefaiy, Olfat Hammam, Hoda Abu-Taleb, Yousra Ossama, Hesham A Elmeligy
{"title":"The Diagnostic and Prognostic Potential of Serum Taurine and PUMA in Staging Colorectal Cancer Patients.","authors":"Mohamed A Elashry, Safia Samir, Mohamed Elrefaiy, Olfat Hammam, Hoda Abu-Taleb, Yousra Ossama, Hesham A Elmeligy","doi":"10.2174/0118722083419407251202120006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083419407251202120006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Ranked as the third most diagnosed cancer globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the seventh most prevalent cancer in Egypt. This study aimed to assess the levels of taurine (Tau), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) in CRC patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a pilot study involving 70 patients with CRC. Serum Tau was measured using ELISA, CEA was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and PUMA expression was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). All measurements were taken before surgery, one week after surgery, and one month later.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Tau levels were significantly lower in adenocarcinoma groups (G1, G2, and G3) and in the malignant metastatic group compared with the control and inflammatory groups (p < 0.001). Tau levels increased in G1, G2, and G3 patients one week and one month after surgery. PUMA expression after surgery was higher than before surgery in G1, G2, and G3 adenocarcinoma groups, while it was absent in the metastatic group. The specificity of the Tau test before surgery, one week after, and one month after was 53.33%, 76.92%, and 46.67%, respectively. The specificity of the PUMA test was 76.92% before surgery and 71.43% after surgery. CEA levels were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma (G1 and G2) compared with control and inflammatory groups, whereas CEA staining intensity was significantly decreased in adenocarcinoma (G1 and G2) compared with these groups (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>PUMA expression tends to be lower in advanced CRC stages and increases after surgery, supporting its potential role in tumor suppression and prognosis. Taurine shows variable levels among CRC patients and may aid in non-invasive cancer staging; its lower serum levels are associated with more advanced disease, and levels rise following surgical removal of the tumor.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights PUMA as a potential prognostic indicator for CRC. Tau levels may also hold diagnostic value and could contribute to the development of non-invasive screening methods for early CRC detection, particularly within the Egyptian population, which remains underrepresented in current research.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147322081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Deciphering the Regulatory Landscape of mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA Interactions in COVID-19 Severity: Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis.","authors":"Soudabeh Sabetian, Mahboubeh Sadeghi, Ehsan Saleh Ahmadi, Claudia Cava, Mahintaj Dara, Mohammad Hossein Morowvat","doi":"10.2174/0118722083418291251127062436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083418291251127062436","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, has a highly variable clinical course, ranging from mild symptoms to severe systemic complications. Understanding the molecular basis of disease severity is essential for improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with mild and severe COVID-19 to identify differentially expressed mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and to construct a regulatory network including microRNAs (miRNAs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Transcriptome analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with mild and severe COVID-19 was performed to identify differentially expressed mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and to construct a regulatory network including microRNAs (miRNAs) using Cytoscape.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 674 mRNAs and 215 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between severe and mild cases, with key pathways enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and immunological synapse signaling. The lncRNAs NEAT1 and MALAT1 were identified as regulatory hubs and were broadly expressed across multiple immune and organ tissues. Predicted miRNAs (experimentally supported in interaction databases) were associated with inflammation- and cancer-related signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt, JAK/STAT, and TNF.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our findings are consistent with recent patents (e.g., US2022/0298584A1, EP3892280A3, WO2023147669A1) that propose the use of noncoding RNAs and cytokines as biomarkers for COVID-19 diagnosis and severity assessment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings are consistent with recent patents (e.g., \"US20220298584A1\", \"EP3892280A3\", \"WO2023147669A1\") that propose the use of noncoding RNAs and cytokines as biomarkers for COVID-19 diagnosis and severity assessment. This integrative transcriptomic analysis highlights the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs in COVID-19 progression, exemplified by the central hub lncRNAs NEAT1 and MALAT1, which interact with inflammation- associated miRNAs and mRNA targets to modulate cytokine signaling. These findings offer specific transcriptomic biomarkers with potential for clinical application and therapeutic targeting.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146053357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sidra Aslam, Yasir Khalil, Fizza Rimal Butt, Yasir Nawaz, Saba Munir, Hafiza Fizzah Riaz, Saira Azam, Maria Parveen, Shan Zaib
{"title":"A Review on the Production of Cost-Effective Biodiesel from Animal Fat Wastes.","authors":"Sidra Aslam, Yasir Khalil, Fizza Rimal Butt, Yasir Nawaz, Saba Munir, Hafiza Fizzah Riaz, Saira Azam, Maria Parveen, Shan Zaib","doi":"10.2174/0118722083378315251128054701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118722083378315251128054701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Biodiesel from animal waste provides an alternative source of fuel. It is eco-friendly and cheaper than conventional fuel obtained through the distillation of crude oil. Biodiesel is similar to petroleum diesel and can be used alone or blended with fossil diesel as an energy source. This study provides insight into the use of waste animal fats for biodiesel production.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The data were retrieved from different sources, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and other scientific websites. Scope of the study can be clearly understood from the facts revealed from patent work.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The use of waste animal fats provides a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to petroleum diesel. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis methods have proven effective for processing WAFs, with KOH and NaOH commonly used in concentrations ranging from 1% to 2%. Increasing the catalyst concentration within a certain range can enhance biodiesel yield. However, the use of acid catalysts for transesterification of WAFs is time-intensive and requires a high alcohol-to-fat ratio. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in catalyst reuse for certain reactions and in managing complex selectivity combinations. Lipases in water-poor environments are also employed for transesterification.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The fatty acid profiles of both animal and vegetable sources have been found suitable for biodiesel production. Although it is a cheap source for generating fuel, using specific reaction media such as acyl acceptors and employing a combination of two enzymes on a specialized support can help further reduce costs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Currently, biodiesel is widely used in developed countries such as the US and Germany, but its adoption remains limited in developing nations. Optimizing transesterification methods-including the use of heterogeneous or homogeneous catalysis- and incorporating innovative technologies such as microwave-assisted enzymes can further enhance biodiesel yield and efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":21064,"journal":{"name":"Recent patents on biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146053323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}