Luqi Yuan , Xin Liu , Xiaoyan Cao , Jiahui Gao , Hang Yu , Yidi Li , Chongjun Chen
{"title":"Organic matter removal from landfill leachate using a biochar-enhanced microbial electrolytic cell-anaerobic digestion system at different HRT","authors":"Luqi Yuan , Xin Liu , Xiaoyan Cao , Jiahui Gao , Hang Yu , Yidi Li , Chongjun Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The integration of microbial electrolytic cell with anaerobic digestion (MEC-AD) system is a promising method for improving landfill leachate treatment. Biochar addition further enhances overall process efficiency. However, the impact of varying hydraulic retention times (HRT) on operational efficiency and microbial dynamics is not well understood. This study examines the effects of different HRT on the degradation efficiency and microbial composition of biochar-amended MEC-AD system. Here, optimal performance was observed at 48 h HRT, achieving 70.67% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, with a notable enrichment of functional microbial strains, which represented a 67.58% increase compared with the removal efficiency at 24 h of HRT. Furthermore, the COD removal efficiency was enhanced by approximately 4% with biochar addition under 24 h of HRT. Essentially, maintaining appreciable HRT coupled with biochar addition is a plausible strategy for enhanced landfill leachate treatment. Mechanistically, this enhanced system performance, specifically efficient organic matter degradation involved the disruption of key structural components within contaminants, including heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated unsaturated bonds as indicated by GC–MS analysis. Microbial community dynamics revealed that the addition of biochar and the extension of HRT both facilitate <em>Acidobacteria</em> proliferation, while the addition of biochar particularly promoted the enrichment of functional microbes like <em>Pseudomonas</em>. Essentially, both HRT regulation and biochar addition were critical in microbial community structuring. Enrichment of acidogens including <em>Azoarcus</em> and <em>Longilinea</em>, facilitates the subsequent production of acetic acid production, optimizing carbon metabolism. Finally, investigating the scalability of biochar-amended MEC-AD systems under optimized operational parameter (HRT) conditions is urgent to ensure sustainable enhanced landfill leachate treatment and resource recovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100371"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077702","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}
Abbas Asoudeh-Fard , Moein Yeylagh-Beygi , Ali Sarajzadeh Fard , Mohadeseh Asoudeh-Fard , Ahmad Gholami , Mohammad Abbasi , Maryam Homayoon , Asghar Parsaei
{"title":"Combining clinical cyclophosphamide with a novel Lactobacillus strain enhances apoptosis in cervical cancer cells","authors":"Abbas Asoudeh-Fard , Moein Yeylagh-Beygi , Ali Sarajzadeh Fard , Mohadeseh Asoudeh-Fard , Ahmad Gholami , Mohammad Abbasi , Maryam Homayoon , Asghar Parsaei","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cervical cancer remains a major global health burden among women. Despite the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents such as Cyclophosphamide (CTX), severe systemic toxicity and drug resistance limit their clinical potential. This study investigated the synergistic antitumor effects of CTX in combination with a novel <em>Lactobacillus</em> strain using a transwell co-culture system that enables paracrine interactions without direct bacterial contact.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>HeLa cervical cancer cells were exposed to CTX, <em>Lactobacillus</em>, or their combination. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT assay, while apoptosis was assessed through flow cytometry. Expression levels of <em>Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2</em>, and <em>P53</em> were determined via quantitative real-time PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A pronounced synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed in the combined treatment group. The IC<sub>50</sub> of CTX decreased more than 400-fold, while maintaining strong antiproliferative activity (50.16 ± 2.31% cell viability). This fold change was calculated based on the ratio of IC<sub>50</sub> values of CTX in monotherapy versus CTX in combination with <em>Lactobacillus casei</em> Ab.343 SH in the Transwell co-culture system. Gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of <em>Caspase-3, Caspase-9</em>, and <em>Bax,</em> with concurrent downregulation of Bcl-2, indicating activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The results suggest that <em>Lactobacillus</em>-derived metabolites enhance CTX-induced apoptosis via non-contact signaling mechanisms..</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Combining CTX with this probiotic strain substantially enhances apoptosis and cytotoxicity in cervical cancer cells while potentially lowering the required chemotherapeutic dose. This combination therapy highlights a promising and safe adjuvant strategy to improve clinical outcomes in cervical cancer treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100392"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148178223","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}
Alireza Shariati, Amirreza Homaei, Arya Khezrpour, Nima Azizi, Pouria Khani, Fatemeh Shariati, Maryam Rafiee, Hamed Afkhami, Mohammad Hasan Yousefi, Farzane Saeidi, Mohammad Hossein Modarressi
{"title":"CRISPR/Cas9 in cancer research and therapeutics: Clinical applications, optimization strategies, and future perspectives","authors":"Alireza Shariati, Amirreza Homaei, Arya Khezrpour, Nima Azizi, Pouria Khani, Fatemeh Shariati, Maryam Rafiee, Hamed Afkhami, Mohammad Hasan Yousefi, Farzane Saeidi, Mohammad Hossein Modarressi","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100382","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100382","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genome editing tools have provided researchers and clinicians with an invaluable opportunity to understand and treat various disorders. These tools can potentially be used to precisely, efficiently, and safely treat disorders with genetic components. Among these disorders, are different malignancies. CRISPR/Cas9 has evolved to be the method of choice for most genome editing applications since it is much easier to work with. It can modify the aberrant sequence of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. It can also be used to design and optimize oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies with great accuracy. In the field of cancer research, it can be used to detect possible drug targets, mechanisms of drug resistance, and design cancer models such as cell lines, organoids, and even whole animals. However, the widespread application of this therapy has been limited because of its possible off-target activity and difficulties associated with its delivery to a specific site. Different approaches have been implemented to compensate for these shortcomings which are discussed in detail in this paper. With the incredible pace of progression in the field of biochemistry and data science, it will not be long before we witness the widespread application of CRISPR/Cas9 in the field of cancer therapeutics and research. Finally, a list of clinical trials applying CRISPR/Cas9 has been provided in the final section of this paper.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100382"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148477291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Olena Litvinova, Birgit Hladschik-Kermer, Andy Wai Kan Yeung, Maria Kletecka-Pulker, Gernot Gerger, Nikolay T. Tzvetkov, Farhan Bin Matin, Magdalena D. Pieczynska-Kovacs, Ibrahim Rehan, Asmaa Elnagar, Maima Matin, Michel-Edwar Mickael, Ahmed Fatimi, Magdalena Eitenberger, Vasil Radoslavov Pirgozliev, Siva Sai Chandragiri, Atanas G. Atanasov, Thomas Wochele-Thoma
{"title":"Bibliometric methods and applications in health sciences: a graphical review","authors":"Olena Litvinova, Birgit Hladschik-Kermer, Andy Wai Kan Yeung, Maria Kletecka-Pulker, Gernot Gerger, Nikolay T. Tzvetkov, Farhan Bin Matin, Magdalena D. Pieczynska-Kovacs, Ibrahim Rehan, Asmaa Elnagar, Maima Matin, Michel-Edwar Mickael, Ahmed Fatimi, Magdalena Eitenberger, Vasil Radoslavov Pirgozliev, Siva Sai Chandragiri, Atanas G. Atanasov, Thomas Wochele-Thoma","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Modern biomedical science is characterized by a rapid increase in the volume of scientific publications and the growing complexity of the research landscape, which reinforces the need for quantitative methods of analyzing scientific literature, including bibliometrics. This graphical review aims to systematize the methodological approaches to bibliometric analysis and its areas of application in the health sciences, as well as to present visual guidelines for analyzing the structure, dynamics, and interconnections of the biomedical research landscape. The paper examines bibliometric research stages, from search strategies and data processing to scientific mapping and visualization, identifying thematic clusters and research trends. The main directions of bibliometric application in the health sciences are systematized, including disease research, clinical trial analysis, pharmaceutical development, public health, precision medicine, digital health, mental health, the study of medical misinformation, and issues related to chronic diseases and population aging. Bibliometric analysis offers a quantitative and scalable approach to exploring scientific literature, enabling the identification of key thematic areas, collaboration networks, and emerging trends in biomedical research. Its limitations include database coverage, language and regional biases, disciplinary differences, citation delays, and the fact that citations do not necessarily indicate endorsement. Future developments in bibliometrics are linked to integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and semantic analysis, as well as combining bibliometric methods with systematic reviews to enable deeper insights into scientific knowledge. Thus, bibliometrics represents a powerful tool for analyzing the structure and dynamics of health sciences research and can inform strategic decision-making in science policy and healthcare system development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100414"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148951598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Archie Fontana Iskandar , Almerveldy Azaria Dohong , Nicolas Daniel Widjanarko , Adha Fauzi Hendrawan , Steven Alvianto , Antonello Santini , Sovia Salamah , Muhammad Iqhrammullah , Raymond Rubianto Tjandrawinata , Fahrul Nurkolis
{"title":"Food-Grade polymers as smart carriers for maternal nutrition and fetal protection","authors":"Archie Fontana Iskandar , Almerveldy Azaria Dohong , Nicolas Daniel Widjanarko , Adha Fauzi Hendrawan , Steven Alvianto , Antonello Santini , Sovia Salamah , Muhammad Iqhrammullah , Raymond Rubianto Tjandrawinata , Fahrul Nurkolis","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100369","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100369","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal health outcomes for both mother and fetus. However, natural bioactive compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and probiotics face major limitations, including poor stability, low solubility, and limited bioavailability during pregnancy. Food-grade polymers have emerged as promising delivery platforms to overcome these challenges by enhancing stability, protecting against degradation, masking undesirable flavors, and enabling controlled or site-specific release. This review synthesizes recent advances in polymer-based encapsulation strategies for maternal nutrition, focusing on biopolymers such as alginate, pectin, chitosan, gum arabic, and protein–polysaccharide composites. Encapsulation techniques including spray-drying, complex coacervation, hydrogels, and nanoparticles are highlighted for their ability to improve bioactive delivery and efficacy. We further examine preclinical and clinical evidence, safety considerations, and regulatory challenges that must be addressed before translation into maternal health interventions. Overall, food-grade polymers represent a promising tool to transform maternal nutrition into more effective, sustainable, and personalized strategies; however, industrial scalability, long-term safety, and standardized clinical validation remain pressing gaps for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100369"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976627","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}
Febriana Dwi Wahyuni , Ahmad Fathoni , Dewi Sukma , Sintho Wahyuning Ardie , Ima Mulyama Zainuddin , Baoxiu Qi , Sudarsono Sudarsono
{"title":"Harnessing genome editing for post-harvest improvement of crops: a comprehensive bibliometric and literature review","authors":"Febriana Dwi Wahyuni , Ahmad Fathoni , Dewi Sukma , Sintho Wahyuning Ardie , Ima Mulyama Zainuddin , Baoxiu Qi , Sudarsono Sudarsono","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100384","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100384","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Post-harvest losses represent a critical challenge to global food security, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance crop longevity, quality, and resilience. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the emerging applications of genome editing technologies, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, for post-harvest trait improvement in agricultural crops. Utilizing a dual-method approach of bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review, we mapped the trajectory and intellectual landscape of this field from 2012 to 2025. Initially, 1,172 Scopus publications were initially identified. After refining to the Agricultural and Biological Sciences subject area and retaining only documents at the “Final” publication stage, 845 documents were analyzed using Biblioshiny, revealing a striking annual growth rate of 22.17%, with China and India lead in research output, while European nations and the USA demonstrate significant per-article influence. Keyword co-occurrence and thematic analysis identified three central research clusters: (1) genetic regulation of ripening and physiology, (2) applications of editing tools in breeding, and (3) enhancement of nutritional quality and biofortification. The review synthesizes compelling evidence that precision editing of key genes, such as <em>RIN</em> in tomato for delayed ripening, <em>MeF6′H</em> in cassava to reduce physiological deterioration, <em>Vinv</em> in potato for improved sugar profiles, and <em>CsLOB1</em> in citrus for disease resistance, effectively mitigates the primary causes of post-harvest loss. We discuss how editing strategies are being deployed to extend shelf life, fortify nutritional content, enhance abiotic stress tolerance, and engineer resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens, thereby reducing reliance on chemical interventions. We conclude that genome editing is a transformative force in post-harvest science, offering a precise and efficient alternative to conventional breeding. Future prospects lie in multiplex editing of complex traits, integration with AI and omics technologies, and navigating evolving regulatory landscapes. This technology holds immense promise for developing next-generation crops designed for durability and quality, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and resilient global food systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100384"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147649890","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}
Manh-Tuan Ha, Tuan-Anh Nguyen, Van-Trinh Bui, Nguyen-An-Khang Doan, Huu-Trung Nguyen
{"title":"Laboratory evaluation of the iPonatic molecular point-of-care test for group B Streptococcus detection in pregnant Vietnamese women","authors":"Manh-Tuan Ha, Tuan-Anh Nguyen, Van-Trinh Bui, Nguyen-An-Khang Doan, Huu-Trung Nguyen","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Group B <em>Streptococcus</em> (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal infection. Rapid identification of maternal colonization is essential for timely intrapartum prophylaxis. This study evaluated, under laboratory conditions, the diagnostic performance of a molecular point-of-care test (mPOCT) compared with a commercial real-time PCR assay in Vietnamese pregnant women.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Rectovaginal swabs from 404 pregnant women were tested using the iPonatic molecular point-of-care test (Sansure Biotech) and a commercial real-time PCR assay (Sacace™ Strep B Real-TM Quant). The study relied mainly on retrospective, frozen, archived specimens (363/404, 89.9%), with a smaller prospective subset of fresh samples (41/404, 10.1%). Discordant results were resolved using additional PCR assays targeting <em>cfb</em> and <em>sip</em> genes. Diagnostic accuracy metrics, likelihood ratios, and agreement statistics were calculated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Using a single-run protocol reflective of intended point-of-care use, the iPonatic mPOCT showed a sensitivity of 88.0% (95% CI: 80.7–93.3) and a specificity of 98.6% (95% CI, 96.5–99.6). While specificity was high, the observed sensitivity likely reflects the retrospective use of most archived specimens rather than limitations of the system, as sample storage and handling may have reduced the detectable bacterial load compared with fresh samples.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The iPonatic mPOCT demonstrated potential as a rapid molecular GBS detection test with a turnaround time of approximately 60 min. However, because the evaluation was conducted mainly on archived specimens under laboratory conditions, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary analytical evidence. Prospective studies using fresh intrapartum specimens and the intended point-of-care workflow are required before routine standalone implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100411"},"PeriodicalIF":6.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148624973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bioactive fraction of Piper crocatum as a potential antibacterial agent: LC-MS identification, docking study, molecular dynamics, and ADMET prediction","authors":"Devi Meliani , Trisna Yuliana , Dikdik Kurnia","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2025.100364","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2025.100364","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Endodontic treatment failure is frequently associated with <em>Enterococcus faecalis</em> infection. <em>Piper crocatum</em> (red betel) contains bioactive compounds with potential antibacterial properties. This study evaluated the antibacterial effect of the n-hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1) fraction of <em>P. crocatum</em> against <em>E. faecalis</em> and assessed the pharmacological potential of its compounds through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and ADMET prediction. Antibacterial activity was tested using the agar diffusion method, and the active fraction was analyzed by LC-MS. Four major compounds were identified: 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-cinnamic acid <strong>(1)</strong>, androsterone <strong>(2)</strong>, aschantin <strong>(3)</strong>, and E-p-coumaric acid <strong>(4)</strong>. The 10% fraction exhibited moderate inhibition. Docking results showed that aschantin had the strongest binding affinity against MurA, PBP, DNA Gyrase B, and DNA Ligase. MD simulations confirmed complex stability with low RMSD values and consistent hydrogen bonding. Meanwhile, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-cinnamic acid <strong>(1)</strong> demonstrated favorable binding free energy (MM/GBSA), stable RMSF profiles, and superior pharmacokinetic properties, including high bioavailability and no CYP inhibition. Despite its strong affinity and MD stability, aschantin <strong>(3)</strong> displayed poor solubility and unfavorable ADMET characteristics, which may limit its oral drug potential. In conclusion, aschantin is a promising antibacterial lead due to its strong target affinity and MD stability, whereas 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-cinnamic acid <strong>(1)</strong> presents safer pharmacokinetic properties and potential for future drug development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100364"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925269","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}
V. Humera Farheen , M. Aslam Abdullah , I. Ganesh Moorthy
{"title":"Lignocellulosic bioethanol production: a review on pretreatment strategies, biofuel separation, and artificial intelligence/machine learning − based sustainable optimization","authors":"V. Humera Farheen , M. Aslam Abdullah , I. Ganesh Moorthy","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2025.100355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2025.100355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, and energy crops, is an abundant, renewable, and non-food-competing resource that has gained attention as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The conversion process typically involves three stages: pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation. Pretreatment using physical, chemical, biological, and nanotechnological-assisted methods is essential to break down the rigid biomass structure and enhance enzyme accessibility. In the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis, cellulolytic enzymes convert cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars. Fermentation, carried out by microorganisms such as <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zymomonas mobilis,</em> or <em>Pichia stipitis,</em> subsequently convert these sugars into ethanol. Despite its potential, lignocellulosic bioethanol production faces challenges such as high pretreatment costs, enzyme inefficiency, and the presence of fermentation inhibitors. The use of statistical and optimization tools such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has been widely used to enhance bioethanol production. ANN provides robust predictive modelling by handling complex, non-linear interactions, while RSM enables efficient experimental design, identification of factor interactions, and optimization with fewer trials. Combining these methods improves ethanol yield, minimizes inhibitors, and enhances process efficiency. Recent advancements in metabolic engineering, microbial strain development, and integrated bioprocessing approaches have contributed to improving ethanol yield and process efficiency. This review explores recent progress in bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass, focusing on technological innovations, challenges, and future research directions aimed at enhancing the economic viability of lignocellulosic bioethanol as a renewable fuel source.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100355"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685471","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":"Continuous fermentation in food biotechnology: bridging the gap between batch and continuous processing","authors":"Marc Reyes-Insa , Pau Sentís-Moré , Isabel Alegre , Nàdia Ortega-Olivé","doi":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crbiot.2026.100387","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Continuous fermentation can improve productivity, resource efficiency, and product consistency in food biomanufacturing, yet its industrial adoption remains limited compared with pharmaceutical manufacturing. This review analyzes the current state of continuous submerged fermentation for food ingredients, focusing on the biological, engineering, and regulatory challenges that constrain implementation. Key barriers include microbial and genetic stability during long-term operation, limitations in process monitoring and control, product inhibition, substrate variability, and regulatory uncertainty, particularly in the European context. Recent advances in process intensification, cell retention, perfusion, and integrated product recovery demonstrate increasing technical feasibility. To date, commercial-scale success is largely confined to microbial protein production, while most other food ingredients remain batch-based. Drawing on pharmaceutical experience, this review outlines priorities to accelerate translation toward sustainable continuous food bioprocessing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52676,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Biotechnology","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100387"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797631","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}