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Enhanced fish feed formulations incorporating probiotics and nutraceuticals, sustainable approaches for collagen extraction and chitosan-based composites for biomedical applications, together with ecological strategies for the valorization of algae and other marine by-products. These innovations exemplify the convergence of technology, sustainability, and animal and human health, highlighting the transformative potential of marine biotechnology in food production, biomedical materials, and natural life-support systems.
Fish Feed Additive Compositions
The invention describes a fish feed additive containing probiotics encapsulated in polymeric microparticles and nutraceuticals. It can be incorporated into fish feed to promote fish health and prevent bacterial infections. The probiotics include strains such as L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. helveticus, and L. rhamnosus (LGG). Curcumin is an example of a nutraceutical used, supporting fish growth and providing benefits for aquaculture.
Patentscope
Optimized Conditions for Extracting Native Type-I Collagen from Discarded Fish Skin Using Hydrochloric Acid to Overcome the Drawbacks of Acetic Acid
Fish skin, a by-product of commercial fish processing, is a viable source of type I collagen. Traditional extraction using acetic acid preserves the native collagen structure but requires more than 72 hours and involves complex and time-consuming dialysis steps. This study developed a faster and more cost-efficient extraction method using 0.01 M hydrochloric acid for 5 hours, followed by homogenization. The extracted collagen maintained its native triple-helix structure and thermal stability.
PMC
Simultaneous synthesis of hydroxyapatite/chitosan composite from crab shells and its polycaprolactone-blended scaffolds for enhanced bone regeneration
A sustainable method was developed to convert crab shell waste into a hydroxyapatite–chitosan (HA–CS) composite for the fabrication of bone scaffolds. The resulting HA–CS contained 78.37% nanoscale hydroxyapatite and exhibited strong antibacterial activity without cytotoxic effects. When combined with polycaprolactone (PCL), the scaffolds demonstrated a balance between mechanical strength, good biocompatibility, and excellent in vitro mineralization capacity. In addition, the degradation rates of the scaffolds could be adjusted, allowing better synchronization with new bone tissue formation. This approach offers an eco-friendly and high-performance strategy for bone tissue engineering.
PMC
Chitosan from shrimp shell waste as a carrier for frankincense nanoparticles with enhanced antimicrobial activity
This study focused on the extraction of chitosan from shrimp shell waste and the formulation of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with frankincense. Characterization confirmed that the nanoparticles were stable, semicrystalline, and exhibited strong interactions between chitosan and frankincense. The nanoparticles showed an average size of 149.4 nm, moderate stability, and a smooth, well-dispersed morphology. They demonstrated enhanced antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, S. typhi, and C. albicans, highlighting their potential for pharmaceutical applications and food preservation.
PMC
Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorella vulgaris BA02 Algae Extract Containing Indole-3-Acetic Acid
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing, leading to greater interest in natural plant-based treatments. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris extract and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were tested on three breast cancer cell lines. The extract induced apoptosis and activated oxidative stress pathways, while IAA showed variable effects depending on the concentration and cell type. Both compounds also demonstrated antimicrobial activity, highlighting the need for further studies to elucidate their mechanisms of action.
PMC
Optimisation of Alginate Extraction and Characterisation of Polysaccharides from Brown Seaweed from the Portuguese Coast
Alginate is a versatile biopolymer with growing applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields, highlighting the need for sustainable production. Brown algae such as Saccorhiza polyschides and Sargassum muticum represent promising renewable sources of sodium alginate. A two-step acid–alkaline extraction produced high-purity alginate with yields exceeding 20%, comparable to commercial products. This method is efficient, reduces solvent consumption, and minimizes environmental impact, demonstrating significant industrial potential.
PMC
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