Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
Soy and pea protein isolates formed polysaccharide-free scaffolds that supported muscle-cell growth, addressing a structural constraint in whole-cut cultivated meat. Researchers extruded protein inks into a coagulation bath, then crosslinked the fibres with 0.1 mM genipin and dehydrothermal treatment. The process made 50–100 μm fibres, networks with 25–35% porosity, and compressive moduli of 3–15 kPa. Mouse myoblasts and bovine satellite cells attached, spread, proliferated, infiltrated and differentiated. The results justify further testing of these edible scaffolds for whole-cut products.
27 September 2026
Enzyme-mediated dye degradation
Fusarium venenatum A3/5 used waste-relevant carbon sources in markedly different ways, affecting feedstock choices for mycoprotein production. Researchers combined microlitre cultures, optical-density calibration, UHPLC time series and Gompertz models. Glucose and sucrose enabled fast growth but produced low biomass yields and substantial ethanol. Fructose gave the highest yield, at 0.49 g/g, while lactose consumption reached only 34% after 234.5 hours. An expired functional drink produced 18.37 g/L biomass, versus 12.49 g/L for a matched synthetic control. Beverage waste was the strongest tested feedstock, but evidence covers one real waste stream.
27 September 2026
Science digest
A review maps how milk proteins from humans, cows, goats and camels could be chosen and made through precision fermentation, addressing design gaps in target selection and protein processing. It compares sequences, structures and post-production modifications, then assesses host engineering, scale-up, purification and AI methods. Human proteins suit infant nutrition and immune uses, while ruminant proteins fit current expression systems better. α-Lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin need fewer modifications than caseins and lactoferrin. AI cannot yet optimise yield, folding and modification accuracy together, leaving scale-up, glycoengineering and regulation unresolved.
27 September 2026