ChemBioEng Reviews最新文献

Cancer is still a primary worldwide health concern because of poor prognosis, adverse therapeutic reactions, and drug resistance. Although developments in several disciplines offer promise, natural chemicals derived from algae offer a promising new direction. Algae provide a potential replacement for conventional chemotherapy due to their diverse chemical composition and possible advantages, including quicker effect and reduced toxicity. Though the use of chemicals generated from algae in drug development is still in its earliest stages, further research into this area could provide lots of information and open the door to new and safer cancer treatments. The potential of various algae in the fight against cancer is examined in this comprehensive review. The review explores the wide range of bioactive chemicals present in different forms of algae. It discusses their way of action, which includes immune response regulation, cell death induction, and angiogenesis inhibition. Particular substances, such as polysaccharides, and the methods used to isolate them are covered, as well as how well they work against different kinds of cancer.

This paper aims to review the machine learning (ML) applications in chemical engineering (ChemE) and provide perspectives for the future. First, the evolution of ML, data structures, and ML applications in ChemE were reviewed; then, the current state of the art in ML and its ChemE applications were summarized. Finally, a perspective for the future developments, including recently popularized tools like generative artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), as well as major challenges and limitations, was provided. Although the initial applications were mainly on fault detection, signal processing, and process modeling, the focus had been extended to other fields involving material development, property estimation, and performance analysis in later years with the use of more complex models and datasets. In future, new developments like LLMs will likely spread more; the other new applications like automated ML, physics-informed ML, and transfer learning, as well as field-specific databases, will also get more attention. ML applications in ChemE-related fields, like new energy technologies, environmental issues, and new material discovery, are expected to grow further.

Lignocellulosic biomass such as sugar palm fiber (SPF) has been applied in industrial applications owing to its abundantly availability, renewability, biodegradability, durability, thermal stability, and high specific strength. SPF typically ranges in diameter from 115.4 to 596.2 µm and comprises 37.3 %–66.5 % cellulose, 4.7 %–21.0 % hemicellulose, 18.9 %–46.4 % lignin, and 0.9 %–6.3 % extractive. Additionally, treatment was proved to significantly affect the physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the SPF. Examples of treatments include alkali, silane, ionic liquid, and acid hydrolysis. Based on the findings, treated SPF has smoother fiber surface, smaller diameter, higher tensile modulus, and tensile strength than untreated SPF. Regarding thermal stability, researchers have found conflicting results, with some finding that untreated SPF has higher thermal stability and initial degradation temperatures due to silica deposition and vice versa. Appropriate treatments for SPF could improve their fiber topography and wettability for better interfacial bonding that contributes to exceptional mechanical properties compared to untreated SPF-reinforced polymer composites.

Algae for biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. Copyright: toa555@AdobeStock

Fluorescence-based biosensors have become highly effective analytical instruments, revolutionizing the landscape of biological and chemical detection across diverse fields. These devices harness the unique properties of fluorescence to detect and quantify a wide array of analytes with remarkable sensitivity and specificity. By integrating biological recognition elements with advanced optical technologies, fluorescence-based biosensors provide high sensitivity, rapid detection, and real-time monitoring capabilities for diagnostic applications. This review discusses the fundamental principles of fluorescence biosensing, its key advantages, and the various types. The applications of these sensors span fields such as medicine, monitoring of the environment, food safety, biosecurity, and agriculture. Although fluorescence biosensors offer numerous benefits, the review also addresses the ongoing challenges and limitations researchers are working to overcome, such as photobleaching, background autofluorescence, and limited tissue penetration depth. The review emphasizes the critical design considerations and the continuous advancements in developing these innovative analytical tools, which are poised to transform the future of biological and chemical detection.

Brown algae have gained significant attention due to their abundance of bioactive compounds with promising bioactivities. This review comprehensively examines the primary bioactive compounds found in brown algae, including fucoidan, laminarin, alginates, phlorotannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fucoxanthin, fatty acids, fucosterol, and various vitamins and minerals. The bioactivities of these compounds are explored, focusing on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. By analyzing studies conducted between 2014 and 2024, this review provides a current and comprehensive understanding of these compounds’ effects and potential health benefits. Additionally, it discusses their present and future applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods, highlighting their market potential. This review also addresses key challenges such as regulatory compliance and chemical composition variability. Additionally, future perspectives are presented to guide upcoming research and development efforts to overcome these challenges and fully exploit these marine resources.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of integrated hydroxyapatite-based materials for fixed bed continuous flow column adsorption processes in industrial wastewater treatment, particularly for the removal of heavy metals. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in this specialized application, focusing on the principles, materials, operating parameters, and performance evaluation criteria specific to the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The advantages and challenges associated with hydroxyapatite-based adsorption processes for heavy metal removal are discussed, as well as possible future research directions, with particular emphasis on the environmentally friendly and cost-effective aspects. By presenting a synthesis of the current state of the art technologies and methodologies for heavy metals removal from industrial wastewater, this review contributes to the development of sustainable and cost-effective strategies for the management of industrial wastewater pollution.

Enzyme immobilization has propelled the pharmaceutical sector forward by playing a critical role in chemical synthesis; therefore, biocatalyst reuse in pharmaceutical industries has received significant attention due to its eco-friendly nature and potential for streamlining future utilization. In particular, nitrilases have emerged as potential biocatalysts in synthesizing pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Enzyme immobilization has created a platform for nitrilase that significantly improved its thermal stability and reusability, increasing its commercial value in the pharmaceutical industry. The current article provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in the immobilization of nitrilases in continuous flow systems, focusing on how this approach contributes to the efficiency and sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry. The exploitation of advantages of immobilization, such as improved stability, reusability, and ease of isolation, along with nitrilase biocatalysts, has proven to be an invaluable tool in the pursuit of more environment-friendly and efficient pharmaceutical synthesis.