Futuristic Biotechnology

Biotransformation of Dairy Waste into ACE-Inhibitory Peptides: A Sustainable Strategy for Blood Pressure Management

Roheela Yasmeen, Amna Sattar, Aneeza Aslam, Hamna Ali — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The bioactive peptides produced by valorization of dairy by-products, specifically whey and casein wastes, are a sustainable approach to the treatment of environmental pollution as well as the health requirements of the population. This review is dedicated to the biotransformation of dairy waste through enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with the help of such strains as Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus brevis, and Pediococcus acidilactici to produce angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides, including Val-Pro-Pro and Ile-Pro-Pro. These peptides show good antihypertensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in animals. Independent bioprocessing methods, such as enzyme immobilization and nanoencapsulation, have been used to improve the yield, stability, and bioavailability of peptides. Nevertheless, there are major shortcomings such as inconsistent effects of peptides in clinical trials, lack of human clinical trials, and the inability to scale production, yet keep costs economical. The issue of regulation is also an obstacle to translation because the approval of health claims needs to be based on strong clinical evidence and stable quality, which is not the case at present. This model focuses on waste utilization and sustainability; hence, minimizing the environmental load of dairy effluent and value addition of agro-industrial waste streams. To maximize the potential of dairy waste-based ACE-inhibitory peptides, the main agendas in the future are to put human trials first, standardize production protocols, and provide regulatory directions to attain safety, efficacy, and economic sustainability.

CRISPR-Mediated Engineering of Lignin Biosynthesis to Reduce Plant Biomass Recalcitrance: Advances, Trade-offs, and Future Directions

Hafsa Aslam — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Growing demands on fossil fuels and population growth have increased the need for sustainable and renewable energy sources on a worldwide scale. Lignocellulosic biomass can be used as a feedstock to make biofuels. However, a variety of challenges, such as low yields and expensive treatment costs, prevent biomass commercialization due to its recalcitrant nature. One of the primary sources of this resistance is lignin, a substantial component of the cell wall. The ability to precisely alter the genes involved in lignin formation has been made possible by recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, opening up new possibilities to improve biomass quality without sacrificing plant growth. This paper discusses current developments in CRISPR-based lignin engineering, targetable lignin biosynthesis genes, and associated agronomic and phenotypic results. Furthermore, it highlights critical challenges, including the need for precise regulation, integration of multi-omics techniques, long-term field evaluation, and balancing biomass processability with plant health for sustainable bioenergy production.

Green Nanobiotechnology: Focusing on Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Nanoparticles as An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Chemical Methods

Sumaira Anjum — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Nanoparticles (NPs) have revolutionized biomedicine, agriculture, environmental remediation, electronics, and materials science through precise control of size, shape, and surface chemistry [1, 2]. Yet the conventional method through chemical synthesis has proven environmentally unsustainable and biologically hazardous. Chemical synthesis often involves expensive reagents, which have a detrimental effect on the environment [3]. This editorial argues that plant-mediated green synthesis is the is a more effective, sustainable, and forward-looking approach. However, green synthesis is an eco-friendly, sustainable, cost-effective, and safe method for manufacturing nanoparticles [4]. By using plant extracts as natural reducing and capping agents, this approach delivers high-quality NPs under mild, aqueous conditions while eliminating toxic reagents, energy waste, and hazardous by-products [5].

Traditional chemical synthesis depends on harsh reducing agents such as sodium borohydride, the most widely used reductant, along with organic solvents and elevated temperatures or pressures [6]. These processes generate toxic waste, require expensive disposal protocols, and leave residual chemicals in the environment. This creates long-term environmental and health hazards [7]. Comparative studies repeatedly demonstrate that organic solvents have higher health risks, including behavioral, reproductive, and neurological effects, with longer environmental persistence [8]. Sometimes, the nanoparticles synthesized using the green method have enhanced quality and size compared to chemical synthesis. A recent study investigated the comparison of synthesizing Fe₃O₄nanoparticles using chemical and green methods. The size of NPs using the chemical method was 87-400 nm, which is much larger than the size of 2-80 nm of nanoparticles synthesized via green synthesis [9].

Plant-mediated green synthesis offers a complete contrast. It offers no harsh chemicals, is non-toxic, cost-effective, environment-friendly, sustainable, and a safe option for the synthesis of NPs. Additionally, by employing green reducing and capping agents, the NPs show unique properties such as biocompatibility and enhanced stability [10]. Plant extracts are packed with diverse phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, proteins, and enzymes that function as powerful capping agents, reducing agents, and stabilizers. As these compounds donate electrons to metal ions while preventing aggregation and enhancing stability [11].

Real-world examples from recent studies underscore why plants are the best raw material. Leaf extracts of Alcea rosea leaves produce highly stable, bioactive silver with superior antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant activity [12]. Silver (Ag) and Gold (Au) NPs were also synthesized by using floral extracts from P. domesticum and H. sabdariffa, exhibiting good cytotoxic and antioxidant activity [13]. Nigella sativa seeds were also used for the synthesis of extremely small-sized 8-80 nm NPs [14]. Hence, NPs synthesized using the green method provide stable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly properties with enhanced antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties [15].

However, producing nanoparticles using plant extracts faces several challenges. That includes: maintaining uniformity during scale-up, ensuring long-term stability and proper storage, and removing impurities from extracts are major hurdles. Due to environmentally induced variations in plant phytochemical composition, achieving consistent and reproducible nanoparticle synthesis across different batches is challenging. Also, controlling nanoparticle size and shape is tricky, as factors like pH, temperature, salt content, and reaction time can change the outcome. Overcoming these issues requires careful adjustment of reaction conditions and collaborative optimization of methods [10, 11].

To sum up, the scientific community has made joint efforts that plant-mediated synthesis represents the gold standard in green nanobiotechnology. They produce greener, safer, more cost-effective products and possess natural multifunctionality that cannot be easily copied in chemical routes. Since the world is demanding sustainable nanomaterials in biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental applications, it is high time to adopt this plant-based synthesis. Moreover, we need more investment in methods that can be scaled up, better testing in living systems, and close collaboration between researchers, industry, and regulators to tackle the remaining challenges and make the full potential of these nanoparticles a reality.

High ColabFold Confidence Does Not Guarantee Catalytic-Site Accuracy in Bacillus subtilis PdxT

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

AI-based protein structure predictors such as AlphaFold2 and ColabFold routinely generate models with high confidence scores for backbone geometry. However, whether these global metrics reliably capture catalytically competent active-site configurations in enzymes remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate whether a high-confidence ColabFold model of the glutaminase subunit PdxT from Bacillus subtilis accurately reproduces the geometry of its catalytic cysteine–histidine–glutamate triad. Methods: The amino acid sequence of B. subtilis PdxT (UniProt P37528) was submitted to ColabFold v1.5. Five models were generated with default settings, AMBER relaxation, and MMseqs2-based multiple sequence alignment. The top-ranked model was selected based on predicted Local Distance Difference Test (pLDDT) and predicted TM-score (pTM). Inter-residue distances between Cys118, His168, and Glu51 were measured from the predicted structure and compared with distance ranges (2.5–5.0 Å) reported for experimentally solved Class I glutaminase structures. Results: The top ColabFold model displayed high global confidence (mean pLDDT 96.4; pTM 0.929). The measured inter-residue distances were 10.36 Å (Cys118–His168) and 18.0 Å (His168–Glu51), exceeding the 2.5–5.0 Å range typically required for catalytic function. No experimental validation or additional computational analyses were performed. Conclusions: In this PdxT model, high global confidence metrics did not correspond to catalytically realistic active-site geometry. These findings suggest that AI-generated protein models intended for functional interpretation may require secondary validation focused on active-site architecture.

Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Activity of the Extracts of Senna alata and Glycyrrhiza glabra Against Bacterial Pathogens

Maham Riaz, Azka Ahmad, Aqsa Tariq, Mahnoor Akmal — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The misuse of antibiotics has increased the resistance in bacteria against them, which has resulted in the need to develop other sources of antibiotics that should have the ability to kill microbes without giving them the chance to develop resistance against them. Objective: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of methanolic, ethanolic, and chloroform extracts of Senna alata and Glycyrrhiza glabra against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis, and to assess their potential as alternative agents for the management of bacterial infections. Methods: In the current study, antimicrobial activity of methanolic, ethanolic, and chloroform extracts of Senna alata and Glycyrrhiza glabra was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. After the collection of plant samples, extracts were prepared by the cold maceration method in laboratory research using different solvents. Further antimicrobial effects of all extracts were determined by using the agar well diffusion assay. Results: In contrast, chloroform extracts showed variable activity; G. glabra chloroform extract exhibited notable activity against S. aureus (18 mm), while S. alata chloroform extract showed the lowest overall activity, indicating a species-dependent efficacy of non-polar extracts. Conclusions: Chloroform extracts had not shown remarkable activity against any pathogenic strains. According to the above results, it can be deduced that S. alata and G. glabra can be used to treat various bacterial infections in the future, and they have the potential to serve as complementary or alternative agents that could help reduce the over-reliance on conventional antibiotics.

Genetic Association of CYP1A2 Variant (rs762551) with Caffeine Induced-Hypertension Susceptibility and Subject Protein Analyses

Gulsher Amjad, Rashid Saif, Mehnaz Ghulam Hussain — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hypertension affects a large proportion of Pakistan’s population, with prevalence above 46% in both urban and rural areas. Caffeine has multiple cardiovascular effects. Acutely, adenosine receptor antagonism can increase blood pressure, but chronic consumption might prevent it. CYP1A2, a liver enzyme responsible for metabolizing more than 95% of caffeine by demethylation, has genetic variability, with the rs762551 variant (-163 C>A) affecting activity. Objectives: To investigate the association between the rs762551 variant and caffeine-induced hypertension susceptibility in a Pakistani population, and summarize important features of the CYP1A2 protein. Methods: A case-control genotyping study was conducted with 48 participants, including 24 hypertensive and 24 controls. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyped by ARMS-PCR. The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) was calculated using chi-square and odds ratio with 95% CI. An in-silico study was also conducted to examine the structure and function of CYP1A2 protein. Results: Genotypic frequencies within cases: 11 (AA), 12 (AC), and 1 (CC), controls: 5 (AA), 16 (AC), and 3 (CC). Allele frequencies within cases: A=0.71 and C=0.29, and in controls: A=0.54 and C=0.46. HWE (χ²=2.82, p=0.093). The C‑allele was not significantly associated with hypertension (OR=0.49, 95 % CI 0.21–1.13; χ²=2.18, p=0.14). In-silico studies confirmed that the CYP1A2 gene encodes a microsomal liver enzyme involved in caffeine demethylation. Conclusions: No significant association between the CYP1A2 rs762551 was found in this cohort. More extensive studies, including lifestyle data, are needed to understand gene-environment interactions.

Phytochemical Screening and Anti-Anemic Effect of the Ethanol Extract of Carica papaya Ripe Fruit Peel

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Anaemia is a common worldwide health issue, especially in impoverished nations. Conventional treatments might be harmful. As a safer option, natural plant-based treatments are being studied more and more. Objective: Using both in vitro and in vivo experimental methods, assess the phytochemical profile and anti-anaemic effectiveness of the hydroalcoholic extract (70% ethanol, 30% water) of Carica papaya ripe fruit peel. Methods: Using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical investigations were carried out to detect bioactive chemicals in the extract. After conducting homolysis and antioxidant tests in vitro, phenylhydrazine was used to induce anaemia in female Wistar rats in vivo. Rats were divided into two treatment groups (extract at 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) and control, anaemic, and standard groups at random. Hematological and biochemical parameters, including hemoglobin, RBC count, iron, SOD, and GSH levels, were measured post-intervention. Statistical analyses included ANOVA with post hoc tests for group comparisons. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and alkaloids. Treatment with Carica papaya peel extract significantly improved hemoglobin, iron, SOD, and GSH levels compared to anemic controls (p<0.050), with efficacy comparable to standard therapy. Conclusions: Ethanol extract of C. papaya ripe fruit peel demonstrates potent anti-anemic and antioxidant activity, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic option for anemia management.