Chitin-rich organic wastes in aquatic environments provide ecological niches for chitinolytic microorganisms capable of converting chitin into chitosan, a high-value biopolymer with applications in agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental management. Microbial chitosan production represents a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical extraction; however, its efficiency is strongly influenced by environmental and physicochemical process parameters. This study investigated the occurrence, chitinolytic potential, and chitosan-producing capacity of indigenous microorganisms isolated from freshwater and sediment samples in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, and optimised production under controlled fermentation conditions. Physicochemical characteristics of water bodies were determined, followed by the isolation and characterisation of bacterial and fungal chitinolytic strains. Selected isolates were screened for chitinase activity and subjected to fermentation-based chitosan production. Process optimisation was performed using a five-factor central composite design to assess the effects of temperature, pH, glucose level (5-20g L⁻¹), nitrogen source concentration (1-5g L⁻¹), and incubation time, with response surface methodology applied for model development and interaction analysis. Low dissolved oxygen and moderate temperatures favoured chitinolytic genera, including Aspergillus, Bacillus, and Fusarium, with Aspergillus niger exhibiting the highest chitosan yield. Incubation time was the most significant factor (p < 0.001), while temperature, pH, and substrate concentration showed strong interaction effects. Initial batch fermentations yielded up to 0.20g L⁻¹ chitosan from selected isolates, while response surface optimisation with Aspergillus niger increased production to 1.46g L⁻¹ at 32.8°C, pH 5.12, 15.3g L⁻¹ glucose, 2.45g L⁻¹ yeast extract, and 5.2 days incubation. The optimised product exhibited a high degree of deacetylation, indicating suitability for agricultural and environmental applications. These findings highlight inland aquatic ecosystems as valuable reservoirs of chitinolytic microorganisms and provide an optimised, environmentally benign framework for scalable microbial chitosan production.

Ultrasound-pretreated radio frequency heating for efficient walnut kernel peeling: Process optimisation and quality preservation

Mycelium-based leather-like material from Absidia koreana grown on agro-residues: Process optimisation, functionalisation, and material performance

From biopolymers to microcompartments: A structured review of protein-based scaffolds for enzyme immobilization.

The rapid development of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) has driven a growing demand for UvsX, the key DNA recombinase for this technique. During bioreactor cultivation for UvsX production inEscherichia coli, biomass and substrate are critical factors affecting its efficient expression. However, the real-time monitoring techniques for these parameters remain immature, leading to delayed process control,hindering stable high-level production and precise process optimization. Using an online Raman spectrometer, this study developed synchronous quantitative prediction models for critical process parameters by partial least squares (PLS). Robust multivariate regression models showed strong correlations between predicted and measured values for biomass (R2 = 0.994), glucose (R2 = 0.979), UvsX (R2 = 0.989), and total product (R2 = 0.983). Based on these predictive models, the study implemented online monitoring and feedback control of critical fermentation parameters, successfully raising UvsX and total product titer to 8.23g/L and 9.17g/L, representing increases of 33.17% and 27.54% compared with conventional strategies. This study achieved a marked improvement in UvsX titer and production efficiency by applying Raman spectroscopy as a simple and rapid tool for process monitoring and optimization, providing dependable technical support for scaling up and quality control of complex recombinant proteins.

Covering: up to 2026Over the past decades, research on S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases (MTs) has led to their emergence as highly selective biocatalysts for late-stage methylation reactions, serving as new tools within the chemoenzymatic synthesis of complex natural products and chemical scaffolds. Studies focussing on the identification of novel MTs, their engineering and process optimisation, have not only expanded the accessible chemical space for biocatalytic methylations but have also significantly improved their applicability for reactions conducted at preparative scale. This includes innovations in enzyme-coupled SAM recycling systems and SAM analogue generation which have additionally enabled alkylation beyond methyl transfer. Structure-guided MT mutagenesis campaigns, together with the development of novel activity assays, have contributed to the expansion of the catalytic repertoire of MTs, thereby unlocking new reactivities. This highlight article provides a brief overview of recent developments in MT biocatalysis, with particular focus on their application in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of natural products at preparative scale. Current limitations associated with MT biocatalysis are examined, and future opportunities for the implementation of MT-catalysed transformations in industrial applications are discussed.

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB, family Acetobacteraceae) are obligate aerobic microorganisms characterized by a highly efficient oxidative metabolism driven by membrane-bound dehydrogenases. Their ability to incompletely oxidize ethanol and various carbohydrates underlies the production of key food-related metabolites, including acetic acid, gluconic acids, and bacterial cellulose. This review summarizes current knowledge on AAB physiology, metabolic pathways, and ecological adaptations, with emphasis on their relevance to food biotechnology and value-added bioprocesses. AAB plays a central role in traditional and modern food fermentations, contributing to the production of vinegar, cocoa, coffee, kombucha, and other fermented beverages. Their metabolites influence food preservation, sensory attributes, and texture formation, supporting the development of clean-label and sustainable food products. In addition, AAB are increasingly applied in environmental biotechnology, including biodegradation and wastewater treatment, owing to their tolerance to acidic and oxidative stress conditions. Recent advances in metabolic and genetic engineering have enhanced the efficiency, robustness, and product specificity of industrial AAB strains, enabling improved production of organic acids, bacterial cellulose, and other high-value compounds. Emerging evidence also highlights the potential probiotic and postbiotic functions of selected AAB strains, including modulation of gut microbiota, production of bioactive metabolites, and support of intestinal barrier integrity, although these properties remain less explored than in lactic acid bacteria. Despite significant progress, challenges persist in strain standardization, genetic accessibility, and process optimization. Future research should focus on developing advanced engineering tools, improving large-scale fermentation strategies, and further elucidating the functional and health-related properties of AAB. Overall, AAB represents versatile microbial platforms with expanding applications in food science, biotechnology, and sustainable bioprocessing.

Heat balance modeling and pathway analysis in membrane-covered aerobic composting: regulatory mechanisms of membrane properties.

Coordination-oxidation synergy in homogeneous advanced oxidation processes systems: The critical role of metal-pollutant complexation in redox modulation and process optimization

Fe3+-modified biochar for enhanced hydrogen production from alkaline-pretreated sugar beet pulp via Klebsiella sp. HDJT1: process optimization and mechanisms

Molecular chaperones and solubility tags: A 44-fold increase in recombinant fibEase yield for therapeutic applications.

Liubao tea (LBT), a representative dark tea, undergoes extensive biochemical transformationsduring fermentation and aging, which shape its chemical profile and overall quality. This study conducted a comprehensive metabolomic analysis of tea materials, Mao tea and fermented tea stored for different durations using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Fermented tea displayed superior aroma and taste compared with Mao tea and tea materials, with teas produced in 2010 scoredhigher than those from 2015. A total of 189 differential metabolites were identified among tea materials, Mao tea and fermented tea from 2015, primarily flavonoids and phenolics. As fermentation intensified, catechin derivatives and phenolic esters decreased, whereas alkaloids, terpenoids, amino acid derivatives, and phenolic acids increased, accompanied by substantial shifts in flavonoid and phenolic profiles. Comparing 2010 and 2015 samples, 27 differential metabolites were detected in Mao tea (six up-regulated, 21 down-regulated) and 99 in fermented tea (51 up-regulated, 48 down-regulated). Twelve metabolites were shared between both years, indicating potential aging-associated biomarkers. Targeted quantification corroborated these compositional trends, and pathway enrichment revealed flavonoid transformation and purine metabolism as central processes in LBT evolution. Fermentation is the primary driver of chemical conversion in LBT, while aging further modulates its metabolite composition. These results provide a metabolomic basis for quality evaluation, process optimization, and future research on the bioactive attributes of LBT. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sustainable cementitious materials from bamboo leaf-derived hydrochar: Process optimization and mechanical performance

Green extraction of polyphenols from Berberis vulgaris using NADES: process optimization and extract characterization.

Uncovering time-lagged causal mechanisms in hyperthermophilic composting using Peter-Clark momentary conditional independence algorithm.

PFAS quantification using solid phase extraction and low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SPE-NMR).

Artificial intelligence in revolutionizing food encapsulation: Applications ranging from discovery to deployment.

Microbial and enzymatic synergy in fermented fish: impacts on flavor, texture, and safety with multi-omics and AI insights.

Surface reconstruction of FeAl-LDHs@MXene accordion nanoarchitecture for solar-powered photocatalysis: Stable mineralization of refractory antibiotic pollutants.

Manufacturing process development strategies for high concentration biologic drug products: from downstream processing to fill-finish.