Bacterial cellulose is a biocompatible biomaterial with a unique macromolecular structure. Unlike plant-derived cellulose, bacterial cellulose is produced by certain bacteria, resulting in a sustainable material consisting of self-assembled nanostructured fibers with high crystallinity. Due to its purity, bacterial cellulose is appealing for biomedical applications and has raised increasing interest, particularly in the context of 3D printing for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Bacterial cellulose can serve as an excellent bioink in 3D printing, due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to mimic the collagen fibrils from the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissues. Its nanofibrillar structure provides a suitable scaffold for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, crucial for tissue regeneration. Moreover, its mechanical strength and flexibility allow for the precise printing of complex tissue structures. Bacterial cellulose itself has no antimicrobial activity, but due to its ideal structure, it serves as matrix for other bioactive molecules, resulting in a hybrid product with antimicrobial properties, particularly advantageous in the management of chronic wounds healing process. Overall, this unique combination of properties makes bacterial cellulose a promising material for manufacturing hydrogels and 3D-printed scaffolds, advancing the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

The present study aimed to conduct a comparative investigation of the biological properties of phenolic and polysaccharide extracts obtained using an ultrasound-assisted technique from Aloe vera gel and their effects on each stage of the wound healing process in in vitro experimental models. HPLC analysis showed that the phenolic extract contained aloin, ferulic, and caffeic acid, as well as quercetin dihydrate, as major compounds. Capillary zone electrophoresis indicated the prevalence of mannose and glucose in the polysaccharide extract. Cell culture testing revealed the anti-inflammatory properties of the phenolic extract at a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL through significant inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines—up to 28% TNF-α and 11% IL-8 secretion—in inflamed THP-1-derived macrophages, while a pro-inflammatory effect was observed at 0.5 mg/mL. The phenolic extract induced 18% stimulation of L929 fibroblast proliferation at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, enhanced the cell migration rate by 20%, and increased collagen type I synthesis by 18%. Moreover, the phenolic extract exhibited superior antioxidant properties by scavenging free DPPH (IC₅₀ of 2.50 mg/mL) and ABTS (16.47 mM TE/g) radicals, and 46% inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was achieved. The polysaccharide extract demonstrated a greater increase in collagen synthesis up to 25%, as well as antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a bacteriostatic effect at 25 mg/mL and a bactericidal one at 50 mg/mL. All these findings indicate that the phenolic extract might be more beneficial in formulations intended for the initial phases of wound healing, such as inflammation and proliferation, while the polysaccharide extract could be more suitable for use during the remodeling stage. Moreover, they might be combined with other biomaterials, acting as efficient dressings with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties for rapid recovery of chronic wounds.

This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of fluid extracts obtained from three Romanian cultivars of haskap berries (Lonicera caerulea L.) var. Loni, bitter cherries (Prunus avium var. sylvestris Ser.) var. Silva, and pomace from red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) var. Mamaia, and their capacity to modulate in vitro steatosis, in view of developing novel anti-obesity products. Total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and ascorbic acid content of fluid extracts was spectrophotometrically assessed and their free radical scavenging capacity was evaluated using Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and free 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition assays. The Pearson coefficients showed a moderate correlation between the antioxidant activity of fluid extracts and their phenolic content, but a strong correlation between anthocyanin and ascorbic acid content. HPLC analysis identified and quantified the main phenolic compounds of chlorogenic and syringic acid, catechin, and glycosylated kaempferol, apigenin, and quercetin, in variable proportions. An in vitro experimental model of steatosis was developed in HepG2 hepatocytes treated with a mixture of free fatty acids. Cell culture analyses showed that cytocompatible concentrations of fluid extracts could significantly reduce the lipid accumulation and inhibit the reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide secretion in stressed hepatocytes. In conclusion, these results put an emphasis on the chemical compounds’ high antioxidant and liver protection capacity of unstudied fluid extracts obtained from Romanian cultivars of bitter cherries var. Silva and pomace of red grapes var. Mamaia, similar to the fluid extract of haskap berries var. Loni, in particular, the positive modulation of fat deposition next to oxidative stress and the lipid peroxidation process triggered by fatty acids in HepG2 hepatocytes. Consequently, this study indicated that these fluid extracts could be further exploited as hepatoprotective agents in liver steatosis, which provides a basis for the further development of novel extract mixtures with synergistic activity as anti-obesity products.

This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic potential, antioxidant activity and prebiotic activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of blueberry pomace (BP), an aqueous extract of chia seeds (CS) and a novel combination of BP–CS extracts (BCM) for further use as ingredient of functional food. Spectrometric and HPLC analyses were used to characterize the total phenolic and flavonoid content and composition of BP, while CS was analyzed for total carbohydrate content. Data showed that the BCM mixture exerted an inhibition of α-amylase activity, which was 1.36 times higher than that of BP and 1.25 higher than CS extract. The mixture also showed better scavenging activity of free DPPH radicals than individual extracts, and had an IC₅₀ value of 603.12 µg/mL. In vitro testing indicated that both serum- and colon-reaching products of simulated intestinal digestion of BCM presented the capacity to protect Caco-2 intestinal cells against oxidative stress by inhibition of reactive oxygen species production. In addition, the colon-reaching product of BCM digestion had the capacity to significantly (p < 0.05) stimulate the growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, revealing a prebiotic potential. All these results indicated that improved biological activity of the novel combination of BP and CS extracts could be due to the synergistic action of constituents. The combination is recommended for further testing and the development of novel functional food for controlling type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal conditions.

The development of biomimetic scaffolds requires balancing structural integrity with biological signaling. This study evaluates kefiran, a microbial exopolysaccharide, as a bioactive component in establishing printing feasibility of 3D composite constructs. Kefiran from Romanian artisanal cultures was characterized via ¹H-NMR, HPLC, and SEM/TEM, confirming a high-quality hexasaccharide repeating unit. Three composite inks (K100, K70, and K50) were developed by integrating kefiran, chondroitin sulfate, and Si-substituted hydroxyapatite into an alginate matrix and processed using a Bio X 3D-printer. Results showed that higher kefiran concentrations improved printing feasibility, providing enhanced structural fidelity and stability during the layer-by-layer deposition process. All bioprinted scaffolds demonstrated high cytocompatibility with L929 fibroblasts, maintaining viability above 70%. Notably, kefiran exhibited dual-functional therapeutic potential: concentrations above 500 mg/L showed a concentration-dependent antiproliferative effect against HT-29 cells at 72 h while remaining safe for normal cells. These findings establish kefiran-based biomaterial inks as robust, bioactive platforms for regenerative medicine. By enhancing both the mechanical printability of alginate composites and the biological response of cultured cells, kefiran proves to be a versatile component for advanced tissue engineering and potential biological activity applications.

The development of hydrogel bioinks that combine structural stability with biological compatibility remains a major challenge in extrusion-based 3D printing for tissue engineering. In this proof-of-concept study, bacterial cellulose (BC) obtained from kombucha fermentation was explored as a sustainable nanofibrillar component for alginate/chondroitin sulfate (CS)/silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) composite inks. Following alkaline purification, mechanical processing, and freeze-drying, BC was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), revealing a highly entangled nanofibrillar architecture with high crystallinity (85.4%) and strong hydrogen-bonding potential. Four hydrogel formulations were developed as a comparative 2 × 2 matrix, contrasting BC-containing systems with methylcellulose (MC)-containing reference systems at two Si-HA loadings. Reduced-viscosity measurements of the uncrosslinked precursor formulations showed higher values at the lower Si-HA loading in both formulation series. All formulations could be extruded as acellular inks into grid-like constructs and retained identifiable macroporous architectures after ionic crosslinking. Swelling increased between 24 and 48 h, while mass loss remained limited after the initial 24 h incubation period. In direct-contact testing with L929 fibroblasts, cell viability remained above 84% after 48 h, meeting the ISO 10993-5 non-cytotoxicity criterion. These findings support the feasibility of incorporating physically processed kombucha-derived BC into alginate-based composite inks.