Waste from non-degradable packaging materials poses a serious environmental risk and has led to interest in developing sustainable bio-based packaging materials. Sustainable packaging materials have been made from diverse naturally derived materials such as bamboo, sugarcane, and corn starch. In this study, we made a sustainable packaging film using chitosan extracted from the biomass of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) shell waste. The extracted chitosan was used to create films, cross-linked with citric acid (CA) and with the addition of glycerol to impart flexibility, using the solvent casting method. The successful cross-linking was evaluated using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. The CA cross-linked mealworm chitosan (CAMC) films exhibited improved water resistance with moisture content reduced from 19.9 to 14.5%. Improved barrier properties were also noted, with a 28.7% and 10.2% decrease in vapor permeability and vapor transmission rate, respectively. Bananas were selected for food preservation, and significant changes were observed over a duration of 10 days. Compared to the control sample, bananas packaged in CAMC pouches exhibited a lesser loss in weight because of excellent barrier properties against water vapor. Moreover, the quality and texture of bananas packaged in CAMC pouch remained intact over the duration of the experiment. This indicates that adding citric acid and glycerol to the chitosan structure holds promise for effective food wrapping and contributes to the enhancement of banana shelf life. Through this study, we concluded that chitosan film derived from mealworm biomass has potential as a valuable resource for sustainable packaging solutions, promoting the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in the food industry.

This study presents the fabrication of a sustainable flexible humidity sensor utilizing chitosan derived from mealworm biomass as the primary sensing material. The chitosan-based humidity sensor was fabricated by casting chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films with interdigitated copper electrodes, forming a laminate composite suitable for real-time, resistive-type humidity detection. Comprehensive characterization of the chitosan film was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and tensile testing, which confirmed its chemical structure, wettability, and mechanical stability. The developed sensor exhibited a broad range of measurements from 6% to 97% relative humidity (RH), a high sensitivity of 2.43 kΩ/%RH, and a rapid response time of 18.22 s with a corresponding recovery time of 22.39 s. Moreover, the chitosan-based humidity sensor also demonstrated high selectivity for water vapor when tested against various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The superior performance of the sensor is attributed to the structural properties of chitosan, particularly its ability to form reversible hydrogen bonds with water molecules. This mechanism was further elucidated through molecular dynamics simulations, revealing that the conductivity in the sensor is modulated by proton mobility, which operates via the Grotthuss mechanism under high-humidity and the packed-acid mechanism under low-humidity conditions. Additionally, the chitosan-based humidity sensor was further seamlessly integrated into an Internet of Things (IoT) framework, enabling wireless humidity monitoring and real-time data visualization on a mobile device. Comparative analysis with existing polymer-based resistive-type sensors further highlighted the superior sensing range, rapid dynamic response, and environmental sustainability of the developed sensor. This eco-friendly, biomass-derived, eco-friendly sensor shows potential for applications in environmental monitoring, smart agriculture, and industrial process control.

Bombyx mori silk fibroin is a promising biopolymer with notable mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and potential for diverse biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery. These properties are intrinsically linked to the structural characteristics of silk fibroin, making it essential to understand its molecular stability under varying environmental conditions. This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to examine the structural stability of silk I and silk II conformations of silk fibroin under changes in temperature (298 K to 378 K) and pressure (0.1 MPa to 700 MPa). Key parameters, including Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF), and Radius of Gyration (R_g) were analyzed, along with non-bonded interactions such as van der Waals and electrostatic potential energy. Our findings demonstrate that both temperature and pressure exert a destabilizing effect on silk fibroin, with silk I exhibiting a higher susceptibility to destabilization compared to silk II. Additionally, pressure elevated the van der Waals energy in silk I, while temperature led to a reduction. In contrast, electrostatic potential energy remained unaffected by these environmental conditions, highlighting stable long-range interactions throughout the study. Silk II’s tightly packed β-sheet structure offers greater resilience to environmental changes, while the more flexible α-helices in silk I make it more susceptible to structural perturbations. These findings provide valuable insights into the atomic-level behavior of silk fibroin, contributing to a deeper understanding of its potential for applications in environments where mechanical or thermal stress is a factor. The study underscores the importance of computational approaches in exploring protein stability and supports the continued development of silk fibroin for biomedical and engineering applications.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease that contributes to the global health burden and impacts 10–20% of the world’s population. In this study, we determined the anti-AD effect of a by-product of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larval powder, strain Yeonnokjam (SLPY), as a sustainable, natural source for the development of therapeutic agents for AD. HaCaT cells were used to assess the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of SLPY, and a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse model was used to study the in vivo anti-AD effects. SLPY treatment downregulated the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL1β, IL-8, and Cox-2 in stimulated HaCaT cells. Similarly, the topical application of SLPY in DNCB-treated mice downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and proteins while ameliorating the clinical features of AD. Further, SLPY treatment inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κb p65, thereby supporting the efficacy of SLPY in the treatment of AD.

This study developed a sustainable colorimetric pH sensor using chitosan derived from mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) biomass and anthocyanin extracted from red cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Chitosan was used as the substrate material, and anthocyanin served as the pH indicator dye, collectively forming the basis of the pH sensor. The resulting pH-responsive film effectively measures pH levels from 1 to 13, with a distinct color shift from pink to green. The sensor demonstrated remarkable stability, maintaining color fidelity after prolonged exposure to aqueous environments, and its practical functionality was confirmed through an ammonia detection assay, underscoring its utility in monitoring food freshness. Mechanistic investigations using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and molecular modeling identified electrostatic and hydrophobic forces as key factors in anthocyanin binding to the chitosan matrix. Molecular modeling further revealed a minimal binding energy of −3 kcal/mol and an RMSD of 0 Å, indicating a strong interaction stability. The film exhibited high structural integrity, with tensile strength and elongation values of 8.8 MPa and 8.4%, respectively, and its flexibility suggests its suitability for diverse applications, including biomedical devices. The eco-friendly production process and the biocompatibility of this sensor provide a sustainable alternative to conventional pH measurement technologies. This innovation not only addresses ecological challenges but also expands the capabilities of colorimetric sensors for use in scientific research, biomedical applications, and other fields.

This study presents the development and the mechanical and clinical characterization of a flexible biodegradable chitosan–glycerol–graphite composite strain sensor for real-time respiratory monitoring, where the main material, chitosan, is derived and extracted from Tenebrio Molitor larvae shells. Chitosan was extracted using a sustainable, low-impact protocol and processed into a stretchable and flexible film through glycerol plasticization and graphite integration, forming a conductive biocomposite. The sensor, fabricated in a straight-line geometry to ensure uniform strain distribution and signal stability, was evaluated for its mechanical and electrical performance under cyclic loading. Results demonstrate linearity, repeatability, and responsiveness to strain variations in the stain sensor during mechanical characterization and performance, ranging from 1 to 15%, with minimal hysteresis and fast recovery times. The device reliably captured respiratory cycles during normal breathing across three different areas of measurement: the sternum, lower ribs, and diaphragm. The strain sensor also identified distinct breathing patterns, including eupnea, tachypnea, bradypnea, apnea, and Kussmaul respiration, showing the capability to sense respiratory cycles during pathological situations. Compared to conventional monitoring systems, the sensor offers superior skin conformity, better adhesion, comfort, and improved signal quality without the need for invasive procedures or complex instrumentation. Its low-cost, biocompatible design holds strong potential for wearable healthcare applications, particularly in continuous respiratory tracking, sleep disorder diagnostics, and home-based patient monitoring. Future work will focus on wireless integration, environmental durability, and clinical validation.