Decades of research into cryogels have resulted in the development of many types of cryogels for various applications. Collagen and gelatin possess nontoxicity, intrinsic gel-forming ability and physicochemical properties, and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them very desirable candidates for the fabrication of cryogels. Collagen-based cryogels (CBCs) and gelatin-based cryogels (GBCs) have been successfully applied as three-dimensional substrates for cell culture and have shown promise for biomedical use. A key point in the development of CBCs and GBCs is the quantitative and precise characterization of their properties and their correlation with preparation process and parameters, enabling these cryogels to be tuned to match engineering requirements. Great efforts have been devoted to fabricating these types of cryogels and exploring their potential biomedical application. However, to the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive overviews focused on CBCs and GBCs have been reported currently. In this review, we attempt to provide insight into the recent advances on such kinds of cryogels, including their fabrication methods and structural properties, as well as potential biomedical applications.

In this study, a zein-stabilized lemon essential oil Pickering emulsion (ZLPE) was incorporated into a carboxymethyl cellulose/gelatin (CMC/GL) composite film to develop a bio-based packaging material with bioactive properties. The average droplet size of the ZLPE was measured at 3.62 ± 0.08 μm, with a zeta potential of −31.33 ± 0.32 mV, highlighting its excellent stability. The image results of confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy validated the uniform distribution of ZLPE in the film. The incorporation of ZLPE reduced the water solubility of films by 45.90% and decreased its water vapor permeability by 22.61%, thereby enhancing its hydrophobicity. Additionally, the ZLPE-loaded film improved mechanical properties, enhanced UV-blocking capabilities, and increased thermal stability. The introduction of ZLPE led to the antioxidant activity of the CMC/GL film increasing by six times the original level and endowed it with outstanding antibacterial properties. As a result, cherries packaged with the ZLPE film demonstrated superior preservation performance and extended shelf life in the preservation experiment, exhibiting the film’s potential as a food packaging material.