This study developed composite hydrogel scaffolds from chitosan (CS), silk fibroin (SF), and Aloe vera (AV) gel extract for cartilage tissue engineering. SF extracted from Nang-Laai silkworm cocoons showed high protein content (86.8%), while AV extract contained characteristic polysaccharides. Scaffolds with varying CS/SF/AV ratios were fabricated and evaluated for physicochemical and biological properties. Among all formulations, CS40/SF/AV (3.00%wt CS, 2.70%wt SF, 0.075%wt AV) exhibited superior porosity (72.23 ± 4.85%), pore size (79.57 ± 3.68 μm), and compressive strength, both in dry (6.67 ± 1.44 MPa) and wet states. It also showed controlled swelling (270%) and a stable degradation profile (55–57% over 21 days). FTIR and XRD confirmed successful component integration and semi-crystalline structure. In vitro, CS40/SF/AV supported chondrocyte adhesion, proliferation, and morphology retention over 28 days. Fluorescence imaging showed uniform cell distribution across the scaffold. These results highlight the CS40/SF/AV scaffold as a promising, biocompatible platform with optimal mechanical and structural properties for cartilage regeneration, offering potential for further in vivo applications.

Although the human consumption of aquatic insects is prevalent in many regions, the nutritional composition of the insects has not been comprehensively determined. The proximate composition of Pantala sp. was shown to be a good source of protein (49.45 ± 0.32 g/100 g DW), as well as of minerals such as sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron. All nine essential amino acids are present in this species, with valine being the most abundant. The major fatty acids are palmitic acid (1.19 ± 0.02 g/100 g DW), oleic acid (0.63 ± 0.02 g/100 g DW), and linoleic acid (0.55 ± 0.01 g/100 g DW). Lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) showed a value of 0.18 ± 0.01 mg·kg⁻¹, 3.51 ± 0.12 mg·kg⁻¹, and 0.17 ± 0.00 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, microplastic (MP) contamination in odonate larvae (419 individuals belonging to three identified families) was found in varying shapes, e.g., fibers, fragments, and rods. FTIR analysis revealed the following MP polymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl acetate, bis(2-ethylhexyl), polybutadiene, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid); P(MMA-co-MA), poly(ethylene glycol) tetrahydrofurfuryl ether, poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene), and polypropylene glycol. The results of this work could be a nutritional reference for food security and the risk of eating insects.

Diabetic wounds remain a major clinical challenge due to delayed healing caused by chronic inflammation and impaired fibroblast activity. Here, we present a thermoresponsive gel composed of chitosan (CS) and poloxamers (POL) incorporating silk fibroin (SFB) and Aloe vera gel extract (AV), developed for topical application and, for the first time, evaluated using an inflammation-induced diabetic fibroblast model. The optimized formulation exhibited rapid sol–gel transition at physiological temperature and suitable rheological properties for effective wound coverage. In vitro evaluation using human normal fibroblasts (HNF) and human diabetic fibroblasts (HDF), under both basal and inflammation-induced conditions, demonstrated good cytocompatibility and a significant enhancement of fibroblast migration, particularly in an inflammatory microenvironment simulated by high glucose, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These findings highlight the potential of the developed thermoresponsive gel as a promising biomaterial platform for improving diabetic wound healing under inflammation-relevant conditions.

Numerous edible aquatic insects have unanticipated nutraceutical potential and are consumed in a variety of Thai locations. The proximate composition, amino acid, fatty acid, mineral, and heavy metal content of Pantala sp. (Odonata: Libellulidae) aquatic edible nymphs were determined using standard analytical methods in this study. Pantala sp. had a proximate protein content of 445.14±0.04 %, a fat content of 4.93±0.05 %, an ash content of 5.24±0.03 %, a moisture content of 35.11±0.09 %, and a total carbohydrate content of 9.60±0.11 %. Total energy was 263.25±0.20 kcal/100 g, with fat energy accounting for 44.37±0.43 kcal/100 g. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis revealed that this insect was high in phosphorus, iron, and copper for human consumption. In comparison to other edible insects studied, they were also excellent calcium sources. Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph (GC) analysis revealed that it contains 236.67 mg/100g of omega-3 and 523.32 mg/100g of omega-6. While the amino acids examined using High Performance liquid Chromatography contained all essential amino acids. ICP-OES was used to determine the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As). Pantala sp. had the highest concentration of As (average = 2.827 ± 0.289 mg kg _-1 ), followed by Cd (0.164 ± 0.007 mg kg _-1 ) and Pb (0.158 ± 0.015 mg kg _-1 ). Although the insects have nutraceutical potential, they also have toxic heavy metals in trace amounts, with the exception of As. This work could serve as a nutritional reference for local consumers interested in entomophagy.

A composite hydrogel scaffold comprising chitosan, silk fibroin, Aloe vera extract, and Mimosa complex was fabricated and thoroughly characterized. Upon freeze-drying, the scaffolds displayed a uniform cylindrical geometry with a highly porous, interconnected polymeric network. Quantitative image analysis revealed a mean pore diameter of 43.09 ± 2.27 µm alongside an overall porosity of 61.4 ± 6.2%. ATR-FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed successful inclusion of the complex formation and the incorporation of all constituents into the final formulation. The scaffold exhibited a compressive modulus of 46.63 ± 22.71 kPa (dry) and 5.40 ± 3.73 kPa (hydrated), with a swelling ratio of 756.62 ± 114.08%, supporting its suitability for physiological applications. TGF-β3 loading via adsorption yielded an entrapment efficiency of approximately 79.18%, reflecting effective physical immobilization throughout the polymer matrix. Cytocompatibility was subsequently assessed using an indirect contact model combined with an MTT assay, both of which confirmed that TGF-β3-loaded scaffolds exerted no cytotoxic effects on chondrocytes. After 28 days in culture, scanning electron microscopy revealed pronounced cell adhesion, preservation of rounded cell morphology, and ECM deposition along pore walls and throughout interconnected channels. Immunofluorescence analysis further demonstrated a time-dependent accumulation of aggrecan and collagen type II within the three-dimensional scaffold architecture. Collectively, these findings suggest that the developed composite hydrogel scaffold is well-suited for cartilage-related in vitro culture applications.