Journal of Applied Life Sciences International

Advances in Bioprocess Engineering for Sustainable Biotechnology: A Critical Review

Vasudevan Ranganathan — 2026-07-20

Bioprocess engineering sits at the interface of biology and chemical engineering and has become a central pillar of the transition towards a low-carbon, circular economy. Over the past decade, advances in strain design, bioreactor engineering, biocatalysis, feedstock diversification, downstream processing and digitalisation have collectively reshaped how biological systems are engineered for industrial production. This review synthesises recent literature on these interconnected domains, with particular emphasis on sustainability outcomes such as reduced water and energy intensity, greenhouse gas mitigation, waste valorisation and circularity of biobased materials. Upstream innovations, including CRISPR-based genome editing, dynamic metabolic control and membrane engineering, have improved the robustness and productivity of microbial cell factories. In parallel, bioreactor engineering has progressed through single-use technologies, continuous and intensified processing and improved oxygen transfer strategies, although trade-offs between operational flexibility and environmental burden remain contested. Biocatalysis has matured through advances in enzyme immobilisation, enabling greener, more selective and reusable industrial catalysts. Feedstock diversification towards lignocellulosic residues, gaseous one-carbon substrates and microalgal biomass has expanded the substrate base available to fermentation industries, while precision fermentation and polyhydroxyalkanoate biosynthesis illustrate the growing convergence between food, materials and waste-valorisation sectors. Digital tools, including process analytical technology, machine learning and digital twins, are increasingly embedded within what is termed Bioprocessing 4.0, offering real-time control and predictive optimisation. This review draws on close to thirty peer-reviewed sources published within the last decade to critically appraise these developments, identify persistent technical and economic bottlenecks and outline priorities for future research. The evidence indicates that sustainable bioprocess engineering is no longer a peripheral consideration but a defining criterion against which new bioprocesses must be evaluated.

Phylogenetic Relationships of Five Genera in the Family Araceae Inferred from Plastid DNA Nucleotide Sequences

O. O. Arogundade — 2026-07-14

Aims: To assess the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity among selected Araceae taxa in Southwestern Nigeria using plastid DNA sequences, and to determine their evolutionary relationships and taxonomic placement.

Study Design: A molecular phylogenetic study based on plastid DNA sequence analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Plant samples were collected from various locations in Southwestern Nigeria; laboratory analyses (DNA extraction and purification, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis) were conducted over the study period of one year.

Methodology: Sixteen species from five genera (Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma) were analyzed, with two Philodendron species as outgroups. Plastid DNA regions (trnL–F, rpl32–trnL, and trnV–ndhC intergenic spacers) were sequenced following standard protocols. Bayesian inference was used to construct phylogenetic trees, with posterior probabilities assessing clade support.

Results: The phylogenetic tree constructed from over 2,000 base pairs revealed the monophyletic status of the five genera studied and resolved the taxa into four major clades consistent with existing tribal and generic classifications within Araceae. The tree topology showed strong Bayesian posterior probability support, indicating reliable evolutionary relationships among the taxa. Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma occupied relatively basal positions in the phylogeny, while Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia appeared to be more recently evolved. Intrageneric relationships among taxa were also clearly established.

Conclusion: Plastid DNA markers effectively resolved phylogenetic relationships among the studied Araceae taxa. The findings validate existing tribal and generic classifications and provide insights into the evolutionary relationships of economically and medicinally important aroids in Nigeria.

Effect of Inorganic Fertilizers and Organic Manures on Growth, Yield and Economics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Prabhjot Kaur — 2026-07-20

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2024–25 and 2025–26 at the Experimental Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India, to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilisers, organic manures, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), and Azotobacter on the growth, yield, and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design (RBD) comprising twelve treatments with three replications. The treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure, ZnSO₄, and Azotobacter. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved plant height, leaf area index, tiller density, dry matter accumulation, grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, and economic returns compared with the control. Among the treatments, 75% RDF + 1.25 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost + 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ + 5 kg Azotobacter ha⁻¹ (T₁₁) recorded the highest grain yield of 4856.40 kg ha⁻¹ and 4912.00 kg ha⁻¹ during 2024–25 and 2025–26, respectively. The same treatment also produced the highest net returns of ₹70,493 ha⁻¹ and ₹72,546 ha⁻¹ during the respective years. These findings indicate that the integrated application of 75% RDF, vermicompost, ZnSO₄, and Azotobacter can effectively enhance wheat productivity and profitability while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers under the agro-climatic conditions of Punjab, India.

Evolution of Mangrove Landscapes in the Coubalan Municipality (Casamance, Senegal, West Africa): A Diachronic Analysis Using Remote Sensing

Papa Diene Faye — 2026-07-31

The municipality of Coubalan has substantial socioeconomic potential because its mangrove forest supports local livelihoods. However, the forest is exposed to pressures that reduce its extent and species diversity. This study examines mangrove landscape dynamics in Coubalan.

A diachronic analysis covering 1984–2024 used Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Landsat 8 OLI-TIRS imagery processed in ENVI 5.3. Maximum likelihood supervised classification identified six land-use classes: mangroves; barren areas; water; mudflats; forests and savannas; and built-up areas, bare ground, fields, and fallow land. Water and mangroves were the most stable classes. During 1984–2003, mangroves and forests and savannas increased by 6.05% and 2.31%, respectively, while built-up areas, bare ground, fields, and fallow land and mudflats decreased by 2.86% and 7.56%. Mudflats converted to mangroves accounted for 5.90%. During 2003–2024, the trend reversed, with 7.84% of mangrove area converted into mudflats.

Across the full period, mangroves and forests and savannas had average annual spatial expansion rates of −0.45% and −1.45%, while built-up areas, bare ground, fields, and fallow land and mudflats increased by 0.31% and 0.56%. Annual deforestation rates were 0.41% for mangroves and 1.10% for forests and savannas, and the 2024 anthropization index was 1.94. Mangrove cover declined from 19.93% in 1984 to 16.68% in 2024. The findings may support local mangrove management, while further research is needed to identify the principal drivers of degradation.