Renny Nazario-Naveda

The objective of this research was to evaluate the mechanical, morphological and antimicrobial properties of mango starch films with corn starch and potato starch substitution. The mango starch substitution percentages were 25%, 50% and 75% for both corn and potato starch. The films obtained were characterized by FTIR spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy. It was corroborated that mango starch improves its properties with the incorporation of corn and potato starch, showing a significant increase in the uniformity of the sample and in its elasticity, obtaining a mechanical stress of 23.94 MPa. The films showed a fast biodegradability process and good antimicrobial activity, which was characterized by halo inhibition technique. All the results demonstrate a great improvement of the mango starch films highlighting a good antimicrobial activity, which potentiates them as a sustainable alternative to be applied in biomedicine. The inclusion of pure commercial starches (100M and 100C) confirmed the dose-dependent evolution of properties, establishing a complete compositional baseline.

The conversion of energy through functional materials has gained significant relevance in recent years, particularly with the development of perovskites and graphene, which have demonstrated a substantial impact on photovoltaic technologies and energy storage. However, challenges remain, such as the stability of perovskites under adverse environmental conditions and the industrial scalability of graphene, highlighting the need for a bibliometric analysis to assess the state of research on these materials from 2010 to 2025. To achieve this, a systematic search was conducted in Scopus, applying specific selection criteria and utilizing tools such as VOSviewer and R Studio to visualize collaboration networks, bibliometric indices, and thematic evolution. The results reveal an exponential growth in scientific output, with Asian leadership spearheaded by Tsinghua University, reflected in citation metrics and publication quality. Perovskites have achieved efficiencies exceeding 25%, while graphene has enhanced its integration into storage devices. This bibliometric study provides key insights for guiding future research towards a more sustainable energy transition.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable solution for converting organic waste into electricity through electroactive microorganisms. However, their widespread implementation is hindered by low catalytic efficiency and the high cost of noble metal-based electrodes. This study addresses these challenges by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research trends and scientific advances in MFC materials, with a focus on catalysts and electrode coatings as key determinants of system performance. Using analytical tools such as VOSviewer and RStudio, we systematically mapped publication trends, collaboration networks, and technological developments from 2007 to 2025. Beyond bibliometric metrics, the analysis highlights significant scientific breakthroughs, including the development of a CeO ₂ /Co ₃ O ₄ -PEDOT/CF nanocomposite anode, which increased voltage output by 74.9% and power density by 2.5-fold, and a Ni-Fe LDH/(DSP) cathode system that achieved 83.5% contaminant removal efficiency with notable antimicrobial activity. These findings demonstrate the potential of metal oxide-based and doped materials to replace costly platinum while maintaining high electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the integration of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence in material design is identified as an emerging trend driving future innovations. The study concludes that advancing MFC technology toward practical applications in wastewater treatment and decentralized energy systems will require enhanced global collaboration and the adoption of scalable, cost-effective materials.

This study addresses the challenge of low efficiency and limited scalability in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), particularly regarding electron transfer between microorganisms and electrodes. These limitations hinder their potential as sustainable technologies for clean energy generation while treating wastewater. Conductive hydrogels and hybrid polymers are proposed as promising solutions, as they facilitate the formation of electroactive biofilms and enhance electron conductivity. However, research in this field remains fragmented, with limited methodological standardization and comparability across studies. The methodology involved a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications from 2010 to 2024, sourced from the Scopus database. An advanced search strategy was employed using keywords related to hydrogels, MFCs, conductive polymers, and sustainability. The initial corpus was refined to 360 documents, analyzed using Bibliometrix (in RStudio) and VOSviewer. Key indicators assessed included annual production, average citations, leading authors, co-authorship networks, top journals, and contributing institutions. Results reveal exponential growth in publications since 2015, peaking in 2024. The most influential authors were El-Naggar A.M. and Aziz S.B., recognized for both productivity and impact. Journals such as Polymers and ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces host the highest number of publications in the field. China and Saudi Arabia stood out for their publication volume, with institutions like King Saud University noted for high levels of international collaboration. Emerging topics include nanomaterial-doped hydrogels, circular economy strategies, and electro fermentation applications. This analysis provides a strategic overview of how functional materials are driving the advancement of MFCs toward clean, sustainable, and entrepreneurially viable energy solutions.

This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles using alcoholic extract of spearmint (Mentha spicata) leaves as a reducing agent and to evaluate their antimicrobial properties. Extract concentrations of 2–5% were used in media with varying pHs. Techniques such as UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and DLS were used to characterize the nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was verified by the appearance of a plasmon resonance peak at 418 nm with 2% extract and pH 9. DLS analysis showed a size of 16.1 nm for the 2% extract, which decreased to 10.8 nm with increasing concentration. These results demonstrated that alkaline pH and low extract concentrations favor the formation of monodisperse silver nanoparticles, while higher concentrations induce polydispersity. Silver nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus (complete inhibition) and C. albicans (inhibition halo), highlighting their potential in biomedical applications.

This bibliometric study analyzes the evolution of biomaterials used for electrodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), highlighting a marked increase in publications since 2019. Key materials—including modified cellulose, lignin, and carbon nanocomposites—have improved electrode efficiency and structural stability. The findings indicate that high-impact journals, such as the Journal of Microbial Fuel Cell Research and Bioelectrochemistry & Sustainable Energy (with h-indices of 72 and 64, respectively), have played a pivotal role in advancing the field. Prominent researchers, including Yang J and Xie Q, have made significant contributions, as reflected in their high citation counts. Network analysis reveals limited international collaboration, underscoring the need to strengthen strategic partnerships. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of future research that integrates artificial intelligence and nanotechnology to optimize biomaterial performance in MFCs, thereby enhancing their contribution to sustainable energy solutions.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable solution for energy generation and wastewater treatment, yet their scalability is hindered by reliance on expensive and non-renewable synthetic membranes. This study addresses the critical need for eco-friendly alternatives by conducting a bibliometric analysis of biopolymers used in MFC membrane development. Using data from Scopus and Web of Science (2012–2025), we applied quantitative and network-based methods to evaluate publication trends, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution. The analysis identified chitosan, alginate, and cellulose as the most studied biopolymers due to their favorable proton conductivity, biodegradability, and potential for waste-derived production. Key findings include a surge in research output post-2018, strong interdisciplinary collaboration across materials science and microbiology, and emerging interest in nanomaterial integration and 3D printing for membrane enhancement. Despite promising advances, challenges persist with regard to the mechanical stability and standardization of fabrication methods. This study provides a strategic overview of the field, highlighting scientific progress and guiding future research toward scalable, high-performance biopolymer membranes for MFCs applications.

Water pollution is a global issue that threatens human health and ecosystems, driving the need for advanced purification technologies. Traditional methods face limitations in cost and efficiency, prompting the emergence of green nanomicrobiology as a sustainable alternative. This interdisciplinary approach integrates nanotechnology and microbiology to develop advanced materials capable of eliminating contaminants. To assess scientific advancements in this field, a bibliometric analysis was conducted based on publications indexed in Scopus, utilizing tools such as VOSviewer 1.6.20 and RStudio 2025.09 to identify trends, institutional collaborations, and development patterns. The findings reveal a significant increase in scientific output between 2010 and 2025, with growing research on nanocomposites, adsorption processes, and hybrid microbiological systems. Notably, metallic nanoparticles and functionalized biopolymers, such as modified bacterial cellulose, demonstrate high efficiency in removing heavy metals and toxic residues. The study also highlights China’s pivotal role in scientific collaboration, with an expanding network of partnerships. Despite these advancements, challenges remain regarding industrial scalability, long-term toxicity, and regulatory frameworks. Integrating artificial intelligence and metagenomics could enhance these systems, strengthening their impact on water sustainability.

This study addresses two critical challenges in rural Peru: the mismanagement of agro-industrial waste and the limited access to electricity. Over 40,000 tons of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) waste are generated annually in Peru, most of which is discarded without valorization. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable solution by converting organic waste into bioelectricity via electrogenic microorganisms. To evaluate the bioenergy potential of cucumber waste, three single-chamber MFCs were constructed using graphite and zinc electrodes under an external resistance of 100 ohms. The systems were inoculated with acclimated microbial consortia, and electrical, physicochemical, and microbiological parameters were monitored over 35 days. Results showed a maximum voltage of 0.589 V, a peak current of 2.292 mA, and a power density of 0.622 mW/m². Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced by over 80%, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) reached 459.76 mV. Internal resistance was 24.515 ± 1.237 Ω, indicating high energy efficiency. Taxonomic analysis revealed a predominance of Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Bacillus, Acetobacter, and Clostridium, confirming a functionally diverse and electroactive microbial community. These findings demonstrate that cucumber waste is a viable substrate for MFCs and support its potential for integrated waste valorization and decentralized bioenergy generation in rural Peruvian contexts.