International Journal of Biotechnology (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• The ethical issues and dynamic regulation of cell cultured meat technology in the context of bioeconomy  
  by Shanshan Wang, Ruitong Zhao, Guoming Hao, Yijian Du 
  Abstract: Cultured meat technology is significant for upgrading the bio-food industry within the bioeconomy, though it faces ethical debates and moral issues requiring government and public oversight. This paper reviews the technologys development and ethical disputes, then constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model involving enterprises, governments, and the public. Numerical simulations show that increased government rewards and penalties encourage ethical production by cultured meat enterprises. Social exposure, public losses, and corporate market losses all influence the behaviour of stakeholders. Based on these findings, a dynamic regulatory framework for cultured meat ethics is proposed. The study enriches food safety regulation theory and offers a reference for future policy-making in cultured meat oversight.
  Keywords: bioeconomy; cell cultured meat; technology ethics; evolutionary game theory.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2026.10080546
   
  
• Isolation of an unusual betaproteobacterium species Tepidicella xavieri from Bakreshwar hot spring water  
  by Debasmita Chatterjee, Satadal Satadal Das 
  Abstract: Hot spring water is characterised by elevated temperatures, with its unique mineral content, and hosts unique communities of microorganisms. In this study we collected water from the most geothermally heated area (Agnikund) of the Bakreshwar hot water spring located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, and studied thermophilic bacteria in it. The collected samples were kept at room temperature for three months. After this, they were cultivated on Nutrient Agar medium and kept at 50 C for 72 hours, when small colonies appeared on the surface of the medium. After colony formation, they were Gram-stained for morphological appearance, motility test, biochemical tests, and followed by 16srRNA sequencing for genotype identification. Scanning electron microscopy was also done. A rare thermophilic bacterium Tepidicella xavieri strain TU-16T, belongs to the phylum Betaproteobacteria isolated from the culture. This is the first report of the isolation of T. xavieri strain from South-East Asia.
  Keywords: Bakreshwar hot spring; Tepidicella xavieri; culture; 16srRNA sequencing; scanning electron microscopy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2026.10080654
   
  
• Keratinolytic microorganisms: eco-friendly waste management approach for recalcitrant keratinous waste valorisation through sustainable biotechnological innovations  
  by Shritoma Sengupta, Indrani Guha Chowdhury, Pijush Basak 
  Abstract: Population growth and socio-economic activities have led to increased waste production, especially from agro-industrial processes. Sustainable biotechnology, particularly through biocatalysis, offers a solution. Microbial keratinases enzymes from microbes can effectively decompose keratinous waste, like poultry feathers, transforming it into valuable products such as animal feed, organic fertiliser. These enzymes operate under diverse conditions, making them suitable for bioremediation efforts to reduce environmental pollution and recycle resources. This review describes the potential use of keratinolytic microorganisms as a sustainable solution for converting keratin-rich waste into useful products. This study offers a comprehensive overview of keratinases, focusing on their molecular characteristics, mechanisms of action, and sources. It highlights the potential applications of keratinases in valorisation, keratin-containing waste for biogas production, bioactive peptides, amino acids for feedstock, and bioplastics. Additionally, keratinases are crucial in promoting sustainable technologies in environmentally friendly industries such as tanning, textiles, as well as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents.
  Keywords: keratinase; recalcitrant solid-waste; waste-management; valorisation; wealth out of wastes.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2026.10080983
   
  
• Wearable nanobiosensors in real-time monitoring of electromyography signals during sports training  
  by Dingpeng Du, Kai Liang 
  Abstract: This paper constructs a flexible wearable electromyography sensor based on MXene nanocomposites for football training. In this paper, the Ti3C2Tx MXene nano sheet/polyurethane elastomer composite conductive network is first constructed, and then the ionic liquid gradient hydrogel interface layer is introduced. Combined with the snake shaped flexible interconnection structure and short-time Fourier transform (STFT) time-frequency analysis, the real time acquisition of sEMG signals and fatigue state identification in soccer are realised. The experimental results show that the sensor maintains a stable resistance change rate within 4.8% under 50% tensile strain, reaches a signal retention rate of 96.3% after 8,000 cycles, achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 32.7 dB under dynamic motion conditions, maintains a skin interface impedance of 8.6 k , has a fatigue state recognition accuracy of 94.0%, and an F1 score of 93.9%.
  Keywords: flexible EMG sensor; MXene nanocomposite; surface electromyography; sEMG; motion artefact suppression; real-time monitoring.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2026.10081417
   
  
• Evolution and determinants of green total factor productivity in agriculture of Guangdong Province  
  by Lianhua Liu, Yuan Yuan, Jielan Lin 
  Abstract: With the increased demands of green transformation and rising restrictive conditions on natural resources and the environment, the development of agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) in Guangdong Province shows a rather complicated trend defined by the dynamics over time and regional differences. This process should be analysed systemically to reveal the mechanisms and causes behind it. In the present research, using panel data on agricultural development in Guangdong prefecture-level cities during 2017-2023, AGTFP is measured with the Malmquist index, and the geographical detector is used to identify dominant factors at various time points and how they interact to reinforce one another. The outcomes indicate that the agricultural green efficiency of Guangdong is slowly changing its growth pattern from an extensive model based largely on expanding factors to an intensive model focused more on technological advancement and accompanied by a spatial shift from diffusion to agglomeration. Long-term supportive forces in transportation infrastructure, market demand, and labour force maturity are constant, whereas investment in technology, financing, and digitalisation is the main determinant of green growth in the mid-to-late stages. Such conclusions will enable the development of policies to enhance agricultural green transformation based on empirical evidence.
  Keywords: agricultural green total factor productivity; AGTFP; spatiotemporal evolution; driving factors.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2026.10081796
   
  
• Isolation and characterisation of a halotolerant Planomicrobium sp. S1-DZ04 and its effects on durum wheat seedling growth under in vitro saline conditions  
  by Yasmine Tiah, Rachid Kechrid, Salima Bennadja, Abdelghani Djahoudi 
  Abstract: Salt stress adversely reduces seed germination and seedling growth. Halotolerant bacteria have been shown to improve the performance of different plant crops affected by salinity. The present study aims to isolate, characterise, and identify a halotolerant rhizobacterium from rhizosphere soils of a salt lake in Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria. The bacterial strain produced salmon-orange colonies, was Gram-positive to Gram-variable, motile, coccobacilli, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that the strain shares 98.64% similarity with Planomicrobium okeanokoites strain IFO 12536T; therefore, it was designated Planomicrobium sp. strain S1-DZ04 (OR186509). Inoculation on durum wheat seeds under 160 mM NaCl resulted in a 15-percentage-point increase in final germination percentage, although not statistically significant. Root and shoot lengths increased by 366% and 482%, respectively, after seven days of incubation at 25?C in the dark. These findings are restricted to in vitro saline conditions. Further independent in planta studies are required.
  Keywords: Planomicrobium; Planomicrobium sp. S1-DZ04; halotolerant bacteria; rhizobacterium; strain isolation; strain characterisation; durum wheat; seedling growth; saline conditions; in vitro; salt stress; seed germination; rhizosphere soil; 16S rRNA sequencing; Algeria.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2027.10081797