Winner – Pedro Florido Moreno (IHSM)
Title
Plasticized cellulose bioplastics with beeswax for the fabrication of multifunctional, biodegradable active food packaging
Authors
Pedro Florido-Moreno, José J. Benítez, Jaime González-Buesa, José M. Porras-Vázquez, Jesús Hierrezuelo, Montserrat Ruíz-Grifé, Diego Romero, Athanassia Athanassiou, José A. Heredia-Guerrero, Susana Guzmán-Puyol
Reference
Food Hydrocolloids 162 (2025) 110933
Abstract
Plasticized cellulose bioplastics with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were prepared by blending cellulose and glycerol in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride, followed by the addition of a beeswax solution in chloroform and subsequent drop-casting. Optical, chemical, structural, mechanical, thermal, and hydrodynamic properties were fully characterized. Biodegradability in seawater was assessed through biological oxygen demand. Beeswax incorporation reduced transparency and UV blocking, modified mechanical properties, and improved thermal stability, antioxidant capacity, and barrier behavior. These features were comparable to those of conventional petroleum-based plastics. The changes were attributed to beeswax integration into the polymer matrix, as shown by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The materials were evaluated as food packaging through migration tests, oxygen permeability, antimicrobial assays, and preservation of fresh-cut pears, with performance similar to low-density polyethylene.
First Runner-Up – Lucía Jiménez Ríos
Title
Emerging nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria for sustainable cotton cultivation
Authors
Lucía Jiménez-Ríos, Alejandro Torrado, José Luis González-Pimentel, Macarena Iniesta-Pallarés, Fernando P. Molina-Heredia, Vicente Mariscal*, Consolación Álvarez*
Reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171533
Abstract
This study explores nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria as sustainable biofertilizers for cotton cultivation. Given the environmental impact of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, advanced metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene was used to assess soil bacterial communities. Native N₂-fixing cyanobacteria were isolated and evaluated for plant growth-promoting activities. Five strains showed strong nitrogen fixation, phytohormone production, iron solubilization, and biofertilization capacity, highlighting their potential as natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers.
Second Runner-Up – Blanca Baños Jaime
Title
Phosphorylation at the disordered N-end makes HuR accumulate and dimerize in the cytoplasm
Authors
Baños-Jaime B, Corrales-Guerrero L, Pérez-Mejías G, Rejano-Gordillo CM, Velázquez-Campoy A, Martínez-Cruz LA, Martínez-Chantar ML, De la Rosa MA, Díaz-Moreno I
Reference
doi:10.1093/nar/gkae564
Abstract
HuR is an RNA-binding protein involved in mRNA stability and translation. Although nuclear, its function occurs in the cytoplasm. This work identifies Tyr5 phosphorylation as a key activation signal. Structural and computational analyses show that phosphorylation alters HuR dynamics and promotes cytoplasmic accumulation and dimerization, shedding light on its role in cancer-related processes.
Second Runner-Up – María Dolores Requena Ramírez
Title
Lutein esterification increases carotenoid retention in durum wheat grain. A step further in breeding and improving the commercial and nutritional quality during grain storage
Authors
Requena-Ramírez MD, Rodríguez-Suárez C, Hornero-Méndez D, Atienza SG
Reference
doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137660
Abstract
This study demonstrates that carotenoid esterification enhances carotenoid retention in durum wheat during storage. Using landraces and breeding lines, the authors show that esterification is a valuable strategy to improve pasta color and nutritional quality by preserving carotenoids during post-harvest storage.