Egg White-Based Biomaterials: Morphological Architectures and Emerging Biomedical Applications
- 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Umuttepe Campus, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41001, Türkiye
- 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul 34010, Türkiye
- 3Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Umuttepe Campus, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41001, Türkiye
Abstract
Egg white (EW) has emerged as a versatile natural biomaterial due to its wide availability, low cost, biodegradability, intrinsic bioactivity, and protein-derived gel- and film-forming capabilities. However, the existing literature has largely addressed EW-based biomaterials in terms of individual fabrication methods or specific applications, while comprehensive evaluations linking processing strategies to the resulting morphology, physicochemical properties, and biomedical functions remain limited. In this review, EW-based biomaterials are critically evaluated through an integrated processing, structure, property, and function framework encompassing molecular composition, fabrication strategies, morphological organization, physicochemical behavior, and biomedical performance. The molecular interactions and processing-dependent structural changes in major EW proteins, including ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, ovomucoid, ovomucin, and lysozyme, are discussed, and physical gelation, chemical and enzymatic crosslinking, chemical functionalization, and polymer/nanomaterial hybridization are compared as major fabrication approaches. These strategies enable the development of diverse morphologies, including hydrogels, nano/microparticles, films and membranes, micro/nanofibers, porous sponges, cryogels, and 3D-printed constructs, which provide distinct functional advantages in tissue engineering, 3D cell culture, wound healing, drug and bioactive molecule delivery, bioprinting, and biosensing. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of crosslink density, porosity, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, degradation, and molecular transport in governing cellular responses and overall biomedical performance. Despite these advantages, batch-to-batch variability, the limited mechanical robustness of native protein networks, sterilization and storage constraints, and potential allergenicity and immunogenicity remain major barriers to clinical translation. Future research should therefore focus on standardized protein formulations, application-specific hybrid networks, advanced biofabrication approaches, and comprehensive long-term biosafety studies to enhance the translational potential of EW-based biomaterials.
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BibTeX
@article{asri2026whitebased,
title = {{Egg White-Based Biomaterials: Morphological Architectures and Emerging Biomedical Applications}},
author = {Hatice Asri and Fatma Zehra Köse and Mohammadreza Ghaffarlou and Ahmet Erdem},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/polym18202550},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2550},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Egg White-Based Biomaterials: Morphological Architectures and Emerging Biomedical Applications
AU - Hatice Asri
AU - Fatma Zehra Köse
AU - Mohammadreza Ghaffarlou
AU - Ahmet Erdem
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18202550
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2550
AB - Egg white (EW) has emerged as a versatile natural biomaterial due to its wide availability, low cost, biodegradability, intrinsic bioactivity, and protein-derived gel- and film-forming capabilities. However, the existing literature has largely addressed EW-based biomaterials in terms of individual fabrication methods or specific applications, while comprehensive evaluations linking processing strategies to the resulting morphology, physicochemical properties, and biomedical functions remain limited. In this review, EW-based biomaterials are critically evaluated through an integrated processing, structure, property, and function framework encompassing molecular composition, fabrication strategies, morphological organization, physicochemical behavior, and biomedical performance. The molecular interactions and processing-dependent structural changes in major EW proteins, including ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, ovomucoid, ovomucin, and lysozyme, are discussed, and physical gelation, chemical and enzymatic crosslinking, chemical functionalization, and polymer/nanomaterial hybridization are compared as major fabrication approaches. These strategies enable the development of diverse morphologies, including hydrogels, nano/microparticles, films and membranes, micro/nanofibers, porous sponges, cryogels, and 3D-printed constructs, which provide distinct functional advantages in tissue engineering, 3D cell culture, wound healing, drug and bioactive molecule delivery, bioprinting, and biosensing. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of crosslink density, porosity, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, degradation, and molecular transport in governing cellular responses and overall biomedical performance. Despite these advantages, batch-to-batch variability, the limited mechanical robustness of native protein networks, sterilization and storage constraints, and potential allergenicity and immunogenicity remain major barriers to clinical translation. Future research should therefore focus on standardized protein formulations, application-specific hybrid networks, advanced biofabrication approaches, and comprehensive long-term biosafety studies to enhance the translational potential of EW-based biomaterials.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -