Fabrication of Biomolecule–Covalent-Organic-Framework Composites as Responsive Platforms for Smart Regulation of Fermentation Application

Exploration of novel material platforms to protect biological preservatives and realize intelligent regulation during fermentation is of great significance in industry. Herein, we established an intelligent responsive platform by introducing antimicrobial biomolecules (nisin) into rationally designed covalent organic frameworks (COFs), resulting in a new type of "smart formulation", which could responsively inhibit microbial contamination and ensure the orderly progression of the fermentation process. The encapsulated biomolecules retained their activity while exhibiting enhanced stability and pH-responsive releasing process (100% bacteriostatic efficiency at a pH of 3), which can ingeniously adapt to the environmental variation during the fermentation process and smartly fulfill the regulation needs. Moreover, the nisin@COF composites would not affect the fermentation strains. This study will pave a new avenue for the preparation of highly efficient and intelligent antimicrobial agents for the regulation of the fermentation process and play valuable roles in the drive toward green and sustainable biomanufacturing.