Soy Protein-Based Hydrogels: Recent Advances in Molecular Design and Functional Applications.

Zhongjian Li, Luohui Wang, Liyun Wang, Man Yin, Lin Zhang, Xian Wang, Limin Guo, Xiangmeng Chen, Cheng Li

Abstract readReview

In one paragraph

Review in Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Zhongjian LiCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Luohui WangCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Liyun WangCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Man YinCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Lin ZhangCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Xian WangCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Limin GuoCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Xiangmeng ChenCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.

Cheng LiCollege of Horticulture, College of Forestry, College of Chemistry and Materials, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450026, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5830-155X

Funding

the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2025M781853The Key Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province 242102230174the Scientific and Technological Research Project of Henan Province 262102230114the Special Fund for Young Talents in Henan Agricultural University 30500928

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

To address the limitations of conventional polymer hydrogels in terms of sustainability and functionality, green soy protein (SP)-based hydrogels (SPHs) demonstrate significant potential. As an abundant, renewable plant protein, SP provides an ideal molecular platform for constructing high-performance, multifunctional hydrogels. This review systematically consolidates recent progress in SPHs. Firstly, the molecular fundamentals and gelation mechanisms of soy protein are analyzed in depth. Subsequently, key construction strategies, including physical, chemical, and enzymatic crosslinking, as well as composite/hybrid approaches, are comprehensively reviewed with respect to their mechanisms, advantages, and limitations. Following this, innovative applications of SPHs in biomedical, food and nutrition, environmental/agricultural, and smart material fields are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges facing research in mechanical properties, structure-property relationships, and scalable production are identified. Future directions include developing novel green crosslinking systems, deepening multi-scale structural control, and advancing smart integrated design. This review aims to provide researchers with a systematic knowledge framework spanning from "molecular understanding" to "functional customization," thereby propelling soy protein hydrogels toward higher toughness, intelligence, and sustainability.

Indexed as

7S/11S globulincrosslinking strategiesfunctional applicationsmolecular designsoy protein hydrogelsstructure–property relationshipsustainable materials

Identifiers

PMID42794311

DOI10.3390/gels12090761

PMCPMC13606833

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.