Innovative bioaerogels from marine waste and <i>Nephelium lappaceum</i> leaf extract: A multifunctional biomaterial for biomedical and cosmetics

Abstract This study explores the fabrication and characterization of chitosan/gelatin (CS/G) bioaerogels loaded with Rambutan Leaf Extract (RLE) for antibacterial and biocompatible applications. Chitosan was initially extracted from shrimp waste, achieving a yield of 16.28% with a degree of deacetylation of 76.42%. RLE was extracted via Soxhlet extraction and characterized for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Bioaerogels were prepared by integrating 1%–5% RLE into the CS/G matrix, followed by freeze‐drying. Thermal analysis showed that RLE‐enhanced aerogels exhibited improved thermal stability, with the maximum decomposition temperature (T max ) shifting from 318°C in the control to 324°C in the 5% RLE sample. The porosity of the aerogels ranged from 90% to 95%, while density increased with RLE loading from 90.7 to 97.2 mg/cm 3 . Antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus was significantly enhanced, with inhibition zones reaching 17.9 mm and 20.8 mm, respectively, for 5% RLE aerogels. Cytotoxicity and proliferation assays confirmed excellent biocompatibility, with cell viability exceeding 90% and enhanced proliferation observed in RLE‐loaded samples. These findings demonstrate that CS/G aerogels loaded with RLE offer a promising platform for biomedical and cosmetic applications, combining enhanced antibacterial properties, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. Highlights Chitosan was successfully extracted from shrimp waste with a yield of 16.28%. Rambutan Leaf Extract possesses strong antibacterial properties. The density of the aerogels increased with RLE loading, maintaining a high porosity. Aerogels with 5% RLE exhibited inhibition zones of 17.9 and 20.8 mm. Cytotoxicity tests showed cell viability over 90%.