biodegradable polymers

Environmental impact of bioplastic use: A review

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Bioplastics are plastic-like materials made from renewable sources like corn, seaweed, and mushroom mycelium instead of petroleum. While they’re often promoted as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, they have their own problems including methane emissions and using farmland needed for food production. However, research shows that despite these drawbacks, bioplastics generally cause less environmental harm than traditional petroleum-based plastics.

Poly(lactic Acid): A Versatile Biobased Polymer for the Future with Multifunctional Properties—From Monomer Synthesis, Polymerization Techniques and Molecular Weight Increase to PLA Applications

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PLA is an eco-friendly plastic made from renewable resources like corn and sugarcane that can break down naturally, making it a sustainable alternative to regular petroleum-based plastics. Scientists have developed various methods to manufacture PLA with different strengths and properties suitable for medical devices, packaging, and other applications. The review examines how different catalysts and manufacturing techniques affect the quality and durability of PLA products, and discusses its potential to help reduce plastic pollution.

Advances and Challenges in Smart Packaging Technologies for the Food Industry: Trends, Applications, and Sustainability Considerations

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Smart food packaging is evolving from simple containers into intelligent systems that actively protect food and communicate its freshness to consumers. These packages use special materials, embedded sensors, and smart labels to monitor temperature, detect spoilage early, and provide real-time tracking information. While these technologies promise fresher food, longer shelf life, and reduced waste, they face challenges including cost, environmental impact, and privacy concerns that need to be addressed for widespread adoption.

Succinic Acid Production by Engineered Mannheimia succiniciproducens and Its Use in Chemoenzymatic Poly(Butylene Succinate) Synthesis

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Scientists engineered a bacterium (Mannheimia succiniciproducens) to produce succinic acid more efficiently, a key ingredient in biodegradable plastics. The purified acid was then converted into poly(butylene succinate) using mild chemical and enzymatic processes, avoiding toxic catalysts and high temperatures. The resulting plastic completely biodegrades in the environment within weeks using naturally occurring bacteria, making it a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics.

Editorial: Effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems

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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics are accumulating in soil worldwide and causing problems for the microorganisms that keep soil healthy. This editorial reviews research showing that while newer biodegradable plastic mulches used in farming are better than traditional plastics, both types can weaken the complex networks of beneficial soil microbes. Scientists found bacteria that can break down some plastic chemicals, but long-term solutions require better monitoring and ways to manage plastic residues in agricultural soils.

Development of Active Antibacterial CEO/CS@PLA Nonwovens and the Application on Food Preservation

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Researchers created special biodegradable packaging material made from corn-based plastic combined with chitosan (from crab shells) and cinnamon oil. When placed over fresh strawberries, this material killed 99.99% of harmful bacteria and significantly extended shelf life. The packaging reduced strawberry decay, weight loss, and spoilage while maintaining nutritional quality.

Biobased Materials from Microbial Biomass and Its Derivatives

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This review explores how scientists are creating environmentally friendly materials using microorganisms like yeast, fungi, and bacteria instead of petroleum. These microbial-based materials can form flexible films suitable for food packaging and other applications. They are biodegradable, renewable, and can even be made from waste products generated by brewing and other industries. This approach offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution while supporting a circular economy.

Synbiotic yogurt with nanoparticle entrapped rice straw hemicellulose for immediate probiotic support and prebiotic delivery

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Scientists created a new type of yogurt that contains beneficial bacteria and special prebiotics from rice straw. The innovation uses tiny nanoparticles to protect some of the prebiotics so they reach your gut intact, while free prebiotics immediately feed the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt during storage. This dual-delivery approach keeps the yogurt fresher longer while ensuring you get maximum health benefits for your digestive system.

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

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Researchers have developed a novel method to make mushroom-based materials stronger by coating them with biodegradable plastics using 3D printing technology. This approach combines fungal mycelium from Fomes fomentarius with eco-friendly polymers to create composites that are significantly stronger than plain mycelium while remaining fully compostable. The resulting materials could be used for flexible devices, interior design, and other applications where both strength and environmental sustainability are important.

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

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Researchers developed a new way to make fungal mushroom mats stronger by printing biodegradable plastic patterns onto them using 3D printing technology. The resulting composite materials combined the sustainability of fungal products with improved strength, making them suitable for flexible applications like smart textiles and lightweight parts. Both tested polymers (PHBH and PLA) enhanced the mycelium’s mechanical properties, with PLA showing superior strength improvements while PHBH offered home compostability.

Research Keyword: biodegradable polymers