**Preface to "Microbial Biopolymers: Trends in Synthesis, Modification, and Applications"**

This is a reprint of the Special Issue, "Microbial Biopolymers: Trends in Synthesis, Modification, and Applications". The reprint provides information on recent technological advancements in the area of the production, functionalization, and applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). There are ten chapters in this reprint that discuss the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates, feedstock studies, functionalization, and their applications. Chapter 1 is an introduction to microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates and current research scenarios around the globe, and it also provides information about the various chapters published in this reprint. Chapter 2 provides information about cheap and alternate carbon sources for PHA production and strategies to search for microbes for galactose-enriched algal biomass utilization. Chapter 3 is about the utilization of *Bacillus mycoides* for PHA production using cardboard as a feedstock. Chapter 4 discusses the possibility of alkanes as a source for PHA copolymer production using *Pseudomonas* sp. Chapter 5 reports on PHA recovery and downstream processing using a novel detergent-based PHA extraction method. Chapter 6 discusses a technology for PHA and hydrogen production from spent coffee grounds using *Pseudomonas resinovorans* and *Clostridium butyricum*. Chapter 7 provides information about improving the properties of polyhydroxyalkanoates by preparing copolymers or mixing and blending them with other natural and synthetic polymers. Chapter 8 provides information about polyhydroxyalkanoate applications in the packaging industry. Chapter 9 discusses the preparation of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) P(3HB-co-3HV) scaffold and its application in periodontal tissue engineering. Chapter 10 is about PHA blending with other plasticizers and its effect on the biodegradability of *Microbulbifer* sp. SOL66. Chapter 11 is about exopolysaccharide production by the *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens* RT7 strain isolated from an extreme acidic environment using a combination of glucose–Tween 80 as feedstock. Chapter 12 provides information about the identification of a thermostable levansucrase from *Pseudomonas orientalis* and its application in levan production. Chapter 13 discusses *Phormidium ambiguum* and *Leptolyngbya ohadii* exopolysaccharide production under low water availability. Chapter 14 provides information about microbial exopolysaccharide production, the preparation of their composite materials, and their applications in the health sector.

> **Shashi Kant Bhatia** *Editor*
