Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.0
4.7
Journals
Polymers
Special Issues
Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition
polymers-logo
Submit to Polymers Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 12636

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Waldo M. Argüelles-Monal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biopolymers Group, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Hermosillo 83304, Mexico
Interests: polysaccharides and their derivatization; polyelectrolyte complexes; smart polymers; functional polymeric materials and nanomaterials for biomedical and biotechnological applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Marguerite Rinaudo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biomaterials Applications, University of Grenoble Alpes, 6 Rue Lesdiguières, 38000 Grenoble, France
Interests: investigation on properties and applications of polysaccharides and water-soluble polymers; specific chemical modifications of polysaccharides; electrostatic properties and polyelectrolytes properties; hydration of polysaccharides in relation with their chemical structure and their environment; polyelectrolyte complexes; polysaccharide rheology in solution and gel; gel porosity; biomaterials from polysaccharides; electrospinning of chitosan nanofibers; applications of polysaccharides in cosmetics, foods, biomedical
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global mass production of plastics started in the 1950s; an estimated total of 8.3 to 9.1 million metric tons (Mt) have been manufactured up to now. Around only 9% and 12% of these have been recycled and incinerated, respectively, whereas the remaining 79% has accumulated in landfills or the natural environment, causing serious environmental issues. The demand for sustainability and a green economy has promoted research interest on polymer technologies:

  • To replace the use of fossil-derived polymers in various applications with neat biomacromolecules or their derivatives;
  • To employ a green synthesis processes to recover and/or synthesize monomers derived from renewable resources (biobased monomers);
  • To produce new, eco-friendly, biodegradable polymers based on these monomers in a short time. 
This Special Issue of Polymers aims to collect cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, original, full-length research articles and critical or tutorial reviews on the topic of ‘Biomacromolecules and Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers’, including but not limited to:
  • The properties of biomacromolecules and their applications in several fields;
  • The synthesis and characterization of macromolecules derivatives with the desired properties;
  • Eco-friendly processes used to recover biobased monomers from biomass;
  • Biomass treatments used to produce monomers appropriate for polymer synthesis;
  • The synthesis, properties, and applications of biobased and biodegradable polymers and copolymers;
  • The development of biocomposites and nanocomposites;
  • Biodegradable blends;
  • Biobased polymer recycling methods and depolymerization techniques;  
  • The advantages of biomacromolecules and/or biobased and biodegradable polymers.

Dr. Waldo M. Argüelles-Monal
Prof. Dr. Marguerite Rinaudo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomass
  • biobased monomers
  • eco-friendly polymers
  • biomacromolecules
  • biobased polymers
  • biodegradable polymers
  • polymer applications

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

18 pages, 4115 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Extraction Methods in Gram-Negative Pseudomonas putida U
by Luis Getino, Irene García, Alfonso Cornejo, Raúl Mateos, Luisa M. Ariza-Carmona, Natalia Sánchez-Castro, José F. Moran, Elías R. Olivera and Alejandro Chamizo-Ampudia
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020150 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1476
Abstract
Bioplastics are emerging as a promising solution to reduce pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. Among them, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) stand out as viable biotechnological alternatives, though their commercialization is limited by expensive downstream processes. Traditional PHA extraction methods often involve toxic solvents and high [...] Read more.
Bioplastics are emerging as a promising solution to reduce pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. Among them, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) stand out as viable biotechnological alternatives, though their commercialization is limited by expensive downstream processes. Traditional PHA extraction methods often involve toxic solvents and high energy consumption, underscoring the need for more sustainable approaches. This study evaluated physical and chemical methods to extract PHAs from Pseudomonas putida U, a bacterium known to produce poly-3-hydroxyoctanoate P(3HO). Lyophilized cells underwent six extraction methods, including the use of the following: boiling, sonication, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and chloroform. Physical methods such as boiling and sonication achieved yields of 70% and 60%, respectively, but P(3HO) recovery remained low (30–40%). NaClO extraction provided higher yields (80%) but resulted in significant impurities (70%). NaOH methods offered moderate yields (50–80%), with P(3HO) purities between 50% and 70%, depending on the conditions. Spectroscopic and analytical techniques (FTIR, TGA, NMR, GPC) identified 0.05 M NaOH at 60 °C as the optimal extraction condition, delivering high P(3HO) purity while minimizing environmental impact. This positions NaOH as a sustainable alternative to traditional halogenated solvents, paving the way for more eco-friendly PHA production processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4728 KiB  
Article
Structural and Physiochemical Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol–Succinoglycan Biodegradable Films
by Jae-pil Jeong, Inwoo Yoon, Kyungho Kim and Seunho Jung
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131783 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1920
Abstract
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–bacterial succinoglycan (SG) biodegradable films were developed through a solvent-casting method. Effects of the PVA/SG ratio on the thickness, transmittance, water holding capacity, and structural and mechanical properties were investigated by various analytical methods. All the prepared films were transparent and [...] Read more.
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–bacterial succinoglycan (SG) biodegradable films were developed through a solvent-casting method. Effects of the PVA/SG ratio on the thickness, transmittance, water holding capacity, and structural and mechanical properties were investigated by various analytical methods. All the prepared films were transparent and uniform, and XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed that PVA was successfully incorporated into SG. The films also showed excellent UV-blocking ability: up to close to 80% with increasing SG concentration. The formation of effective intermolecular interactions between these polymers was evidenced by their high tensile strength and moisture transport capacity. By measuring the biodegradation rate, it was confirmed that films with high SG content showed the fastest biodegradation rate over 5 days. These results confirm that PVA/SG films are eco-friendly, with both excellent biodegradability and effective UV-blocking ability, suggesting the possibility of industrial applications as a packaging material in various fields in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3533 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Solid Starch–Iodine Complex via Reactive Extrusion and Its Application in PLA-PBAT Blown Films
by Apoorva Kulkarni, Dimple Sharma, Alexander Ermlich, Shilpa Manjure, Ramani Narayan and Teresa M. Bergholz
Polymers 2024, 16(11), 1487; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111487 - 24 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1481
Abstract
In this study, a solid masterbatch of starch–iodine complex with 6.7 wt.% iodine was prepared in pellet form using a ZSK-30 twin-screw extruder. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and isothermal TGA analysis of the pellets revealed that there was no significant loss of iodine due to [...] Read more.
In this study, a solid masterbatch of starch–iodine complex with 6.7 wt.% iodine was prepared in pellet form using a ZSK-30 twin-screw extruder. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and isothermal TGA analysis of the pellets revealed that there was no significant loss of iodine due to sublimation during reactive extrusion. These solid pellets demonstrated antifungal properties when applied to strawberries via dip coating in an aqueous solution, extending their shelf life from two days to eight days, thereby reducing fungal growth and visual decay. Furthermore, the solid pellets displayed antibacterial activity against E. coli, as evidenced by the clear zone of inhibition observed in the Kirby–Bauer test. To enhance practical application, these pellets were further blended with PLA-PBAT film formulations at 10 and 18% by wt. to make blown films with effective iodine loadings of 0.7 and 1.3% by wt. These films showed superior antibacterial activity against E. coli compared with PLA control films and the commercial silver antimicrobial-containing films during direct inoculation tests as per ISO 22196. Tensile strength and elongation at break in machine direction (MD) for the starch–iodine-containing blown films were comparable to the control films in MD, but tensile strength was reduced to 37–40% in the transverse direction (TD). This was due to a non-uniform dispersion of the starch–iodine complex in the films, as confirmed by the visual and SEM analyses. Thus, this study illustrates the practical utility of the solid starch–iodine complex as a safe and efficient means of introducing iodine into an environment, mitigating the typical hazards associated with handling solid iodine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 8262 KiB  
Article
Computational Analysis of the Tripartite Interaction of Phasins (PhaP4 and 5)-Sigma Factor (σ24)-DNA of Azospirillum brasilense Sp7
by Yovani Aguilar-Carrillo, Lucía Soto-Urzúa, María De Los Ángeles Martínez-Martínez, Mirian Becerril-Ramírez and Luis Javier Martínez-Morales
Polymers 2024, 16(5), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16050611 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1401
Abstract
Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 produces PHB, which is covered by granule-associated proteins (GAPs). Phasins are the main GAPs. Previous studies have shown phasins can regulate PHB synthesis. When A. brasilense grows under stress conditions, it uses sigma factors to transcribe genes for survival. One [...] Read more.
Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 produces PHB, which is covered by granule-associated proteins (GAPs). Phasins are the main GAPs. Previous studies have shown phasins can regulate PHB synthesis. When A. brasilense grows under stress conditions, it uses sigma factors to transcribe genes for survival. One of these factors is the σ24 factor. This study determined the possible interaction between phasins and the σ24 factor or phasin-σ24 factor complex and DNA. Three-dimensional structures of phasins and σ24 factor structures were predicted using the I-TASSER and SWISS-Model servers, respectively. Subsequently, a molecular docking between phasins and the σ24 factor was performed using the ClusPro 2.0 server, followed by molecular docking between protein complexes and DNA using the HDOCK server. Evaluation of the types of ligand–receptor interactions was performed using the BIOVIA Discovery Visualizer for three-dimensional diagrams, as well as the LigPlot server to obtain bi-dimensional diagrams. The results showed the phasins (Pha4Abs7 or Pha5Abs7)-σ24 factor complex was bound near the −35 box of the promoter region of the phaC gene. However, in the individual interaction of PhaP5Abs7 and the σ24 factor, with DNA, both proteins were bound to the −35 box. This did not occur with PhaP4Abs7, which was bound to the −10 box. This change could affect the transcription level of the phaC gene and possibly affect PHB synthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6412 KiB  
Article
Physicochemical and Rheological Properties of Succinoglycan Overproduced by Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 Mutant
by Jaeyul Kim, Jae-pil Jeong, Yohan Kim and Seunho Jung
Polymers 2024, 16(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16020244 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2178
Abstract
Commercial bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) applications have been gaining interest; therefore, strains that provide higher yields are required for industrial-scale processes. Succinoglycan (SG) is a type of bacterial anionic exopolysaccharide produced by Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, and other soil bacterial species. SG has been [...] Read more.
Commercial bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) applications have been gaining interest; therefore, strains that provide higher yields are required for industrial-scale processes. Succinoglycan (SG) is a type of bacterial anionic exopolysaccharide produced by Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, and other soil bacterial species. SG has been widely used as a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food additive based on its properties as a thickener, texture enhancer, emulsifier, stabilizer, and gelling agent. An SG-overproducing mutant strain (SMC1) was developed from Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 through N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) mutation, and the physicochemical and rheological properties of SMC1-SG were analyzed. SMC1 produced (22.3 g/L) 3.65-fold more SG than did the wild type. Succinoglycan (SMC1-SG) overproduced by SMC1 was structurally characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights of SG and SMC1-SG were 4.20 × 105 and 4.80 × 105 Da, respectively, as determined by GPC. Based on DSC and TGA, SMC1-SG exhibited a higher endothermic peak (90.9 °C) than that of SG (77.2 °C). Storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) measurements during heating and cooling showed that SMC1-SG had improved thermal behavior compared to that of SG, with intersections at 74.9 °C and 72.0 °C, respectively. The SMC1-SG′s viscosity reduction pattern was maintained even at high temperatures (65 °C). Gelation by metal cations was observed in Fe3+ and Cr3+ solutions for both SG and SMC1-SG. Antibacterial activities of SG and SMC1-SG against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also observed. Therefore, like SG, SMC1-SG may be a potential biomaterial for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 3535 KiB  
Article
Elucidating the Role of Optical Activity of Polymers in Protein–Polymer Interactions
by Samin Jahan, Catherine Doyle, Anupama Ghimire, Diego Combita, Jan K. Rainey, Brian D. Wagner and Marya Ahmed
Polymers 2024, 16(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010065 - 24 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1984
Abstract
Proteins are biomolecules with potential applications in agriculture, food sciences, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and drug delivery. Interactions of hydrophilic and biocompatible polymers with proteins may impart proteolytic stability, improving the therapeutic effects of biomolecules and also acting as excipients for the prolonged storage of [...] Read more.
Proteins are biomolecules with potential applications in agriculture, food sciences, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and drug delivery. Interactions of hydrophilic and biocompatible polymers with proteins may impart proteolytic stability, improving the therapeutic effects of biomolecules and also acting as excipients for the prolonged storage of proteins under harsh conditions. The interactions of hydrophilic and stealth polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol), poly(trehalose), and zwitterionic polymers with various proteins are well studied. This study evaluates the molecular interactions of hydrophilic and optically active poly(vitamin B5 analogous methacrylamide) (poly(B5AMA)) with model proteins by fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy analysis. The optically active hydrophilic polymers prepared using chiral monomers of R-(+)- and S-(−)-B5AMA by the photo-iniferter reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization showed concentration-dependent weak interactions of the polymers with bovine serum albumin and lysozyme proteins. Poly(B5AMA) also exhibited a concentration-dependent protein stabilizing effect at elevated temperatures, and no effect of the stereoisomers of polymers on protein thermal stability was observed. NMR analysis, however, showed poly(B5AMA) stereoisomer-dependent changes in the secondary structure of proteins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 3774 KiB  
Review
Cellulose-Based Aerogels for Environmentally Sustainable Applications: A Review of the Production, Modification, and Sorption of Environmental Contaminants
by Fernanda Wickboldt Stark, Pascal Silas Thue, André Luiz Missio, Fernando Machado Machado, Rafael de Avila Delucis and Robson Andreazza
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020236 - 18 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1229
Abstract
Environmental pollution, stemming from the disposal of contaminants, poses severe threats to ecosystems and human health. The emergence of a new class of pollutants, termed emerging contaminants (ECs), in soil, water, and air has raised global concerns, aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda’s [...] Read more.
Environmental pollution, stemming from the disposal of contaminants, poses severe threats to ecosystems and human health. The emergence of a new class of pollutants, termed emerging contaminants (ECs), in soil, water, and air has raised global concerns, aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. Aerogels, three-dimensional structures with high porosity and low density, offer promise in addressing this issue. Cellulose-based aerogels, derived from abundant, renewable, and biodegradable sources, particularly stand out for their potential in adsorption applications. However, challenges arise in water and wastewater treatment due to cellulose aerogel’s inherent hydrophilicity. To overcome this limitation, incorporating new components and employing modification processes becomes essential. This article explores the production phases and diverse modifications of cellulose aerogels, aiming to enhance their adsorption capabilities for various environmental contaminants. By addressing hydrophilicity issues and developing stable composites, cellulose aerogels can contribute significantly to efficient and sustainable solutions in the quest for cleaner ecosystems and improved human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers, 3rd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop