Polymer-Based Materials Incorporated with Bioactive Compounds

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 707

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Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Paulo, UNIFESP, Rua São Nicolau 210, Diadema 09913-030, SP, Brazil
Interests: bioproducts and bioprocess; bioactive compounds; nanotechnology; natural pigments; microalgae
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-based materials combined with bioactive compounds represent a significant advancement in various fields, particularly in healthcare, food packaging, and environmental applications. These innovative materials leverage polymers' unique properties and the functional benefits of bioactive compounds, leading to enhanced performance and multifunctionality. In the healthcare sector, polymer-based materials infused with bioactive compounds are gaining attention for their potential in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. For instance, polymer scaffolds embedded with bioactive agents can significantly enhance healing and reduce infection rates. Regarding drug delivery systems, biodegradable polymer nanoparticles can encapsulate bioactive compounds for targeted drug delivery, ensuring sustained release and minimizing side effects. Another highlighted topic of this Special Issue is tissue engineering since polymers such as gelatin or chitosan, combined with growth factors or other bioactive molecules, can create scaffolds that promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. In the food industry, polymer-based materials enriched with bioactive compounds revolutionize food packaging by improving safety and extending shelf life. While the potential of polymer-based materials with bioactive compounds is exciting, several challenges remain. These include stability issues, controlled release mechanisms, and regulatory hurdles for food and healthcare applications. Future research is focused on overcoming these challenges by exploring new synthetic methods, optimizing formulations, and conducting extensive safety assessments. Polymer-based materials incorporated with bioactive compounds represent a dynamic intersection of material science and biotechnology. Their diverse applications across healthcare, food packaging, and environmental sectors highlight their significant potential to address contemporary challenges, paving the way for innovative products to improve quality of life and promote sustainability. As research progresses, these materials are expected to be increasingly vital in enhancing functionality and performance in various applications.

Dr. Anna Rafaela Cavalcante Braga
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polymers
  • bioactive compounds
  • drug delivery
  • tissue engineering
  • food industry

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 2704 KiB  
Article
Propolis Extract: Weaving Antioxidant Power into Polymeric Composites Through Electrospinning
by Sergiana dos Passos Ramos, Leonardo Ribeiro Bernardo, Monize Bürck, Laura Ordonho Líbero, Marcelo Assis and Anna Rafaela Cavalcante Braga
Polymers 2024, 16(22), 3230; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16223230 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 579
Abstract
The manufacture of composites with bioactive compounds represents a promising strategy for developing advanced materials in biomedical, food, and industrial applications. However, challenges such as stability, bioactivity retention, and controlled release hinder their effectiveness. Electrospinning emerges as a viable technique for encapsulating bioactive [...] Read more.
The manufacture of composites with bioactive compounds represents a promising strategy for developing advanced materials in biomedical, food, and industrial applications. However, challenges such as stability, bioactivity retention, and controlled release hinder their effectiveness. Electrospinning emerges as a viable technique for encapsulating bioactive compounds, offering advantages such as high surface area, porosity, and gradual release, which are critical for maintaining the bioactivity of embedded compounds. Regarding bioactive composition, propolis has been highlighted as a potential source and has great potential as a biopolymer ingredient due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study analyzed the composition and antioxidant activity of three commercial propolis extracts to select the most suitable extract for fiber composite production using zein and polyethylene oxide (PEO), both recognized as safe. The characterization of the electrospun fibers, including morphology, thermal properties, and antioxidant release, was conducted through various analytical techniques. The findings highlight the effectiveness of electrospinning for developing composite materials with bioactive compounds, paving the way for innovations in antioxidant technologies across multiple sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Materials Incorporated with Bioactive Compounds)
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