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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 57708

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Prof. Dr. Farayde Matta Fakhouri

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Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC BarcelonaTech), 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Interests: edible packaging; edible coatings; food packaging; starch
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. José Ignacio Velasco

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Poly2 Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC BarcelonaTech), ESEIAAT, C/Colom 11, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Interests: polymers; composites; foams; nanocomposites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The implementation of circular economy systems and the increasing focus on minimizing the disposal of non-biodegradable materials deliver significant benefits to the environment such as the preservation of fossil raw materials, reduction of landfill waste, and reduction of CO₂ emissions. It also increases the need to constantly investigate new and innovative ways to use materials from renewable sources.

In this context, research for the development of materials from renewable sources like lipids, plant-based proteins (zein, soy, pea, gluten), animal-based proteins (gelatine, whey, casein), and polysaccharides (starch, chitosan, sodium alginate, pectin, gums) has grown significantly in recent years.

Some of these environmental-friendly materials can be used to develop flexible films, rigid sheets, and foams. They can also be processed into edible systems, such as coatings. In addition to being edible, these can also carry antimicrobial and antioxidant functionalities through the addition of bioactive compounds, extending their application to the preparation of bioactive and biodegradable films, foams, and packaging.

This Special Issue will present the most recent research works and reviews dedicated to polymers from renewable sources and their potential applications in the short and long-term.

Prof. Farayde Matta Fakhouri
Prof. Dr. José Ignacio Velasco
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Biodegradable packaging
active packaging
bioactive compounds
agricultural products
food packaging
biodegradable foams
edible films and edible coatings

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Antibacterial, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Novel Chitosan/Olibanum Gum Film for Food Packaging Application

by Maedeh Salavati Hamedani, Mohammadreza Rezaeigolestani and Mohammad Mohsenzadeh

Polymers 2022, 14(19), 3960; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14193960 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2177

Abstract

Chitosan-based films are promising active biodegradable materials with the ability to be enhanced by different materials, including gums. This study aims to optimize the physical (transmittance, water vapor permeability and water solubility), mechanical (tensile strength and elongation at break) and antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium) properties of newly fabricated chitosan/olibanum gum (CH/OG) films as a function of different levels of CH (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5% w/v) and OG (0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5 and 0.625% w/v), using response surface methodology (RSM). Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to better characterize the fabricated films. RSM analysis results showed the significant fitting of all dependent variable responses to the quadratic polynomial model. To attain the desirable physical, mechanical and antibacterial responses, the optimal concentrations were 1.31% (w/v) CH and 0.3% (w/v) OG. The encouraging antibacterial, physical and mechanical properties of the developed composites support the application of chitosan/gum blends in active food packaging, particularly for perishable foodstuffs, such as meat and horticultural products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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11 pages, 782 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Bioactive Films Based on Starch from White, Red, and Black Rice to Food Application

by Luan Ramos da Silva, José Ignacio Velasco and Farayde Matta Fakhouri

Polymers 2022, 14(4), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040835 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3427

Abstract

Packages from renewable sources have been the focus of many studies, due to the consumer needs for high-quality food, environmental concern related to the inadequate discard of packaging, low percentage of packaging recycling, and starch application by a viable method. Thus, this work aimed to develop bioactive packages based on white, red, and black rice starch and analyze the influence of macromolecule and plasticizer type, even its blends, on the characteristics of films. Films were characterized by color, opacity, thickness, water solubility, water vapor permeability, and bioactive properties. The use of rice starch in the development of edible and/or biodegradable films was feasible, with all the formulations tested presenting a homogeneous matrix and the films obtained varying in hue, to the naked eye, as a function of the starch used. Variation of the type of starch and plasticizer, as well as the concentrations of the same, resulted in films with differences in all studied properties. Films prepared with 5% of starch and 30% of sorbitol showed phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, using the DPPH and ABTS methods, indicating that these can be considered bioactive packages and also suitable for food application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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17 pages, 1608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Antibacterial Biocomposites Based on Poly(lactic acid) with Spice Essential Oil (Pimpinella anisum) for Food Applications

by Negin Noori, Ali Khanjari, Mohammadreza Rezaeigolestani, Ioannis K. Karabagias and Sahar Mokhtari

Polymers 2021, 13(21), 3791; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213791 - 1 Nov 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2976

Abstract

Among the main biodegradable food packaging materials, poly-lactic acid (PLA) is a commercially successful polymer used notably in the food packaging industry. In this study, active PLA films containing different percentage of anise essential oil (AE) (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% v/v) were developed, and characterized by physical, mechanical and antibacterial analysis. Based on physical examinations, thermal stability of PLA/AE films was greater than the neat PLA film, and the minimum water vapor permeability (WVP) was recorded for PLA/0.5AE film (1.29 × 10 ¹¹ g/m s), while maximum WVP was observed for PLA/1.5AE (2.09 × 10¹¹ g/m s). Moreover, the lightness and yellowness of the composites were decreased by the addition of AE. For the PLA composites with 1.5% AE, the tensile strength decreased by 35% and the elongation break increased by 28.09%, comparing to the pure PLA. According to the antibacterial analysis, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of PLA/AE film were 5 to 100 mg/mL and the active composite could create visible inhibition zones of 14.2 to 19.2 mm. Furthermore, the films containing AE inhibited L. monocytogenes and V. parahaemolyticus in a concentration-dependent manner. The confirmation of the success of the incorporation of EOs into the PLA films was further evaluated using principal component analysis, where positive results were obtained. In this context, our findings suggest the significant potency of AE to be used as an antibacterial agent in active food packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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13 pages, 2243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Edible Films Based on Pea Starch with Incorporation of Active Compounds Obtained from the Purple Araçá (Psidium myrtoides)

by Thainá Stéphanie Martins de Freitas, Vitor Augusto dos Santos Garcia, Cristina Tostes Filgueiras, José Ignacio Velasco and Farayde Matta Fakhouri

Polymers 2021, 13(18), 3134; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183134 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

The aim of this study was to incorporate the active compounds present in purple araçá (Psidium myrtoides) in pea starch-based films and to verify the influence of different plasticizers (glycerol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol 400) on film properties. Films were produced and characterized in relation to visual appearance, active compounds, antimicrobial activity, and mechanical and barrier properties. Pea starch has a high amylose content and a final viscosity of 5371.5 RVU, which contributes to the elaboration of films even without the addition of plasticizers. Purple araçá and pea starch formed films with good water vapor barrier characteristics (0.398 g·mm/m²·h·KPa) and low solubility (33.30%). Among plasticizers, sorbitol promoted a lower permeability to water vapor. The selected formulations, 0%, 20%, and 30% sorbitol, presented a high concentration of phenolic compounds (1194.55, 1115.47, and 1042.10 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹, respectively) and were able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, films contained the active compounds of purple araçá and potential to be used as food packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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11 pages, 1429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility of Using Carvacrol/Starch Edible Coatings to Improve the Quality of Paipa Cheese

by Alex López-Córdoba

Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2516; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152516 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2221

Abstract

Paipa cheese is the only Colombian semi-ripened cheese with protected geographical indication. In the current work, the effect of applying starch coatings carrying carvacrol on Paipa cheeses was analyzed. Coatings were prepared based on blends of potato starch (2 g/100 g), carvacrol (0.1 g/100 g), polysorbate 80, glycerol, and water and applied to the cheese’s surface by brushing. Uncoated cheeses were also analyzed for comparison. Moreover, films were prepared and characterized in terms of their moisture content, water vapor permeability, mechanical properties, transparency, water solubility, swelling (%), and antioxidant activity. Carvacrol/starch films showed a slight decrease in their water solubility and Young’s modulus, while not significant changes were observed in water vapor permeability, moisture content, transparency, and swelling behavior, in comparison with the starch films. After application on the Paipa cheeses, the carvacrol/starch coatings enhanced the brightness of the cheeses without causing significant changes in water activity, moisture content, color attributes, and mesophilic aerobic bacteria and molds/yeasts count. Moreover, edible coatings have a significant effect on the hardness, the gumminess, the springiness, and the chewiness of the Paipa cheese. Coated cheeses were better preserved at day 60 of storage because they did not show changes in their lightness, hardness, and springiness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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12 pages, 907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polysaccharide Derived from Nelumbo nucifera Lotus Plumule Shows Potential Prebiotic Activity and Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in HepG2 Cells

by Bao Le, Pham-Thi-Ngoc Anh and Seung-Hwan Yang

Polymers 2021, 13(11), 1780; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111780 - 28 May 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3410

Abstract

Polysaccharides are key bioactive compounds in lotus plumule tea, but their anti-diabetes activities remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prebiotic activities of a novel polysaccharide fraction from the Nelumbo nucifera lotus plumule, and to examine its regulation of glucose metabolism in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. The N. nucifera polysaccharide (NNP) was purified after discoloration, hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography to obtain purified polysaccharide fractions (NNP-2). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the main structural characteristics and functional group of NNP-2. Physicochemical characterization indicated that NNP-2 had a molecular weight of 110.47 kDa and consisted of xylose, glucose, fructose, galactose, and fucose in a molar ratio of 33.4:25.7:22.0:10.5:8.1. The prebiotic activity of NNP-2 was demonstrated in vitro using Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, NNP-2 showed bioactivity against α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 97.32 µg/mL). High glucose-induced insulin-resistant HepG2 cells were used to study the effect of NNP-2 on glucose consumption, and the molecular mechanism of the insulin transduction pathway was studied using RT-qPCR. NNP-2 could improve insulin resistance by modulating the IRS1/PI3K/Akt pathway in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Our data demonstrated that the Nelumbo nucifera polysaccharides are potential sources for nutraceuticals, and we propose functional food developments from the bioactive polysaccharides of N. nucifera for the management of diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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15 pages, 7561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biosynthesized Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) on Coated Pineapple Leaf Fiber Papers for Biodegradable Packaging Application

by Pilanee Vaithanomsat, Kunat Kongsin, Chanaporn Trakunjae, Jirachaya Boonyarit, Amnat Jarerat, Kumar Sudesh and Rungsima Chollakup

Polymers 2021, 13(11), 1733; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111733 - 26 May 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4902

Abstract

This paper is aimed at investigating the usage of biosynthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3-HB)) for a coating on pineapple leaf fiber paper (PLFP). For this purpose, (P(3-HB)) was produced by Rhodococcus pyridinivorans BSRT1-1, a highly potential P(3-HB) producing bacterium, with a weight-average molecular weight (M_w) of 6.07 × 10 ⁻⁵ g/mol. This biosynthesized P(3-HB) at 7.5% (w/v) was then coated on PLFP through the dip-coating technique with chloroform used as a solvent. The respective coated PLFP showed that P(3-HB) could be well coated all over on the PLFP surface as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The brightness and mechanical properties of PLFP could be improved by coating with biosynthesized P(3-HB) in comparison to commercially available P(3-HB) and non-coated PLFP. Furthermore, coating of P(3-HB) significantly increased the water drop penetration time on the surface of PLFP and was similar to that of the commercial P(3-HB) with the same content. The results showed that all the coated PLPF samples can be degraded under the soil burial test conditions. We have demonstrated that the P(3-HB) coated PLFP paper has the ability to prevent water drop penetration and could undergo biodegradation. Taken together, the P(3-HB) coated PLFP can be applied as a promising biodegradable paper packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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16 pages, 1958 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isolation of Chitin from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) and Its Usage to Metal Sorption

by Katarzyna Złotko, Adam Waśko, Daniel M. Kamiński, Iwona Budziak-Wieczorek, Piotr Bulak and Andrzej Bieganowski

Polymers 2021, 13(5), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13050818 - 7 Mar 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6167

Abstract

Chitin has become a desirable raw material used in various areas of life. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) can be a source of this substance. In the literature, there are many methods of obtaining chitin but there is no one universal method of isolating it. In this publication, we present various procedures for the isolation of chitin from H. illucens pupal exuviae. The obtained chitin variants were characterized using different techniques (optical and confocal microscopy, FTIR, XRD, EDX, thermogravimetric analysis). The tested chitin isolated with an efficiency of 5.69–7.95% was the α form with a crystallinity degree of 60% and maximum degradation temperature of 392 °C. Furthermore, we characterized the nickel ion biosorption process on chitin and proposed the mechanism of this process to be ion exchange and complexation. There have been no such studies thus far on the isolation of chitin from H. illucens exuviae or on the biosorption of nickel ions on this type of biosorbent. The conducted research can be used to develop the application of chitin as a metal biosorbent that can be obtained with relatively high efficiency and good sorption properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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Review

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57 pages, 4384 KiB

Open AccessReview

Approaches in Animal Proteins and Natural Polysaccharides Application for Food Packaging: Edible Film Production and Quality Estimation

by Andrey Lisitsyn, Anastasia Semenova, Viktoria Nasonova, Ekaterina Polishchuk, Natalia Revutskaya, Ivan Kozyrev and Elena Kotenkova

Polymers 2021, 13(10), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13101592 - 15 May 2021

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 10003

Abstract

Natural biopolymers are an interesting resource for edible films production, as they are environmentally friendly packaging materials. The possibilities of the application of main animal proteins and natural polysaccharides are considered in the review, including the sources, structure, and limitations of usage. The main ways for overcoming the limitations caused by the physico-chemical properties of biopolymers are also discussed, including composites approaches, plasticizers, and the addition of crosslinking agents. Approaches for the production of biopolymer-based films and coatings are classified according to wet and dried processes and considered depending on biopolymer types. The methods for mechanical, physico-chemical, hydration, and uniformity estimation of edible films are reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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36 pages, 6307 KiB

Open AccessReview

State of the Art and New Directions on Electrospun Lignin/Cellulose Nanofibers for Supercapacitor Application: A Systematic Literature Review

by Abdullahi Abbas Adam, John Ojur Dennis, Yas Al-Hadeethi, E. M. Mkawi, Bashir Abubakar Abdulkadir, Fahad Usman, Yarima Mudassir Hassan, I. A. Wadi and Mustapha Sani

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2884; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122884 - 1 Dec 2020

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 6859

Abstract

Supercapacitors are energy storage devices with high power density, rapid charge/discharge rate, and excellent cycle stability. Carbon-based supercapacitors are increasingly attracting attention because of their large surface area and high porosity. Carbon-based materials research has been recently centered on biomass-based materials due to the rising need to maintain a sustainable environment. Cellulose and lignin constitute the major components of lignocellulose biomass. Since they are renewable, sustainable, and readily accessible, lignin and cellulose-based supercapacitors are economically viable and environmentally friendly. This review aims to systematically analyze published research findings on electrospun lignin, cellulose, and lignin/cellulose nanofibers for use as supercapacitor electrode materials. A rigorous scientific approach was employed to screen the eligibility of relevant articles to be included in this study. The research questions and the inclusion criteria were clearly defined. The included articles were used to draw up the research framework and develop coherent taxonomy of literature. Taxonomy of research literature generated from the included articles was classified into review papers, electrospun lignin, cellulose, and lignin/cellulose nanofibers for use as supercapacitor electrode materials. Furthermore, challenges, recommendations, and research directions for future studies were equally discussed extensively. Before this study, no review on electrospun lignin/cellulose nanofiber-based supercapacitors has been reported. Thus, this systematic review will provide a reference for other researchers interested in developing biomass-based supercapacitors as an alternative to conventional supercapacitors based on petroleum products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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22 pages, 2175 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lignin-Based Nanoparticles: A Review on Their Preparations and Applications

by Qianqian Tang, Yong Qian, Dongjie Yang, Xueqing Qiu, Yanlin Qin and Mingsong Zhou

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112471 - 25 Oct 2020

Cited by 110 | Viewed by 11016

Abstract

Lignin is the most abundant by-product from the pulp and paper industry as well as the second most abundant natural renewable biopolymer after cellulose on earth. In recent years, transforming unordered and complicated lignin into ordered and uniform nanoparticles has attracted wide attention due to their excellent properties such as controlled structures and sizes, better miscibility with polymers, and improved antioxidant activity. In this review, we first introduce five important technical lignin from different sources and then provide a comprehensive overview of the recent progress of preparation techniques which are involved in the fabrication of various lignin-based nanoparticles and their industrial applications in different fields such as drug delivery carriers, UV absorbents, hybrid nanocomposites, antioxidant agents, antibacterial agents, adsorbents for heavy metal ions and dyes, and anticorrosion nanofillers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biopolymers from Renewable Sources and Their Applications)

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