Nano/Micro-Structural Supramolecular Biopolymers: Innovative Networks with the Boundless Potential in Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role in meeting the growing global demand for food while minimizing adverse environmental impacts from the overuse of synthetic pesticides and conventional fertilizers.In this context,renewable biopolymers being more sustainable offer a viable solution to improve agricultural sustainability and production.Nano/micro-structural supramolecular biopolymers are among these innovative biopolymers that are much sought after for their unique features.These biomaterials have complex hierarchical structures,great stability,adjustable mechanical strength,stimuli-responsiveness,and self-healing attributes.Functional molecules may be added to their flexible structure,for enabling novel agricultural uses.This overview scrutinizes how nano/micro-structural supramolecular biopolymers may radically alter farming practices and solve lingering problems in agricultural sector namely improve agricultural production,soil health,and resource efficiency.Controlled bioactive ingredient released from biopolymers allows the tailored administration of agrochemicals,bioactive agents,and biostimulators as they enhance nutrient absorption,moisture retention,and root growth.Nano/micro-structural supramolecular biopolymers may protect crops by appending antimicrobials and biosensing entities while their eco-friendliness supports sustainable agriculture.Despite their potential,further studies are warranted to understand and optimize their usage in agricultural domain.This effort seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating their applications,challenges,and future prospects in the agricultural sector.Through experimental investigations and theoretical modeling,this overview aims to provide valuable insights into the practical implementation and optimization of supramolecular biopolymers in sustainable agriculture,ultimately contributing to the development of innovative and eco-friendly solutions to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

Use of biopolymers in wastewater treatment:A brief review of current trends and prospects

Indeed,polymeric materials have thrived in worldwide sectors over the last five decades due to their versatility and durability,to the point that we can no longer envisage a product that does not contain them.However,many synthetic polymers that have been produced are mostly sourced from petroleum and coal as raw materials,making them environmentally incompatible because they cannot be integrated with what is a natural recycling system.One of the most important aspects of the transition to a circular bioeconomy(CBE)is the provision of more sustainable strategies for resource and waste management.Considering the environmental consequences associated with petroleum-based polymers(PBPs),natural biopolymers,originating from biomass,can be conceived as a promising solution to gradually replace the PBPs,and address,and resolve the potential challenges and prevailing research gaps in the PBPs.The biopolymers have significant advantages over PBPs in terms of low-cost/zero-cost precursors,environmental friendliness,and user-friendliness.The present review dissects the sources,synthesis pathways,structures,characterization,and employment of biopolymers and their composites in water and wastew-ater treatment applications via different scenarios.Furthermore,the CBE model framework proposes potential approaches to applying CBE principles in the wastewater management sector,with a heavy emphasis on not only technology but also organizational and societal reforms.To sum up,the reliance on biopolymers can be considered a crucial tool for assessing the global progress toward CBE,as well as future environmental management and planning.

Tailoring Food Biopolymers into Biogels for Regenerative Wound Healing and Versatile Skin Bioelectronics

An increasing utilization of wound-related therapeutic materials and skin bioelectronics urges the development of multifunctional biogels for personal therapy and health management.Nevertheless,conventional dressings and skin bioelectronics with single function,mechanical mismatches,and impracticality severely limit their widespread applications in clinical.Herein,we explore a gelling mechanism,fabrication method,and functionalization for broadly applicable food biopolymers-based biogels that unite the challenging needs of elastic yet injectable wound dressing and skin bioelectronics in a single system.We combine our biogels with functional nanomaterials,such as cuttlefish ink nanoparticles and silver nanowires,to endow the biogels with reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity and electrical conductivity,and finally realized the improvement in diabetic wound microenvironment and the monitoring of electrophysiological signals on skin.This line of research work sheds light on preparing food biopolymers-based biogels with multifunctional integration of wound treatment and smart medical treatment.

Systematically Monitoring,Relational Database and Technology Roadmapping for Trends and Innovation Opportunities in Biopolymers

In recent years environmental and sustainability concerns have impacted the global chemical industry and instituted a rush to produce products from renewable raw materials.This dynamic,complex and turbulent organizational scenario,around themes touching on the issue of sustainable development model,was created involving a large number of different actors:chemical/petrochemical industries,agroindustry companies,oil/gas companies,brand owners and end users,biotechnology startups,governments,universities and society.This paper proposed the application of a structured and dynamic method of technological prediction for biopolymers in three levels:systematic monitoring process,relational database and the“alive”Technology Roadmapping visualization tool.The main objective is to identify strategic actions,business models,the latest´s technologies in development,as well as trends in the field of biopolymers in order to support companies on position themselves in this competitive scenario.Furthermore,companies,universities,government agencies and institutions could apply this dynamic and alive methodology to indeed access innovation opportunities,challenges and threats for different industrial segments and to provide dynamic knowledge management collaborating to their strategy including a database crossing for the all organization.

Actional Mechanism of Trifluoroacetic Acid for the Separation of Biopolymers by Reversed-phase Liquid Chromatography

The present paper covers the actional mechanism of trifluoroacetic acid for the separation of biopolymers investigated by using the parameters of stoichiometric displacement model for retention(SDM-R) in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. It was found that the trifluoroacetic acid(TFA) may participate in, or stimulate the association among displacing agent molecules in mobile phase, and decrease the affinity of both the associate molecules of the displacing agent and the TFA-protein ion-pairing. The former dominates over the separation selectivity of biopolymers as the concentration of TFA is lower than a given value, and the two contrary functions partly offset to each other and the latter dominates as its concentration is greater than the given value.

Molecular-scale controllable conversion of biopolymers into hard carbons towards lithium and sodium ion batteries: A review

Hard carbons are widely investigated as potential anodes for lithium and sodium ion batteries owing to their internally well-tailored textures(closed pores and defects) and large microcrystalline interlayer spacing. The renewable biomass is a green and economically attractive carbon source to produce hard carbons. However, the chemical and structural complexity of biomass has plagued the understanding of evolution mechanism from organic precursors to hard carbons and the structure-property relationship.This makes it difficult to finely tune the microstructure of biomass-derived hard carbons, thus greatly restricting their high-performance applications. Most recently, the optimal utilization and controllable conversion of biomass-derived biopolymers(such as starch, cellulose and lignin) at the molecular level have become a burgeoning area of research to develop hard carbons for advanced batteries.Considering the principal source of carbonaceous materials is from biomass pyrolysis, we firstly overview the chemical structures and pyrolysis behaviors of three main biopolymers. Then, the controllable preparation of hard carbons using various physicochemical properties of biopolymers at the molecular level is systematically discussed. Furthermore, we highlight present challenges and further opportunities in this field. The Review will guide future research works on the design of sustainable hard carbons and the optimization of battery performance.

Vapour and Solution Uptake Properties of Starch and Cellulose Biopolymers

This study was aimed at gaining further insight on the role of hydration in adsorption processes of biopolymer/adsorbate systems using complementary methods (electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, calorimetry, and solvent/vapour adsorption isotherms). Cellulose and starch-based materials were used as the adsorbents, whereas water (liquid and vapour), ethanol and p-nitrophenol (PNP) in aqueous solution were the adsorbate systems. The biopolymer/water systems had higher uptake capacity overall, where starch materials showed higher uptake capacity than cellulose among the various solvents. The secondary and tertiary structure of the biopolymers was a key factor affecting their uptake capacity, as evidenced by the enhanced adsorption properties of starch over cellulose, along with higher uptake of amylose (AM) versus amylopectin (AP) in starch biopolymers. EMI results also confirmed that AM starch had higher adsorption toward water than ethanol. The textural properties and surface chemistry of the biopolymers were probed using dye adsorption (PNP at pH 8.5) in aqueous solution that showed parallel trends with water vapour adsorption isotherms. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) revealed that the heat of adsorption in AP differed from that of AM since the biopolymer tertiary structure governs the accessibility of biopolymer adsorption sites. The role of branching in AP and amorphous domains in AM/AP composites are inferred to play a key role in hydration-driven allosterism known for such biopolymer/water vapour adsorption processes.

Bilateral Gluteal Reconstruction with Double Flap Secondary to Biopolymers Injection

The injection of adjuvant substances for aesthetic purposes is a public health problem, for 40 years this problem has been described throughout our continent, the vast majority of women patients are affected by the infiltration of silicon, mineral oils, automotive oil, methyl methacrylate, cement and various oily substances. This is a 54-year-old female patient who for about 30 years for cosmetic purposes was injected with mineral oil (quantity unknown) in both glutei with the aim of buttock augmentation. Physical examination was observed an important deformity in each buttock, hyperkeratosis with discoloration in both buttocks, loss of bilateral projection, right buttock with a secondary tumor of 22 cm × 11 cm and left 22 cm × 10 cm, stony appearance, local hyperthermia, painful on manipulation, with diffuse nodular lesions measuring 2 cm × 2 cm, without evidence of loss of continuity that would condition secretion leakage. Surgical planning is based on the very important size of the initial defect that we would have to reconstruct, so that the rotation of two wide-based flaps could guarantee better survival and occlusion of the defect, since the realization of a graft would cause a significant deformity, and the realization of a microsurgical flap in a fibrous tissue would inevitably result in its necrosis. The pathophysiology of the adjuvant disease is extremely complex, therefore it must be addressed by a multidisciplinary group with extensive experience.

Studies in Molecular Weight Determination of Cottonseed and Melon Seed Oils Based Biopolymers

Six grades of biopolymers formulated to have oil content of 40% (M1), 50% (M2), and 60% (M3) melon seed oil (MESO) and 40% (C1), 50% (C2), and 60% (C3) cottonseed oil (COSO) respectively, were prepared with phthalic anhydride, and glycerol using alcoholysis-polycondensation process. The extend of polycondensation was monitored by determining the acid value of aliquots of the reaction mixture at various intervals of time. Molecular weight averages and polydispersity index (PDI) of the finished alkyds were determined by Rast method and end-group analysis. Molecular weight averages and PDI vary with differences in oil length of the alkyds, with samples M2 and C2 respectively exhibiting the highest PDI. Molecular weight average obtained from end-group analysis and those determined by Rast method in brackets are 1338.92 (597.00), 982.33 (696.25), 1316.09 (754.03), and 1160.57 (448.13), 765.96 (583.57), 1049.92 (696.25) for samples M1, M2, M3 and C1, C2, C3 respectively. Number molecular weight averages calculated from end-group analysis are larger than those obtained by Rast method for both MESO and COSO alkyds and seem to grossly overestimate their molecular weights. The mode of variation of these properties indicates that the synthesis of MESO and COSO alkyds are complex. Correlation of PDI with the quality of the finished alkyds shows that the higher the PDI value the better the quality of the alkyd. Performance properties such as rate of drying, film hardness and resistance to chemicals were optimum at 50% oil length for both triglyceride oil alkyds.

Biopolymers Applied to Packaging:A Brief Literature Review on Their Impact on Sustainability

The replacement of fossil raw materials by renewable alternatives is imper­ative.Renewable,biodegradable,and compostable polymers are options to be developed and adopted.Embedded in this concept,the present study evaluates whether biopolymers are sustainable alternatives to replace tra­ditional polymers used in packaging,such as polyethylene.To that end,a systematic literature review(SLR)was carried out on biopolymers applied to packaging,with an analysis of its impacts.Three sustainability crite­ria were adopted:a)Criteria for Developing Sustainable Packaging;b)Goals of Sustainable Development;and c)Circular Economy Criteria.The Methodology Section presents the state of the art of potential polymers for packaging and their characteristics related to the evaluation criteria adopted based on the SLR.Through data collection,it was observed that advanced obtaining techniques enable polymers economically and that,environ­mentally speaking,there is a positive consensus about some types of those materials.However,technological maturity and productive scale capacity are necessary to reduce costs in a competitive scenario with conventional polymers.

The Separation Efficiency of Biopolymers with Short Column in Liquid Chromatography

The separation efficiency of biopolymers with a short column in liquid chromatography has been investigated in this paper. It was found that the column length has slight effect on the resolution of biopolymers under gradient elution. The reasons have been explained by stoichiometric displacement model for retention of solute. The column 1.0 cm long was also used in the separation and purification of recombinant human granulocyte colony-simulating factor (rhG-CSF). It only took 40 min and the purity by one step was found to be almost 100%.

Improving the Unconfined Compressive Strength of Red Clay by Combining Biopolymers with Fibers

To explore an environmentally friendly improvement measure for red clay,the function and mechanism of xanthan gum biopolymer and polypropylene fibers on the strength properties of red clay were investigated by unconfined compressive strength and scanning electron microscopy tests.The test results demonstrated that the contents and curing ages of xanthan gum had significant influences on the unconfined compressive strength of red clay.Compared with untreated soil,1.5%xanthan gum content was the optimal ratio in which the strength increment was between 41.52 kPa and 64.73 kPa.On the other hand,the strength of xanthan gum-treated red clay increased,whereas the ductility decreased with the increase in curing ages,indicating that the xanthan gum-treated red clay started to gradually consolidate after 3 days of curing and stiffness significantly improved between 7 and 28 days of curing.The results also showed that the synergistic consolidation effects of the xanthan gum–polypropylene fibers could not only effectively enhance the strength of red clay but also reduce the brittle failure phenomenon.The strengths of soil treated with 2.0%xanthan gum-polypropylene fibers were 1.9–2.41 and 1.12–1.47 times than that of red clay and 1.5%xanthan gum-treated clay,respectively.The results of study provide the related methods and experiences for the field of ecological soil treatment.

Poly [ (chloromethyl) styrene-co-divinylbenzene] Continuous Rod Column of Weak Cation Exchange Chromatography and its Applications in the Separation of Biopolymers

Macroporous poly [(chloromethyl) styrene-co-divinylbenzene] continuous rod was prepared by direct polymerization of the monomers in the presence of a porogenic diluent inside an empty chromatographic column. A new 'in-situ' technique was used to modify the synthesized polymer rod for a weak cation exchanger and it has been used successfully for the separation of biopolymers. It was found that the back pressure of the continuous rod column was much lower and its surface was proved to be modified well.

Stretching instability of intrinsically curved semiflexible biopolymers:A lattice model approach

We apply a Monte Carlo simulation method to lattice systems to study the effect of an intrinsic curvature on the mechanical property of a semiflexible biopolymer.We find that when the intrinsic curvature is sufficiently large,the extension of a semiflexible biopolymer can undergo a first-order transition at finite temperature.The critical force increases with increasing intrinsic curvature.However,the relationship between the critical force and the bending rigidity is structuredependent.In a triangle lattice system,when the intrinsic curvature is smaller than a critical value,the critical force increases with the increasing bending rigidity first,and then decreases with the increasing bending rigidity.In a square lattice system,however,the critical force always decreases with the increasing bending rigidity.In contrast,when the intrinsic curvature is greater than the critical value,the larger bending rigidity always results in a larger critical force in both lattice systems.

Natural,synthetic and commercially-available biopolymers used to regenerate tendons and ligaments

Tendon and ligament(TL)injuries affect millions of people annually.Biopolymers play a significant role in TL tissue repair,whether the treatment relies on tissue engineering strategies or using artificial tendon grafts.The biopolymer governs the mechanical properties,biocompatibility,degradation,and fabrication method of the TL scaffold.Many natural,synthetic and hybrid biopolymers have been studied in TL regeneration,often combined with therapeutic agents and minerals to engineer novel scaffold systems.However,most of the advanced biopolymers have not advanced to clinical use yet.Here,we aim to review recent biopolymers and discuss their features for TL tissue engineering.After introducing the properties of the native tissue,we discuss different types of natural,synthetic and hybrid biopolymers used in TL tissue engineering.Then,we review biopolymers used in commercial absorbable and non-absorbable TL grafts.Finally,we explain the challenges and future directions for the development of novel biopolymers in TL regenerative treatment.

Biopolymers-based skin-interfaced triboelectric sensors

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence,robotics,and remote healthcare have increased the demand for sustainable and highperformance wearable sensors.Triboelectric devices are gaining traction due to their self-powered operation capability and potential as wearable energy harvesters.Skin-interfaced triboelectric sensors(SITSs)can detect various mechanical signals and monitor physiological signals in real-time.Biopolymer-based SITSs are ideal for skin-interfaced applications since they are biocompatible and biodegradable.This review focuses on the recent advancements of SITS made from biocompatible polymer materials,such as plant-based,animal-based,and synthetic polymers,and highlights their potential for various applications,including human–machine interface(HMI)and physiological sensing.In addition,the fundamentals,challenges,and prospects of SITS based on biocompatible polymers are discussed.

Insight into Biophysicochemical Principles of Biopolymers through Simulation and Theory

The development of biopolymers for biomedical applications has traditionally been based on new chemistries.However,there is growing recognition that the biological responses can be regulated by the physical as well as the chemical properties of biomaterials.Understanding the biophysicochemical principles regarding biopolymers is thereby of great importance in the generation of advanced biomaterials.Herein,this review article seeks to provide a conceptual framework demonstrating how the approaches of tailored computer simulations and theoretical analysis are harnessed to explore the physicochemical principles of biopolymer cellular interactions.We briefly introduce the theoretical and simulation methods used in this field,summarize the typical findings based on these approaches,and describe the correlations between theoretical results and experiments.Finally,the future prospects for the theoretical aspect of biopolymers and their biophysicochemical interactions are discussed.The knowledge might be critical from the perspective of advantageous and safe use of designer biomaterials.

Sorption properties of carbonized biopolymers of plant origin

Studies of carbon nanomaterials(CNM)synthesized from lignocellulosic biomass,and natural and technical lignins were carried out.For the first time,we suggested using stems of Sosnovsky hogweed,one of the most aggressive and poisonous invasive plant species,to produce CNM.The influence of the choice of raw materials and synthesis conditions on the sorption and surface-porous characteristics of the samples was evaluated.The main regularities of adsorption processes from aqueous media with a low concentration(0.625μg/ml)of uranium were established.We found that strong retention of uranium characterizes carbonized biopolymers(CBP)samples,a significant amount of which(67-70%)is not desorbed either by water or aqueous solutions of CH3COONH4 and HCI(1 M).In addition,we found out that the carbon nanomaterials we synthesized can adsorb mycotoxin T-2.The obtained results indicated a high innovative potential of CNM.

Natural Biopolymers for Bone Tissue Engineering:A Brief Review

Tissue engineering is a well-proven technique for the creation of functional alternatives for regenerative medicine and plays a critical role in patient treatment.Several natural-origin biopolymers such as chitosan,hyaluronic acid,gelatin,collagen,etc.are extensively explored for various biomedical applications.Among,these polymers are exclusively investigated in tissue engineering applications due to their highly favorable properties,such as high biocompatibility,slow degradation,mechanical tenability,structural similarity with native tissues,bioactivity,etc.The present review summarizes the recent advances of biopolymers in bone tissue engineering It also covers the topic of natural polymer modification to achieve superior characteristics primarily mechanical properties towards bone regeneration and discussed the best methods for dealing with them.Therefore,the review can drive the development of biomimetic materials for futuristic applications.

A Review of Biochemical Processes and Techniques for Soil Stabilization and Resilience

Biochemical, chemical, and mechanical, techniques have been employed to enhance soil resilience for decades. While the use of mechanical techniques requires transporting huge amounts of soil materials, the cement used in chemical techniques may lead to increase atmospheric carbon dioxide. Numerous studies indicate that biochemical techniques may be less expensive, cost effective, and environmentally friendly. Biopolymers and enzymes derived from microorganisms have been suggested as biological enhancers in strengthening and fortifying soils used for earthen structures. Lime and other treatment techniques used as biobased materials have been shown to be less effective for stabilizing soils. Here, we review biochemical processes and techniques involved in the interactions of soil enzymes, microorganisms, microbial extracellular polymeric substances, and other biopolymers with soil particles, and the challenges and strategies of their use as biobased materials for stabilizing soils. This review provides their impacts on various soil properties and the growth potentials of agricultural crops. .