Recent advancements and perspectives on processable natural biopolymers:Cellulose,chitosan,eggshell membrane,and silkfibroin

With the rapid development of the global economy and the continuous consumption of fossil resources,sustainable and biodegradable natural biomass has garnered extensive attention as a promising substitute for synthetic polymers.Due to their hierarchical and nanoscale structures,natural biopolymers exhibit remarkable mechanical properties,along with excellent innate biocompatibility and biodegradability,demonstrating significant potential in various application scenarios.Among these biopolymers,proteins and polysaccharides are the most commonly studied due to their low cost,abundance,and ease of use.However,the direct processing/conversion of proteins and polysaccharides into theirfinal products has been a long-standing challenge due to their natural morphology and compositions.In this review,we emphasize the importance of processing natural biopolymers into high-value-added products through sustainable and cost-effective methods.We begin with the extraction of four types of natural biopolymers:cellulose,chitosan,eggshell membrane,and silkfibroin.The processing and postfunctionalization strategies for these natural biopolymers are then highlighted.Alongside their unique structures,the versatile potential applications of these processable natural biopolymers in biomedical engineering,biosensors,environmental engineering,and energy applications are illustrated.Finally,we provide a summary and future outlook on processable natural biopolymers,underscoring the significance of converting natural biopolymers into valuable biomaterial platforms.

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.