Upcycling Biodegradable PVA/Starch Film to a Bacterial Biopigment and Biopolymer

UV-blocking, antibacterial, corrosion resistance, antioxidant, and fruit packaging ability of lignin-rich alkaline black liquor composite film

The novel multifunctional active packaging composite film with antimicrobial, antioxidant, water-vapor and UV-barrier, and corrosion resistance properties was successfully prepared from waste biomass. In this study, waste poplar sawdust was pretreated using green liquor to extract black liquor (BL). BL was then mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). PVA-BL-AgNPs film was fabricated by solution casting method, and the microstructure characterization and macroscopic performance testing of the composite film were conducted. The results revealed that PVA-BL-AgNPs film exhibited inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone: 33.6 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhibition zone: 31.6 mm), and Escherichia coli (inhibition zone: 32.0 mm). It could eliminate over 99 % of 2,2-diazodi (3-ethyl-benzothiazol-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals and provided 100 % UV-blocking, reducing light-induced food damage. It exhibited the improvement of water-vapor barrier properties and corrosion resistance. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that no significant impact occurred on cell proliferation, confirming the safety of the film. Packaging experiments showed that PVA-BL-AgNPs film effectively inhibited milk spoilage and prolonged the shelf-life of bread and bananas. Therefore, PVA-BL-AgNPs film might extend the shelf-life of food and offer significant opportunities in addressing the issues of low safety and environmental pollution associated with traditional packaging films.

Colonization and Biodegradation Potential of Fungal Communities on Immersed Polystyrene vs. Biodegradable Plastics: A Time Series Study in a Marina Environment

Plastic pollution of the ocean is a major environmental threat. In this context, a better understanding of the microorganisms able to colonize and potentially degrade these pollutants is of interest. This study explores the colonization and biodegradation potential of fungal communities on foamed polystyrene and alternatives biodegradable plastics immersed in a marina environment over time, using the Brest marina (France) as a model site. The methodology involved a combination of high-throughput 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate fungal taxa associated with plastics compared to the surrounding seawater, and a culture-dependent approach to isolate environmentally relevant fungi to further assess their capabilities to utilize polymers as carbon sources. Metabarcoding results highlighted the significant diversity of fungal communities associated with both foamed polystyrene and biodegradable plastics, revealing a dynamic colonization process influenced by the type of polymer and immersion time. Notably, the research suggests a potential for certain fungal species to utilize polymers as a carbon source, emphasizing the need for further exploration of fungal biodegradation potential and mechanisms.

Algal-based bioplastics: global trends in applied research, technologies, and commercialization

The excessive global demand for plastic materials has resulted in severe plastic waste pollution. Conventional plastics derived from non-renewable fossil fuels are non-biodegradable, leading to significant environmental problems. Algal-based bioplastics represent a more viable, renewable, and sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. They have identical properties and characteristics as conventional plastics while being naturally biodegradable. The potential of the algal biomass value chain has already been well-established by researchers. Here, we review the novel insights on research, technology, and commercialization trends of algal-based bioplastics, encompassing macroalgae and green microalgae/cyanobacteria. Data showed that within the last decade, there has been substantial interest in utilizing microalgae for biopolymer production, with more focus on using cyanobacterial species compared to green algae. Moreover, most of the research conducted has largely focused on the production of PHA or its co-polymers. Since 2011, there have been a total of 55 patents published related to algal-based bioplastics production. To date, ~ 81 entities worldwide (commercial and private businesses) produce bioplastics from algae. Overall results of this study emphasized that even with the economic and social challenges, algae possess a substantial potential for the sustainable development of bioplastics while also addressing the UN's SDGs.

Biodegradable films from the lignocellulosic fibers of wheat straw biomass and the effect of calcium ions

Plastics are hazardous to human health, and plastic waste results in environmental pollution and ecological catastrophe. Biobased polymers from renewable sources have recently become promising for developing biodegradable packaging films. Among them, lignocellulosic residue from agricultural biomass is inexpensive, renewable, and biodegradable. This study aims to develop biodegradable films using lignocellulosic residue from wheat straw biomass. The methodology is a green process that solubilizes lignocellulosic chains using Zn2+ ions and crosslinks with Ca2+ ions of different concentrations (200-800 mM). The results reveal that the increase of Ca2+ ions significantly decreases moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability, transparency, and elongation of films. The tensile strength is recorded as 6.61 ± 0.07 MPa with the addition of 800 mM of CaCl2, which is approximately 2.5 times higher than commercial polyethylene films. Around 90 % of films biodegrade within a month in soil containing 20 % moisture content. Overall, lignocellulosic residue from wheat straw biomass could be an excellent replacement for synthetic polymer to fabricate strong, transparent, and biodegradable plastic films.

Halochromic smart packaging film based on montmorillonite/polyvinyl alcohol-high amylose starch nanocomposite for monitoring chicken meat freshness

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended with high amylose starch (HAS) at a ratio of 3:1, and reinforced with montmorillonite (MMT K10) at different concentrations (1, 2, 5, and 7 % w/w of polymers) and anthocyanins (ANT) to develop an active and smart packaging film. MMT addition enhanced the film's mechanical, barrier, thermal, and water resistance properties. Incorporating ANT extracted from roselle calyx into the optimal nanocomposite film (MMT/PVA-HAS II) increased the films' antioxidant, pH-response, and antibacterial properties. FTIR, XRD, and SEM confirmed the intermolecular interactions and even distribution of ANT and MMT in the film matrix. Release rate of ANT was dependent on type of simulant, with higher rate in aqueous solutions compared to alcoholic/fatty food simulants, and cytotoxicity evaluation proved safety of films for food packaging applications. Storage experiments confirmed the potential applicability of the novel halochromic smart film as a promising candidate for monitoring chicken spoilage under abusive storage conditions.

Preparation and application of irradiated polyvinyl alcohol/starch/pumice composites for adsorption of basic dye: Isotherm and kinetics study

Even at low concentrations, organic dye pollution entering water resources from the textile, paper, and pharmaceutical industry sectors poses a serious hazard to human and aquatic life. One of the most significant remediation methods is the adsorption method. In the present study, the uptake of basic violet 7 (BV7) synthetic dye was investigated utilizing Poly (vinyl alcohol)/starch/Pumice [poly (PVA/St/Pu)] composite films prepared by a simple casting of both PVA and St with Pu and then irradiated by electron beam (EB) source to prompt curing. Numerous characterization methods, such as SEM, FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD, and other measurements, were examined on the prepared sample. The tensile strength (TS) of all composites was increased by increasing the radiation dose up to 10 kGy. TS was increased by 3 php of Pu, and an overload of Pu led to a decrease in TS values. The elongation at break (Eb) of the prepared composite increased at 3 Pu, then decreased as the quantity of the pumice increased, while the Eb was decreased by irradiation. The effects of the produced polymeric films' composition and irradiation dose on the basic violet 7 (BV 7) dye adsorption were studied. It was found that the adsorption capacity of poly (PVA/St/9 php Pu-10 kGy) toward the BV 7 dye was 64.9 mg/g at the optimal conditions: pH = 11, contact time = 480 min., adsorbent dosage = 0.2 g., concentration = 150 mg/l, and temperature = 298 K. The adsorption process fitted with the pseudo-second-order model, Freundlich adsorption isotherms were found to be spontaneous and endothermic.

Preparation, characteristics, and soil-biodegradable analysis of corn starch/nanofibrillated cellulose (CS/NFC) and corn starch/nanofibrillated lignocellulose (CS/NFLC) films

The objective of this study was to produce high-performance and biodegradable starch nanocomposites through film casting by using corn starch/nanofibrillated cellulose (CS/NFC) and corn starch/nanofibrillated lignocellulose (CS/NFLC). NFC and NFLC were obtained by super grinding process and added to fibrogenic solutions (1, 3, and 5 g/100 g of starch). The addition of NFC and NFLC from 1 to 5 % was verified to be influential in enhancing mechanical properties (tensile, burst, and tear index) and reducing WVTR, air permeability, and essential properties in food packaging materials. But, in comparison to control samples, the addition of NFC and NFLC from 1 to 5 % decreased the opacity, transparency, and tear index of films. In acidic solutions, produced films were more soluble than in alkaline or water solutions. The soil-biodegradability analysis showed that after 30 days of exposure to soil, the control film lost 79.5 % of its weight. The weight loss of all films was >81 % after 40 days. The results of this study may contribute to expanding the industrial applications of both NFC and NFLC by laying a basis for preparing high-performance CS/NFC or CS/NFLC.

Recent Advances in the Chemobiological Upcycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) into Value-Added Chemicals

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a plastic material commonly applied to beverage packaging used in everyday life. Owing to PET's versatility and ease of use, its consumption has continuously increased, resulting in considerable waste generation. Several physical and chemical recycling processes have been developed to address this problem. Recently, biological upcycling is being actively studied and has come to be regarded as a powerful technology for overcoming the economic issues associated with conventional recycling methods. For upcycling, PET should be degraded into small molecules, such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, which are utilized as substrates for bioconversion, through various degradation processes, including gasification, pyrolysis, and chemical/biological depolymerization. Furthermore, biological upcycling methods have been applied to biosynthesize value-added chemicals, such as adipic acid, muconic acid, catechol, vanillin, and glycolic acid. In this review, we introduce and discuss various degradation methods that yield substrates for bioconversion and biological upcycling processes to produce value-added biochemicals. These technologies encourage a circular economy, which reduces the amount of waste released into the environment.

Research Progress of Polyvinyl Alcohol Water-Resistant Film Materials

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is one of the few biodegradable synthetic resins from petroleum-based sources that can alleviate white pollution in the environment. PVA film materials have excellent properties, such as high barrier, high transparency, high toughness, biocompatibility, and adjustable water solubility. However, due to the presence of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in the side chain of PVA resin, when PVA film is placed in a humid or water environment, swelling or even dissolution will occur, which greatly limits its application. Therefore, it is necessary to modify PVA resin to improve water resistance without reducing other properties and can also impart various functionalities to it, thereby widening the application range. This paper reviews the water-resistant modification methods of polyvinyl alcohol and the application of water-resistant films and provides an outlook on the development trend of PVA water-resistant films.