Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials

Biopolymers are revolutionizing the materials landscape, driven by a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based materials. Sourced from biological origins, these polymers are not only environment friendly but also present exciting solutions in healthcare, packaging, b...

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Main Authors: Poova Kattil Drishya, M. Venkateswar Reddy, Gunda Mohanakrishna, Omprakash Sarkar, Isha, M. V. Rohit, Aesha Patel, Young-Cheol Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Macromol
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/21
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author Poova Kattil Drishya
M. Venkateswar Reddy
Gunda Mohanakrishna
Omprakash Sarkar
Isha
M. V. Rohit
Aesha Patel
Young-Cheol Chang
author_facet Poova Kattil Drishya
M. Venkateswar Reddy
Gunda Mohanakrishna
Omprakash Sarkar
Isha
M. V. Rohit
Aesha Patel
Young-Cheol Chang
author_sort Poova Kattil Drishya
collection DOAJ
description Biopolymers are revolutionizing the materials landscape, driven by a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based materials. Sourced from biological origins, these polymers are not only environment friendly but also present exciting solutions in healthcare, packaging, biosensors, high performance, and durable materials as alternatives to crude oil-based products. Recently, biopolymers derived from plants, such as lignin and cellulose, alongside those produced by bacteria, like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have captured the spotlight, drawing significant interest for their industrial and eco-friendly applications. The growing interest in biopolymers stems from their potential as sustainable, renewable materials across diverse applications. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current advancements in plant-based and bacterial biopolymers, covering aspects of bioproduction, downstream processing, and their integration into high-performance next-generation materials. Additionally, we delve into the technical challenges of cost-effectiveness, processing, and scalability, which are critical barriers to widespread adoption. By highlighting these issues, this review aims to equip researchers in the bio-based domain with a comprehensive understanding of how plant-based and bacterial biopolymers can serve as viable alternatives to petroleum-derived materials. Ultimately, we envision a transformative shift from a linear, fossil fuel-based economy to a circular, bio-based economy, fostering more sustainable and environmentally conscious material solutions using novel biopolymers aligning with the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).
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spelling doaj-art-5d02a57f5d4b48048e0bf77e5fa18e582025-08-20T03:27:40ZengMDPI AGMacromol2673-62092025-05-01522110.3390/macromol5020021Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation MaterialsPoova Kattil Drishya0M. Venkateswar Reddy1Gunda Mohanakrishna2Omprakash Sarkar3Isha4M. V. Rohit5Aesha Patel6Young-Cheol Chang7Bioconversion Technology Division, Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand 388120, Gujarat, IndiaVeterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40512, USACenter for Energy and Environment, School of Advanced Sciences Research, KLE Technological University, Hubballi 580031, Karnataka, IndiaBiochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Zoology, Government College University Lahore, Lahore 54000, PakistanBioconversion Technology Division, Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand 388120, Gujarat, IndiaBioconversion Technology Division, Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand 388120, Gujarat, IndiaCourse of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Division of Sustainable and Environmental Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran 050-8585, Hokkaido, JapanBiopolymers are revolutionizing the materials landscape, driven by a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based materials. Sourced from biological origins, these polymers are not only environment friendly but also present exciting solutions in healthcare, packaging, biosensors, high performance, and durable materials as alternatives to crude oil-based products. Recently, biopolymers derived from plants, such as lignin and cellulose, alongside those produced by bacteria, like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have captured the spotlight, drawing significant interest for their industrial and eco-friendly applications. The growing interest in biopolymers stems from their potential as sustainable, renewable materials across diverse applications. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current advancements in plant-based and bacterial biopolymers, covering aspects of bioproduction, downstream processing, and their integration into high-performance next-generation materials. Additionally, we delve into the technical challenges of cost-effectiveness, processing, and scalability, which are critical barriers to widespread adoption. By highlighting these issues, this review aims to equip researchers in the bio-based domain with a comprehensive understanding of how plant-based and bacterial biopolymers can serve as viable alternatives to petroleum-derived materials. Ultimately, we envision a transformative shift from a linear, fossil fuel-based economy to a circular, bio-based economy, fostering more sustainable and environmentally conscious material solutions using novel biopolymers aligning with the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/21biopolymerslignincellulosecopolymersPHB-PHV
spellingShingle Poova Kattil Drishya
M. Venkateswar Reddy
Gunda Mohanakrishna
Omprakash Sarkar
Isha
M. V. Rohit
Aesha Patel
Young-Cheol Chang
Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials
Macromol
biopolymers
lignin
cellulose
copolymers
PHB-PHV
title Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials
title_full Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials
title_fullStr Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials
title_short Advances in Microbial and Plant-Based Biopolymers: Synthesis and Applications in Next-Generation Materials
title_sort advances in microbial and plant based biopolymers synthesis and applications in next generation materials
topic biopolymers
lignin
cellulose
copolymers
PHB-PHV
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/21
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