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In this study we prepared a poly(lactic acid)/ethyl cellulose (PLA/EC) bioplastic blend film by melt pressing after solvent casting and investigated the optical, thermal, and mechanical properties in relation to the structural changes revealed by various microscopies and scattering measurements. Despite the immiscibility of PLA and EC, the blend film exhibited good optical transparency due to the close match in their refractive indices. A second run of differential scanning calorimetry during heating revealed a decrease in the glass transition temperature ( T g PLA ) and melting point ( T m PLA ) of PLA with EC although EC had the higher values. Thermomechanical analysis suggested that these decreases were due to the negative pressure generated due to the suppression of PLA shrinkage below T g EC and above T g PLA during cooling. Furthermore, ductile drawing of the blend film (70/30) at an optimal temperature of 70 °C above T g PLA resulted in a uniform whitening near 100% strain. Delamination at the interface between the PLA matrix and EC domain led to the formation of micrometer-sized oriented voids, which enhanced the refractive index difference in the phase-separated structure, thereby scattering light and achieving the uniform and oriented white blend film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic biodegradation has emerged as a sustainable approach and green alternative in handling the ever-increasing accumulation of plastic wastes in the environment. The complete biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate is one of the most recent breakthroughs in the field of plastic biodegradation. Despite the success, the effective and complete biodegradation of a wide variety of plastics is still far from the practical implementation, and an on-going effort has been mainly devoted to the exploration of novel microorganisms and enzymes for plastic biodegradation. However, alternative strategies which enhance the existing biodegradation process should not be neglected in the continuous advancement of this field. Thus, this review highlights various strategies which have shown to improve the biodegradation of plastics, which include the pretreatment of plastics using UV irradiation, thermal, or chemical treatments to increase the susceptibility of plastics toward microbial action. Alternative pretreatment strategies are also suggested and compared with the existing techniques. Besides, the effects of additives such as pro-oxidants, natural polymers, and surfactants on plastic biodegradation are discussed. In addition, considerations governing the biodegradation performance, such as the formulation of biodegradation medium, cell-free biocatalysis, and physico-chemical properties of plastics, are addressed. Lastly, the challenges and future prospects for the advancement of plastic biodegradation are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is consumed in almost every part of the world enclosed in shells that are thrown out in baskets. Similarly, hulls separated from pistachio are discarded as waste in food processing industries. These waste materials contain functional constituents having immense industrial and nutraceutical applications. This review article summarizes the scientific investigations regarding the functional constituents and bioactive compounds in pistachio shells (PSs) and pistachio hulls (PHs). It also highlights the nutraceutical potential exhibited by functionally active compounds as well as their potential applications in various industries including nutraceutical, medicinal, and feed industries together with biosynthetic development of useful products and wastewater treatment. Pistachio waste (PW) comprising PS and PH is a rich source of various bioactive compounds. PS is full of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. PH is an excellent source of carbohydrates (80.64 ± 0.98%) (including glucose, galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galacturonic acid) as well as ash (6.32 ± 0.26%) and proteins (1.80 ± 0.28%) with small amounts of fats (0.04 ± 0.005%). Owing to its composition, PW can be beneficial in many nutraceuticals, including antioxidation, cytoprotection, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-melanogenesis, neuroprotection, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenesis, anti-inflammation, and anti-microbial. The waste materials have vast applications in the food industry, such as bio-preservation of oils and meat products, prevention of enzymatic browning in fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms, development of functional cereal and dairy products, production of food enzymes, emulsions, and manufacturing of biodegradable films for food packaging. The use of these waste products to develop and design novel functional foods with improved quality is important for both food industries and food sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the scope of the current study, the researchers developed activities for middle school students to raise their awareness on the harm of plastics and microplastics, which are detrimental to nature and living things. In addition, through the activities developed, the study aimed to provide students with knowledge of and experience with bioplastics, which have emerged as an alternative to plastic materials and are environmentally friendly. Twelve eighth grade students participated in the current study. The activities developed by the researchers within the framework of the REACT strategy covered a four-week period. The researchers made sure that the activities designed included each step of the REACT strategy (Relating, Experiencing, Applying, Cooperating, Transferring) and the researchers used different tools (mind map, concept map, Vee diagram). The study suggests that activities designed for classroom use should be integrated with tools such as Vee diagram, concept map and mind map in order to increase students' knowledge and awareness about global environmental problems as well as support students' ability to produce solutions to such problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequently used protective items during the pandemics are prepared from plastics products, such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polyester. Globally more than 57 million pounds of personal protective equipment along with other biomedical plastic waste are entering into the oceans per annum. Lots of economic benefits can be obtained by recycling the polymeric wastes by converting them into useful products through, reduced manufacture cost, bio converted products, and cleaner environment by developing a circular waste management model. Personal protective equipment's are prepared from different plastic products and the outer most surface of these free-floating plastics presents in the aquatic environment serve as colonization support to diverse microbial populations known as plastisphere. Microbial colonization starts with an initial attachment under different environmental conditions, subsequently by developing a permanent association on the plastic surface. The community structure of microorganisms in the plastisphere can be significantly influenced by the depth of water in the aquatic ecosystem where microplastics present and the nutrients availability. As microorganisms have been deeply investigated for their role in the biodegradation of several pollutants, the present review article focuses on microbial diversity on plastisphere in the aquatic ecosystem, the underlying mechanism of colonization, and their potential role in microplastic degradation. This review article also highlights on imminent research for sustainable management of aquatic microplastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, rapidly increasing production, use and disposable of plastic products has become one of the utmost environmental issues. Our current circumstances in which the food supply chain is demonstrated as containing plastic particles and other plastic-based impurities, represents a significant health risk to humans, animals, and environmental alike. According to this point of view, biodegradable plastic material aims to produce a more sustainable and greener world with a lower ecological impact. Bioplastics are being investigated as an environmentally friendly candidate to address this problem and hence global bioplastic production has seen significant growth and expansion in recent years. This article focuses on a few critical issues that must be addressed for bioplastic production to become commercially viable. Although the reduction of fruit and vegetable waste biomass has an apparent value in terms of environmental benefits and sustainability, commercial success at industrial scale has remained flat. This is due to various factors, including biomass feedstocks, pretreatment technologies, enzymatic hydrolysis, and scale-up issues in the industry, all of which contribute to high capital and operating costs. This review paper summarizes the global overview of bioplastics derived from fruit and vegetable waste biomass. Furthermore, economic and technical challenges associated with industrialization and diverse applications of bioplastics in biomedical, agricultural, and food-packaging fields due to their excellent biocompatibility properties are reviewed. Review of the diverse types and characteristics of sustainability of biobased plastics Improved pretreatment technologies can develop to enhance greater yield Enzyme hydrolysis process used for bioplastic extraction & hasten industrial scale-up Focus on technical challenges facing commercialized the bioplastics Detailed discussion on the application for sustainability of biodegradable plastics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remediation of disfiguring scratches and abrasions on aging plastics challenges even the most experienced conservator. This study assesses the effect of three NOVUS polishing products on remediation of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Samples were prepared to mimic the depth and type of scratches observed during conservation treatment performed on vacuum-formed reliefs from the 1960s. The study compares samples of new/unaged PMMA to naturally aged PMMA samples. Two different methods were successfully used to assess the polishing efficacy, which is notoriously challenging to document in transparent and reflective media: (1) image segmentation analysis of photographs to yield scratched area fractions, using three approaches (Li-thresholding, random forest, and convolution neural network); and (2) optical profilometry measurements, which provide surface root-mean-square roughness (RRMS) values. Both methods support the qualitative observations that polishing with the abrasive NOVUS products significantly reduced the surface damage; scratch area fractions decreased from 50–60% to 1–5% across the aged PMMA types after treatment, corresponding to an ∼85% decrease in surface roughness. Critically, the two methods are complementary: the image segmentation results demonstrated a greater visible difference between two degrees of polishing treatments on the new material, while profilometry results were able to parse differences in the degree of scratch reduction between the aged and new materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoidans are promising sulfated polysaccharides isolated from marine sources that have piqued the interest of scientists in recent years due to their widespread use as a bioactive substance. Bioactive coatings and films, unsurprisingly, have seized these substances to create novel, culinary, therapeutic, and diagnostic bioactive nanomaterials. The applications of fucoidan and its composite nanomaterials have a wide variety of food as well as pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-thrombic, anti-coagulant, immunoregulatory, and anti-viral properties. Blends of fucoidan with other biopolymers such as chitosan, alginate, curdlan, starch, etc., have shown promising coating and film-forming capabilities. A blending of biopolymers is a recommended approach to improve their anticipated properties. This review focuses on the fundamental knowledge and current development of fucoidan, fucoidan-based composite material for bioactive coatings and films, and their biological properties. In this article, fucoidan-based edible bioactive coatings and films expressed excellent mechanical strength that can prolong the shelf-life of food products and maintain their biodegradability. Additionally, these coatings and films showed numerous applications in the biomedical field and contribute to the economy. We hope this review can deliver the theoretical basis for the development of fucoidan-based bioactive material and films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates microplastic (MP) accumulation in five small marine fish species living in the nearshore sea of Binh Dinh, Vietnam that are commonly consumed by the local coastal communities. Fish (Oxyurichthys ophthalmonema, Stolephorus commersonnii, Decapterus macrosoma, Upeneus moluccensis, Sardinella gibbosa) were collected from four sites in the nearshore sea of Binh Dinh in rainy and dry seasons. The temporal, spatial, and species variations in MP accumulation were evaluated to understand environmental exposure of MPs to fish and potential human exposure to MPs via fish consumption. Microplastics of different types, sizes, and colors were found in the digestive system of the fish species. Microplastic composition included polyethylene, polyvinyl ether, polymethacrylate, polydichloroethylene, polydivinyl ester, poly ester, polyfluoroethylene, and other additives of plastic materials. Microplastic abundance in the fish was dependent on species, site, and season. Overall, microfiber was the dominant MPs. The average total MP abundance range was 4.70–23.80 particles/fish or 0.29–6.21 particles/g fish. There were statistically significant differences in MP abundances between fish species, sites, and seasons. The presence of MPs in the digestive system of fish suggests that MPs are in the nearshore environment of Binh Dinh. The local communities along the coast of Binh Dinh can ingest MPs from consuming small fish at a weekly rate equivalent to one five-hundredth number of rice grains they consume/week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the pyrolysis technique has been adopted for converting non-degradable materials into biofuels and the yields of this process, oil and gas can be substituted as a fuel in CI engine. In this study, the medical waste plastics such as masks, gloves, personal protective equipment (PPE) kit and other plastics associated with hospitals were seen as the feedstock material for the pyrolysis process. It is collected from Government Medical College Hospital Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. The proximate and ultimate characterization of these wastes shows the percentage of volatile matter in the mask, gloves, and PPE kit are 81.2%, 79.3%, and 79.6%, respectively, and carbon percentage lies in the range of 75% to 78%, which ensures that the feedstock can be used in this process. The pyrolysis technique is carried out separately for all the collected feedstock such as mask, glove and other PPE kits. In this research, the mask waste showed a higher pyrolytic oil yield rate and is 80.3 wt% at 350°C than other plastics wastes. Further, FTIR of all the plastic waste confirms that pyrolytic oil is in acidic nature and it contains carboxylic acids and other heavier compounds, which are unstable in nature. To improve the fuel characteristics of pyrolytic oil, blending it with diesel requires the utilization of surfactants such as Span 80, Tween 60 and Atlox 4916. In this analysis, 5% of surfactant is mixed with 15% of pyrolytic oil and 80% of diesel. Among the various surfactants Atlox 4916, shows better fuel properties than other pyrolytic oil of plastic waste used in the analysis. Emulsifier fuel blend is prepared from different pyrolytic oils such as masks, gloves and PPE kit with Atlox 4916 surfactant, and MA, GA and PA, respectively. However, the pyrolytic oil from mask with Atlox 4916 surfactant blend has a (42.26 MJ/kg) higher calorific value. The evaluation of performance and emissions is conducted for the test fuels with surfactants derived from mask (MA), gloves (GA) and PPE (PA). Among these blends, MA showed better results in performance and emission behavior. The BTE of MA is 28.4%, which is 4.69% lower diesel and it is 2.077% and 2.95% higher than blend GA and PA. Blend MA shows lower emissions than other blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), due to their remarkable biodegradability, biocompatibility, and favorable physical and chemical properties, are tested for applications in the agricultural, industrial, and medical fields in place of conventional plastic. Sustainable microbial PHA production is a challenge because of the economic aspects accrued due to the cost-effective substrates and downstream processing. Different approaches are adopted to circumvent the high economic price of PHA production by co-production, employing recombinant strain, mixed cultures, and low-cost feedstock. The review focuses on the co-production of intracellular microbial PHA with an extracellular value-added product. The present review highlights the feasibility of other bio-based products from the feedstock to offset the cost of PHA production with emphasis on another viable option. The paper discusses the recent progress in the simultaneous production of PHA with exopolysaccharides, pigments, enzymes, bio-surfactants, biofuels which primarily fulfill the criteria of higher yield of PHA, and another high-value product that can be achieved. This approach not only maximizes resource utilization but also provides opportunities for the development of a wide range of sustainable bio-based products to improve the overall feasibility of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of micro(nano)plastics into various environmental and biological settings influences their physicochemical and toxic behavior. Simulated body fluids are appropriate media for understanding the degradation, stability, and interaction with other substances of any material in the human body. When the particles enter the human body via inhalation, which is one of the avenues for micro(nano)plastics, they first come into contact with the lung lining fluid under neutral conditions and then are phagocytosed under acidic conditions to be removed. Therefore, it is important to examine the physicochemical transformation and toxicity characteristics after interaction with phagolysosomal simulant fluid (PSF). Here, we focused on exploring how the physicochemical differences (e.g. surface chemistry, elemental distribution, and surface charge) of micro(nano)plastics under pH 4.5 phagolysosome conditions impact cytotoxicity and the oxidative characteristics of lung epithelia cells. The cytotoxicity of lung epithelia cells to those treated with PSF and non-treated micro(nano)plastics was tested by various viability indicators including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), MTT, and LDH. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity background was examined through the oxidative processes (e.g. reactive oxygen species, antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione). The results showed that all tested surface physicochemical characteristics were significantly influenced by the phagolysosome conditions. The staged responses were observed with the treatment duration, and significant changes were calculated in carbonyl, carbon-nitrogen, and sulfonyl groups. Moreover, the negativity of the zeta potentials declined between exposure of 2–40 h and then increased at 80 h compared to control owing to the chemical functional groups and elemental distribution of the plastic particles. The tested viability indicators showed that the micro(nano)plastics treated with PSF were cytotoxic to the lung epithelia cells compared to non-treated micro(nano)plastics, and SOD was the dominant enzyme triggering cytotoxicity due to the particle degradation and instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioplastics are used as potent eco-friendly alternatives to minimise the adverse environmental impacts induced by petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics, especially biodegradable plastics are materials that can be produced from non-edible or waste products of agricultural fields and kitchens and could be decomposed by the microorganisms at the end conventional plastics are mainly mineral oil-based which mitigate one of the important resources of humanity. Though petrochemical-based plastics are very important materials in our daily lives, but excessive use and our negligence create severe plastic pollution. Due to the lack of proper handling of plastic wastes, they are piled up on soil day by day and cause environmental pollution. These waste substances pollute the soil by releasing harmful chemicals. Accumulation of plastic wastes especially thin polyethylene bags clog the drainage systems or dumps causing overflow of it or even flooding. Each year trillions of plastic residues are being released into the ocean. Such petrochemical plastic wastes like tiny pellets, crackers discharge nasty toxic chemicals which endanger the life of aquatic animals. In some cases, the petrochemical wastes have been burned which release toxic gasses and they combine with the water vapour present in the air, which may create acid rain. Post-invasion into the biosphere, microplastics may cause adverse health effects upon living organisms. On the contrary, bioplastics have the ability to minimise these harmful issues and henceforth become one of the interesting topics in the twenty-first century. Bioplastics, such as PLA, PHA, PHB, PHV, PHH, and starch polymers and their modified form by tuning physical and chemical properties will show the new dimension in many applications to overcome and replacing many synthetic plastics. The present work reviewed how bio-derived plastics achieve such interest and how it becomes the most acceptable substitute to beat this venomous plastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the performance of asphalt concrete containing recycled plastics as synthetic aggregates in the dry mixing process. Two types of recycled plastics were used, namely, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (RABS) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (RPET), based on the high-temperature properties of the plastics that make them suitable to be treated as synthetic aggregates (i.e. do not melt during the asphalt mixing phase). The proportions of recycled plastics were chosen at 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4% of the mix mass. The laboratory testing programme includes the evaluation of compactability properties, moisture resistance, cracking resistance via IDEAL-CT test, fatigue resistance via four-point bending beam test and rutting resistance via Hamburg wheel tracking (wet) test. It was found that the inclusion of recycled plastics did affect the compactability of the mixes depending on their relative size and shape. On the other hand, the inclusion of recycled plastics did not significantly vary the moisture resistance of asphalt mixes. The cracking and rutting behaviour of asphalt mixes that incorporated recycled plastics were also modified and some benefits were observed depending on the plastic content and size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste generation in India was around 9.4 million tonnes.year−1 in 2019 as compared to the global generation rate of more than 380 million tonnes.year−1 in 2019. Thus, India's contribution was around 3.1% of the global plastic waste generation. Globally, 42% of overall plastics produced are consumed by packaging sector and 17% by the construction sector. Whereas in India 35% is consumed by the packaging sector and 23% by construction sector. Bioplastic production is 1% out of 300 million tonnes of conventional plastics produced annually. This review attempts to analyse the plastic waste management rules, legislations, policies and practices in India during the period 1992–2020. The worldwide trend of bioplastic projects is reflected in studies in India, indicating a changed perception of bioplastics as an alternative source to conventional plastics. However, facilitating the implementation of conventional waste plastic processing plant and production of bioplastics in India involves challenges in terms of technology, developing a standardised framework and financial incentives. A legislative framework for the production of bioplastics in India should be developed alongwith an action plan for energy recovery from plastic waste. Markets for conventional plastic waste processing and production of bioplastic projects are not mature in India. This paper addresses the need for developing a roadmap towards efficient planning and sustainable solutions for both conventional plastics and bioplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy can be extracted from waste by chemical and biological means. There are many pathways involved in the conversion of complex carbon sources to industrially valuable products. Exploring valorization with the concept of green chemistry, focusing on transforming waste with a more environmentally compassionate product has become the new ideology. Especially efficient utilization of industrial discard as renewable feedstocks in the production of eco-friendly products are upcoming technology. The production of one such eco-friendly material, bioplastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) is discussed in this review. PHAs are naturally occurring polymers amongst various organisms and are produced intracellularly by bacterial fermentation. PHAs belong to a polyester family and, hence potentially replace hydrocarbon-based conventional polymers. Bacteria for PHA production can be grown on various renewable waste feedstocks. This process not only eliminates the waste it adds value to it. This review provides insight into the production of PHA from the feedstocks. With the possibility of synthesis of other value-added products. This can be waste-to-energy technology (WTE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics can break down into millions of microplastic (MPs, < 5 mm) particles in the soil and ocean. These MPs can then affect the function of the reproductive system. There is currently no effective solution to this problem aside from traditional Chinese medicine. We have previously used Yishen Tongluo formula (YSTL) to treat sperm DNA damage caused by some toxic substances. To investigate the mechanism underlying the repair of mouse sperm DNA fragmentation caused by polystyrene microplastics by YSTL. An animal model of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP)-induced sperm DNA damage was replicated by gavage of SPF ICR (CD1) mice PS-MPs at 1 mg/d and treated with YSTL at 11.89, 23.78 and 47.56 g/kg, respectively, for 60 days. The Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of each group was detected and compared. The target genes of YSTL identified by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The DFI of the PS group (20.66%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (4.23%). The medium and high doses of the YSTL group (12.8% and 11.31%) exhibited a significant repairing effect. The most enriched pathway was PI3K/Akt. TBL1X, SPARC, hnRNP0, Map7D1, Eps8 and Mrpl27 were screened and SPARC was validated. The precise mechanism by which YSTL inhibits PD-MPs DNA damage may be associated with the PI3K/Akt pathway and SPARC. It provides a new direction for using traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and repair reproductive system injury caused by MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolymers that are produced within the microbial cells in the presence of excess carbon and nutrient limitation. Different strategies have been studied to increase the quality and quantity of this biopolymer which in turn can be utilized as biodegradable polymers replacing conventional petrochemical plastics. In the present study, Bacillus endophyticus, a gram-positive PHA-producing bacterium, was cultivated in the presence of fatty acids along with beta-oxidation inhibitor acrylic acid. A novel approach for incorporating different hydroxyacyl groups provided using fatty acids as co-substrate and beta-oxidation inhibitors to direct the intermediates to co-polymer synthesis was experimented. It was observed that higher fatty acids and inhibitors had a greater influence on PHA production. The addition of acrylic acid along with propionic acid had a positive impact, giving 56.49% of PHA along with sucrose which was 1.2-fold more than the control devoid of fatty acids and inhibitors. Along with the copolymer production, the possible PHA pathway functional leading to the copolymer biosynthesis was hypothetically interpreted in this study. The obtained PHA was analyzed by FTIR and 1H NMR to confirm the copolymer production, which indicated the presence of poly3hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHB-co-PHV), poly3hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate (PHB-co-PHx). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a toxic chemical largely produced and used in polycarbonate plastics worldwide. Majoon Suranjan (MS), a polyherbal formulation, is used as an anti-inflammatory medicine against rheumatoid arthritis. The present study aimed to evaluate BPA-induced toxicity and its possible amelioration by MS. To test our hypothesis, we performed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, DNA interaction studies, genotoxicity tests, oxidative stress parameters, and histopathological examinations. GC-MS profiling of MS revealed the presence of various anti-oxidant compounds. DNA interaction studies showed that both chemicals intercalate between DNA base pairs. Next, we observed BPA-induced genotoxicity and oxidative damage. The observed effects might be due to BPA-induced reactive oxygen species production. Further, BPA changed the anti-oxidant enzyme activities, increased the malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels, and caused gross damage to the liver and kidney. Interestingly, these effects were significantly reversed by MS. In conclusion, MS shows protective effects against BPA-induced toxicity and could be a potential alternative medicine against BPA toxicity, especially in third-world countries where BPA uses are not strictly regulated. Bisphenol-A (BPA) induces multiple toxic effects. BPA induces genotoxicity, oxidative and tissue damage. Majoon Suranjan (MS) ameliorates the BPA induced toxic effects. GC-MS profiling show various active anti-oxidant compounds in MS. MS is anti-genotoxic, anti-oxidant, and hepato-renal protective [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing public concern toward environmental sustainability is currently motivating a paradigm shift toward designing easily degradable plastics that can replace conventional synthetic plastics. The massive rise in food waste generation has led to an increased burden on landfills, thereby resulting in the higher emission of greenhouse gases. Using this food waste to produce bioplastics will benefit not only the environment but also develop a systematic food waste management system. Moreover, bioplastics are preferred due to the use of biomaterials derived from renewable resources. Furthermore, bioplastics degrade faster than conventional synthetic plastics, which take years to degrade. The biodegradation of bioplastics occurs under normal environmental conditions and disintegrates into carbon dioxide, water, biomass, and inorganic compounds without producing hazardous residues. In this review, we will discuss the synthesis of starch based bioplastics using discarded parts of various fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, we will address the importance of various components in the development of starch based bioplastics, such as fillers, plasticizers, and other additives that are essential in providing the bioplastic with different physio-mechanical properties. Therefore, bioplastic production using food waste will pave the way to achieve systematic waste management and environmental sustainability in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro(nano)plastics are considered an emerging threat to human health because they can interact with biological systems. In fact, these materials have already been found in the human body, such as in the lungs. However, limited data are available on the behavior of these materials under biological conditions and their impact on human cells, specifically on alveolar epithelial cells. In this study, micro(nano)plastics were exposed to various simulated biological fluids (artificial lysosomal fluids and Gamble's solution) for 2–80 h. Pristine and treated plastic particles were characterized based on their surface chemistry, zeta potentials, and elemental composition. Various toxicological endpoints (mitochondrial membrane potential, lactate dehydrogenase, protein, and antioxidant levels) were examined using A549 lung carcinoma cells. The surface characteristics of the treated micro(nano)plastics and the toxicological endpoints of A549 cells were found to be influenced by the simulated biological media, specifically with high concentrations of the treated micro(nano)plastics and increasing exposure under biological conditions. Moreover, the toxicological endpoints were strongly linked to the chemistry of plastics and included multiple processes in response to the plastics; different biological pathways were obtained in artificial lysosomal fluid and Gamble's solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide applications of conventional plastics across the world have made its production inevitable. To avoid the ecocide occurring due to conventional plastics, studies on the production and extraction of renowned biopolymers like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are explored. PHA is a family of polyesters naturally produced by bacterial fermentation with the potential to replace conventional hydrocarbon-based polymers. The efficient utilization of industrial discard as renewable feedstocks in the production of eco-friendly products such as bioplastics has been studied. This study focuses on the production of PHA using cashew industry wastewater (CIW). Since cashew industry wastewater (CIW) is rich in phenolic compounds and other sources, this study explores the possibility of eliminating the toxic phenol compounds from the waste by the production of PHA using cashew industry wastewater as a secondary source of carbon by paving the way to eco-friendly process. In this context, PHA-producing bacterium was isolated from wastewater samples collected from cashew industries. The morphological, microscopic, and biochemical characterization revealed that the isolated strain CFM1 is Bacillus sp. The strain CFM1 that gave maximum (30%) PHA in control medium was taken up for further studies with wastewater. The concentration of sucrose in the control production media was replaced with cashew industry wastewater. Wastewater was introduced to the medium at different concentrations (10–100%). As CIW concentration was increased, the sucrose concentration was decreased in the medium accordingly. CFM1 isolates produced 34% PHA with 20% wastewater. The biopolymer produced was characterized by FTIR and NMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the raw materials of biodegradable food packaging, gelatin is an environmentally friendly substitute for traditional plastic packaging. In this review both sources and extraction methods of gelatin are introduced, together with recent modification methods and applications of using plant sources instead of synthetic substances to endow gelatin film with functionality. Gelatin is extracted from mammals, marine organisms, and poultry. Different extraction methods (acid, alkali, enzyme treatment) can affect the molecular weight and amino acid composition of gelatin, thus affecting the molecular structure, physical properties, chemical and functional properties of gelatin. Gelatin serves as a good substrate, but its disadvantage is that it is very brittle. However, the addition of plasticizers can improve the flexibility of the film by reducing chain interactions during the dehydration process. Compared with other plasticizers, glycerol and sorbitol have better effects on adjusting the mechanical properties of gelatin films. Gelatin is combined with active substances such as essential oils, plant extracts, and nanoparticles to prepare gelatin based composite films with good mechanical properties and antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Gelatin-based composite films can effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms and lipid oxidation in food. Applying it to food packaging can improve the quality of fresh food and extend its shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial use of plastics as packaging material has become a global concern due to their limited recycling or incineration options and requires periodic degradation to avoid accumulation as a pollutant in the environment. Several chemical and physical properties such as surface area, hydrophobicity, chemical structure, molecular weight, melting temperature, crystallinity, and so on influence their biodegradation. Previously, hydrolases from Thermobifida fusca were reported to have higher degradability until Polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase (PETase) from Ideonella sakaiensis was discovered that showed better specificity for PET. The catalytic triad contains Ser160, Asp206 and His237 along with conserved serine hydrolase motif "Gly-X1-Ser-X2-Gly" having tryptophan at X1 for extending the hydrophobic surface of the active site and cysteine in the vicinity providing thermal stability via additional disulfide bonds. Here, we employed in silico screening techniques for the identification of potential plastic degrading PETases, initiating with sequence similarity search using IsPETase, scrutinizing for the presence of the conserved serine hydrolase motif containing tryptophan at X1 position and cysteine in the vicinity. Five PETases belonging to the diene-lactone hydrolase protein family from different bacterial species were identified in the initial screening, which was further confirmed by molecular docking studies indicating their capacity to bind MHET as substrate for degradation. Our study provides a reliable framework for identification and characterization of PETases involved in biodegradation of plastics which can be further explored for improving their efficiency and suitability under different conditions. This is extremely beneficial approach considering that the increasing demand for microbial enzymes due to the continued accumulation of plastics in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment of microplastics (MPs) contamination in the assemblage of 15 important fish species with different feeding habits and microhabitats was studied in the River Ravi, Pakistan. Fishes with different feeding habits (omnivore, herbivore, and carnivore) and microhabitat preferences (surface, column, and bottom dweller) were sampled at Balloki and Sidhnai barrages during the post-monsoon seasons of 2019–2020. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of fish samples were found to be contaminated with MPs, with an average of 28.1 ± 20.7 MPs/individual and 26.8 ± 15.9 MPs/individual at Balloki and Sidhnai barrages, respectively. The surface dweller fish exhibited the highest MPs abundance, followed by the bottom dweller and column dweller. In addition, the highest MPs recovered from the omnivore generalist feeding group as compared to herbivores and carnivores. The fibers were the most abundant shape and generally made up of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE). These PET and PE (low-density MPs) exhibit low hazard level, whereas high-density MPs with high hazard level and rarely present in GIT of sampled fishes. Based on MP polymer toxicity assessment, nine fish species were categorized in minor risk, two species in medium risk, and four species in highrisk group. Bottom dwelling fishes were at the highest plastic polymer risk level III due to the presence of a high density of MPs with high toxicity hazards. The high-risk prone fishes are under direct threat from MPs pollution, which may disrupt the ecological integrity of the river ecosystem and human health. The findings of the current study highlight the urgent need to address plastic pollution issues in River Ravi, and will be helpful for managers, researchers, and fisheries experts to mitigate this emerging challenge.speciesspecies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the novel biogenic synthesis of cornflour-based biodegradable film in the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as nanofiller through solution casting method. However, the ZnO NPs were prepared through precipitation method. The absorbance peak at 350 nm confirmed the formation of stable, monodispersed ZnO NPs. High resolution-scanning electron microscopy analysis showed crystalline nature of ZnO NPs with spherical morphology. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed changes in functional groups as a result of hydrogen bond interaction between matrix, plasticizer, and ZnO NPs. Moisture content and percentage solubility test showed that increase in ZnO NPs content decreased moisture content and percentage solubility of hybrid nanocomposite. In addition, the hybrid film with maximum ZnO content showed least water uptake. The biodegradability of 7 wt% ZnO hybrid composites displayed initial rise in mineralization rate that eventually decrease with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many industries are coming under increasing pressure to replace their petrochemical plastics in products and packaging with biopolymers. Retailers have a key role here because they determine the products to be marketed, but there is little research on how change processes differ between sectors. To guide wholesalers with broad product portfolio on how to effectively plan a plastics transition, this study interviewed 48 experts from the food, pharmaceutical, automotive and technics retailing. From the answers, sector-independent context factors were derived and finally their individual transition strategy for bioplastics was compared. Packaging is the main object for transition and the food and automotive sectors prefer the greatest possible standardisation of the plastics change. Largest group differences are in the recovery method of bioplastics products and in the assessment of the innovation potential. The results guide wholesalers and policy makers for an effective technology change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the petroleum industry, generally surface-active chemicals are used to break the crude oil emulsion. But these chemicals are toxic and less biodegradable, which can cause environmental pollution. Therefore, in this paper, eco-friendly demulsifiers (LA1 and LA2) were synthesized by esterification based on fatty acid having low cost and biodegradability. It was characterized by FTIR, NMR, DLS analysis, and TGA. The synthesized demulsifiers were comprehensively characterized by evaluating the micellization parameters such as CMC, Amin, etc. The demulsification performance of synthesized demulsifiers was studied through the static bottle test method. The effect of temperature, demulsifier concentration, pH, settling time, and water content on the demulsification efficiency was thoroughly examined. The result shows that both demulsifiers have excellent surface-active properties. The demulsification mechanism of demulsifiers was elucidated by measuring dynamic interfacial tension and rheological behavior. The bottle test results indicated that the LA1 demulsifier gave 100% separation efficiency at 70°C in 90 min, which performed better than the commercial demulsifier. The present study will give a new route for the eco-friendly and cost-effective treatment of asphaltene-based crude oil emulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of biodegradable packaging materials has been drawing attention worldwide to minimize the environmental impact of traditional petroleum-based plastics. Nevertheless, it is challenging to obtain bio-based materials with suitable properties for packaging applications. Films produced from a single biopolymer often lack some important properties. An alternative to overcome this limitation is the multilayer assembly. Under this technology, two or more materials with specific and complementary properties are combined into a single-layered structure, thus improving the performance of bio-polymer plastics. This review presents the main aspects of bio-based multilayer film production technologies, discussing their advantages and disadvantages, which have to be considered to produce the most suitable film for each specific application. Most of the studies reported that such films resulted in increased mechanical performance and decreased water, oxygen, and dioxide carbon permeability. This approach allows the addition of compounds leading to antioxidant or antibacterial activity. Finally, a discussion about the future challenges is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of new biodegradable polymers is important for solving the fossil resource and environmental pollution problems associated with conventional plastics. New PLA-based mixtures with the addition of PBAT, PBS and TPS, with different contents, were prepared to investigate their behavior after accelerated aging, as well as their potential for the biodegradation process. Their mechanical properties, mass, hardness, morphology, gloss and color change during UV irradiation progress, have been investigated. The samples were exposed to UV radiation for 21 d, their accelerated aging properties, were assessed weekly and compared with the non-aged samples. The degree of disintegration was determined after soil burial. The results showed that the mechanical properties, especially formability, as well as gloss and color, changed significantly after accelerated aging. All tested matrices are degradable, as shown by soil burial tests. Testing the stability of the functional properties of biodegradable plastics, which are assessed by end users, is important for the wider use of these plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flotation of low-rank-oxidized coals is a challenging task for the recovery of carbonaceous material using conventional collectors. The presence of polar hydroxyl, carbonyl, phenols, and other oxygenated functional groups on the surface of such colas influence the hydrophobicity of coals. The present paper summarizes the results of in-depth studies on the analysis of the flotation response of low-volatile-medium coking coal using two types of collectors viz., the conventional Diesel oil and a biodegradable Mahua oil. The performance and response of the flotation to these two reagents have been analyzed through kinetic studies. Further, the presence of oxygenated functional groups and fatty acids in the biodegradable collector markedly enhances the flotation of low-rank-oxidized coals (also called LVMC coal) are compared with the conventional collector diesel oil. The paper recommends that, since biodegradable oil is a natural, renewable, environmentally friendly, nontoxic oil, which has no chemical additives or harmful chemicals, it can be used as an alternative collector for the flotation of low-rank-oxidized coals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To diminish the environmental impacts instigated by plastics, investigators recommended bioplastics. In the current work, an attempt is made to develop sustainable bioplastics from waste plants. Cellulose was extracted from the wood of Prosopis juliflora. The Prosopis juliflora wood was cut and ground into powder. The powder was washed with water and subjected to several chemical treatments to extract the cellulose. The bioplastic film samples were produced using it. Six different samples were prepared by varying the composition of cellulose, gelatin, citric acid, and glycerol. Several tests were carried out on samples developed as per ASTM standards, and the results were compared with the existing bioplastics. The test results indicated that sample 1 has a maximum tensile strength of 7.73 MPa. The average bursting strength of the bioplastic film is 12.44 kg/cm2, which is better than the other bioplastics reported in the literature. The average biodegradability of developed bioplastic films is approximately 59.43%. The results revealed that the Prosopis juliflora cellulose-based bioplastics would be a better substitute for conventional plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, de-oiled rice bran (RB) and virgin coconut oil cake (VCOC) were selected as base materials. Corn starch, wheat bran, and guar gum were taken as binding agents. The doughs were treated with combined Ultraviolet (UV) (1000 μW/cm² for 15 min) and Aqueous Ozone (AO) (3 mg/L, exposure time 5 min and pH of 4). The effect of these non-thermal treatments on microbial log reduction, textural characteristics, glass transition (Tg), and crystallinity was studied and compared with the control. The results for all samples, dough raising capacities differed widely by 10–30%. Bulk Density and True Density were 1.6 to 2.5 g/cm3 and 2.3 to 3.3 g/cm³. X-Ray Diffraction indicated 30–45% crystallinity, and crystallite size ranges between 0.54 and 0.90 nm. DSC indicated Tg and melting point between 49°C-55°C and 98°C-101°C for RB dough and at 54°C-60°C and 107°C-134°C for VCOC dough samples. UV with AO treated dough showed a maximum of 5.2 log microbial reduction compared to the untreated sample. The developed RB and wheat bran combination demonstrated the highest tensile strength (0.62 MPa) whereas RB-starch combination had the minimum water absorption (1.33 ml/min). This indicates the ability of additives to improve the characteristics of biodegradable cutlery made from agricultural residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable film-based packaging is a current concern to replace packaging that depends on petroleum. This is because petroleum-based packaging is very unfriendly to the environment. The bioresource-based biodegradable film has the disadvantage that its mechanical properties are still low, that it requires two or three bioresource materials to be used as polymer hybrids. As a film hybrid polymer that has superior properties such as flexibility, strength, heat resistance, and environmental resistance, it can be applied to various packaging materials and can be developed for various purposes. In this review, the authors review biomass sources as a matrix, as a filler in hybrid polymer-based packaging, the properties of the biodegradable file, and the development for the future. In addition to the raw materials as matrices and fillers, the synthesis method is also described. The properties of biodegradable hybrid polymer film include physicochemical, mechanical, and thermal. This review also summarizes the emerging aspects of bioresources for the development of sustainable and biodegradable hybrid polymer film friendly to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clayey soils have fine particles and contain clay minerals. Therefore, they are sensitive to water and cause stability problems. Nowadays, soil stabilization is an accepted method to resolve the problem of stability. In this study, hemp fiber was used as an additive material for stabilization of clayey soil. The use of fibers in the stabilization of clayey soils is becoming widespread, particularly with regard to applications involving the stabilization or reinforcement of shallow steep earth slopes and steep cover systems for landfills. In these applications, the use of natural fibers use is very important due to their environmentally friendly properties. Hemp legally planted in different countries is used in several industries, such as paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, construction, body products, health food, and biofuel. In this study, hemp fiber was preferred because of its natural and environmentally friendly properties. To observe the effect of hemp fiber on the compressive strength of clayey soil material, the unconfined compression tests and shear box tests were carried out under laboratory conditions. The experimental results showed that hemp fiber is effective on the compressive strength of clayey soils. As a result, hemp fiber can be used successfully in clayey soil stabilization as an environmentally friendly material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, petroleum-based plastic production has increased exponentially, but its negative impact on the environment, wildlife, and human life is not getting much attention. It is high time now to search for possible alternative materials to replace these plastics. The present study investigates the change in surface morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties of rice starch bioplastic films reinforced with untreated and treated pineapple leaf fibers (PALF). Three types of films were synthesized: Type A (Pure rice starch film), Type B (Rice starch film reinforced with untreated PALF), Type C (Rice starch film reinforced with alkaline-treated PALF) using starch and PALF in the 10:1 weight ratio. It was observed that after alkaline treatment of PALF, interfacial bonding between PALF and rice starch matrix was improved, which further helped to increase the tensile strength of the films. Dynamic mechanical analysis of films showed an increase in storage and loss modulus values after incorporating PALF into the rice starch matrix. The thermal stability of films was also improved after incorporating treated PALF into it because of the removal of low molecular weight components from the surface of PALF. Synthesized bioplastic-composite films were also biodegradable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the effects of Napier grass (NG) cellulose used as a filler on the thermal characterizations, moisture content, tensile strength, biodegradation, and morphological structure of bioplastic films. Bioplastic films were obtained from chitosan and gelatin; and from the fiber, bark, and whole of Napier grass (NG). The films were prepared by solution casting with 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 wt.% of cellulose content. Alkali and bleaching treatments were performed on the cellulose using 8% sodium hydroxide and 1.7% sodium chlorite. The results reveal that the tensile strength of the bioplastic film with 2 wt.% of fiber filler was the highest and decreased when the cellulose filler loading was 2.5 wt.%. Increasing the cellulose loading accelerated the biodegradation rate of the bioplastic films. The addition of the fiber filler had improved compatibility among the components and the barrier properties of the film that led to a less-porous film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

But, in jute-soy sapling pot, the growing roots easily came out of the pot wall (Figure 9f) indicating better degradation of jute-soy pot as compared to other containers after 30 days. Keywords: Seedling pot; biodegradation; natural fiber; mechanical properties; jute; soy resin; ; ; ; ; ; ; EN Seedling pot biodegradation natural fiber mechanical properties jute soy resin ZH 7738 7749 12 11/21/22 20221220 NES 221220 Introduction The rising concern of day-to-day increment in consumption of nondegradable plastic and environmental issues led to researcher think about natural fiber-reinforced composites and their chance to overcome the above issue. Weight loss of MJS composites after different biodegradation periods Scanning electron microscopy SEM micrographs of jute sapling pot (MJS7) before and after 30, 60, and 90 days of sapling under soil are shown in Figure 8. [Extracted from the article]

For the purpose of mechanical recycling for food contact applications, decontamination of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) plastic was performed under different temperatures and time conditions. As expected, increasing the decontamination temperature and duration increased the decontamination efficiency, but also the degradation of the polymer. The combination 160 °C/6 h was selected as the optimal conditions that maximize contaminants removal while minimizing polymer degradation. Then the safety of the recycled PHBV under these conditions was assessed, in accordance with EFSA regulation based on bottle-to-bottle PET recycling. Decontamination of low molecular weight molecules such as toluene, chlorobenzene, and methyl salicylate was nearly complete with residual concentrations below the modeled concentrations allowed in the polymer when the adult scenario is considered. However, the higher molecular weight and lower volatility molecules exhibited acceptable decontamination efficiencies, but their residual concentrations in the polymer exceeded the maximum concentrations of no concern. The presence of these molecules allows the use of nearly 21% recycled PHBV in the new materials to meet safety criteria. It is important to keep in mind that this work, never done before, is a preliminary work on mechanical recycling of PHBV, mainly based on extrapolation of PET conditions and regulations. Much more research needs to be done to improve the decontamination process, the barrier properties of PHBV or to think about a short recycling line for PHBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues of petroleum-based plastics are increasing day by day, causing environmental and health impacts. One of the alternative ways to reduce these issues is to introduce a new biocomposite material in order to replace the commercial plastics. Poly(lactic) acid (PLA)/durian husk fiber (DHF) biofilms with different DHF contents (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were prepared via a simple solvent casting method. The tensile, water absorption, and biodegradation properties of the PLA/DHF biofilms were investigated. The results revealed that the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the PLA/DHF biofilms increased with increasing DHF content from 5 wt% to 10 wt%. However, the opposite results were shown in elongation at break. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the PLA/DHF biofilms decreased as compared to neat PLA film due to the plasticized effect that happened in the biofilms. However, the enzymatic degradation with α-amylase and water absorption properties of the PLA/DHF biofilms increased with increasing of DHF content. Furthermore, alkali treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was carried out on the DHF. The NaOH treatment enhanced the tensile strength and water resistance of the biofilms, but reduced the enzymatic degradation of the biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the demands of biodegradable plastic for mulching application have vastly increased due to environmental concern, conservation of soil health and ease of residue management after growing season. The raise in demands also reflected by the increased number of studies related to biodegradable plastic mulch in the past 10 years. Biodegradable plastic mulch film has emerged as a promising alternative material for mulching due to ease of installation, offers benefits comparable to polyethylene (PE) mulch film, in situ biodegradation and able to improve soil fertility. This review sheds light on recent advances in different formulations of plastic mulch film. Formulations based on single polymer, polymer blends and polymer composites of biodegradable natural and synthetic polymeric materials particularly for mulching application were discussed. Comprehensive discussions on the performance of different formulations used for mulching material are reviewed in this review article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable films constructed from food ingredients are being developed for food coating and packaging applications to create more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastics and other synthetic film-forming materials. In particular, there is a focus on the creation of active packaging materials from natural ingredients, especially plant-based ones. The film matrix is typically constructed from film-forming food components, such as proteins, polysaccharides and lipids. These matrices can be fortified with active ingredients, such as antioxidants and antimicrobials, so as to enhance their functional properties. Edible active films must be carefully designed to have the required optical, mechanical, barrier, and preservative properties needed for commercial applications. This review focuses on the fabrication, properties, and functional performance of edible films constructed from natural active ingredients. It provides an overview of the type of active ingredients that can be used, how they interact with the film matrix, how they migrate through the films, and how they are released. It also discusses the potential application of these active films for food preservation. Finally, future trends are highlighted and areas where further research are required are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper outlines the work done on beneficiation of low-rank-oxidized coal fines by flotation using a biodegradable oil (iluppai or Mahua) to reduce the ash content. Prior to flotation, characterization of the coal and the reagents were done by FTIR and SEM-EDS analysis to identify the functional groups. Batch tests were performed with biodegradable and conventional oil (Diesel) as collectors to compare the flotation performances with an Index known as 'Separation Index'. The results of the tests conducted revealed that biodegradable Iluppai oil to be the better collector than conventional diesel oil. In the study, the effect of variables like reagent dosages and feed solid concentration was investigated for both the type of collectors. Further, the paper concludes that it is possible to reduce ash% of the low-rank-oxidized coal from a feed ash of 29.9% down up-to 16.60% using Iluppai oil with simultaneous enrichment in Gross Calorific value of coal from 5547.0 to 6861 kCal/kg. From the results obtained, an assessment of the kinetic behavior of the process is made based on the enrichment achieved in the Gross calorific value. The first-order rate equation parameters (Rx) and (k) evaluated for the GCV recovery established that the biodegradable oil as the promising collector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with the recent economic growth, especially in developing countries, human concern for the environment has increased over time. This paradigm shift has influenced many developing countries to pay more attention to the issues related to the use of synthetic plastics. Both industry and consumers are intrigued to discover the: economic characteristics, environmental consequences, and social attitudes to the benefits of biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics are useful in packaging, agriculture, gastronomy, consumer electronics, and the automotive industry. This paper seeks to explain the prospects of biodegradable plastics regarding social, economic, and environmental sustainability and recognizes the latest advances in enzyme-based biodegradation of plastics in order to reduce plastics' negative effects and to make the environment safe. A multi-disciplinary strategy is a unique approach, with studies carried out across the triple bottom line (TBL) approach on three distinct sustainability concepts (economic characteristics, environmental consequences, and social attitudes). These three subjects were carefully chosen for their respective targets. This paper has used ATLAS.ti 9 software tools to thoroughly analyze the literature to save, identify, and assess this study's data. Therefore, the research showed that the environmental component was the most critical factor with the economic second and social third. We review bio-based and biodegradable polymers and highlight the value of biodegradable end-of-life management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymers in bio-based and chemically synthesized polymers are good substitutes to reduce non-degradable massive waste plastics. Biodegradable and CO2-redcible polylactides are widely used in commercial fields. The biodegradability is one of the most important factors affecting their wide applications. The objective of this study was to investigate hydrolytic kinetics of enantiomeric polylactide mixture monolayers with different molecular weights using a Langmuir film balance. The π-A and kinetic behaviors of mixture monolayers were compared with each other to determine the stereocomplexation effect between enantiomeric polylactides as a function of molecular weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution by non-biodegradable materials such as plastics is a major source of concern. Here, we investigated the ability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics (MPs-4 mm) to adsorb benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and pyrene (Pyr) in freshwater after 3 and 30 days. BaP was more adsorbed than Pyr with PP and PS being the most and least efficient adsorbents of BaP, respectively. In mixed solutions, the differences in PAHs adsorption are smoother than in pure solutions, and an increase in adsorbed PAHs half-life has been observed. In parallel, the ability of bacterial species isolated from freshwater responsible for infections in humans (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Aeromonas sobria) to assemble biofilms on plastics was evaluated. Biofilm assembly increased with time (1 to 3 months) being possible to observe biofilms on LDPE, HDPE and PS. For PET and PP only after 3 months on fragments of the original MPs was possible to observe attached bacteria. Exposure to 100 µg/mL PAHs (either isolated or mixed) during 1 month significantly decreased bacterial persistence (p <.01) compared to unexposed bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the bioeconomy has risen to great popularity with governments around the world as a new paradigm for a sustainable economy. However, it is still highly contentious what the bioeconomy actually is or should be, which results in a certain vagueness of bioeconomy policy strategies. European bioeconomy policy is a prime example of this. Despite two dedicated bioeconomy strategies, it appears to be highly fragmented and heterogeneous when it comes to concrete political processes and measures. Against this backdrop, we aim to find patterns of European bioeconomy policy by applying the political process-inherent dynamics approach (PIDA) to the three sub-areas of bioplastics, biofuels and bioenergy. Aggregating the respective results, the overarching pattern of European bioeconomy policy is rather shaped by the interplay of specific problem structures, institutional frameworks and actor constellations in its policy sub-areas than by the ambiguous umbrella concept of the bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid is an important platform chemical used in the food, agriculture, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. It serves as a building block for the production of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer, which can replace traditional petroleum-based plastics and help to reduce environmental pollution. Cost-effective production of optically pure l- and d-lactic acids is necessary to achieve a quality and thermostable PLA product. This paper evaluates research advances in the bioproduction of l- and d-lactic acids using microbial fermentation. Special emphasis is given to the development of metabolically engineered microbial strains and processes tailored to alternative and flexible feedstock concepts such as: lignocellulose, glycerol, C1-gases, and agricultural-food industry byproducts. Alternative fermentation concepts that can improve lactic acid production are discussed. The potential use of inducible gene expression systems for the development of biosensors to facilitate the screening and engineering of lactic acid-producing microorganisms is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently electrically conducting polymeric bionanocomposites (ECPBs) have emerged as materials for use in biomedical, food and agricultural engineering due to their inherently plastic and biodegradable nature. ECPBs display biocompatibility, unique architecture, biodegradability, and so on, thereby improving their performance and opening novel horizons in their applicability especially in tissue engineering scaffolds, drug-conveying devices, and electrochemical biosensors and so on. In tissue engineering field, conductive hydrogels (CH) are biomaterials efficiently mimicking biologically and electrically inclined behavior of tissues in the human system. Therefore, this paper elucidates recently emerging trends in ECPBs, CH, novel applications in the biomedical field, and other relevant areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]