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The utilization of biodegradable hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides in the agricultural and biomedical sectors is anticipated to be a growing field of interest. Due to increasing environmental pollution, the current global goal is to synthesize sustainable materials based on natural polysaccharides to conserve natural resources for the future. In this study, we synthesized an amla-based hydrogel, denoted as AL-g-poly(MAA), using the graft-free radical polymerization method. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was employed as the monomer, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) served as the crosslinker, and ammonium persulfate (APS) acted as the initiator. The synthesized hydrogel, AL-g-poly(MAA), underwent optimization by adjusting seven parameters: initiator, solvent, time, monomer, power, pH, and crosslinker, to achieve the highest swelling percentage. The optimized values were as follows: solvent: 10 ml, time: 150 s, monomer: 0.039 mol/L, power: 60%, pH: 7, and crosslinker: 0.0648 mol/L. The cross-linking process was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The swelling behavior of the synthesized hydrogels was determined in saline solutions with varying ionic strengths and concentrations, revealing maximum swelling in solutions with lower ionic strengths and concentrations. Additionally, the density and porosity of the hydrogels were examined. The biodegradability of AL-g-poly(MAA) was tested through soil burial and vermicomposting experiments, demonstrating its significant potential for agriculture applications. Furthermore, both the backbone and the synthesized hydrogel were evaluated for antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains (Burkholderia gladioli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus), revealing strong potential as an antimicrobial agent and therefore having applications in the biomedical field. The mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of synthesized AL-g-poly(MAA) hydrogel on bacterial cell membranes is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, 98% of all plastics are fossil-based and non-biodegradable, and globally, only 9% are recycled. Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution is just beginning to be understood. As the global demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics continues to rise, biobased and biodegradable plastics have emerged as a promising solution. This review article delves into the pivotal concept of carbon recycling as a pathway towards achieving a zero-waste future through the production and utilization of high-value bioplastics. The review comprehensively explores the current state of bioplastics (biobased and/or biodegradable materials), emphasizing the importance of carbon-neutral and circular approaches in their lifecycle. Today, bioplastics are chiefly used in low-value applications, such as packaging and single-use items. This article sheds light on value-added applications, like longer-lasting components and products, and demanding properties, for which bioplastics are increasingly being deployed. Based on the waste hierarchy paradigm—reduce, reuse, recycle—different use cases and end-of-life scenarios for materials will be described, including technological options for recycling, from mechanical to chemical methods. A special emphasis on common bioplastics—TPS, PLA, PHAs—as well as a discussion of composites, is provided. While it is acknowledged that the current plastics (waste) crisis stems largely from mismanagement, it needs to be stated that a radical solution must come from the core material side, including the intrinsic properties of the polymers and their formulations. The manner in which the cascaded use of bioplastics, labeling, legislation, recycling technologies, and consumer awareness can contribute to a zero-waste future for plastics is the core topics of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-degradable plastics of petrochemical origin are a contemporary problem of society. Due to the large amount of plastic waste, there are problems with their disposal or storage, where the most common types of plastic waste are disposable tableware, bags, packaging, bottles, and containers, and not all of them can be recycled. Due to growing ecological awareness, interest in the topics of biodegradable materials suitable for disposable items has begun to reduce the consumption of non-degradable plastics. An example of such materials are biodegradable biopolymers and their derivatives, which can be used to create the so-called bioplastics and biopolymer blends. In this article, gelatine blends modified with polysaccharides (e.g., agarose or carrageenan) were created and tested in order to obtain a stable biopolymer coating. Various techniques were used to characterize the resulting bioplastics, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), contact angle measurements, and surface energy characterization. The influence of thermal and microbiological degradation on the properties of the blends was also investigated. From the analysis, it can be observed that the addition of agarose increased the hardness of the mixture by 27% compared to the control sample without the addition of polysaccharides. In addition, there was an increase in the surface energy (24%), softening point (15%), and glass transition temperature (14%) compared to the control sample. The addition of starch to the gelatine matrix increased the softening point by 15% and the glass transition temperature by 6%. After aging, both compounds showed an increase in hardness of 26% and a decrease in tensile strength of 60%. This offers an opportunity as application materials in the form of biopolymer coatings, dietary supplements, skin care products, short-term and single-contact decorative elements, food, medical, floriculture, and decorative industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in biodegradable materials for sustainable food packaging applications. Biodegradable polymers offer an alternative to conventional plastics by undergoing decomposition into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Synthetic biopolymers like PLA, PHAs, and bio-based polyesters as well as natural biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins have shown promise as substitutes for non-biodegradable packaging. These materials provide sustainability, waste reduction, and carbon neutrality benefits. However, inferior barrier properties, low heat resistance, poor mechanical strength, and high costs are limitations. Strategies like plasticization, blending, nanomaterial reinforcement, and multilayer composite structures have expanded biopolymer applicability for various foods. Biodegradation and life cycle assessment studies have demonstrated their environmental advantages over conventional plastics. Addressing remaining challenges in collection logistics, composting infrastructure, costs, and functional performance will be crucial for widespread commercial adoption. Recent advances make biopolymer packaging poised to make major contributions to sustainable development in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymers are gaining momentum to resolve the globally acknowledged plastic waste problem. Understanding, characterizing, and developing new generations of biodegradable plastics is crucial to provide industries with alternative green materials that can fully satisfy biodegradation rates and lifetime specifications. This study evaluates the influence of metal pro‐oxidant additives on the degradation properties of various biodegradable polymer systems. For this purpose, iron (III) stearate (FeSt3) and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), as oxidant agents, were incorporated into poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT), cellulose acetate (CA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and thermoplastic starch (TPS) bioplastics. The material performances and biodegradability properties due to the additives on the resulting bioplastic formulations were investigated. A mechanism was proposed in which both pro‐oxidant additives can accelerate the thermo‐oxidation processes under composting conditions and cleave the polymer chains into smaller fragments to stimulate the biodegradation rate through microorganisms' activity. The study revealed that both pro‐oxidant additives, FeSt3 and Bi2O3, effectively improved the biodegradation process for all tested polymers except TPS, which already had a very high biodegradation rate. The observed change in the barrier and mechanical properties due to the additives were within tolerable limits of corresponding neat polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics have been produced for over a century, but definitive evidence of complete plastic biodegradation in different habitats, particularly freshwater ecosystems, is still missing. Using 13C‐labelled polyethylene microplastics (PE‐MP) and stable isotope analysis of produced gas and microbial membrane lipids, we determined the biodegradation rate and fate of carbon in PE‐MP in different freshwater types. The biodegradation rate in the humic‐lake waters was much higher (0.45% ± 0.21% per year) than in the clear‐lake waters (0.07% ± 0.06% per year) or the artificial freshwater medium (0.02% ± 0.02% per year). Complete biodegradation of PE‐MP was calculated to last 100–200 years in humic‐lake waters, 300–4000 years in clear‐lake waters, and 2000–20,000 years in the artificial freshwater medium. The concentration of 18:1ω7, characteristic phospholipid fatty acid in Alpha‐ and Gammaproteobacteria, was a predictor of faster biodegradation of PE. Uncultured Acetobacteraceae and Comamonadaceae among Alpha‐ and Gammaproteobacteria, respectively, were major bacteria related to the biodegradation of PE‐MP. Overall, it appears that microorganisms in humic lakes with naturally occurring refractory polymers are more adept at decomposing PE than those in other waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of the past two decades, biodegradable polymers have established to serve in form of compostable or soil-biodegradable items as sustainable alternatives to standard plastics in applications where their property of biodegradability adds value. BASF has been a pioneer in this field of action with their commercially available products ecoflex® and ecovio®. Based on continuous research and development at the edge between polymer chemistry and microbiology, not only new developments were realized in the recent past but also a deep understanding about biodegradation under various conditions could be generated. This chapter provides an up-to-date picture about the chemistry and biodegradation, about processing, applications as well as the sustainability contribution of ecoflex® and ecovio®. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable polymers offer a potential solution to marine pollution caused by plastic waste. The marine biofilms that formed on the surfaces of poly(lactide acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were studied. Bioplastics were exposed for 6 months to marine conditions in the Mediterranean Sea, and the biofilms that formed on their surfaces were assessed. The presence of specific PLA and PHBV degraders was also studied. PHBV showed extensive areas with microbial accumulations and this led to higher microbial surface densities than PLA (4.75 vs. 5.16 log CFU/cm2). Both polymers' surfaces showed a wide variety of microbial structures, including bacteria, fungi, unicellular algae and choanoflagellates. A high bacterial diversity was observed, with differences between the two polymers, particularly at the phylum level, with over 70% of bacteria affiliated to three phyla. Differences in metagenome functions were also detected, revealing a higher presence of proteins involved in PHBV biodegradation in PHBV biofilms. Four bacterial isolates belonging to the Proteobacteria class were identified as PHBV degraders, demonstrating the presence of species involved in the biodegradation of this polymer in seawater. No PLA degraders were detected, confirming its low biodegradability in marine environments. This was a pilot study to establish a baseline for further studies aimed at comprehending the marine biodegradation of biopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioplastics have entered everyday life as a potential sustainable substitute for commodity plastics. However, still further progress should be made to clarify their degradation behavior under controlled and uncontrolled conditions. The wide array of biopolymers and commercial blends available make predicting the biodegradation degree and kinetics quite a complex issue that requires specific knowledge of the multiple factors affecting the degradation process. This paper summarizes the main scientific literature on anaerobic digestion of biodegradable plastics through a general bibliographic analysis and a more detailed discussion of specific results from relevant experimental studies. The critical analysis of literature data initially included 275 scientific references, which were then screened for duplication/pertinence/relevance. The screened references were analyzed to derive some general features of the research profile, trends, and evolution in the field of anaerobic biodegradation of bioplastics. The second stage of the analysis involved extracting detailed results about bioplastic degradability under anaerobic conditions by screening analytical and performance data on biodegradation performance for different types of bioplastic products and different anaerobic biodegradation conditions, with a particular emphasis on the most recent data. A critical overview of existing biopolymers is presented, along with their properties and degradation mechanisms and the operating parameters influencing/enhancing the degradation process under anaerobic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste can serve as a symbolic expression of environmental pollution because of its prevalence and extremely slow degradation. A well-known example of synthetic plastics is low-density polyethylene (LDPE). A pragmatic approach to mitigate the environmental problems is to develop biodegradable plastic without compromising the quality of properties or increasing the price. To meet these requirements, one must turn to polymers from natural sources, such as starch. Starch is a fully biodegradable, semi-crystalline, non-toxic polymer with difficulties in processing. To obtain thermoplastic starch (TPS), a biodegradable glycerol plasticizer and sheer processing are necessary over a so-called gelatinization. Here, we aim to prepare and investigate sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging materials based on biodegradable blends, such as LDPE_TPS. The prepared blends were subjected to extensive physicochemical characterization to clarify the functional performance and biodegradability. Changes in structure, morphology and chemical composition before and after biodegradation were interpreted and correlated. Problems such as high interfacial tension due to high incompatibility between the non-polar polyolefin and the highly polar TPS were alleviated for some blends. The observation of mechanical, diffusive and composting parameters suggests that the modifier plays a crucial role in obtaining homogeneous polymer blends. The study of LDPE_TPS blends shows that it is possible to produce polymer blends with good biodegradability and balanced mechanical performance at a reasonable price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and plastic pollution result from the massive use of fossil fuels, calling for the development of sustainable bioplastics derived from modern biomass. Bioplastic production is expected to increase to 2.43 million tons globally in 2024. In particular, the production of biopolymers from bioresources and organic waste should highly reduce waste accumulation. Biopolymers can be produced by employing microbes or by using monomers from agro-resources. Here we review the use of lignin and polylactic acid for polymer production using enzymes and microorganisms. Carnobacterium, Enterococcus and Aspergillus niger show high lactic acid productivity of about 0.4–1.4 g/L/h. Lignin and polylactic acid can also be transformed into value-added chemicals such as muconic acid, hydrouronic acid, adipic acid and terephthalic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the adoption of sustainable alternatives has become a powerful tool for replacing petroleum-based polymers. As a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics, bioplastics are becoming more and more prevalent and have the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing plastic pollution in the environment. Meanwhile, their biodegradation is highly dependent on their environment. The leakage of bioplastics into the environment and their long degradation time frame during waste management processes are becoming major concerns that need further investigation. This review highlights the extent and rate of the biodegradation of bioplastic in composting, soil, and aquatic environments, and examines the biological and environmental factors involved in the process. Furthermore, the review highlights the need for further research on the long-term fate of bioplastics in natural and industrial environments. The roles played by enzymes as biocatalysts and metal compounds as catalysts through composting can help to achieve a sustainable approach to the biodegradation of biopolymers. The knowledge gained in this study will also contribute to the development of policies and assessments for bioplastic waste, as well as provide direction for future bioplastics research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste is a serious problem in modern society. Every day, mankind produces tons of waste that must be disposed of or recycled. The most common types of plastic waste are disposable tableware, bags, packaging, bottles, and containers, and not all are recycled. Therefore, there is a great interest in producing environmentally friendly disposable materials. In this study, modified gelatin blends using polysaccharides (e.g., agarose, starch) were produced to obtain a stable coating. Various techniques were used to characterize the obtained bioplastics, including FTIR spectroscopy (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis)/DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), contact angle measurements, and surface energy characterization. We also investigated the influence of thermal and microbiological degradation on the properties of the biocomposite. The addition of agarose increased the hardness of the blend by 27% compared to the control sample without added polysaccharides. Increases were also observed in the surface energy (24%), softening point (15%), and glass transition temperature (14%) compared to the control sample. The addition of starch to the biopolymer increased the softening point by 15% and the glass transition temperature by 6%. After aging, both blends showed an increase in hardness of 26% and a decrease in tensile strength of 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our society lives in a time of transition where traditional petroleum-based polymers/plastics are being replaced by more sustainable alternative materials. To consider these bioproducts as more viable options than the actual ones, it is demanded to ensure that they are fully biodegradable or compostable and that there is no release of hazardous compounds to the environment with their degradation. It is then essential to adapt the legislation to support novel specific guidelines to test the biodegradability of each biopolymer in varied environments, and consequently, establish consistent data to design a coherent labeling system. This review work aims to point out the current standards that can serve as a basis for the characterization of biopolymers' biodegradation profile in different environments (soil, compost, and aquatic systems) and identify other laboratory methodologies that have been adopted for the same purpose. With the information gathered in this work, it was possible to identify remaining gaps in existing national and international standards to help establish new validation criteria to be introduced in future research and policies related to bioplastics to boost the sustainable progress of this rising industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around the world, plastic materials are being produced and consumed more as the global demand for plastic materials increases. Consequently, both marine and terrestrial life have been negatively affected by plastic waste pollution. Multiple health risks are associated with microplastics. The decomposition of plastics takes a long time, and therefore reusing plastics, burning them, chemically treating them, and burying them in landfills are not the best methods to reduce the polluting effects of these plastics. As a result of these characteristics, researchers have searched for alternatives to conventional synthetic plastics that decompose faster. It is easy to collect, process, and use microalgae to make biopolymers. Microalgae are abundant in our ecosystem. There are no known harmful effects associated with microalgae, but they have faster growth rates and are more able to cultivate in wastewater. It is possible to produce biodegradable plastic using polysaccharides in algae. In this study, we examine whether microalgae can produce biodegradable plastics and their economic viability. As a result, two newly identified environmentally friendly approaches are examined in this article: bioplastic production via microalgae, plastic biodegradation, and their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With approximately 250 000 marine species, the ocean is a vast reservoir of biodiversity and an abundant biological resource of natural polymers. The wide variety, renewable nature, tunable physicochemical and structural behavior and appealing biological properties make these marine biopolymers particularly attractive to the scientific community and numerous industrial sectors. As raw materials, they offer novel opportunities for the development of bio-based materials in response to recent demands for biodegradable plastic materials to lower plastic pollution in marine ecosystems. The biodegradation of marine biopolymers and biopolymer-based materials depends on marine environmental conditions such as temperature, pH and in particular microbial population. Marine microorganisms producing biopolymer-degrading enzymes (i.e., hydrolases, lyases, oxidoreductases) are well studied, nonetheless the biodegradation processes of marine biopolymers-based materials in the marine/aquatic environment need further investigation. This review describes various biodegradation parameters and mechanisms of the degradation of marine biopolymers in the marine environment. It also puts emphasis on the marine microorganisms and the corresponding enzymes that catalyze the degradation of different marine biopolymers. Finally, it focuses on the few studies on biodegradation of emerging bio-based materials in aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its biosynthetic and biodegradable properties, polylactic acid (PLA) is considered to be a most promising biopolymer that could play a crucial role as a potentially environmentally friendly material for a sustainable bioeconomy. However, its long-life cycle indicates that it cannot be easily degraded in nature. Therefore, understanding the biodegradation mechanism of PLA is important for reducing the impacts of waste plastic and waste disposal. With the recent development of molecular biology techniques, some studies have confirmed that specific groups of microorganisms can facilitate the biodegradation of PLA. Here, recent advances in the biodegradation of PLA (i.e., microbial and enzymatic degradation) and key factors affecting the degradation efficiency were reviewed. In addition, compared with complete degradation through mineralization, upcycling is also proposed as a more recyclable strategy for disposing of waste plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plastics industry is proliferating continuously and the global plastics production in 2018 has reached around 360 million tones. This has further compounded the problem of waste plastics, which if not appropriately disposed cause serious environmental problems like land pollution, marine pollution and water source pollution. As an alternative, there has been a paradigm shift from substituting synthetic plastics i.e. fossil-based to bioplastics. However, the world of bioplastics is riddled with many problems as the current terminology used around such bioplastics is confusing and general public is not provided with reliable information about the true biodegradability/compostability of the products. As a result, "greenwashing" is on the rise, with brands even making spurious claims about the environmental benefits of their products. This review article scans the world of biodegradable/bioplastics, major players and production capacities, their current status with respect to production and application. The commercial biopolymers available in the market and their technology have been also discussed in detail. The article also reviews various technologies like enzyme-based technology and oxo-degradable technology being propagated as a tool to convert conventional plastics like PE/PP/PET etc. to a biodegradable plastic. Further, various issues with oxo-based technology and enzyme-based technology have been compiled. Besides, various standards, test methods (ASTM/ISO) related to testing, specifications of biodegradable plastics, their scope/limitations and potential misuse have been covered. Further, the review article discusses the limitation of the various standards and why changes in the standards are required. The article tries to focus on various myths & realities of biodegradable/bioplastics and the challenges and expectations of the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic plastics are extremely versatile and convenient materials that can be used to create a diversity of useful products, but their widespread use is causing increasing damage to the planet. As a result, there has been considerable efforts towards the development of more biodegradable and environmentally-friendly materials. Among various alternatives, starch is considered as a good substitute for synthetic polymers due to its abundant supply, low cost, complete biodegradation, high biocompatibility, and good film-forming properties. However, a number of technical challenges need to be overcome to increase the practical of starch-based materials for manner applications. An up-to-date review of starch-based materials is given, with emphasis on methods to improve their properties and widen their application in food packaging. The preparation methods, common additives, characterization techniques, and applications of starch-based biodegradable materials are summarized. Additionally, advanced technological approaches to prepare innovative starch-based biodegradable materials are also introduced to stimulate new areas for future research. Starch-based materials have great potential as biodegradable food packaging materials that will reduce environmental pollution. The functional performance of starch-based biodegradable materials can be extended or improved by adding other biopolymers or additives, as well as by using novel preparation techniques. Nevertheless, the large-scale economic production of high-performance starch-based biodegradable materials is still a challenge and more research is still required in this area. [Display omitted] • Starch-based materials have great potential as biodegradable food packaging. • The preparation and characterization of starch-based materials are introduced. • Novel applications of starch-based biodegradable materials in foods are summarized. • Advanced approaches to prepare starch-based biodegradable materials are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this era of green and sustainable manufacturing, natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPC) have been widely accepted as the potential alternatives for polymer matrix composites (PMC) or any other non-biodegradable composites. Despite the increasing need to replace plastic bottles, bags, disposable plastic plates and trays, seedling pots used in our day to day life, not many studies have been made in this direction. The current work aims at developing a hundred percent biodegradable composite by reinforcing waste Kibisu silk fibre into wheat gluten as a possible replacement of plastic disposables. The developed composites are made up of different mass fractions of Kibisu silk fibre reinforced into plasticised wheat gluten. The prepared composites have been characterised to obtain the best combination. The developed composites were found to have adequate tensile property, mass degradation at a considerably high temperature and most importantly, the outstanding rate of biodegradation under normal atmospheric conditions. The soil quality test before and after degradation also showed no significant changes in the quality of the soil. FTIR studies revealed improved interaction between wheat gluten, glycerol and Kibisu fibres upon addition of natural lemon extract as crosslinker. Overall results indicate that the developed biocomposites have the potential to substitute harmful plastic disposables like plastic seedling pots and plates, disposable hospital tray, dustbin, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution is now considered one of the largest environmental threats facing humans and animals globally. Development of bioplastic materials may offer part of the solution as bioplastics include both nondegradable and biodegradable materials with both being important for sustainability. Bioplastic materials are currently being designed to encompass minimal carbon footprint, high recycling value and complete biodegradability. This review examines recent developments and trends in the field of bioplastic materials. A range of the most utilized bioplastic materials is presented (poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), starch, cellulose, bio-based poly(butylene succinate) (bio-PBS) and bio-polyethylene (bio-PE)) including their production, application and degradation options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters produced by microorganisms as intracellular granules under nutrient stress. Due to non-toxic and biodegradable behavior these polyesters are a sustainable source of wide range of biomaterials such as bioplastics. As a result of excellent polymeric properties such as melting temperatures (Tm), glass transition temperature (Tg), crystallinity, Young's modulus and stress to break ratio these polyesters are capable of replacing the synthetic plastics. Bioplastics produced using PHAs as biomass source can be used for packaging material and disposable products on the other hand biofuels can also be generated using PHAs. PHAs find countless applications in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and health. A large number of bacterial, microalgal and fungal species can produce these polyesters. Bacterial species such as Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. oleovorans, P. stutzeri and Cupriavidus necator are some highly studied microorganisms for PHA production. This review summarizes the most important aspects of PHAs, crystalline and granular structure of PHA biosynthesizing genes and their relevant proteins. Thermal and physical properties, sources, extraction, purification methods of PHAs are briefly discussed. Applications of PHAs, phylogenetic analysis of Pseudomonas sp. in term of its PHAs synthesizing genes, future prospects and possible outcomes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, morphological and mechanical properties of biodegradable Polyamide6/Ethyleneoctene Nanoclay/Proteins nanocomposite were studied. The composites were prepared using a laboratory scale twin screw extruder. Morphology of the blend was determined by SEM images. Mechanical properties in term of tensile tests were performed using Testometric TS2000. Stress at break, strain at break and Young's modulus were also determined. The mechanical results demonstrated that the strain at break of the composite decreases sharply by the presence of protein, whereas the Young's modulus increases with increasing protein content. The blend demonstrated the improvement in both mechanical and thermal properties of the final composition. Nowadays, according to the huge application of plastics in different fields, environmental issues were affected by these kinds of non-degradable materials, while the biodegradability of the plastics is just remains an unsolved flaw. In this study, biodegradable blends were prepared using starch as a natural polymer. The outcome of biological procedure-test indicated sufficient weight loss and biodegradation of these blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Petrochemical plastics are generally recalcitrant to microbial degradation and accumulate in the environment. Biodegradable polymers obtained synthetically like poly(ε -caprolactone) (PCL) or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), obtained biotechnologically, have shown great potential as a replacement for petroleum-based plastics. Nevertheless, their biodegradation and environmental faith have been less examined. In this study, thin films of PCL (200 μm) and medium chain length PHA (mcl-PHA, 70 M fraction of 3-hydroxyoctanoate and 30 M fraction of 3-hydroxydecanoate, 600 μm) were exposed to total protein preparations (extracellular proteins combined with a crude cell extract) of soil isolates Pseudomonas chlororaphis B-561 and Streptomyces sp. BV315 that had been grown on waste cooking oil as a sole carbon source. Biodegradation potential of two polyesters was evaluated in buffer with total protein preparations and in a laboratory compost model system augmented with selected bacteria. Overall, PCL showed better biodegradation properties in comparison to mcl-PHA. Both materials showed surface erosion after 4-weeks of exposure to total protein preparations of both strains, with a moderate weight loss of 1.3% when P. chlororaphis B-561 was utilized. In laboratory compost model system PCL and mcl-PHA showed significant weight loss ranging from 13 to 17% when Streptomyces sp. BV315 culture was used. Similar weight loss of PCL and mcl-PHA was achieved for 4 and 8 weeks, respectively indicating slower degradation of mcl-PHA. Growth on waste cooking oil as a sole carbon source increased the potential of both tested strains to degrade PCL and mcl-PHA, making them good candidates for augmentation of compost cultures in waste management of both waste cooking oils and biodegradable polymers. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Pseudomonas and Streptomyces grown on waste cooking oil for biopolymers degradation. • Enzymes from Pseudomonas chlororaphis B-561 hydrolyzed PCL better than mcl-PHA. • Mcl-PHA degraded more efficiently in model compost with Streptomyces sp. BV315. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlight • A low-cost and eco-friendly semi-IPN hydrogels of CSt-g-PAA/NR/PVA was prepared. • CSt, AA, APS and MBA contents were optimized. • The highest water absorbency was 794% in distilled water and 244% in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. • Hydrogel was highly sensitive to the salt concentration, cation type, pH and reswelling time. • The hydrogel showed a good biodegradation. Abstract In order to reduce the production costs of hydrogel and decrease the negative impact on the environment, a new low-cost and eco-friendly semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels of cassava starch-g-polyacrylic acid/natural rubber/polyvinyl alcohol blends (CSt-g-PAA/NR/PVA) was prepared. The hydrogel was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization method in the presence of initiator ammonium persulfate (APS) and N,N' -methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. A reaction mechanism for synthesis of CSt-g-PAA/NR/PVA semi-IPN hydrogels was proposed. Factors affecting the swelling capacity, such as CSt, AA, APS and MBA contents were evaluated and optimized. The sample prepared under optimized conditions had a water absorbency of 794% in distilled water and 244% in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution. It also exhibited an excellent water retention with lower decreasing rate and were highly sensitive to the salt concentration, cation type, pH and reswelling time. The semi-IPN hydrogel demonstrated a good biodegradation with a rate of 0.626 wt%/day. It is believed that the obtained CSt-g-PAA/NR/PVA could have potential applications in agricultural areas because of their good water absorption, excellent retention capacities, high reswelling capability, and cost-effective and ecofriendly preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Miscanthus fibers reinforced biodegradable poly(butylene adipate- co-terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix-based biocomposites were produced by melt processing. The performances of the produced PBAT/miscanthus composites were evaluated by means of mechanical, thermal, and morphological analysis. Compared to neat PBAT, the flexural strength, flexural modulus, storage modulus, and tensile modulus were increased after the addition of miscanthus fibers into the PBAT matrix. These improvements were attributed to the strong reinforcing effect of miscanthus fibers. The polarity difference between the PBAT matrix and the miscanthus fibers leads to weak interaction between the phases in the resulting composites. This weak interaction was evidenced in the impact strength and tensile strength of the uncompatibilized PBAT composites. Therefore, maleic anhydride (MAH)-grafted PBAT was prepared as compatibilizer by melt free radical grafting reaction. The MAH grafting on the PBAT was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The interfacial bonding between the miscanthus fibers and PBAT was improved with the addition of 5 wt % of MAH-grafted PBAT (MAH- g-PBAT) compatibilizer. The improved interaction between the PBAT and the miscanthus fiber was corroborated with mechanical and morphological properties. The compatibilized PBAT composite with 40 wt % miscanthus fibers exhibited an average heat deflection temperature of 81 °C, notched Izod impact strength of 184 J/m, tensile strength of 19.4 MPa, and flexural strength of 22 MPa. From the scanning electron microscopy analysis, better interaction between the components can be observed in the compatibilized composites, which contribute to enhanced mechanical properties. Overall, the addition of miscanthus fibers into a PBAT matrix showed a significant benefit in terms of economic competitiveness and functional performances. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45448. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing amount of plastic waste causes significant environmental pollution. In this study, screening of Arctic microorganisms which are able to degrade bioplastics was performed. In total, 313 microorganisms were isolated from 52 soil samples from the Arctic region (Spitsbergen). Among the isolated microorganisms, 121 (38.66%) showed biodegradation activity. The ability of clear zone formation on emulsified poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) was observed for 116 microorganisms (95.87%), on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) for 73 microorganisms (60.33%), and on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) for 102 microorganisms (84.3%). Moreover, the growth of microorganisms on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) agar plates was observed for 56 microorganisms (46.28%). Based on the 16S rRNA sequence, 10 bacterial strains which showed the highest ability for biodegradation were identified as species belonging to Pseudomonas sp. and Rhodococcus sp. The isolated fungal strains were tested for polycaprolactone films and commercial corn and potato starch bags degradation under laboratory conditions. Strains 16G (based on the analysis of a partial 18S rRNA sequence, identified as Clonostachys rosea) and 16H (identified as Trichoderma sp.) showed the highest capability for biodegradation. A particularly high capability for biodegradation was observed for the strain Clonostachys rosea, which showed 100% degradation of starch films and 52.91% degradation of PCL films in a 30-day shake flask experiment. The main advantage of the microorganisms isolated from Arctic environment is the ability to grow at low temperature and efficient biodegradation under this condition. The data suggest that C. rosea can be used in natural and laboratory conditions for degradations of bioplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protracted persistence of petrochemical plastics in the environment and their non-biodegradability impede the survival of living creatures. Recently, biopolymers are being thoroughly researched as a potential replacement for conventional plastics. This present study sought to locate Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) synthesizing bacterial species prevalent in the mangrove ecosystem. Six halophilic bacterial isolates were obtained from the mangrove habitat, four isolates displayed superior cell dry weight as well as PHB accumulation. Isolate PMPHB5 showed the highest cell dry weight (4.92 ± 0.02 g/L), while the maximum PHA yield (80%) was found with PMPHB7. Hence, PMPHB7 was chosen for further optimization of carbon source wherein glucose demonstrated improved cell growth as well as PHB production. The characterization of the PHB granules was performed by FT-IR spectroscopy and FE-SEM EDX. The presence of characteristic elements in the sample was confirmed using EDX. Isolate PMPHB7 was further identified as Priestia flexa through 16S rRNA gene sequencing (GenBank accession number: ON362236) and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to reveal the molecular relationships of this organism with others. The solvent-cast biopolymer film was made to check the biodegradability of the extracted PHB. When buried in soil, it was found that the biopolymer film exhibited approximately 73% biodegradation after 21 days. Thus, the present study sheds light on the potential of mangrove-associated halophytes to efficiently produce PHB that is readily biodegradable in soil. [Display omitted] • The increasing accumulation of plastic waste causes several environmental issues as they are non-biodegradable in nature. • Biodegradable polymers are synthesized from sustainable organic resources or biomass. • Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) are an important class of biopolymers since they have been used as a substitute for conventional petrochemical plastics. • Several microorganisms are able to synthesize PHB in their cell or cytoplasm as water-insoluble granules or inclusion bodies under nutrient stress. • Mangrove microbiome have gained an attraction towards discovering new potential biological products. So, it is necessary to screen such microorganisms to understand their efficiency to produce such ecofriendly biopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer carrier is critical for the controlled release of antifoulant in marine anti-biofouling. We have prepared biodegradable polymer blend consisting of poly( ε -caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and used it as carrier of organic antifoulant (4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-isothiazolone). Polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show that the spherulite size of PCL decreases and its crystallinity slightly varies as PBS fraction increases leading the interfacial regions between PCL and PBS spherulites to increase in the total area. Our studies reveal that such amorphous interfacial regions allow the blend to degrade at a constant rate and the antifoulants to be uniformly dispersed in the blend. The antifoulants are released at a constant rate as the blend degrades in marine environment, which can be modulated by the blend composition. Marine field tests demonstrate that such a system has good marine anti-biofouling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiple day activity for students to create large-scale plastic objects from the biopolymer chitin (major component of lobster, crab, and shrimp shells) is described. The plastic objects created are durable and made from benign materials, making them suitable for students to take home to play with. Since the student-created plastic objects are sourced from biomass and fully compostable, the activity provides an opportunity to discuss depleting petrochemical resources and biorenewable feedstocks as well as issues of biodegradation vs persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen upsurge in plastic manufacturing and its utilization in various fields, such as, packaging, household goods, medical applications, and beauty products. Due to various adverse impacts imposed by synthetic plastics on the health of living well-being and the environment, the biopolymers have been emerged out an alternative. Although, the biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are entirely degradable. However, the other polymers, such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA) are only partially degradable and often not biosynthesized. Biodegradation of the polymers using microorganisms is considered an effective bioremediation approach. Biodegradation can be performed in aerobic and anaerobic environments. In this context, the present review discusses the biopolymer production, their persistence in the environment, aerobic biodegradation, anaerobic biodegradation, challenges associated with biodegradation and future perspectives. In addition, this review discusses the advancement in the technologies associated with biopolymer production, biodegradation, and their biodegradation standard in different environmental settings. Furthermore, differences in the degradation condition in the laboratory as well as on-site are discussed. • Biopolymer biodegradability and its environmental persistence has been discussed. • Degradability of oxo-degradable plastics has been discoursed. • Biopolymers degradation in the complex environment have been emphasized. • Effective and efficient biodegradation standard test methods has been explored. • More significant and efficient biodegradation standard test methods are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently used plastics are mostly produced from petrochemical products, but there is a growing demand for eco‐friendly plastics. The use of bio‐based plastics, which are produced from renewable resources, and biodegradable plastics, which are degraded in the environment, will lead to a more sustainable society and help us solve global environmental and waste management problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing world population and industrial activities have enhanced anthropogenic pollution, plastic pollution being especially alarming. So, plastics should be recycled and/or make them biodegradable. Chemical and physical remediating methods are usually energy consuming and costly. In addition, they are not ecofriendly and usually produce toxic byproducts. Bioremediation is a proper option as it is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Plastic production and consumption are increasing daily, and, as a consequence, more microorganisms are exposed to these nonbiodegradable polymers. Therefore, investigating new efficient microorganisms and increasing the knowledge about their biology can pave the way for efficient and feasible plastic bioremediation processes. In this sense, omics, systems biology and bioinformatics are three important fields to analyze the biodegradation pathways in microorganisms. Based on the above-mentioned technologies, researchers can engineer microorganisms with specific desired properties to make bioremediation more efficient. [Display omitted] • Plastic pollution is one the most challenging environmental problems worldwide. • The plastic degrading ability of microorganisms is reviewed. • Recent achievements in microbial degradation of polymers are reviewed. • Omics approaches and bioinformatics are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Compostable certified bioplastics were not compatible with the bio-waste treatment. • Bioplastics' residues < 2 mm were found in the final composts. • Polylactic acid lowered compost pH and negatively affected the germination index. • Further research on the effect of starch-based bioplastics on earthworms is needed. • Compost from bio-waste treatment may be a source of environmental contamination. Bioplastics may be collected in the bio-waste treatment, which is often composed of anaerobic digestion and subsequent aerobic composting of the digestates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degradability of polylactic acid (PLA) and starch-based bioplastics (SBB) spoons under industrial conditions. Biomethane potential (BMP) was measured and biogas production was monitored, while the quality of composts was assessed by phytotoxicity and ecotoxicity tests. The bioplastics disintegration resulted in 65.1 ± 4.6 % for PLA and ≤ 65.0 ± 7.4 % for SBB, not achieving the target set by UNI EN 13,432 standard, and several residues were found in compost. Phytotoxicity tests on seeds reported the lowest Germination Index for PLA elutriate, whereas a potential negative effect of SBB on soil fauna was detected. Further investigation is needed to assess the fate of these ever-growing materials under industrial conditions, and also evaluate the effects of residues in compost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For widespread adoption of biodegradable plastics as agricultural mulches, dependable biodegradation across contrasting conditions is necessary. The in situ degradation of four potentially biodegradable mulches (two commercially available starch-based films, one commercially available cellulose paper mulch, and one experimental spunbond polylactic acid mulch) were evaluated by measuring percentage of area remaining (PMAR) after burial for 6, 12, 18, and 24 months in high tunnel and open field tomato production systems at three geographically distinct U.S. locations (Knoxville, TN; Lubbock, TX; Mount Vernon, WA). The PMAR of the mulches did not differ between high tunnel and open field systems at any location, and PMAR of cellulose mulch was 0% within 12 months but >90% for experimental spunbond at 24 months. The PMAR of the two starch-based products did vary by location and was lowest at Lubbock (˜2%) compared to Knoxville (49%) or Mount Vernon (89%). Relative to the other two locations, Lubbock had the greatest soil diurnal temperature range, maximum daily soil temperature, an alkaline soil pH, and a microbial community structure characterized by a relatively high abundance of fungi. Mulch type and geographic location exerted a greater influence on PMAR than did production system, and abiotic and biotic variables influenced degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the 2012 Bioplastics Symposium held in Baltimore, Maryland. Remarks by participants including Ramani Narayan, Stan Blade and Dick Lilly on disposal of bioplastics and biopolymers are discussed, particularly composting of biopolymers. Research on biopolymers presented at the conference is discussed including creation of co-polyesters, chain branching and the development of foams made from mycelium.

We developed a rapid and simple method for evaluating the degradation of solid biodegradable plastics (BPs). Dye-containing BP films were used as substrates and the release of dye caused by the degradation of BPs was confirmed by a color change in the enzyme solution after a reaction time of 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are stimuli-responsive materials whose shape recovery is usually stimulated by directly heating above the switching temperature. However, combination of SMPs with conductive fillers enables shape recovery by applying a voltage instead of using external heating, which may permit fabrication of smart electroactive actuators. Herein, we demonstrate that, by controlling drawing temperature and related morphology, rapid electroactive shape recovery has been realized in a ternary composite consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and two biodegradable polyesters, a property that was not available in composites using only one of the polyesters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme-catalyzed degradation of poly(trimethylene carbonate) homo-polymer (PTMC) and poly(trimethy-lene carbonate-co-glycolide) co-polymer (PTGA) was investigated in the presence of lipases from Candida antarctica and Hog pancreas. Degradation was monitored by gravimetry, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), tensiometry and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). PTMC can be rapidly degraded by Candida antarctica lipase with 98% mass loss after 9 days, while degradation by Hog pancreas lipase leads to 27% mass loss. Introduction of 16% glycolide units in PTMC chains strongly affects the enzymatic degradation. Hog pancreas lipase becomes more effective to PTGA co-polymer with a mass loss of 58% after 9 days, while Candida antarctica lipase seems not able to degrade PTGA. Bimodal molecular weight distributions are observed during enzymatic degradation of both PTMC and PTGA, which can be assigned to the fact that the surface is largely degraded while the internal part remains intact. The composition of the PTGA co-polymer remains constant, and ESEM shows that the polymers are homogeneously eroded during enzymatic degradation. Contact angle measurements confirm the enzymatic degradation mechanism, i.e., enzyme adsorption on the polymer surface followed by enzyme-catalyzed chain cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unlike petroleum-based synthetic plastics, biodegradable biopolymer generation from industrial residue is a key strategy to reduce costs in the production process, as well as in the waste management, since efficient industrial wastewater treatment could be costly. In this context, the present work describes the prospection and use of bacterial strains capable to bioconvert cassava starch by-product into biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Results: The first step of this study was the bacterial competence screening which was conducted with 72 strains covering 21 Bacillus and related species. The microorganism growth in a medium with a starch substrate was measured by an innovative MTT assay, while the ability of the bacteria to secrete amylase and produce PHA was evaluated by the Nile Red Dye method. Based on growth and potential for PHA production, four isolates were selected and identified as Bacillus megaterium by 16S rRNA sequencing. When cultivated in hydrolyzed cassava starch by-product, maximum production reached 4.97 g dry biomass/L with 29.7% of Poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (characterized by FTIR). Conclusions: MTT assay proved to be a reliable methodology for monitoring bacterial growth in insoluble media. Selected amylolytic strains could be used as an alternative industrial process for biodegradable plastics production from starchy residues, reducing costs for biodegradable biopolymer production and wastewater treatment operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

critical review of norms and standards and corresponding tests to determine the biodegradability in soil for biodegradable plastics, possibly applicable also to biodegradable agricultural plastics, is presented. There are only a few norms available at the international level about biodegradable plastics in soil. The criteria, parameters and testing methodologies for the characterization, labelling and validation of the agricultural plastic waste streams with respect to possible biodegradation in soil according to existing international standards are analysed while the relevant controversies are identified. To derive the best suited for agricultural plastics specs and testing methods, the possible developments or adaptation of available specs, is investigated. Considering the existing types of biodegradable plastic products in agriculture and their effective life management at the agricultural field, only a few norms appear to provide suitable tests that could be adapted, following appropriate research work, for testing biodegradability in soil under real field conditions. It is shown that some major revisions are needed, with the support of systematic research work, before a new universal norm and standard testing methods become available for testing agricultural plastics for biodegradation under real, and highly variable, soil conditions. Based on the analysis of the different norms and their content it appears necessary to incorporate provisions for transferability of results to different soils and climates, validation of tests through a positive reference and also, set prerequisites for soil media. Long term biodegradation in soil prediction is another open issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As interest in the field of biodegradable plastics grows so too must the methods to accurately assess them. The use of respirometric units to control and monitor in-situ degradation is one popular method to achieve this, however little is understood about the consequences of their design when applied to high-temperature large-scale replications of bioreactors. In this paper we discuss the design characteristics of a laboratory scale aerobic biodegradation unit and compare a number of key design features with a particular focus on the effect of internal bioreactor design and aeration rate on the compost moisture content and overall sample biodegradation. The internal design of the bioreactors was shown to produce different air and moisture circulation patterns within the bioreactor compost-sample mix. Optimised design of the bioreactor systems to maximise biodegradation was shown to increase the biodegradation of base cellulose from 72 to 81% over a 90 day period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which investigated the effect of shear flow technique on the morphological structure of biodegradable plastic of poly(ε-Caprolactone)/Polylactide mixture. Important factors in polymer morphologies are presented including shear flow blending, temperature, and processing conditions. It is concluded that lower shear rates in blending polymers produce reduced interfacial tension while higher shear rates result in a plastic compound with a morphological structure characterized by increased medium-frequency modulus.

A novel biodegradable poly(ester urethane; PEU) was synthesized by chain extension reaction of dihydroxylated poly(L-lactic acid; PLLA) and poly(butylene succinate; PBS) using diisocyanate as a chain extender. The kinetics of thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of PEU containing PLLA and PBS blocks were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA results indicated that PEU was more stable in air than in nitrogen and went through a two-stage degradation process irrespective of the experimental atmosphere. Activation energy of each stage was calculated by means of Kissinger, Kim-Park, Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose methods. For the first stage, the activation energy value obtained in air was slightly higher than the corresponding value obtained in nitrogen; and for the second stage, the activation energy showed a much higher value in air than in nitrogen. The Coats-Redfern method was employed to study the degradation mechanism of each stage. The results indicated that the degradation of the first stage follows the P3/4 mechanism irrespective of the experimental atmosphere; the degradation of the second stage of PEU obeys the P1 mechanism in nitrogen while P3/2 in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioplastic material based on glucopolysaccharides and protein matrix sterilized by gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, moist and dry heat agents was studied. Biodegradability, measured by evaluation of carbon dioxide production and followed by electronic microscopy, was tested only in the irradiated and ethylene oxide-treated material because of the physical alterations experienced by the material submitted to moist and heat processes. The sterilized material showed excellent biodegradation in periods shorter than sixty days. Both sterilized and unsterilized materials showed excellent biodegradation. After gamma radiation and ethylene oxide treatment, the material maintained its mechanical properties of tensile strength and ultimate elongation without significant modifications. On the contrary, dry heat diminished elongation capacity by 80% and moist heat diminished tensile strength by 36%. Water absorption capacity of the material remained unchanged after all sterilization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • PBS is intensively studied as biodegradable alternative to polyolefins. • Production, synthesis, physico-chemical and mechanical properties of PBS are covered. • Studies on blend and composite applications are comprehensively reviewed. • Challenges, state-of-the-art and future opportunities critically assessed. Rising energy concerns, rapid infrastructure development, and greater environmental awareness have fueled the demand for sustainable materials. In this direction, sustainable bio-based polymer generated from different resources through several operations can meet most of the annual synthetic plastics demand at least in Europe. The advancement of sustainable technologies for the effective utilization of sustainable materials for bioplastic and biomaterials production can afford a novel biorenewable source of sustainable products and biofuel as well as address the rising environmental concerns. Poly(butylene succinate) is one biopolymer that has enormous potential to be used in a wide range of applications. There is currently no extensive review on the PBS based polymer covering the advanced technologies for the development of high-value material. This article covers the advanced state of synthesis, process integrating biological and thermochemical conversion to produce bioplastics (PBS), physico-chemical and mechanical properties, and the recent applications. We have also provided a structural perspective on how PBS can be adopted via appropriate engineering/ modification to its properties. Different changes in the precursors of polymer materials and composites enable a various range of applications, including but not limited to the manufacturing of high-performance polymer materials to composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]