Biopolymers Research
Open Access

Biofilm; Degradation mechanisms; De-polymerization; Enzymes; Hydrolysis; Microorganisms; Plastics

Introduction

Biodegradable polymers are substances that have a finite shelf life before breaking down into easily thrown-away by-products. They might be created from a wide range of waste materials or/and bioresources, including food, animal, and agricultural waste as well as other materials like starch and cellulose. Because they are frequently less expensive than those manufactured from microbial resources, bioplastics produced from renewable resources are the focus of producers. Utilising biodegradable polymers can help the environment by regenerating raw resources, promoting biodegradation, and lowering carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. Biodegradable polymers can be consumed by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, which then break them down into water, carbon dioxide, and methane. Microorganisms may quickly break down biodegradable polymers, ensuring that the environmental impact of both the original biodegradable polymer and its by-products is minimised. Enzymes produced by microorganisms are used in enzyme-catalyzed processes to split these polymers into smaller pieces. The composition of the substance affects the biodegradation process. The factors that affect the biodegradation process include polymer shape, polymer structure, chemical and radiation treatments, and polymer molecular weight. Biopolymers are another name for biodegradable polymers. Utilising polymers made from renewable resources makes sense for two reasons: (i) environmental issues related to the growth in plastic waste and the effects of global warming caused by the release of carbon dioxide during garbage burning; and (ii) petroleum resources are finite and running out.

Synthetic polymer pollution of the environment has reached alarming levels in developing nations. Plastics made from petroleum are not easily degraded by microorganisms, and as a result, they build up in the environment. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in oil prices recently. This information has sparked interest in biodegradable polymers. In the 1980s, the first biodegradable plastics and polymers were introduced. Over the past 20 years, interest in polymers made from renewable resources has grown significantly, largely because of two key factors: first, environmental concerns, and second, the realisation that our petroleum supplies are limited. Biodegradable plastics can be made from a variety of materials, including synthetic and natural polymers. Synthetic polymers are made from non-renewable petroleum resources, but natural polymers can be found in enormous amounts from renewable sources. Polymer erosion occurs as a result of the cleavage of hydrolytically or enzymatically sensitive linkages in polymeric biomaterials. Recently, a large variety of biodegradable polymers have been created, and several microbes and enzymes that can break them down have been discovered.

In packaging, agriculture, medicine, and other industries, biodegradable materials are used. Biodegradable polymers have drawn more attention in recent years. Synthetic and natural polymers can be categorised into two different categories of biodegradable polymers. Polymers can be created using feedstocks generated from sustainable or non-renewable sources, such as biological sources or petroleum resources. Natural polymers typically have fewer benefits than manufactured polymers. The review that follows gives an overview of the many biodegradable polymers currently in use, their qualities, as well as recent advancements in their production and uses [6-8].

In the case of traditional petroleum-derived plastics, the same durability qualities that make plastics ideal for many applications, such as in packaging, building materials and commodities, as well as in hygiene products, can also cause waste-disposal problems because these materials are not readily biodegradable and because of their resistance to microbial degradation, they accumulate in the environment. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in oil prices recently. The interest in biodegradable polymers, and specifically biodegradable biopolymers, has been sparked by these facts. In the 1980s, the first biodegradable plastics and polymers were introduced. Biodegradable plastics can be made from a variety of materials, including synthetic and natural polymers. While synthetic polymers are made from nonrenewable petroleum resources, natural polymers can be found in enormous amounts from renewable sources.

Enzymes and/or chemical breakdown linked to live organisms are responsible for biodegradation. There are two steps in this occurrence. The first is the breakdown of polymers into smaller molecular mass species, either through biotic (degradations by microorganisms) or abiotic (oxidation, photo-degradation, or hydrolysis) events. Following this, bacteria bio-assimilate the polymer pieces and mineralize them. In addition to the polymer’s place of origin, biodegradability also depends on the polymer’s chemical make-up and the environment’s parameters for environmental degradation. The mechanisms of polymer biodegradation and estimate methods have been examined. Biodegradable materials’ mechanical behaviour is influenced by their chemical make-up, how they are produced, stored, and processed, how they age, and how they are used.

Discussion

Biodegradable polymers are a particular type of polymer that degrades naturally into by-products including gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass, and inorganic salts after serving its intended purpose. These polymers, which can be produced both naturally and artificially, mostly contain the functional groups ester, amide, and ether. Their precise structure dictates their characteristics and method of disintegration. Condensation processes, ring opening polymerization, and metal catalysts are frequently used to create these polymers. Biodegradable polymers have a wide range of uses and examples. In recent years, biobased packaging materials have been introduced as a green alternative. Of these, edible films have drawn increased attention due to their favourable environmental traits, wide variety, availability, non-toxicity, and affordability [8-10].

A wide variety of biodegradable polymers have been used in clinical settings for many years, which has assisted the design and development of tissue-engineered devices. The techniques available to produce clinically significant tissue-engineering applications have improved thanks to newly created biodegradable polymers and unique modifications of previously developed biodegradable polymers. Insights into cell-matrix interactions, cell-cell signalling, and the organisation of cellular components are increasing the need for biomaterials for novel, high-tech medical implants like tissue engineering constructs and are also igniting interest in developing new synthetic polymers and improving the performance of existing medical-grade polymers. The biodegradable synthetic and biological polymers that have been utilised or are being considered for use in tissue-engineering applications are surveyed in this chapter. The chemical makeup, breakdown products, method of breakdown, mechanical qualities, and clinical limits of the polymers are all described. The processing of biomaterials into a final form (such as a gel, membrane, or matrix) that will cause the intended tissue response is also covered.

In order to make biodegradable polymers easier to dispose of after use without affecting the environment, researchers are becoming more interested in creating them through chemical processing, microbes, and enzymes. Biodegradable polymers encountered a number of problems as they progressed towards becoming useful materials. The treatment of biodegradable polymers, composites, mixing, and modelling are all discussed in this article. Biodegradable polymer assessment and environmental fate are covered in detail. Investigations are made into the forensic engineering of biodegradable polymers and the connections between their structure, characteristics, and behaviour prior to, during, and following practical uses.

Conclusion

Tissue engineering has benefited from research utilising already accessible biomaterials as well as research targeted at creating new biodegradable polymers. The majority of research and development initiatives during the majority of the 20th century depended on a small handful of biodegradable polymers that had a track record of regulatory approval, making poly(lactic acid) the most popular biodegradable polymer. The goal of research in the twenty-first century is to create sophisticated biodegradable polymers that trigger beneficial and predictable biological reactions. Current research efforts are concentrated on developing bioactive materials that combine the superior engineering qualities of synthetic polymers with the superior biological qualities of natural materials in order to accomplish this goal. The exceedingly intricate material needs of tissue scaffolds provide considerable difficulties and necessitate ongoing research into the creation of novel bio-resorbable polymers.

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