Bioplastics: A sustainable leap forward in combating environmental pollution
Innovative bioplastics offer eco-friendly alternatives, enhancing antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties in various applications.
image: Innovative bioplastics offer eco-friendly alternatives, enhancing antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties in various applications.
Credit: Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan 94300, Malaysia
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sabah have shed light on the classification and innovative applications of bioplastics, which are emerging as a viable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. These bioplastics, either biobased, biodegradable, or both, are gaining traction for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste accumulation.
The research provides a comprehensive overview of bioplastics, emphasizing their biodegradability and renewability, which position them as earth-friendly substitutes for nonrenewable plastics. Despite initial challenges such as higher production costs and inferior mechanical properties, the study highlights how the incorporation of additives and fillers can enhance bioplastic properties. Notably, the integration of antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant agents into bioplastics offers added value, making them suitable for specific applications in food packaging and biomedicine.
The review covers the use of different polymers and additives, presenting findings and potential applications within the last decade. While current research focuses on food packaging and biomedicine, the exploration of bioplastics with specialized properties remains in its early stages, indicating a wide range of undiscovered opportunities. The study also outlines the bioplastic classifications, which are crucial for understanding their potential as conventional plastic substitutes.
The authors conclude that bioplastics, with their biocompatibility and biodegradability, are particularly suitable for packaging, biomedical, and other valuable industrial applications. As the global plastics production continues to rise, the shift towards bioplastics could significantly reduce the environmental burden, offering a sustainable solution to the pressing ecological concerns related to solid waste management and environmental pollution.
See the article:
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2023.06.005
Original Source URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969823000452
Journal