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Micro
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Micro- and Nano-Structured Biopolymer Materials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Sustainable...
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Micro- and Nano-Structured Biopolymer Materials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Sustainable Applications

A special issue of Micro (ISSN 2673-8023). This special issue belongs to the section "Microscale Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2026) | Viewed by 2832

Editors

Dr. José Agustín Tapia Hernández

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado en Alimentos, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Interests: circular bioeconomy; waste valorization; nanomaterials; active and intelligent packaging; food coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Carlos Gregorio Barreras-Urbina

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado en Alimentos (DIPA), Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Interests: biopolymers; nano- and micro-materials; agricultural and food applications of biopolymers; physical and chemical characterization; rheological properties of materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francisco Rodríguez-Félix

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado en Alimentos (DIPA), Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Interests: nanotechnology; materials characterization; food packaging; drug encapsulation; rheology; agri-food by-products; biopolymer-based nano-structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The properties and performance of biopolymer-based materials are strongly influenced by their structure and organization at the micro- and nano-scale. Advances in micro- and nano-structuring strategies—such as self-assembly, nano-scale reinforcement, surface patterning, and hierarchical design—enable precise control over biopolymer morphology and interfacial behavior. Structural control at small-length scales is critical for tailoring mechanical performance, transport processes, and interactions with biological and environmental systems.

This Special Issue will focus on recent advances in the design, fabrication, characterization, and application of micro- and nano-structured biopolymer materials for biomedical, environmental, and sustainable technologies. It will highlight innovative approaches to developing functional biopolymers, nanocomposites, and hierarchical structures with enhanced mechanical, physicochemical, and biological properties. We seek contributions that cover green processing methods, renewable resources and waste valorization, and the incorporation of bioactive components for applications such as controlled release systems, tissue engineering, active and intelligent packaging, environmental remediation, and circular-economy-oriented technologies. Overall, this Special Issue aims to advance the use of sustainable biopolymer materials to address current challenges in health, environmental protection, and technological innovation.

Dr. José Agustín Tapia Hernández
Prof. Dr. Carlos Gregorio Barreras-Urbina
Dr. Francisco Rodríguez-Félix
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micro is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • micro- and nano-structured biopolymers
  • bio-based polymers and sustainable composites
  • green synthesis and processing
  • biopolymer nanocomposites and hybrids
  • encapsulation and controlled release
  • biomedical and packaging applications
  • agro-industrial waste valorization
  • circular economy biopolymer materials

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 4250 KB  
Article
Coaxial Electrospun PCL/PLA-CA Polymeric Membranes for pH-Responsive Acyclovir Delivery in Antiviral Scaffolds
by Héctor Guillermo Bustamante-Armenta, Dora Evelia Rodríguez-Félix, María Mónica Castillo-Ortega, Yedith Soberanes-Duarte, Erika Silva-Campa, Lerma Hanaiy Chan-Chan, Arturo Zizumbo-López and Hisila del Carmen Santacruz-Ortega
Micro 2026, 6(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro6030061 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 207
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) cause recurrent skin infections that are difficult to treat because of the limited solubility and permeability of acyclovir (ACV). This study developed electrospun polymeric membranes based on polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and [...] Read more.
Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) cause recurrent skin infections that are difficult to treat because of the limited solubility and permeability of acyclovir (ACV). This study developed electrospun polymeric membranes based on polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and cellulose acetate (CA) as controlled ACV delivery systems using uniaxial and coaxial fiber architectures. In the coaxial configuration, ACV-loaded PCL was used as the core and a PLA/CA blend as the shell. Continuous, randomly oriented, bead-free fibers with diameters ranging from 0.68 ± 0.32 µm to 1.45 ± 0.57 µm were obtained. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses confirmed successful drug incorporation, polymer compatibility, and good thermal stability. Coaxial membranes exhibited improved mechanical properties compared with uniaxial systems. Drug release studies showed a prolonged, pH-dependent profile, with greater ACV release at pH 7.3 than at pH 5.5, indicating the effective modulation of drug diffusion by the shell layer. Release kinetics were mainly governed by diffusion and anomalous transport mechanisms. All membranes maintained a cell viability above 80%, demonstrating good in vitro cytocompatibility. These findings support the potential of coaxial electrospun membranes for controlled antiviral drug delivery in skin applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nano-Structured Biopolymer Materials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Sustainable Applications)
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25 pages, 9218 KB  
Article
Effect of the Rheological Properties of Film-Forming Solutions on the Mechanical Properties of Chitosan/Ag-Microparticle Films: Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity
by José Luis Pompa-Ramos, Francisco Rodríguez-Félix, Dora Evelia Rodríguez-Félix, José Agustín Tapia-Hernández, Miguel Angel Robles-García, Silvia Elena Burruel-Ibarra, Teresa del Castillo-Castro, María Jesús Moreno-Vásquez, Karla Hazel Ozuna-Valencia, Alejandra Montserrat Preciado-Saldaña, Beatriz Montaño-Leyva, Carlos Gregorio Barreras-Urbina and Ricardo Aly López-Cruz
Micro 2026, 6(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro6030053 - 8 Jul 2026
Viewed by 425
Abstract
The development of sustainable biopolymer-based active packaging materials is essential to replace single-use petroleum-derived plastics and reduce food deterioration. In this study, chitosan-based films incorporating green-synthesized silver microparticles (Ag microparticles) obtained from pecan nutshell extract rich in phenolic compounds were developed as multifunctional [...] Read more.
The development of sustainable biopolymer-based active packaging materials is essential to replace single-use petroleum-derived plastics and reduce food deterioration. In this study, chitosan-based films incorporating green-synthesized silver microparticles (Ag microparticles) obtained from pecan nutshell extract rich in phenolic compounds were developed as multifunctional materials with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Films were prepared by the casting method using chitosan solutions at different concentrations (1.5–2.5% w/v), with Ag microparticles incorporated at 0.25% (w/v). The phenolic profile of the extract (gallic acid, catechin, ferulic acid, and ellagic acid), determined by UPLC-DAD, confirmed its role as a reducing and stabilizing agent during Ag microparticle synthesis. All film-forming solutions exhibited non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior, and variations in viscosity and consistency were directly reflected in the mechanical behavior of the films. Strong antioxidant activity, mainly governed by single-electron transfer mechanisms, was observed in ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The films also showed pronounced antibacterial activity, achieving complete inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes. Finally, it is concluded that film mechanical properties are strongly governed by the rheological behavior of the chitosan-based film-forming solutions. The resulting chitosan-Ag microparticle films combine suitable mechanical behavior with antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects against Listeria monocytogenes, suggesting their potential for future application in active food-packaging systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nano-Structured Biopolymer Materials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Sustainable Applications)
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26 pages, 12478 KB  
Article
Depth Distribution of Microplastics Contamination and Associated Risks in Homestead Farming Soils from Industrial and Non-Industrial Regions of Bangladesh
by Afia Sultana, Qingyue Wang, Miho Suzuki, Christian Ebere Enyoh, Md. Sohel Rana, Weiqian Wang and Anunobi Chinazo Ndidiamaka
Micro 2026, 6(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro6020042 - 4 Jun 2026
Viewed by 849
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has emerged as a critical environmental concern, particularly in agricultural soils influenced by anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the depth-wise distribution, polymer composition, and associated ecological and human health risks of MPs in homestead agricultural soils across [...] Read more.
Microplastic (MP) contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has emerged as a critical environmental concern, particularly in agricultural soils influenced by anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the depth-wise distribution, polymer composition, and associated ecological and human health risks of MPs in homestead agricultural soils across four regions of Bangladesh representing different levels of industrialization: Narayanganj (old industrial), Savar (moderate industrial), Gazipur (emerging industrial), and Mymensingh (non-industrial). Soil samples were collected from two depth intervals (0–20 cm and 21–50 cm), and MPs were extracted using density separation, identified through microscopic analysis, and characterized via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. A diverse range of MP morphologies and polymers was detected, with irregular particles and fragments dominating the composition. Polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the most abundant polymers, reflecting widespread domestic, industrial, and agricultural plastic usage. MP abundance was consistently higher in surface soils, indicating dominant surface inputs, although vertical migration into subsoil layers was evident. Spatial analysis revealed higher MP contamination in industrial regions, particularly Narayanganj and Savar, compared to the non-industrial reference site. Ecological risk assessment indicated low risk levels across all regions; however, significant spatial variability was observed. Human exposure assessment demonstrated that inhalation was the primary pathway, followed by dermal contact and ingestion, with children exhibiting higher exposure levels than adults. Lifetime average daily dose (LADD) and carcinogenic risk estimates remained below acceptable thresholds, suggesting minimal immediate health risks. Nevertheless, the persistence, mobility, and cumulative nature of MPs highlight potential long-term concerns. Therefore, this study provides comprehensive insights into the sources, distribution, and risks of MPs in homestead agricultural soils and underscores the need for improved waste management practices, sustainable agricultural strategies, and long-term monitoring to mitigate environmental and human health impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nano-Structured Biopolymer Materials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Sustainable Applications)
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13 pages, 20962 KB  
Article
Polygalacturonic Acid Gels and Supramolecular Gels Loaded with a Drug, Bioceramics and Bioglass
by Rebecca Sikkema and Igor Zhitomirsky
Micro 2026, 6(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/micro6020041 - 2 Jun 2026
Viewed by 539
Abstract
This investigation addressed challenges in the delivery of poorly soluble drugs, and the colloidal processing of polymer–ceramic composites by fabrication of advanced supramolecular hydrogels. Polygalacturonic acid (PGA) polymer and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) drug, both characterized by poor aqueous solubility, were selected as model [...] Read more.
This investigation addressed challenges in the delivery of poorly soluble drugs, and the colloidal processing of polymer–ceramic composites by fabrication of advanced supramolecular hydrogels. Polygalacturonic acid (PGA) polymer and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) drug, both characterized by poor aqueous solubility, were selected as model building blocks for supramolecular hydrogels. Meglumine (MG) served as a multifunctional component in the gels, acting as a building block as well as an alkalizing and solubilizing agent for PGA and GA. Investigations revealed gel formation mechanisms, which were based on the electrostatic interactions of deprotonated anionic carboxylic groups of PGA and GA with protonated amino groups of MG and the hydrogen bonding of PGA polymer and GA molecules. The feasibility of the fabrication of PGA-MG and GA-MG gels opened an avenue for the fabrication of PGA-GA-MG gels. The composite gels provided a platform for drug delivery, and the kinetics of drug release from the composite gels containing MG excipient were investigated. Composite gels were obtained from colloidal dispersions, containing bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite, silica, and titania, and bioglass in the PGA solutions in the presence of MG. The results of this investigation pave the way for the fabrication of novel supramolecular and composite gels loaded with various functional materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nano-Structured Biopolymer Materials for Biomedical, Environmental, and Sustainable Applications)
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