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Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites
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Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 10129

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ying Pei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: investigation of structures, properties, and applications of biopolymers; hierarchical structure of biopolymers; polysaccharide-based and protein-based composites; biopolymer interactions; preparation of biopolymer-based nanofibers; new applications of biopolymers in biomedicine, water treatment, energy storage, and intelligent sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I was honoured to be invited by the Editor of Polymers (MDPI) to serve as a guest editor for this Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites”. It is our intent with this issue to connect researchers from the community of polymers with the biopolymer composites community and foster a deeper mutual understanding of the expertise and experience each community has developed.

This Special Issue is motivated by recent remarkable achievements in green technology in material science through the development of biopolymer-based composites. Biopolymer-based composites have demonstrated great potential for various applications owing to their advantages, such as low cost, sustainability, and biodegradability.

This Special Issue is oriented toward innovations and improvements in biopolymer-based composites. Topics covered include the manufacturing of biopolymer-based composites, advanced multiple functionalities (physical, chemical, and biological functionalities), original designs for biopolymer-based composites, composites recycling, matrix interactions, and the advanced applications of biopolymer-based composites in water treatment, filtration, tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, food packaging, energy storage, electronic devices, and intelligent sensors, among others.

Submitted manuscripts (research papers, reviews, communications, letters, and perspectives will all be considered) should not have been published previously nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. All manuscripts will be refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for the submission of manuscripts are available on the journal’s website.

Dr. Ying Pei
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • biopolymers
  • composites
  • composite designing
  • functionalized biopolymers
  • biopolymer modification
  • matrix interactions
  • advanced applications

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2619 KiB  
Article
Development, Characterization, and Cellular Toxicity Evaluation of Solid Dispersion-Loaded Hydrogel Based on Indomethacin
by Zaid Dahma, Alexandra Ibáñez-Escribano, Cristina Fonseca-Berzal, Juan José García-Rodríguez, Covadonga Álvarez-Álvarez, Carlos Torrado-Salmerón, Santiago Torrado-Santiago and Paloma Marina de la Torre-Iglesias
Polymers 2024, 16(15), 2174; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152174 - 30 Jul 2024
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Indomethacin (IND) as a non-selective cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibitor administered orally causes numerous adverse effects, mostly related to the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, when applied exogenously in topical preparations, there are obstacles to its permeation through the stratum corneum due to its low [...] Read more.
Indomethacin (IND) as a non-selective cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibitor administered orally causes numerous adverse effects, mostly related to the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, when applied exogenously in topical preparations, there are obstacles to its permeation through the stratum corneum due to its low water solubility and susceptibility to photodegradation. In this work, solid dispersions (SDs) of IND with low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (LHPC) were developed. The IND—SDs were incorporated into a hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) hydrogel to enhance drug solubility on the skin. The hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), viscosity, drug release, and unspecific cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. SEM showed a highly porous structure for SD hydrogels. DSC and XRPD studies showed that amorphous IND species were formed; therefore, these hydrogels exhibited superior drug release in comparison with IND raw material hydrogels. FTIR evidenced the presence of the hydrogen bond in the SD hydrogel. The rheology parameter viscosity increased across gels formulated with SDs in comparison with hydrogels with pure IND. In addition, IND—SD hydrogels combine the advantages of a suitable viscosity for dermal use and no potentially hazardous skin irritation. This study suggests that the formulated IND—SD hydrogels represent a suitable candidate for topical administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites)
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20 pages, 10103 KiB  
Article
Effect of Aminating Lignin Loading with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Aggregate Structure Improvement
by Chenghui Hu, Tingting Xu, Shumei Wang, Huiyang Bian and Hongqi Dai
Polymers 2024, 16(12), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16121701 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 575
Abstract
Lignin is an important component of plant fiber raw materials, and is a three-dimensional network structure aromatic polymer with abundant resources and a complex structure in nature. Lignin is generally used as industrial waste, and its potential value has not been fully utilized. [...] Read more.
Lignin is an important component of plant fiber raw materials, and is a three-dimensional network structure aromatic polymer with abundant resources and a complex structure in nature. Lignin is generally used as industrial waste, and its potential value has not been fully utilized. Modern agriculture extensively uses chemical fertilizers, leading to the gradual degradation of soil fertility and structure, which seriously affects crop growth, nutrient transport, and root respiration function. Based on soil bulk density, porosity, aggregates, and their stability indicators, this study analyzed the effects of aminated industrial lignin and its loading with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on soil structure improvement and plant growth. It was hoped that resource-rich lignin could play a beneficial role in improving soil structure and promoting crop growth. The phenolic hydroxyl group of lignin was epoxidized and further aminated to load with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The results indicated that amine-modified lignin could effectively load with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-supported aminated lignin to soil aggregate structure improvement greatly reduced the bulk density of soil, and increased the porosity of soil and the content of large granular soil. Compared with unmodified soil, soil bulk density decreased by 73.08%, the porosity of soil increased by 70.43%, and the content of large granular soil increased by 56.38%. Using the improved soil for corn cultivation efficiently increased the biomass of corn. The plant height was increased by 72.16%, the root–shoot ratio was increased by 156.25%, and other indexes were also improved to varying degrees. The experimental method provides an important basis for the effective utilization of lignin materials in agriculture in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites)
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13 pages, 3130 KiB  
Article
Stability and Bioaccessibility of Quercetin-Enriched Pickering Emulsion Gels Stabilized by Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from Rice Bran
by Guozhen Wang, Jin Li, Xiaoqin Yan, Yan Meng, Yanpeng Zhang, Xianhui Chang, Jie Cai, Shilin Liu and Wenping Ding
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070868 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
To investigate the optimal delivery system of quercetin, in this paper, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from rice bran were used to stabilize the Pickering emulsion and Pickering emulsion gels (PEGs) with quercetin. To compare the emulsion properties, stability, antioxidation activity, encapsulation rate, and [...] Read more.
To investigate the optimal delivery system of quercetin, in this paper, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from rice bran were used to stabilize the Pickering emulsion and Pickering emulsion gels (PEGs) with quercetin. To compare the emulsion properties, stability, antioxidation activity, encapsulation rate, and bioaccessibility of the quercetin, four emulsions of CNC Pickering emulsion (C), CNC Pickering emulsion with quercetin (CQ), CNC Pickering gel emulsion (CG), and CNC Pickering gel emulsions with quercetin (CQG) were prepared. All four emulsions exhibited elastic gel network structure and good stability. The quercetin significantly reduced the particle size, increased the stability, and improved the antioxidant capacity of CQ and CQG. Compared to C and CG, the ABTS+ radical scavenging capacities of CQ and CQG were respectively enhanced by 46.92% and 3.59%. In addition, CQG had a higher encapsulation rate at 94.57% and higher bioaccessibility (16.17) compared to CQ. This study not only indicated that CNC from rice bran could be exploited as an excellent stabilization particle for Pickering emulsions, but also provided a highly stable and bioaccessible delivery system for water-insoluble functional active factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites)
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16 pages, 4630 KiB  
Article
Chitosan/Virgin Coconut Oil-Based Emulsions Doped with Photosensitive Curcumin Loaded Capsules: A Functional Carrier to Topical Treatment
by Luísa C. Rodrigues, Adriana P. Ribeiro, Simone S. Silva and Rui L. Reis
Polymers 2024, 16(5), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16050641 - 27 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1209
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing smart drug delivery systems based on natural resources combined with stimulus-sensitive elements. This trend aims to formulate innovative and sustainable delivery platforms tailored for topical applications. This work proposed the use of [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing smart drug delivery systems based on natural resources combined with stimulus-sensitive elements. This trend aims to formulate innovative and sustainable delivery platforms tailored for topical applications. This work proposed the use of layer-by-layer (LbL) methodology to fabricate biocompatible photo-responsive multilayer systems. These systems are composed of a polyoxometalate inorganic salt (POM) ([NaP5W30O110]14−) and a natural origin polymer, chitosan (CHT). Curcumin (CUR), a natural bioactive compound, was incorporated to enhance the functionality of these systems during the formation of hollow capsules. The capsules produced, with sizes between 2–5µm (SEM), were further dispersed into CHT/VCO (virgin coconut oil) emulsion solutions that were casted into molds and dried at 37 °C for 48 h. The system presented a higher water uptake in PBS than in acidic conditions, still significantly lower than that earlier reported to other CHT/VCO-based systems. The drug release profile is not significantly influenced by the medium pH reaching a maximum of 37% ± 1% after 48 h. The antioxidant performance of the designed structures was further studied, suggesting a synergistic beneficial effect resulting from CUR, POM, and VCO individual bioactivities. The increased amount of those excipients released to the media over time promoted an increase in the antioxidant activity of the system, reaching a maximum of 38.1% ± 0.1% after 48 h. This work represents a promising step towards developing advanced, sustainable drug delivery systems for topical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites)
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13 pages, 3082 KiB  
Article
Mesostructured Fibrils Exfoliated in Deep Eutectic Solvent as Building Blocks of Collagen Membranes
by Ying Pei, Wei Li, Lu Wang, Jing Cui, Lu Li, Shengjie Ling, Keyong Tang and Huafeng Tian
Polymers 2023, 15(19), 4008; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15194008 - 6 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1392
Abstract
The mesoscale components of collagen (nanofibrils, fibrils, and fiber bundles) are well organized in native tissues, resulting in superior properties and diverse functions. In this paper, we present a simple and controlled liquid exfoliation method to directly extract medium-sized collagen fibers ranging from [...] Read more.
The mesoscale components of collagen (nanofibrils, fibrils, and fiber bundles) are well organized in native tissues, resulting in superior properties and diverse functions. In this paper, we present a simple and controlled liquid exfoliation method to directly extract medium-sized collagen fibers ranging from 102 to 159 nm in diameter from bovine Achilles tendon using urea/hydrochloric acid and a deep eutectic solvent (DES). In situ observations under polarized light microscopy (POM) and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the effects of urea and GuHCl on tendon collagen. FTIR study results confirmed that these fibrils retained the typical structural characteristics of type I collagen. These shed collagen fibrils were then used as building blocks to create independent collagen membranes with good and stable mechanical properties, excellent barrier properties, and cell compatibility. A new method for collagen processing is provided in this work by using DES-assisted liquid exfoliation for constructing robust collagen membranes with mesoscale collagen fibrils as building blocks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites)
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Review

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15 pages, 1528 KiB  
Review
The Potential of Collagen Treatment for Comorbid Diseases
by Hsiuying Wang
Polymers 2023, 15(19), 3999; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15193999 - 5 Oct 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4850
Abstract
Collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of various tissues and organs. Beyond its involvement in skin elasticity and joint health, emerging research suggests that collagen may significantly impact the treatment of complex [...] Read more.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of various tissues and organs. Beyond its involvement in skin elasticity and joint health, emerging research suggests that collagen may significantly impact the treatment of complex diseases, particularly those associated with tissue damage and inflammation. The versatile functions of collagen, including skin regeneration, improving joint health, and increasing bone strength, make it potentially useful in treating different diseases. To the best of my knowledge, the strategy of using collagen to treat comorbid diseases has not been widely studied. This paper aims to explore the potential of collagen in treating comorbid diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, psoriatic arthritis, sarcopenia, gastroesophageal reflux, periodontitis, skin aging, and diabetes mellitus. Collagen-based therapies have shown promise in managing comorbidities due to their versatile properties. The multifaceted nature of collagen positions it as a promising candidate for treating complex diseases and addressing comorbid conditions. Its roles in wound healing, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular health, and gastrointestinal conditions highlight the diverse therapeutic applications of collagen in the context of comorbidity management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biopolymer-Based Composites)
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