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Polymers
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Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers
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Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2025 | Viewed by 12820

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Agata Wawrzyńczak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
Interests: mesoporous materials; biomaterials; functionalization and surface modification; characterization and analysis of materials; heterogeneous catalysis; catalysts' preparation; catalysis on metals; acid-base catalysis; active substance-delivery systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Agnieszka Feliczak-Guzik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8 Str., 61-614 Poznan, Poland
Interests: fine chemicals; cosmetics products; renewable sources; nanomaterials; catalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural polymeric materials (NPMs) perfectly fit the increasingly common trend of green and sustainable chemistry. Within this group, biopolymers based on carbohydrates, particularly polysaccharides, should be distinguished, since they are readily available at low costs, making them one of the main building blocks of plants. Therefore, growing interest in research on the preparation, modification, and potential application of NMPs as structural components, carriers of active substances (e.g., in pharmaceutic and cosmetic products or functional foods), as well as in separation processes, biotechnology, and energy storage, may be observed. This indicates that NPMs may constitute an alternative to the currently used synthetic polymers, and this field of research carries enormous potential, both in the area of basic research and application.

Accordingly, this Special Issue is devoted to the most recent high-quality original research papers or comprehensive reviews covering all aspects of the synthesis, structural modification, characterization, and application of carbohydrate/polysaccharide-based natural polymeric materials.

Dr. Agata Wawrzyńczak
Dr. Agnieszka Feliczak-Guzik
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 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

  • synthesis and characterization of carbohydrate/polysaccharide-based NPLs
  • structural modifications and functionalization of carbohydrate/polysaccharide-based NPsL
  • encapsulation processes
  • drug-delivery systems
  • polysaccharide-based bionanocomposites
  • polysaccharide-based hydrogels
  • polysaccharide-based membranes
  • electroactive NPLs

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4599 KiB  
Article
Extraction and Conversion of Carboxymethyl Cellulose from Okara Soybean Residue via Soda AQ Pulping: Integration of Predictive Models and Process Control
by Preeyanuch Srichola, Titinunt Kitrungrotsakul, Kuntawit Witthayolankowit, Chaiyaporn Sampoompuang, Keowpetch Lobyaem, Prapakorn Khamphakun and Rawiwan Tumthong
Polymers 2025, 17(6), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17060777 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of bases NaOH and KOH on okara, the soybean residue, in conventional pulping, based on 136 pulping conditions used as a dataset for random forest regression and gradient boosting predictive models. Okara CMC was formed and identified using [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effect of bases NaOH and KOH on okara, the soybean residue, in conventional pulping, based on 136 pulping conditions used as a dataset for random forest regression and gradient boosting predictive models. Okara CMC was formed and identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to demonstrate a wide range of applications comparable to commercial CMC, with a low degree of substitution. The quality of okara pulp after basic pulping was analyzed based on the extracted cellulose yield and remaining protein content. The optimized pulping condition was a mixture of NaOH and KOH at a 30% concentration, resulting in an extracted cellulose yield of 24.5 wt% and a remaining protein content of 25.1%. The obtained okara pulp was converted into okara CMC with a controllable degree of substitution. The implemented dataset was used to train two predictive models: random forest regression and gradient boosting, to forecast key parameters for pulping (NaOH, KOH, AQ, and H2O). Both models demonstrated excellent prediction performance, with R2 values of 0.94 and 0.89, respectively, and showed similar residuals and predicted values. The close clustering of residuals around zero, along with the sharp and narrow curves observed, indicates that both the random forest and gradient boosting models provide precise and reliable predictions. The localized deviations observed in the residuals suggest that these models effectively capture detailed patterns in the data, leading to minimized prediction errors within specific ranges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers)
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17 pages, 4840 KiB  
Article
Dulcitol/Starch Systems as Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Materials for Long-Term Thermal Energy Storage
by Martyna Szatkowska and Kinga Pielichowska
Polymers 2024, 16(22), 3229; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16223229 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1113
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in phase change materials (PCM) based on dulcitol and other sugar alcohols. These materials have almost twice as large latent heat of fusion as other organic materials. Sugar alcohols are relatively cheap, and they [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in phase change materials (PCM) based on dulcitol and other sugar alcohols. These materials have almost twice as large latent heat of fusion as other organic materials. Sugar alcohols are relatively cheap, and they can undergo cold crystallization, which is crucial for long-term thermal energy storage. The disadvantage of dulcitol and other sugar alcohols is the solid–liquid phase transition. As a result, the state of matter of the material and its volume change, and in the case of materials modified with microparticles or nanoparticles, sedimentation of additives in liquid PCM can occur. In this study, we obtained shape-stable phase change materials (SSPCM) by co-gelation of starch and dulcitol. To characterize the samples obtained, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), step-mode DSC, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used, and they were also used to test for shape stabilization. The results show that the obtained systems have great potential as shape-stabilized phase change materials. The sample dulcitol/starch with a 50:50 ratio exhibited the highest heat of cold crystallization, up to 52.90 J/g, while the heat of melting was 126.16 J/g under typical DSC measuring conditions. However, depending on the applied heating program, the heat of cold crystallization can even reach 125 J/g. The thermal stability of all compositions was higher than the phase change temperature, with only 1% mass loss occurring at temperatures above 200 °C, while the phase change occurred at a maximum of 190 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers)
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19 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
Microspheres Based on Blends of Chitosan Derivatives with Carrageenan as Vitamin Carriers in Cosmeceuticals
by Kamila Lewicka, Anna Smola-Dmochowska, Piotr Dobrzyński, Natalia Śmigiel-Gac, Katarzyna Jelonek, Monika Musiał-Kulik and Piotr Rychter
Polymers 2024, 16(13), 1815; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131815 - 26 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2397
Abstract
Chitosan (CS) has a natural origin and is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with many skin-beneficial properties successfully used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. CS derivatives, especially those synthesized via a Schiff base reaction, are very important due to their unique antimicrobial [...] Read more.
Chitosan (CS) has a natural origin and is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with many skin-beneficial properties successfully used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. CS derivatives, especially those synthesized via a Schiff base reaction, are very important due to their unique antimicrobial activity. This study demonstrates research results on the use of hydrogel microspheres made of [chitosan-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan)], [chitosan-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan), and chitosan-sodium-4-formylbenzene-1,3-disulfonate-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone)]-blend-(ĸ-carrageenan) as innovative vitamin carriers for cosmetic formulation. A permeation study of retinol (vitamin A), L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) from the cream through a human skin model by the Franz Cell measurement system was presented. The quantitative analysis of the release of the vitamins added to the cream base, through the membrane, imitating human skin, showed a promising profile of its release/penetration, which is promising for the development of a cream with anti-aging properties. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the polymers from which the microspheres are made allows for the elimination of preservatives and parabens as cosmetic formulation ingredients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers)
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Review

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29 pages, 1028 KiB  
Review
Advances in Conductive Biomaterials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering: Design, Fabrication, and Functional Integration
by Tabrej Khan, Gayathri Vadivel, Kalaivani Ayyasamy, Gowtham Murugesan and Tamer A. Sebaey
Polymers 2025, 17(5), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17050620 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Heart failure functions as one of the leading global causes of death because it falls under the cardiovascular disease categories. Cardiac tissue engineering advances by developing new tissues to rebuild heart functions in individuals with damaged heart structures as it gives medical treatment [...] Read more.
Heart failure functions as one of the leading global causes of death because it falls under the cardiovascular disease categories. Cardiac tissue engineering advances by developing new tissues to rebuild heart functions in individuals with damaged heart structures as it gives medical treatment possibilities to patients reaching their final stage. Most of the heart tissue consists of cardiomyocytes which make up between 80 to 90 percent of the total organ space. The cardiomyocytes retain their specialized cell structure which includes elongation, but they align to produce contractions as they span into length. After myocardial infarction, doctors need elastic soft platforms to heal the heart tissue because they mimic its natural attributes. Special consideration must be paid to the material selection for appropriate mechanical properties, given that different substances have separate qualities. Stem cell survival becomes higher, and cell differentiation develops more efficiently when a proper scaffold design is implemented, thus enabling tissue repair. Conductive biomaterials demonstrate the best candidate status for cardiac tissue engineering due to their ability to both convey electrical signals and boost biological actions as well as promote cellular communication. Scientists conduct life science research on stem cells because the cells present unique characteristics. Biomaterials with conductive properties within cardiac tissue engineering help the body recover heart tissue while improving the functionality of damaged structures in the myocardium. This article analyzes various conductive biomaterials used in biomedical practices for cardiac tissue healing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers)
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18 pages, 779 KiB  
Review
Biodegradable Conducting Polymer-Based Composites for Biomedical Applications—A Review
by Tabrej Khan, Gayathri Vadivel, Balan Ramasamy, Gowtham Murugesan and Tamer A. Sebaey
Polymers 2024, 16(11), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111533 - 29 May 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2068
Abstract
In recent years, researchers have increasingly directed their focus toward the biomedical field, driven by the goal of engineering polymer systems that possess a unique combination of both electrical conductivity and biodegradability. This convergence of properties holds significant promise, as it addresses a [...] Read more.
In recent years, researchers have increasingly directed their focus toward the biomedical field, driven by the goal of engineering polymer systems that possess a unique combination of both electrical conductivity and biodegradability. This convergence of properties holds significant promise, as it addresses a fundamental requirement for biomedical applications: compatibility with biological environments. These polymer systems are viewed as auspicious biomaterials, precisely because they meet this critical criterion. Beyond their biodegradability, these materials offer a range of advantageous characteristics. Their exceptional processability enables facile fabrication into various forms, and their chemical stability ensures reliability in diverse physiological conditions. Moreover, their low production costs make them economically viable options for large-scale applications. Notably, their intrinsic electrical conductivity further distinguishes them, opening up possibilities for applications that demand such functionality. As the focus of this review, a survey into the use of biodegradable conducting polymers in tissue engineering, biomedical implants, and antibacterial applications is conducted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers)
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19 pages, 2598 KiB  
Review
Microneedles Based on a Biodegradable Polymer—Hyaluronic Acid
by Jagoda Chudzińska, Agata Wawrzyńczak and Agnieszka Feliczak-Guzik
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101396 - 14 May 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4658
Abstract
Transdermal transport can be challenging due to the difficulty in diffusing active substances through the outermost layer of the epidermis, as the primary function of the skin is to protect against the entry of exogenous compounds into the body. In addition, penetration of [...] Read more.
Transdermal transport can be challenging due to the difficulty in diffusing active substances through the outermost layer of the epidermis, as the primary function of the skin is to protect against the entry of exogenous compounds into the body. In addition, penetration of the epidermis for substances hydrophilic in nature and particles larger than 500 Da is highly limited due to the physiological properties and non-polar nature of its outermost layer, namely the stratum corneum. A solution to this problem can be the use of microneedles, which “bypass” the problematic epidermal layer by dispensing the active substance directly into the deeper layers of the skin. Microneedles can be obtained with various materials and come in different types. Of special interest are carriers based on biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, such as polysaccharides. Therefore, this paper reviews the latest literature on methods to obtain hyaluronic acid-based microneedles. It focuses on the current advancements in this field and consequently provides an opportunity to guide future research in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Polymeric Materials: Polysaccharides and Carbohydrate Polymers)
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