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Polymers
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Advances in Natural Biodegradable Polymers
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Advances in Natural Biodegradable 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: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 4122

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Qingfei Duan

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Guest Editor
School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Interests: biopolymers; polysaccharides; biodegradable; polymer composites; hydrogels
Dr. Fengsong Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
Interests: polymer chemistry; food preservation; food science; microbiology
Dr. Zuman Dou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Interests: biopolymers; polysaccharides; biodegradable; polymer composites; hydrogel
Prof. Dr. Chunzhao Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Bio-fibers, Eco-textiles Institute of Biochemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Interests: biodegradable polymers; copolymers and nanocomposites; biochemical engineering; biopolymers; colloids and interfaces; enzyme immobilization; biorefinery; enzymatic polymerization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Increasing environmental concerns and the increasing need for sustainable materials have driven significant interest in natural biodegradable polymers. These polymers, derived from renewable resources, offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic polymers. They find applications across various fields, including packaging, agriculture, biomedical engineering, and more. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advancements in the synthesis, characterization, and application of natural biodegradable polymers, promoting innovative research that addresses both performance and environmental sustainability.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and communications on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Synthesis and processing of natural biodegradable polymers;
  • Characterization of mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties;
  • Applications in packaging, agriculture, antibacterial, and biomedical fields;
  • Development of bio-based composites;
  • Advances in green and sustainable polymer technologies;
  • Chitosan, cellulose, pectin and Starch for sustainable packaging and other fields.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue, which will advance the knowledge and application of natural biodegradable polymers in various industries.

Dr. Qingfei Duan
Dr. Fengsong Liu
Dr. Zuman Dou
Prof. Dr. Chunzhao Liu
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

  • natural biodegradable polymers
  • chitosan
  • cellulose
  • pectin
  • sustainability
  • renewable resources
  • eco-friendly materials
  • bio-composites
  • green technology
  • biocompatibility
  • biodegradability

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4352 KiB  
Article
Biodegradable Colorimetric Indicative Films Based on Kurugua (Sicana odorifera) Peel Powder
by Orlando Duarte, Germán Ayala Valencia, Omayra B. Ferreiro and Shirley Duarte
Polymers 2025, 17(9), 1167; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17091167 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 227
Abstract
Colorimetric films are helpful as indicators of the freshness of foods, changing color as their pH varies as they undergo decomposition reactions. Anthocyanins are an important group of bioactive compounds whose color varies depending on the pH of the medium, which is why [...] Read more.
Colorimetric films are helpful as indicators of the freshness of foods, changing color as their pH varies as they undergo decomposition reactions. Anthocyanins are an important group of bioactive compounds whose color varies depending on the pH of the medium, which is why they are used in this type of film. This work evaluated colorimetric indicator films based on the cassava starch and anthocyanins present in kurugua (Sicana odorifera) peel powder. The total anthocyanin content in the kurugua peel powder was quantified (12.13 ± 0.48 mgC3G/L of extract). Films were prepared by casting, based on starch without (PC) and with the addition of kurugua shell powder in low (PB) and high (PA) proportions. Adding kurugua peel powder affected the properties of the films, such as their thickness (0.08 to 0.13 mm), solubility (15 to 18%), humidity (21 to 23%), water contact angle (31 to 61°), density (0.17 to 0.33 g/cm3), and opacity (2.73 to 7.74 A600 nm/mm). Raman spectra showed characteristic peaks for starch and anthocyanins. Finally, the color change capacity of the colorimetric indicator films (PA and PB) was demonstrated, changing to green and yellow colorations at high pH values, as well as during their application in monitoring the freshness of chicken meat; thus, their suitability for use as active and intelligent indicators in the food industry was confirmed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Natural Biodegradable Polymers)
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12 pages, 3845 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion of Corn-Oil-in-Water Pickering Emulsions: Influence of Lignin-Containing Cellulose Nanofibrils Loading
by Langhong Wang, Lin Liu, Jun Li, Jianming Liao, Bin Li, Wenjuan Jiao and Shasha Guo
Polymers 2024, 16(18), 2648; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182648 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1404
Abstract
There is a growing trend in incorporating biomass-based engineered nanomaterials into food products to enhance their quality and functionality. The zeta potential, droplet size, microstructure, and content of free fatty acid (FFA) release were determined to investigate the influence of a plant-derived particle [...] Read more.
There is a growing trend in incorporating biomass-based engineered nanomaterials into food products to enhance their quality and functionality. The zeta potential, droplet size, microstructure, and content of free fatty acid (FFA) release were determined to investigate the influence of a plant-derived particle stabilizer, i.e., lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs). Remarkable differences were observed during digestion stages, which were found to be correlated with the concentrations of LCNFs. The gradual FFA release in the small intestine stage from LCNF-coated lipid droplets was monitored over time, with a final lowest release of FFAs amounting to 26.3% in the emulsion containing 20.0% (v/v) of the dispersed phase stabilized by 3 mg/mL of LCNFs. This release can be attributed to the physical barrier at lipid droplet surfaces and the network effect created by the free LCNFs in the continuous phase. This work provides a foundation for the potential application of nature-derived LCNF materials in reducing fat absorbance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Natural Biodegradable Polymers)
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21 pages, 58464 KiB  
Article
Injectable Hydrogel-Encapsulating Pickering Emulsion for Overcoming Lenvatinib-Resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Cuproptosis Induction and Stemness Inhibition
by Xin Li, Chuanyu Tang, Hanjie Ye and Chihua Fang
Polymers 2024, 16(17), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172418 - 26 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1995
Abstract
Lenvatinib resistance (LenR) presents a significant challenge in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, leading to high cancer-related mortality rates globally. Unlike traditional chemotherapy resistance mechanisms, LenR in HCC is primarily driven by increased cancer cell stemness. Disulfiram, (DSF), functioning as a Cu ionophore, can [...] Read more.
Lenvatinib resistance (LenR) presents a significant challenge in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, leading to high cancer-related mortality rates globally. Unlike traditional chemotherapy resistance mechanisms, LenR in HCC is primarily driven by increased cancer cell stemness. Disulfiram, (DSF), functioning as a Cu ionophore, can coordinate with Cu2+ to overcome LenR in HCC by inhibiting cancer cell stemness and cuproptosis. However, DSF faces challenges due to its poor water solubility, while copper ions present issues related to systemic toxicity during widespread use. To address this, DSF and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) were co-encapsulated to form an oil-in-water Pickering emulsion (DSF@CuO), effectively elevating DSF and copper ion concentrations within the tumor microenvironment (TME). DSF@CuO was then combined with sodium alginate (SA) to form a DSF@CuO-SA solution, which gelatinizes in situ with Ca2+ in the TME to form a DSF@CuO Gel, enhancing Pickering emulsion stability and sustaining DSF and copper ion release. A DSF@CuO Gel exhibits enhanced stability and therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional administration methods. It effectively induces mitochondrial dysfunction and cuproptosis in LenR HCC cells by downregulating DLAT, LIAS, and CDKN2A, while upregulating FDX1. Furthermore, it suppresses cancer stemness pathways through activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB and NOTCH signaling pathways. These findings suggest that DSF@CuO Gels are a promising therapeutic strategy for treating LenR HCC. In vivo and in vitro LenR HCC models demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, this novel approach underscores DSF@CuO Gel’s potential to overcome LenR in HCC, offering a novel approach to address this clinical challenge. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Natural Biodegradable Polymers)
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