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Polymers
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Recent Advances in Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Applications
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Recent Advances in Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 12171

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tao Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; public health; polymers
Prof. Dr. Qiang Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: biomass-based nanomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biodegradable polymers have gained increasing attention in recent years as a potential way to provide sustainable medical applications. These polymers can degrade into non-toxic products under certain physiological conditions, making them attractive for use in a range of medical applications. These include:

(1) Tissue engineering. In this context, polymers can be used to create scaffolds that provide mechanical support and guide the growth of cells. These polymers are typically combined with cells and used to create tissue grafts or implants that degrade over time as the native tissue regains its function. For example, PLA and PGA have been used to create 3D scaffolds that support bone and cartilage regeneration, while polyglycolide-co-polylactic acid (PGA-PLA) has been used for soft tissue engineering applications.

(2) Wound dressings and surgical sutures. In these applications, polymers degrade over time, reducing the need for follow-up surgeries or procedures to remove dressings or sutures. Polymers can also be designed to release antimicrobial agents to prevent infection during wound healing. For example, hyaluronic acid-based polymers have been used as wound dressings that promote wound healing and degrade over time, while polyvinyl alcohol-based sutures have been used for general surgical sutures.

In conclusion, biodegradable polymers have emerged as a highly promising class of materials for medical applications. The recent advances in their design and development have opened new opportunities for their use in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressings, surgical sutures, and other areas with the potential to revolutionize medical care in the coming years.

In this Special Issue, we aim to present a collection of original research papers and reviews on biodegradable polymers for medical applications, topics of interest include:

  • Biodegradable polymers composites;
  • Polymeric composites with antimicrobial activity;
  • Functionalized/multi-functionalized polymeric composites;
  • Therapeutic polymeric composites;
  • Smart polymeric composites;
  • Polymeric carriers for drug delivery.

Prof. Dr. Tao Li
Prof. Dr. Qiang Zhang
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

  • polymers
  • antimicrobial activity
  • drug delivery
  • tissue engineering
  • wound dressing
  • wound healing
  • 3D scaffolds
  • medical applications

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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

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13 pages, 669 KiB  
Article
A Taguchi Approach for Optimization of Antimicrobial Effect of Whey Protein Based Edible Film Fermented by Bacillus clausii
by Ali Raza Khan, Elif Sezer, Özge Aslan and Arzu Çağrı-Mehmetoglu
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3375; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233375 - 29 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 802
Abstract
Bacillus clausii, an antagonistic bacterium, was utilized to develop antimicrobial edible films based on whey protein concentrate. This study employed a Taguchi test (3 × 3) to evaluate the impact of temperature, pH, and protein concentration on film properties. Optimal growth of [...] Read more.
Bacillus clausii, an antagonistic bacterium, was utilized to develop antimicrobial edible films based on whey protein concentrate. This study employed a Taguchi test (3 × 3) to evaluate the impact of temperature, pH, and protein concentration on film properties. Optimal growth of B. clausii occurred at 6% (w/v) protein and pH 9.5. The resulting film solutions demonstrated antimicrobial activity, exhibiting inhibition zones against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with inhibition zone diameters of 13.68 mm, 16.88 mm, 11.38 mm, and 17.15 mm, respectively. The optimum antimicrobial property of the films was observed when the incubation condition of pH 8.5, 35 °C and 6% (w/v) protein. Survival rates of B. clausii in the dry film were 86% at 4 °C and 87% at 25 °C over 14 days. Additionally, the highest tensile strength (TS) and percent elongation at break (%E) for the films were recorded at 3.14 MPa (pH = 9.5, 37 °C, 8% protein) and 27.63% (pH = 9.0, 35 °C, 10% protein), respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential for developing effective antimicrobial films through 24-h fermentation of B. clausii in the film solution. This antimicrobial film shows potential for use in wound dressings or food packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Applications)
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13 pages, 9286 KiB  
Article
The Biosynthesis of Bacterial Cellulose Composites Accompanied by Spray Feeding of Biomasses
by Jiali Xu, Xiaodi Liu and Qiang Zhang
Polymers 2024, 16(17), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16172541 - 8 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a broadly utilized natural nanofiber produced by microbial fermentation, but its high-cost and low-yield production and limited function still hinder its application. Here, we used the spraying-assisted biosynthesis method to introduce biomass nanofibers along with the nutrient media to [...] Read more.
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a broadly utilized natural nanofiber produced by microbial fermentation, but its high-cost and low-yield production and limited function still hinder its application. Here, we used the spraying-assisted biosynthesis method to introduce biomass nanofibers along with the nutrient media to the fermenting BC. Biomass nanofibers could be cellulose, chitosan, and others. They entangled with BC nanofibers via intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen binding and electrostatic adsorption, to form uniform BC composites. The BC composites achieved an enhanced yield of ~140 wt% compared with pure BC and displayed similar excellent mechanical properties (Young’s moduli = 0.9–1.4 MPa for wet films and =~6500 MPa for dried films). BC composites also had similar high crystallinity and thermal stability to pure BC. The functional groups of biomasses endowed BC composite additional functions such as antibacterial and dye-adsorption capabilities. Moreover, a high yield and functionalization could be realized simultaneously by feeding functional cellulose nanofibers. This method provides a facile way to produce BC composites with low cost, high yield, and multiple functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Applications)
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Review

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18 pages, 1619 KiB  
Review
Poly-d,l-lactic Acid (PDLLA) Application in Dermatology: A Literature Review
by Kar Wai Alvin Lee, Lisa Kwin Wah Chan, Angela Wai Kay Lee, Cheuk Hung Lee, Sky Tin Hau Wong and Kyu-Ho Yi
Polymers 2024, 16(18), 2583; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182583 - 13 Sep 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 9200
Abstract
Poly-d,l-lactic acid (PDLLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that has garnered significant attention in dermatology due to its unique properties and versatile applications. This literature review offers a comprehensive analysis of PDLLA’s roles in various dermatological conditions and wound-healing applications. PDLLA demonstrates [...] Read more.
Poly-d,l-lactic acid (PDLLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer that has garnered significant attention in dermatology due to its unique properties and versatile applications. This literature review offers a comprehensive analysis of PDLLA’s roles in various dermatological conditions and wound-healing applications. PDLLA demonstrates significant benefits in enhancing skin elasticity and firmness, reducing wrinkles, and promoting tissue regeneration and scar remodeling. Its biodegradable properties render it highly suitable for soft tissue augmentation, including facial and breast reconstruction. We discuss the critical importance of understanding PDLLA’s physical and chemical characteristics to optimize its performance and safety, with a focus on how nano- and micro-particulate systems can improve delivery and stability. While potential complications, such as granuloma formation and non-inflammatory nodules, are highlighted, effective monitoring and early intervention strategies are essential. PDLLA’s applications extend beyond dermatology into orthopedics and drug delivery, owing to its superior mechanical stability and biocompatibility. This review underscores the need for ongoing research to fully elucidate the mechanisms of PDLLA and to maximize its therapeutic potential across diverse medical fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Biodegradable Polymers for Medical Applications)
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