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Polymers
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Bio-Based Polymers from Proteins and Polysaccharides: Challenges and Opportunities
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Bio-Based Polymers from Proteins and Polysaccharides: Challenges and Opportunities

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1378

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aman Ullah

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 4-10 Agriculture/Forestry Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
Interests: synthesis of monomers; biopolymers; nano-engineered biopolymers; nano-biocomposites and bioconjugates from renewable resources for various applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Muhammad Zubair

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental, Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Interests: utilization of biomass; water purification; food packaging; cancer treatment; machine-learning-based processing in biopolymer synthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Building on the success of our previous two Special Issues, we are pleased to announce the third in our series focused on bio-based polymer synthesis. The global dependence on fossil-fuel-derived polymers underscores an urgent need for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives that are both eco-friendly and industrially feasible.

While earlier issues have explored polymer extraction from biomass and the synthesis of bio-based monomers, key research challenges remain in enhancing their scalability, material performance, and functional tunability. This edition aims to address these gaps by focusing on recent advances in the development of biopolymers—particularly those derived from natural macromolecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids.

We welcome submissions of original research and critical reviews on topics ranging from green synthesis methods and polymerization strategies to structure–function relationships, degradation behavior, and practical applications in edible food coatings, biodegradable agricultural films, and drug-delivery carriers.

Dr. Aman Ullah
Dr. Muhammad Zubair
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-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

  • bio-based polymers
  • proteins
  • carbohydrates
  • lipids
  • biodegradable materials
  • green synthesis
  • polymerization
  • biomass conversion
  • structure–function relationships

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1811 KB  
Article
Rheological Characterization of Marine and Bovine Collagen Peptides/Acetic Acid Slurries Incorporating Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles
by Mario Milazzo, Claudio Ricci, Eugenio Redolfi Riva, Damiano Rossi, Irene Anguillesi, Maurizia Seggiani, Giuseppe Gallone and Serena Danti
Polymers 2025, 17(23), 3196; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233196 - 30 Nov 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
The development of collagen-based composite materials for bone tissue engineering requires a comprehensive understanding of their rheological and structural behavior to ensure processability and functional stability. This study investigates the viscoelastic and morphological properties of nanocomposite slurries composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles dispersed [...] Read more.
The development of collagen-based composite materials for bone tissue engineering requires a comprehensive understanding of their rheological and structural behavior to ensure processability and functional stability. This study investigates the viscoelastic and morphological properties of nanocomposite slurries composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles dispersed in acetic acid solutions of bovine or fish-derived collagen peptides. Frequency and strain sweep tests revealed solid-like behavior and shear-thinning characteristics consistent with printable bioinks. Both formulations yield stresses between 0.7 and 1.5 kPa, values comparable to those reported for 3D-printable HA composites. Over ten days of aging, fish-based formulations retained higher viscosity and modulus, indicating improved temporal stability relative to bovine-based ones. Drop-casting tests confirmed the formation of homogeneous, highly opalescent films, with surface profilometry showing lower waviness for the fish-derived blend, suggesting enhanced microstructural uniformity. These results demonstrate that acetic acid-mediated collagen–HA interactions generate stable, high-fidelity slurries suitable for additive manufacturing applications. The superior rheological properties of fish collagen formulations highlight the influence of peptide source on network evolution, offering valuable insight for optimizing collagen–ceramic composites in regenerative and biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers from Proteins and Polysaccharides: Challenges and Opportunities)
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21 pages, 6864 KB  
Article
Synergistic Impact of Copper Nanoparticles Functionalized with Magnetic Chitosan on the Enhanced Adsorptive Sequestration of Metformin Diabetic Drug from Environmental Samples
by Khairia M. Al-Ahmary, Abeer H. Aljadaani and Amr A. Yakout
Polymers 2025, 17(22), 3046; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17223046 - 17 Nov 2025
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Pharmaceutical residues, including a wide range of therapeutic drugs, have been increasingly reported in drinking water sources worldwide, raising environmental concerns due to their potential impact on aquatic ecosystems. Among the available treatment approaches, adsorption has emerged as one of the most reliable [...] Read more.
Pharmaceutical residues, including a wide range of therapeutic drugs, have been increasingly reported in drinking water sources worldwide, raising environmental concerns due to their potential impact on aquatic ecosystems. Among the available treatment approaches, adsorption has emerged as one of the most reliable methods for eliminating these pollutants. In the present study, metformin was effectively removed from water using a nanocomposite adsorbent consisting of copper nanoparticles anchored onto magnetic chitosan (Cu@MCS). The removal of metformin by Cu@MCS was governed by several mechanisms: surface complexation with copper species, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic associations between the drug’s methyl groups and magnetite, and hydrogen bonding between metformin’s amino groups and oxygenated functional groups of chitosan. The structural and surface properties of the nanocomposite were characterized through FTIR, XPS, XRD, SEM, and HRTEM analyses. Key experimental factors, such as initial drug concentration, contact time, pH, and ionic strength, were systematically optimized to maximize adsorption efficiency. Adsorption data closely followed the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum capacity (qm;) of 52.91 mg·g−1 at 298 K. Regeneration tests demonstrated excellent reusability, showing only a 3.7% decline in performance after six adsorption–desorption cycles. The Cu@MCS material also proved effective in removing metformin from diverse real water samples, including river water, wastewater, bottled water, and tap water. A notable advantage of this nanosorbent is its magnetic separability, which enables straightforward recovery from solution, even at low contaminant levels and with large sample volumes. These results underline the potential of magnetic chitosan-based nanocomposites as fast, efficient, and reusable adsorbents for the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from aquatic systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers from Proteins and Polysaccharides: Challenges and Opportunities)
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Review

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30 pages, 1738 KB  
Review
Mannans as Multifunctional Biopolymers: Structure, Properties, and Applications in Health and Industry
by Isaac Karimi, Layth Jasim Mohammed, Ahmed Makki Amshawee, Nahlah Fatehi Makki, Kosar Nazari and Helgi B. Schiöth
Polymers 2025, 17(24), 3297; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17243297 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 290
Abstract
Mannans are structurally composed of β-(1 → 4)-linked mannose units, which are widely distributed in plant cell walls, yeast, and bacterial exopolysaccharides. Mannans have emerged as multipurpose biopolymers with significant industrial and biomedical potential. Celebrated mannans include guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac [...] Read more.
Mannans are structurally composed of β-(1 → 4)-linked mannose units, which are widely distributed in plant cell walls, yeast, and bacterial exopolysaccharides. Mannans have emerged as multipurpose biopolymers with significant industrial and biomedical potential. Celebrated mannans include guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac glucomannan, yeast mannans, and softwood glucomannans. This comprehensive review highlights the sources, structural diversity, extraction methods, physicochemical properties, safety, and functional characteristics. The major bioactivities of mannans, including immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and prebiotic effects, reflect their relevance in biopharmaceutical applications. Moreover, mannans serve as valuable raw materials for developing biodegradable films, hydrogels, and nanocomposites applied in sustainable materials and drug delivery systems. Despite promising applications, challenges related to their large-scale production, standardization, and functional optimization remain to be investigated. Future perspectives focus on integrating advanced biotechnological approaches and chemical modifications to enhance the functional versatility of mannans. Overall, mannans represent a sustainable, multifunctional biopolymer with expanding applications across food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Polymers from Proteins and Polysaccharides: Challenges and Opportunities)
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