Search Results (268)

Microbial biodegradation represents a promising approach to addressing global plastic pollution, yet the metabolic pathways and environmental origins of polymer-degrading microorganisms remain incompletely characterized. This review synthesizes current knowledge on biodegradation mechanisms across major polymer classes and identifies key environmental reservoirs harboring native plastic-degrading microbiota. Biodegradation pathways differ fundamentally according to polymer chemistry. Polyesters such as PET undergo hydrolytic cleavage by PETases and MHETases, releasing terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol for assimilation via the β-ketoadipate pathway and the TCA cycle. Biodegradable polyesters (PLA, PBAT, PHAs, PCL) are similarly hydrolyzed by cutinases, lipases, and depolymerases. In contrast, polyolefins (PE, PP) and polystyrene lack hydrolyzable bonds and require oxidative attack by laccases, peroxidases, and alkane monooxygenases, followed by β-oxidation to acetyl-CoA. Three principal environmental reservoirs supply plastic-degrading microorganisms: contaminated ecosystems including landfills and the plastisphere; soil microbiota contributing ligninolytic fungi and actinomycetes; and compost environments yielding thermostable enzymes such as leaf-branch compost cutinase. Across all environments, microbial consortia demonstrate superior degradation efficiency compared to single-species cultures, reflecting the enzymatic complexity required for complete polymer mineralization. Understanding these pathways and their environmental origins provides a foundation for biological plastic waste management strategies. Full article

Organic waste management remains a pressing environmental and economic challenge, particularly in small-scale or domestic contexts where access to industrial composting technologies is limited. This study investigates the performance of the BSG-2 fermenter, a low-cost aerobic system designed to convert brewery spent grain (BSG) and vegetable waste into nutrient-rich compost through solid-state fermentation. The fermenter, constructed from food-grade plastic, relied on intermittent forced aeration, and manual temperature and pH control to sustain microbial activity. Temperature, pH, and substrate degradation were monitored throughout a complete fermentation cycle. The system achieved consistent bio-thermal performance with peak temperatures of approximately 32 °C and a substrate volume reduction of 30–40%, confirming active microbial metabolism and substantial organic matter degradation. Minimal odor generation and low energy input highlighted the fermenter’s environmental suitability. While occasional anaerobic pockets and limited heat retention were observed, these limitations could be addressed through improved insulation and automated aeration. The sustained mesophilic heat generation observed in the system may also present opportunities for low-grade thermal recovery in small-scale applications, such as localized environmental conditioning, although the magnitude of heat produced is limited. Overall, the BSG-2 fermenter demonstrates a feasible, replicable approach to valorizing organic waste into compost and sustained mesophilic heat generation using simple, accessible materials, contributing to circular economy strategies and sustainable small-scale waste management. Full article

As a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, psyllium gum, a natural hydrocolloid from Plantago ovata seeds, is reviewed for its application in packaging. This review focuses on the material properties of psyllium gum, including its film-forming capacity, water-binding capacity of 12–15 g/g, and rheological behavior (consistency index K = 10–50 Pa·sⁿ, flow behavior index n = 0.3–0.6), which are critical for packaging applications. We discuss how its performance can be enhanced through interactions with plasticizers, cross-linking agents, and blending with other biopolymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol and starch), as well as through nanocomposite reinforcement, to improve mechanical strength (tensile strength 5–15 MPa in native films; up to 48 MPa in thermoplastic starch composites), and barrier properties (e.g., oxygen permeability < 0.001 g/m² s). The review also provides a comparative analysis of psyllium-based films with other polysaccharide films and discusses the environmental benefits, such as a lower carbon footprint (GWP ≈ 1.2 kg CO₂-eq/kg) compared to PET (≈3.0 kg CO₂-eq/kg). Key challenges, including moisture sensitivity (equilibrium moisture content ~25% at 75% RH), raw material molecular-weight variability (±20%), and scalability, are outlined, along with future research directions, such as enzymatic extraction and the development of water-resistant, compostable formulations aimed at advancing psyllium gum toward viable next-generation sustainable food packaging materials. Full article

The use of bio-based and biodegradable plastic products (BBpPs) ensures the mitigation of environmental effects of fossil-based plastics, especially in humanitarian crises where waste management is challenging. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising biodegradable biopolymers that are biocompatible and do not cause microplastic pollution. However, experimental assessment of PHA biodegradation is challenged by its time- and resource-intensiveness. In this study, a comprehensive computational Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR)-based approach was developed to predict biodegradability of short chain length (scl)-PHA-based formulations consisting of various additives and building blocks. A novel curated dataset for the (scl)-PHA poly(-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), with literature-reported environmental and biodegradation parameters from lab-scale experiments in soil, marine, freshwater and compost systems, was constructed and used to develop and validate the introduced approach. Random forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine learning (ML) models were optimized and validated with cross-validation and test set predictions. The optimal models reported high accuracy values of the coefficient of determination R², indicating excellent relationships between structure and biodegradation metrics. Further analysis of descriptor variable importance confirmed that biopolymer biodegradability was favorably affected by biodegradation time, while mechanisms, environmental conditions, and additives contributed secondary yet physically consistent effects. The proposed QSAR framework demonstrated a robust and interpretable web-based tool for predicting the environmental fate of PHBV in natural environments and supported the sustainable safe-by-design (SSbD) approach of next-generation biodegradable polymers. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles ranging in size from 0.1 μm to 5 mm, have gained significant scientific attention worldwide due to their widespread occurrence and potential risks for human health and the environment. MPs can accumulate in water and soil, affecting organisms across multiple trophic levels and negatively impacting agricultural productivity and animal husbandry. Agricultural practices, such as plastic mulching, compost, and sewage sludge application, contribute to environmental plastic contamination, while irrigation and wastewater reuse facilitate their transport and deposition across ecosystems. Given the limited efficiency and high costs of physicochemical remediation methods, microbial biodegradation has attracted growing attention as a potentially sustainable strategy. This review focuses primarily on the metabolic potential of bacteria and fungi and the mechanisms underlying MP degradation. In the context of environmental safety, such studies are of particular importance. Under optimal laboratory conditions, reported microbial degradation efficiencies varied with microplastic type, microbial strain(s), and experimental conditions, ranging from 4% to >97%. Moreover, the literature review identifies key barriers to practical application, including environmental variability and the limited transferability of laboratory findings to field settings. Future research should therefore prioritize testable, application-oriented approaches. Addressing these gaps is essential to developing effective microbial degradation strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution. Full article

The increasing adoption of biopolymeric and nanostructured coatings for horticultural produce has emerged as a sustainable strategy to mitigate postharvest losses and extend shelf life. However, while their technological performance has been extensively documented, comprehensive and integrative assessments of biosafety, potential human health implications, and environmental risks profiles are still insufficiently explored. This review critically analyzes recent advances in polysaccharide, protein, and lipid-based coatings, including nanoenabled systems incorporating metallic nanoparticles and bioactive agents. The mechanisms underlying gas barrier properties, antimicrobial activity, and preservation efficacy are discussed alongside degradation pathways in composting, soil, and aquatic environments. Particular attention is given to nanoparticle release, migration potential, gastrointestinal fate, and toxicological endpoints such as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and immunomodulation. Ecotoxicological evidence across trophic levels, from microorganisms and invertebrates to fish and amphibians, is examined, highlighting sublethal and mechanistic biomarkers relevant to environmental risk assessment. Regulatory frameworks from major agencies are also compared to contextualize current safety standards and limitations. Overall, although biopolymeric coatings represent promising alternatives to conventional plastics, their life-cycle impacts, transformation products, and nano-related uncertainties require comprehensive, multilevel risk evaluation to ensure truly sustainable and safe postharvest applications. Full article

This research focuses on developing bioplastic films using agrifood industrial waste, which included starch from avocado seed, cellulose from cornstalk, carrot and beet peel, and pulp from a food company in México. The films were produced with a matrix of gelatin and glycerol, and different formulations of starch and cellulose. The films were characterized and tested as wrappers of Manchego cheese. The films containing starch are transparent; films with cellulose showed opacity and paper-like structure. Films containing starch–cornstalk cellulose showed the highest hydrophobic properties. In turn, films with carrot cellulose had the highest plastic properties with high elongation capacity and the lowest Young modules; films with starch and other celluloses showed the opposite data. The highest thermal capacity was observed in films containing cellulose from cornstalks and beet waste. In turn, the highest temperatures of transition, crystallization, and melting were registered in films containing starch. Films with starch and cellulose served well as wrappers of Manchego cheese, conserving 92% of the weight of cheese after 21 days of storage at 4 °C. All films were biodegradable in compost after 10 days, and they were degradable by physicochemical factors after 40 days. Full article

Aminopyralid (2-pyridine carboxylic acid, 4-amino-3, and 6-dichloro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid) is an auxin herbicide widely used to control broad leaf weeds in pasture and hay fields. Aminopyralid compound in forage material can pass through livestock into manure. Composts derived from aminopyralid-contaminated manure can cause phytotoxic effects in sensitive crop plants. Biochar has shown synergetic effects in composting and can immobilize organic pollutants that present in compost. This experiment examined the effects of incorporating 0%, 2%, 4%, and 10% (w/w) biochar for composting dairy manure containing 50 µg kg⁻¹ aminopyralid (wet base) in 140 L plastic rotary drum reactors. Residual aminopyralid concentration after 2, 6, and 12 m composting periods, phytotoxicity effects of compost on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plants, and the key chemical characteristics of composts after 6 and 12 m curing were assessed in two runs. After 12 months of curing, the aminopyralid concentration in the 10% biochar treatment decreased by more than 90% and eliminated the phytotoxicity of the compost. Improved adsorption and immobilization by biochar accounted for over 57% of the reduction in the 10% BC treatment. Biochar addition slightly increased the C/N ratio and total N content significantly but did not markedly impact the N transformation. The results indicate that biochar incorporation can be used as an effective practical tool to enhance the agronomic biosafety of bovine compost originated from persistent auxin herbicide aminopyralid-contaminated dairy manure. Full article

Separate collection and treatment systems for municipal solid waste (MSW) are designed to support efforts in sustainability. Biowaste accounts for the majority of MSW; thus, its proper management is essential. This study analyzes the impact of the presence of composting or anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities on MSW management. The management systems in Poland with composting and AD facilities were compared. Five fractions, including mixed/residual waste and biowaste, were collected in the analyzed regions; however, the rules for sorting biowaste varied. A drop in the collected residual/mixed MSW was noticed (by 3.8% to 6.6% year-on-year), while the biowaste stream increased, resulting in a 4–10% increase in the share of biowaste. The proportion of the organic fraction in biowaste was found to be 85–88%, but the proportion of food waste was slightly higher in the region with an AD facility (by about 3%). Plastics were the primary contaminants, accounting for approximately 5.5%. The presence of AD facilities has a positive impact on MSW management, including higher biowaste collection levels (67.5 kg per person versus 48.1 kg per person). Furthermore, under comparable regional conditions, economic gains were observed, such as relatively lower gate fees for biowaste (about 57 EUR per ton versus about 62 EUR per ton) and greater differences in fees between biowaste and residual/mixed MSW (about 80 EUR per ton versus about 14 EUR per ton). Full article

Over the past few decades, the extensive use of plastics has led to significant environmental challenges due to their limited biodegradability and long-term persistence. Consequently, biodegradable materials have attracted considerable attention as sustainable alternative solutions to mitigate these environmental concerns. Also, the use and disposal of these materials present some sustainability challenges. Biopolymers have some advantages over standard polymers, such as biodegradability, non-toxicity and environmental sustainability, and they can be used in various industries. Taking into account the fact that the biopolymers are produced by living organisms and microorganisms, they are considered as the natural materials that can be composted. This review paper explores the increased demand for biopolymers and summarizes their benefits along with application. Overall, the focus is on the composting process as the promising sustainable technology for recovery of biodegradable waste as well as for biopolymers. Also, some biopolymers and their degradation in different conditions are presented, and the biodegradation test methods for these materials are mentioned in accordance with relevant international standards. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments and future development directions for the biopolymer field. Full article

This study presents an integrated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach to select the most suitable sustainable packaging for logistics operations under uncertainty. The aim of this study is to identify the most suitable eco-friendly packaging options for reducing packaging waste, by considering several criteria. The methodology combines the SWARA and TOPSIS methods within a Fermatean Fuzzy Set (FFS) framework to address the ambiguity in expert evaluations and the qualitative nature of decision-making criteria. The research considers various sustainable packaging alternatives, including recycled cardboard, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, and compostable plastic, while incorporating criteria such as production cost, environmental impact, reusability, and material specifications. The approach offers a robust and comprehensive decision-making tool for companies aiming to improve sustainability in their logistics operations while mitigating the environmental impact of packaging waste. The results demonstrate that the direct incorporation of fuzzy numbers notably influences the ranking outcomes compared to traditional methods, and comparing the considered approach with different MCDM methods yields various recommendations for sustainable packaging selection. Full article

Biopolymers from renewable sources are increasingly explored to reduce the carbon footprint of materials and mitigate plastic pollution. This review synthesizes the last five years of progress across the biopolymer value chain, comparing plant, microbial/fermentation, fungal, and marine/algal resources and critically assessing greener extraction and fractionation routes (ultrasound and microwave intensification, subcritical water, supercritical CO₂ with co-solvents, ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents including natural deep eutectic solvents, and enzymatic or bio-mediated processes). We emphasize yield-selectivity trade-offs, scalability, energy demand, and solvent recovery. Downstream, we summarize purification and performance tuning via crosslinking, derivatization, blending/plasticization, and nanocomposites, and we map advanced characterization to targeted functional properties to bridge processing choices with end-use performance. Applications are organized across food and agriculture, biomedical and pharmaceutical technologies, packaging, and cosmetics, with cross-cutting attention to safety and regulatory compliance, quality-by-design, techno-economics, and life-cycle assessment. Key bottlenecks are feedstock variability, viscosity and recyclability limitations of designer solvents, and persistent gaps in barrier and thermal properties versus petrochemical benchmarks, compounded by uneven composting and recycling infrastructure. Promising directions include low-viscosity or switchable solvents, data- and artificial intelligence (AI)-guided process optimization, engineered biopolymers, and circular end-of-life strategies that align material design with realistic recovery routes. Full article

The proliferation of single-use petroleum-based foams in protective packaging has become a major source of persistent plastic waste, posing significant challenges to environmental sustainability. To address this issue, we developed a fully biodegradable cushioning foam from bamboo, a rapidly renewable biomass, using an environmentally benign deep eutectic solvent (DES) process that avoids harsh chemical bleaching. The resulting lignin-containing cellulose nanofibril (LCNF)/sodium alginate (SA) foam exhibits low density (0.23 g/cm³), high compressive strength (0.24 MPa at 70% strain), and excellent elasticity (90% recovery at 50% strain), enabled by a dual-network structure of Ca²⁺-crosslinked SA and entangled LCNFs. Critically, the material is fully compostable and leaves no microplastic residues, offering a circular end-of-life pathway. In real-world banana drop tests, it matched the performance of commercial expanded polyethylene (EPE) while outperforming polyethylene bubble wrap. This work demonstrates a practical, scalable route to replace fossil-derived cushioning materials with a bio-based alternative that aligns with the principles of cleaner production and circular economy. Full article

The demand for ready-to-eat salads made from leafy vegetables such as wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) continues to increase, driven by consumer preference for convenience foods with high levels of bioactive compounds. However, reducing the environmental impact of wild rocket production requires both organically enriched growing substrates and sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. This study assessed the effects of three cultivation substrates and three biodegradable packaging materials (polylactic acid (PL), cellulose kraft (CK), and kraft-reinforced polylactic acid (PLK)) on the postharvest performance of wild rocket stored at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days. Plants were grown in coco peat (CP), coco peat supplemented with livestock compost (90:10; CP+LC), and coco peat mixed with mushroom compost (50:50; CP+MC). Yield and key pre- and postharvest quality attributes, including nitrate accumulation, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, colour, and weight loss, were evaluated. The CP+LC substrate resulted in the highest harvest yield, whereas CP promoted higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Among the packaging materials, PLK provided the most balanced internal atmosphere, effectively reducing dehydration and condensation while preserving superior sensory quality after 14 days of storage. Overall, the combination of organic compost amendments, particularly CP+LC, with PLK bio-based packaging represents a promising and sustainable strategy for maintaining postharvest quality and reduce the environmental footprint of minimally processed wild rocket within short food supply chains. Full article

Industrial packaging systems exert substantial environmental pressures, including material resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and the accumulation of post-consumer waste. As global supply chains expand and sustainability regulations intensify, demand for environmentally responsible packaging solutions continues to rise. This study evaluates the environmental footprint of industrial packaging by integrating recent developments in life cycle assessment (LCA), ecological footprint (EF) methodologies, material innovations, and circular economy models. The assessment examines the sustainability performance of conventional and alternative packaging materials, plastics, aluminum, corrugated cardboard, and polylactic acid (PLA). Findings indicate that although corrugated cardboard is renewable, it still presents a measurable environmental burden, with evidence suggesting that incorporating solar energy into production can reduce its footprint by more than 12%. PLA-based trays demonstrate promising environmental performance when sourced from renewable feedstocks and directed to appropriate composting systems. Despite these advancements, several systemic challenges persist, including ecological overshoot in industrial regions where EF may exceed local biocapacity limitations in waste management infrastructure, and significant economic trade-offs. Transportation-related emissions and scalability constraints for bio-based materials further hinder large-scale adoption. Existing research suggests that integrating sustainable packaging across supply chains could meaningfully reduce environmental impacts. Achieving this transition requires coordinated cross-sector collaboration, standardized policy frameworks, and embedding advanced environmental criteria into packaging design and decision-making processes. Full article