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Production methods and applications of bioactive polylactic acid: a review
Summary
This review covers methods for producing polylactic acid (PLA), a bioplastic made from renewable resources like corn starch, and enhancing it with bioactive compounds for medical and packaging uses. While PLA is promoted as a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics, it does not always fully break down in the environment and can fragment into microplastics. Understanding PLA production and degradation is relevant to assessing whether bioplastics truly reduce microplastic pollution or simply change its composition.
Abstract Bioplastics appear as an alternative to fossil fuel-derived plastics because bioplastics are carbon neutral and often biodegradable, thus potentially solving the issues of plastic pollution and climate change. In particular, polylactic acid is a substitute for traditional petrochemical-based polymers. Here, we review polylactic acid production with focus on surface modification and integration of bioactive compounds. Surface can be modified by chemical treatment, photografting, surface entrapment, plasma treatment, and coating. Bioactive compounds can be incorporated by encapsulation, impregnation, melt blending, solvent casting, electrospinning, and in situ polymerization. Biomedical and packaging applications are discussed.
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