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Nanochitin and Nanolignin: Activity and Effectiveness
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This review examines the activity and effectiveness of nanochitin and nanolignin as biodegradable, natural polymer-based alternatives to synthetic plastics in consumer products, motivated by growing awareness of microplastic contamination of marine and terrestrial food chains. Researchers found that chitin and lignin-derived nanomaterials offer promising properties for producing zero-waste, skin-friendly, and environmentally compatible goods that can substitute for plastic-containing products entering the environment as microplastics.
Worldwide consumers are considering the need to change their daily habits for having a more positive effect on the environment, boosting both health and economy. Thus they are seeking for natural- based, biodegradable, skin- and environmentallyfriendly products ,producing zero waste and being able to maintain the declared efficacy. Consumers became aware of waste and specifically of plastics by-products that, when discarded, are no more sustainable for land and the oceans ‘equilibrium. Microplastics, in fact, consumed as food from fishes, marine birds and mammals are entering into human food together with their content of toxic compounds. Thus the necessity to produce and use biodegradable goods and tissues made by natural, sugar-like polymers, such as chitin and lignin. These polymers, obtainable from fishery's and agro-forestry biomass respectively, are biodegradable, nontoxic, having a low cost also. Thus on the one the physicochemical characteristics and the relative market of both chitin and lignin have been reported, while on the other hand the method to produce some of their complexes at the nanosize has been described. Chitin nanofibrils, in fact, covered by electropositive charges, are easily complexed with the nano lignin' nano-fibers negatively charged, to obtain micro/nanoparticles which may encapsulate various active ingredients, such as nicotinamide, glycyrretyc acid, nanosilver, etc. Different obtained nanoparticles, therefore, have been bound to natural biodegradable fibers for characterizing and making non-woven tissues to be used in the medical and cosmetic field, as innovative products.
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This review examines chitin and lignin as bio-based polymer alternatives derived from food and agro-forestry byproducts that could reduce plastic waste within a circular green economy framework. The authors discuss how nano-sized versions of these natural polymers can be used to produce biodegradable products, smart tissues mimicking extracellular matrix structure, and sustainable packaging for medical and cosmetic applications.
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Biodegradable Nanomaterials For Removal Of Microplastics Removal In Aquatic Ecosystems
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This study explores the potential of biodegradable nanomaterials made from natural polymers like chitosan, cellulose, and lignin to remove microplastics from water. These materials have high surface areas and can be engineered to selectively attract and capture plastic particles through surface interactions. The approach offers a greener alternative to conventional filtration and chemical treatment methods, which are often energy-intensive and can create secondary pollution.
Chitosan with Natural Additives as a Potential Food Packaging
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Researchers reviewed the potential of chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging. Chitosan-based materials combined with natural additives show promising antimicrobial and biocompatible properties while being biodegradable. The study suggests these materials could help reduce plastic packaging waste and the associated microplastic pollution from food industry sources.
Fabrication and evaluation of novel composite resin material using chitin nanofiber
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This study developed a composite resin material reinforced with chitin nanofibers derived from natural sources as a renewable, biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic composites. Optimizing the chitin nanofiber content and mixing conditions yielded improved mechanical properties, suggesting potential applications that could reduce reliance on synthetic microplastic-generating resins.
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