Papers

Elaboration and Characterization of Bioactive Films Obtained from the Incorporation of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid into a Matrix of Sodium Alginate

This study found that incorporating cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) into sodium alginate biopolymer films improved thermal resistance and bioactive properties but reduced tensile strength and microstructural homogeneity at higher concentrations. The 0.5% CNSL inclusion level provided the best balance of mechanical and barrier properties. Alginate-based biofilms represent a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging that generates microplastic pollution as it degrades.

Impacts and Regulations of Healthcare Solid Waste Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

This systematic review summarizes research on healthcare waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic, when medical plastic waste surged dramatically. The massive increase in disposable masks, gloves, and other medical plastics created new sources of microplastic pollution, raising concerns about both environmental contamination and potential health effects from degrading medical waste.

Seedling Production in Eco-Friendly Tubes Manufactured with Beeswax and Cashew Nutshell

This study developed and tested eco-friendly seedling production tubes made from beeswax and cashew nut shell liquid as biodegradable alternatives to plastic nursery containers. The plant-based tubes showed adequate physical durability and biodegraded in soil without leaving microplastic residues.

Development of mulch films from biodegradable polymer and agro-industrial waste

Biodegradable mulch films were developed from poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) incorporating soybean and peanut hull agro-industrial wastes as alternative to conventional plastic mulches. The agro-waste additives improved film hydrophobicity but increased water absorption values, with mechanical and thermal properties characterized across different formulations.

Morphology, Chemical Characterization and Sources of Microplastics in a Coastal City in the Equatorial Zone with Diverse Anthropogenic Activities (Fortaleza city, Brazil)

Sources of Microplastic Generation in the Environment

This review maps the major sources through which microplastics enter the environment, covering primary sources (plastic pellets, microbeads) and secondary fragmentation of larger plastic debris. Understanding where microplastics originate is foundational for designing effective pollution-prevention policies and reducing human and ecosystem exposure.

Characterization of PHB/Clay Biocomposites Exposed to Degradation in an Aquatic Environment

This study examined how bioplastic composites made from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and clay degrade in water. Adding clay altered the degradation rate, and the type of clay (natural vs. organically modified) had different effects — important for designing biodegradable plastics that break down predictably in aquatic environments.

Morphology, Chemical Characterization and Sources of Microplastics in a Coastal City in The Equatorial Zone With Diverse Anthropogenic Activities (Fortaleza City, Brazil)

This Brazilian study performed morphological and chemical characterization of microplastics in seawater samples from the coast of Fortaleza, a major coastal city in the equatorial zone. Using multiple spectroscopic techniques, the research identified polymer types and investigated the diversity of anthropogenic sources contributing to coastal microplastic contamination.