Papers

61,005 results
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Review Tier 2

A mini-review of bio-scrubber derived from bacterial cellulose impregnated by flavonoid of moringa leaves

This mini-review examines the development of bacterial cellulose-based bio-scrubbers as a plastic microplastic-free alternative to synthetic scrubbers that release an estimated 209.7 trillion microplastics, recommending ultrasonication for bacterial cellulose microparticle production and ambient pressure drying to achieve high crystallinity, mechanical strength, and transparency.

2022 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 9 citations
Article Tier 2

The Degradation Rate of Bio Microbeads Derived from Cellulose and Impregnated with Moringa Leaf Flavonoids Extract

This study developed biodegradable microbeads derived from cellulose as an eco-friendly replacement for synthetic plastic microbeads, which are banned in many countries because they pass through wastewater treatment and accumulate in the environment. The bio-based microbeads showed competitive degradation rates while meeting functional requirements for personal care product applications.

2023 Materials science forum 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Bacterial cellulose biopolymers: The sustainable solution to water-polluting microplastics

Researchers developed bacterial cellulose (BC) biopolymer filters as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymer filters used in wastewater treatment plant microplastic removal. BC filters showed high MP capture efficiency and are biodegradable, addressing both microplastic pollution and the environmental costs of conventional synthetic filter maintenance.

2022 Water Research 66 citations
Article Tier 2

Efficacy of bacterial cellulose hydrogel in microfiber removal from contaminated waters: A sustainable approach to wastewater treatment

Researchers developed a bacterial cellulose hydrogel made from unused cellulose remnants and tested it as an eco-friendly filter for removing microfibers from contaminated water. The hydrogel achieved an average removal rate of nearly 94 percent and retained the captured fibers well, releasing only about 8 percent after washing. The study presents this bio-based approach as a sustainable and effective alternative for tackling microfiber pollution in wastewater.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 23 citations
Article Tier 2

A hydrophobic and degradable straw based on the ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose

Researchers developed a hydrophobic and biodegradable straw made from ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose as a microplastic-free alternative to conventional disposable plastic straws. The cellulose-based straw achieved the hydrophobicity needed for beverage use while remaining biodegradable, offering a sustainable substitute that avoids microplastic shedding during use and disposal.

2024
Article Tier 2

Removal of Pristine and UV-Weathered Microplastics from Water: Moringa oleifera Seed Protein as a Natural Coagulant

Researchers tested a natural plant-based coagulant from Moringa oleifera seeds for removing microplastics from water, comparing it to conventional chemical treatments. The natural coagulant effectively removed both fresh and UV-weathered polyethylene microplastics, performing comparably to synthetic alternatives. This approach offers a more eco-friendly and less toxic option for cleaning microplastics from water systems.

2024 Environmental Engineering Science 6 citations
Article Tier 2

An Innovative Alternative to Plastic Straws with Bacterial Cellulose

This study developed biodegradable bacterial cellulose as an alternative material for drinking straws, replacing conventional plastic. Bacterial cellulose straws are fully biodegradable, offering a practical solution to reduce the single-use plastic that fragments into microplastics in the environment.

2023 Journal of Student Research
Article Tier 2

Applications of regenerated bacterial cellulose: a review

This review examines bacterial cellulose as a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers that contribute to microplastic pollution. Bacterial cellulose is biodegradable, renewable, and has strong mechanical properties, making it suitable for packaging, textiles, and biomedical applications. The study highlights recent advances in processing techniques that could make bacterial cellulose more commercially viable as a replacement for plastics in everyday products.

2024 Cellulose 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Mechanically durable anti-bacteria non-fluorinated superhydrophobic sponge for highly efficient and fast microplastic and oil removal

A superhydrophobic sponge was engineered to selectively remove microplastics and oil from water, achieving high removal efficiency while also demonstrating antibacterial properties. The material maintained its performance across repeated use cycles, offering a promising approach for practical water treatment applications.

2022 Chemosphere 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination of Water: Effects of Novel Bio-Composites Comprising of Okra and Aloe Vera.

Researchers tested plant-based flocculants made from okra and aloe vera as natural alternatives to chemical treatments for removing microplastics from water, finding that okra-based compounds were highly effective at clumping and removing plastic particles without producing toxic byproducts, pointing toward a safer and biodegradable water treatment option.

2023
Article Tier 2

Bacterial Nanocellulose toward Green Cosmetics: Recent Progresses and Challenges

This review summarizes recent advances in the use of bacterial nanocellulose as a sustainable ingredient in cosmetic formulations, highlighting its potential to replace synthetic microplastic-containing polymers used as film formers, fillers, and carrier materials in skin care products.

2021 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 96 citations
Article Tier 2

Loofah plant—Derived biodegradable superhydrophobic sponge for effective removal of oil and microplastic from water

Researchers developed biodegradable superhydrophobic sponges from loofah plants coated with natural wax that removed over 99% of oil and polystyrene microplastics from water, with high absorption capacity and excellent recyclability through simple squeezing.

2023 Environmental Technology & Innovation 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Antiviral/antibacterial biodegradable cellulose nonwovens as environmentally friendly and bioprotective materials with potential to minimize microplastic pollution

Biodegradable cellulose nonwoven materials incorporating antiviral and antibacterial agents were developed as a sustainable alternative to polypropylene face masks, demonstrating comparable filtration performance with significantly faster environmental degradation, reducing the microplastic pollution burden of disposable PPE.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 76 citations
Article Tier 2

Microalgae separation in MP-PVC contaminated wastewater using plant-based coagulant over different extraction methods in Bauru, Brazil

Researchers tested Moringa oleifera plant extracts as natural coagulants for removing microalgae and PVC microplastics from photobioreactor wastewater, achieving over 83% turbidity removal and 63% microplastic removal under optimized conditions. Plant-based coagulants are a more sustainable and lower-cost alternative to synthetic chemical flocculants, and this study demonstrates they can handle the combined challenge of microalgae and microplastic removal simultaneously.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Effective Removal of Microplastic Particles from Wastewater Using Hydrophobic Bio-Substrates

Researchers tested natural cattail plant fibers as a low-cost, biodegradable material for removing microplastics from wastewater. The hydrophobic fibers were effective at adsorbing microplastic particles, with removal efficiency influenced by water chemistry and contact time. The study suggests that plant-based bio-adsorbents could offer a sustainable and affordable alternative for filtering microplastics from water treatment systems.

2024 Pollutants 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable sponges made from chitin-cellulose nanofibers for sustainable removal of microplastics from aquatic environment

Researchers developed a biodegradable sponge made from chitin and cellulose nanofibers that can remove up to 93% of microplastics from water. The sponge maintained strong performance after four reuse cycles and naturally biodegraded in soil environments. The study presents a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to cleaning microplastic contamination from aquatic ecosystems without introducing additional persistent pollutants.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Applicability of bacterial cellulose in cosmetics – bibliometric review

Researchers reviewed scientific literature on bacterial cellulose — a natural material produced by bacteria — and its potential uses in cosmetics as a sustainable alternative to synthetic ingredients. Studies show it shows strong promise for use in face masks for delivering active compounds and improving skin hydration, making it a candidate to replace some petroleum-based cosmetic materials.

2020 Biotechnology Reports 104 citations
Article Tier 2

Silicon-infused bacterial cellulose: in situ bioprocessing for tailored strength and surface characteristics

Not relevant to microplastics — this is a materials science study on producing silicon-modified bacterial cellulose for applications requiring tailored surface characteristics and tensile strength.

2024 Cellulose 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Harnessing the Potential of Biosurfactants for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications

This review covers biosurfactants, which are natural compounds made by microbes that could replace synthetic chemical surfactants in medicine and consumer products. While not directly about microplastics, these biological alternatives could reduce our dependence on petroleum-based products that contribute to plastic pollution. The compounds show promise for drug delivery, wound healing, and fighting infections, potentially offering greener options for applications that currently rely on synthetic plastics.

2023 Pharmaceutics 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancing bacterial cellulose biopolymers & hydrogels to remediate microplastic pollution

Researchers developed bacterial cellulose biopolymers and hydrogels as biodegradable alternatives to fossil-fuel-based filters for removing microplastics from wastewater, optimizing operational parameters using response surface methodology. Results showed removal efficiencies of up to 99% for concentrated MP suspensions, with flow cytometry, electron microscopy, and ATR-FTIR confirming the flocculation mechanism and the potential for large-scale industrial application.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Advancing bioremediation: biosurfactants as catalysts for sustainable remediation

This review examines how biosurfactants, natural cleaning agents produced by microorganisms, can help break down stubborn pollutants including microplastics. Unlike synthetic chemicals, biosurfactants are biodegradable and less toxic, making them a greener option for environmental cleanup. The research suggests these biological tools could play an important role in reducing microplastic contamination in soil and water, potentially lowering human exposure over time.

2025 Biodegradation 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Toward the review on sustainable elimination of microplastics: Materials, strategies, and advantages

This review evaluates sustainable approaches for removing microplastics using natural materials — including sponges, gels, enzymes, and microorganisms — comparing their mechanisms, efficiencies, and advantages over conventional chemical removal methods.

2025 Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy
Article Tier 2

Sustainable coagulative removal of microplastic from aquatic systems: recent progress and outlook

This review examines how natural coagulants from plants, animals, and microbes can be used to remove microplastics from water as a greener alternative to conventional chemical treatments. These bio-based coagulants, especially when combined with nanotechnology, show promising removal rates while avoiding the toxic residues left by traditional chemical approaches.

2025 RSC Advances 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microbial nanocellulose biotextiles for a circular materials economy

Researchers developed sustainable biotextiles from microbial nanocellulose combined with ancient textile techniques, creating rapidly renewable, low-toxicity, and biodegradable materials as circular economy alternatives to synthetic plastic-based fabrics.

2022 Environmental Science Advances 26 citations