Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Extruded Porous Protein–Lignocellulosic Blendsas Fully Bio-Based Alternative to Single-Use Absorbent Plastics

Researchers developed fully bio-based porous absorbent materials by extruding blends of proteins and lignocellulosic residues — including oat husk, wheat bran, and keratin fibres — sourced entirely from biomass waste, as sustainable alternatives to single-use synthetic absorbent plastics. Saline absorption capacity increased 1.5 times with oat husk inclusion and doubled after a delignification step, demonstrating the potential of biomass-derived extrusion for competitive eco-friendly absorbents.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Porous Thermoformed Protein Bioblends as Degradable Absorbent Alternatives in Sanitary Materials

This study demonstrates that biodegradable protein-based foams made from industrial byproduct proteins (zein and gluten) can be processed into absorbent pads and films that perform like conventional disposable sanitary products — without the plastic components that shed microplastics. By replacing nonbiodegradable polymer layers in diapers and pads with compostable biopolymers, this approach could cut a major but underappreciated source of microplastic pollution.

2023 ACS Applied Polymer Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Genipap Oil as a Natural Cross-Linker for Biodegradable and Low-Ecotoxicity Porous Absorbents via Reactive Extrusion

Scientists developed biodegradable porous absorbent materials made from agricultural protein waste and a natural plant-based crosslinker, as an alternative to fossil-fuel-derived absorbents. The resulting materials showed strong absorption capacity, good mechanical properties, and broke down completely in soil within six weeks without leaving toxic residues. This research offers a practical path toward replacing synthetic absorbents that contribute to microplastic pollution.

2024 Biomacromolecules 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Fabrication of Lignin/Pbat Biodegradable Plastics Films via Reactive Extrusion and Their Thermal, Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties

Researchers developed biodegradable films made from poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and lignin as a sustainable alternative to conventional polyethylene packaging films. Replacing fossil-fuel-based plastic films with biodegradable alternatives could reduce the microplastic pollution that results from conventional plastic film degradation in the environment.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of Eco-Friendly Packaging Films from Soyhull Lignocellulose: Towards Valorizing Agro-Industrial Byproducts

Researchers developed a biodegradable packaging film from soyhull waste, a byproduct of the soybean industry, as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The film showed good barrier and mechanical properties suitable for food packaging applications. This type of innovation is important because replacing conventional plastic packaging with biodegradable alternatives could reduce the generation of microplastics that contaminate food and the environment.

2024 Foods 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of Microparticle Materials That Enable Innovative Adsorption of Biological Substances

Researchers developed porous pectin particles using a template-assisted spray drying method, achieving high protein adsorption capacity for potential use in food and pharmaceutical applications. Bio-based adsorption materials like these could have applications in capturing microplastics or associated contaminants from water.

2023 Hosokawa Powder Technology Foundation ANNUAL REPORT
Article Tier 2

Superabsorbent Polymers: From long-established, microplastics generating systems, to sustainable, biodegradable and future proof alternatives

This review examined how conventional acrylate-based superabsorbent polymers generate microplastics due to their non-biodegradable nature, and assessed emerging biodegradable alternatives that could provide sustainable, future-proof replacements for hygiene and agricultural applications.

2021 Progress in Polymer Science 183 citations
Article Tier 2

High oxygen barrier packaging materials from protein-rich single-celled organisms

Researchers developed bioplastic packaging films and trays from protein-rich microbial biomass using glycerol as a plasticizer via compression molding, demonstrating good mechanical properties and an average oxygen permeability coefficient of 0.33 cm3, positioning microbial biomass as a viable fossil-free packaging alternative with low carbon footprint.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Production and characterization of human hair keratin bioplastic films with novel plasticizers

Researchers extracted keratin protein from human hair waste and used it to create thin biodegradable plastic films as an alternative to conventional plastics. The films showed good structural integrity, absorbed minimal water, and broke down when exposed to fungi, suggesting potential use in sustainable packaging and disposable products.

2024 Scientific Reports 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Novel Bioplastic from Single Cell Protein as a Potential Packaging Material

Researchers developed a bioplastic from single cell protein derived from microbial treatment of biodegradable waste, demonstrating potential as a renewable packaging material that avoids conventional fossil fuel-derived plastics.

2021 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanocellulose Hybrid Lignin Complex Reinforces Cellulose to Form a Strong, Water-Stable Lignin–Cellulose Composite Usable as a Plastic Replacement

This study developed a strong, water-stable composite material made from cellulose and lignin extracted from agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse), as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. The lignin-cellulose composite showed dramatically improved wet strength compared to regular cellulose sheets, demonstrating potential as a biodegradable plastic replacement that would not generate persistent microplastic pollution.

2021 Nanomaterials 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable composites based on well-characterized cellulose and poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate)

Researchers developed biodegradable cellulose/PBAT composite films using a silane compatibilizer and one-step reactive extrusion, achieving improved thermal stability, barrier properties, and mechanical performance compared to unmodified blends, making them a promising sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging.

2023 BioResources 6 citations
Article Tier 2

High oxygen barrier packaging materials from protein-rich single-celled organisms

Researchers created biodegradable packaging films and trays from protein-rich microbial biomass — single-celled organisms grown in fermentation — achieving oxygen barrier performance comparable to the synthetic plastic EVOH used in commercial food packaging. Unlike petroleum-based plastics that persist in the environment for centuries and shed microplastics, these bio-based materials biodegraded naturally, presenting a viable plastic-free packaging alternative.

2025 Communications Chemistry 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Fabrication and Characterization of Biomass-derived Superabsorbent Bio-gel

Not relevant to microplastics — this paper develops and tests bio-based superabsorbent gels made from carboxymethyl cellulose as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers for water retention applications.

2023 Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Valorization of Agricultural Waste Lignocellulosic Fibers for Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-Co-Valerate)-Based Composites in Short Shelf-Life Applications

This paper is not about microplastics; it develops biodegradable PHBV composite films reinforced with agricultural lignocellulosic fibers (almond shell and rice husk) as a sustainable packaging alternative to conventional plastics.

2023 Polymers 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Innovative Packaging Solutions from Agri-food Wastes and By-products

This review examined biodegradable bio-packaging materials derived from agri-food wastes as alternatives to petrochemical plastics, covering their preparation, properties, and use in food industries. While bio-packaging reduces microplastic accumulation and carbon footprint, the authors noted ongoing challenges in mechanical performance and cost.

2025
Article Tier 2

Lignin-Based Nanofibrous Membranes for Microplastic Adsorption and Closed-Loop Utilization with Triboelectric Functionalization

Researchers developed nanofibrous membranes made from lignin—a wood-derived byproduct—and demonstrated their ability to adsorb microplastics from water, then repurposed the used membranes as triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting. The closed-loop system converted adsorbed-microplastic membranes into functional energy devices, offering a dual-purpose approach that addresses both plastic waste removal and sustainable energy generation.

2025 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers for Porous Structure: Further Steps toward Sustainable Plastics

Four biodegradable polymers -- PBAT, PBS, PHBV, and PLA -- were systematically characterized for mechanical, thermal, and porous structural properties to assess their suitability as more sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

2024 Polymers 8 citations
Article Tier 2

In Situ Synthesis of Plasticized Bacterial Cellulose Films for Daily Packaging Using Biobased Plasticizers

Researchers synthesized plasticized bacterial cellulose films in situ and characterized their mechanical, optical, and barrier properties for daily packaging applications, finding the bio-based materials offered competitive performance with lower environmental impact than petroleum-based alternatives.

2025 ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 4 citations
Article Tier 2

High Oxygen Barrier Packaging Materials from Protein-rich Single-Celled Organisms

Researchers developed bioplastic packaging films and trays from protein-rich single-celled microbial biomass using glycerol as a plasticizer, producing materials with good mechanical strength and an exceptionally low oxygen transmission rate. The resulting materials outperformed many conventional fossil-based packaging films on oxygen barrier performance while offering a renewable and biodegradable alternative.

2025 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A Fully Plant-Based Water- and Oil-Resistant Paper Composite

Researchers developed a fully plant-based paper composite coated with lignin as a water- and oil-resistant alternative to plastic-coated or PFAS-treated food packaging. Optimized hot-pressing conditions produced a coating that resisted water for 100 minutes and oil for 25 minutes, and the material fully biodegraded in garden soil within 56 days.

2024 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Characterization of Degradable Cellulose−Based Paper with Superhydrophobic, Antibacterial, and Barrier Properties for Food Packaging

Researchers prepared food packaging paper coated with polylactic acid and cinnamaldehyde as a barrier layer and nano silica-modified stearic acid as a superhydrophobic outer layer, creating a cellulose-based alternative to plastic packaging. The resulting material showed excellent water resistance, thermal stability, and antimicrobial activity while being made from renewable and biodegradable components.

2022 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Development and Characterization of Thermoformed Bilayer Trays of Paper and Renewable Succinic Acid Derived Biopolyester Blends and Their Application to Preserve Fresh Pasta

This paper is not about microplastics; it describes the development of sustainable bilayer food-packaging trays made from paper and bio-based biopolyester blends as alternatives to conventional plastic packaging.

2023 Materials 14 citations
Article Tier 2

PLA-Chitosan Composites as Sustainable Alternatives for Menstrual Pads

Researchers developed biodegradable PLA-chitosan composite films as an environmentally friendly alternative to polyethylene in menstrual pads, demonstrating that the composite maintained absorbency and mechanical integrity while offering antimicrobial properties and full biodegradability.

2025 Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology