Publications by authors named "Aiswarya Robert Antony"
Article Synopsis
- - Plastic debris, particularly microplastics (MP) and plastic leachates (PL), pose significant threats to aquatic environments and have been found in critical human organs, leading to potential health risks.
- - Current research highlights the detrimental effects of MP and PL on phytoplankton, revealing physiological changes that reduce photosynthesis and primary productivity, ultimately altering aquatic ecosystem dynamics.
- - The presence of MP and PL in marine ecosystems also affects the microbial community structure, increasing the prevalence of harmful bacteria and toxins, which can disrupt nutrient cycling and consequently impact biodiversity and essential ecosystem services.
The era for eco-friendly polymers was ushered by the marine plastic menace and with the discovery of emerging pollutants such as micro-, nano-plastics, and plastic leachates from fossil fuel-based polymers. This review investigates algae-derived natural, carbon neutral polysaccharides and polyesters, their structure, biosynthetic mechanisms, biopolymers and biocomposites production process, followed by biodegradability of the polymers. The review proposes acceleration of research in this promising area to address the need for eco-friendly polymers and to increase the cost-effectiveness of algal biorefineries by coupling biofuel, high-value products, and biopolymer production using waste and wastewater-grown algal biomass.
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