Bacterial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) using various waste carbon sources.

Synthetic plastics are in great demand in society due to their diversified properties, but they cause environmental pollution due to their non-biodegradable nature. Therefore, synthetic plastics are in need to be replaced with biodegradable plastics. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), bacterial biopolymers are natural alternative to synthetic plastics.

Development of aminolyzed polylactic acid-based porous films for pH-responsive sustained drug delivery devices.

Biomaterial-based drug-carrying systems have scored enormous focus in the biomedical sector. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a versatile material in this context. A porous and hydrophilic PLA surface can do this job better.

Development of lactic acid based chain extender and soybean oil-derived polyurethanes for ecofriendly sustained drug delivery systems.

In the present study, a range of sustainable, biocompatible and biodegradable polyurethanes (PU-1 to PU-4) were synthesized using different combinations of biobased polyol (obtained through the epoxidation of soybean oil, followed by ring opening with ethanol) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and isophorone diisocyanate. The sustainable chain extender used in this study was synthesized by the esterification of lactic acid with ethylene glycol (EG). The synthesized PU samples were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR and C NMR) spectroscopy.

Synthesis of aminolyzed gelatin-mediated chitosan as pH-responsive drug-carrying porous scaffolds.

Bio-based drug delivery devices have gained enormous interest in the biomedical field due to their biocompatible attributes. Extensive research is being conducted on chitosan-based devices for drug delivery applications. Chitosan being hydrophobic under neutral conditions makes it difficult to interact with a polar drug of curcumin.

Corn straw lignin - A sustainable bioinspired finish for superhydrophobic and UV-protective cellulose fabric.

Hydrophobic textiles have been considered extensively for self-cleaning, phase-separating, and biomedical curing applications. We focused on preparing an eco-friendly lignin-based bio-finish to develop superhydrophobic cellulose fabric under mild conditions. The mass spectroscopic analysis expressed that the lignin comprised the major constituents of p-coumaryl alcohol, ferulic acid, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol.

Fabrication of gelatin-incorporated nanoporous chitosan-based membranes for potential water desalination applications.

Membrane technology has extensively been used in diverse phenomena such as separation, purification and controlled transportation. Herein, gelatin-incorporated porous chitosan membranes have been prepared using the sol-gel approach for potential water desalination applications. The porogens of poly(ethylene glycol) and Triton X-100 were employed for the mentioned purpose.

Zinc sulfide mediation of poly(hydroxybutyrate)/poly(lactic acid) nanocomposite film for potential UV protection applications.

The present study dealt with the fabrication of zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles (NPs), prepared using the chemical precipitation method, mediated poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composite films employing the solution casting approach. The films were characterized based on structural, surface, chemo-physical, thermal, electrical, antibacterial, UV protection and degradation profiles. The results demonstrated the successful formation of nanobiocomposite films with good intercalation of the constituents.

Preparation, properties, and applications of gelatin-based hydrogels (GHs) in the environmental, technological, and biomedical sectors.

Gelatin's versatile functionalization offers prospects of facile and effective crosslinking as well as combining with other materials (e.g., metal nanoparticles, carbonaceous, minerals, and polymeric materials exhibiting desired functional properties) to form hybrid materials of improved thermo-mechanical, physio-chemical and biological characteristics.

Citric Acid Cross-Linking of Chitosan Encapsulated Spearmint Oil for Antibacterial Cellulosic Fabric.

This study presents the encapsulation of spearmint oil (SMO) in chitosan microstructures prepared through the emulsion formation method. The SMO although is medicinally significant yet finds limited applications in medical and functional textiles because of its less stability and high volatility under ambient conditions. Nevertheless, its encapsulation in chitosan may enhance its stability and applicability for the said purpose.

Cupric oxide nanoparticles incorporated poly(hydroxybutyrate) nanocomposite for potential biosensing application.

We report the synthesis of a novel electrochemical biosensor comprising of cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) mediated poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) composite film with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a binder/template support using the solution casting method for the detection of a biomolecule i.e., ascorbic acid (AA).

Arsenic removal approaches: A focus on chitosan biosorption to conserve the water sources.

Globally, millions of people have no access to clean drinking water and are either striving for that or oppressed to intake polluted water. Arsenic is considered one of the most hazardous contaminants in water bodies that reaches there due to various natural and anthropogenic activities. Modified chitosan has gained much attention from researchers due to its potential for arsenic removal.

Recent developments in polysaccharide-based electrospun nanofibers for environmental applications.

Electrospinning has become an inevitable approach to produce nanofibrous structures for diverse environmental applications. Polysaccharides, due to their variety of types, biobased origins, and eco-friendly, and renewable nature are wonderful materials for the said purpose. The present review discusses the electrospinning process, the parameters involved in the formation of electrospun nanofibers in general, and the polysaccharides in specific.

Silver-containing polysaccharide-based tricomponent antibacterial fibres for wound care applications.

Objective: Polysaccharide-based biomaterials are extensively used in wound care healing due to their unique liquid absorption, gelling properties and biocompatibility properties. They play an important role in controlling infections of highly exuding hard-to-heal wounds. The main objective of this study was to develop silver-containing polysaccharide-based tricomponent antibacterial fibres for use in these complex wounds.

Development of sustainable magnetic chitosan biosorbent beads for kinetic remediation of arsenic contaminated water.

We report the preparation of both control chitosan and magnetic chitosan beads as biosorbents using chitosan as matrix and magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles as reinforcement followed by detailed advanced characterization. The batch trials were performed to study the adsorption kinetics of biosorbents by removing As and As species from water systems. The experimental data was inserted into Langmuir and Freundlich's isotherms to undertake the mechanism and adsorption capacity of the test biosorbents.

Recent progress in development and chemical modification of poly(hydroxybutyrate)-based blends for potential medical applications.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) has been considered as a promising biopolymer produced in certain microbes under specific fermentative and physiological conditions. Being less functional, hydrophobic and brittle, the processability of PHB is difficult which limits its widespread applications. However, its blends with suitable biopolymers, for instance biopolyesters, may impart in them desirable structural functionalities and properties, such as surface reactivity, amphiphilicity, controlled degradation and mechanical strength; thus making them inevitable candidates for biomedical applications.

Recent developments in chitosan encapsulation of various active ingredients for multifunctional applications.

Microencapsulation being an emerging technique has provided effective solution to the challenges faced by pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food agriculture and textile industries to deliver ingredients in their active forms to the target sites. Chitosan is a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible amino polysaccharide which makes it useful for the encapsulation of various active ingredients with potential applications. Chitosan coating on food products, for example, gives them protection from possible antimicrobial attacks, antioxidants and extended shelf life.

Recent developments in the synthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate) based biocomposites.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) has become an attractive biomaterial in research and development for past few years. It is natural bio-based aliphatic polyester produced by many types of bacteria. Due to its biodegradable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly nature, PHB can be used in line with bioactive species.

Recent developments in bioreactor scale production of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biological plastics that are sustainable alternative to synthetic ones. Numerous microorganisms have been identified as PHAs producers. They store PHAs as cellular inclusions to use as an energy source backup.

Current applications of electrospun polymeric nanofibers in cancer therapy.

Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases which had been encountering the human beings since last several decades. In 2018, according to national cancer institute, about 609,640 people are expected to die from cancer and about 1,735,350 new patients are expected to be diagnosed with this lethal disease. Nanotechnology has played a significant role in almost every field of life including medical sciences.