The term 'biomaterials' includes chemically unrelated products that are synthesised by microorganisms (or part of them) under different environmental conditions. One important family of biomaterials is bioplastics. These are polyesters that are widely distributed in nature and accumulate intracellularly in microorganisms in the form of storage granules, with physico-chemical properties resembling petrochemical plastics. These polymers are usually built from hydroxy-acyl-CoA derivatives via different metabolic pathways. Depending on their microbial origin, bioplastics differ in their monomer composition, macromolecular structure and physical properties. Most of them are biodegradable and biocompatible, which makes them extremely interesting from the biotechnological point of view.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s1369-5274(03)00040-7 | DOI Listing |
Microorganisms
December 2024
Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800003, Chile.
Polyphosphates are biopolymers composed of phosphate monomers linked by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds. They are present across all life domains, serving as a source of energy, metal chelators, and playing a crucial role in stress defense. In , polyphosphates also function as inorganic molecular chaperones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
December 2024
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Campus of Food Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena, Italy.
Components of yeast cell walls, such as β-glucans and mannoproteins, show promise for developing sustainable biopolymers for food packaging. Efficient extraction, however, is challenging due to the complexity of the yeast cell wall. This study explored high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) and pulsed electric fields (PEFs), alone and with heat treatment (TT), on bakery yeast (BY) and brewery spent yeast (BSY) biomasses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
December 2024
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
Antimicrobial compounds of natural origin are of interest because of the large number of reports regarding the harmfulness of food preservatives. These natural products can be derived from plants, animal sources, microorganisms, algae, or mushrooms. The aim of this review is to consider known antimicrobials of natural origin and the mechanisms of their action, antimicrobial photodynamic technology, and ultrasound for disinfection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Biotechnol
January 2025
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt.
Background: Successful treatment of pathogenic bacteria like Enterobacter Cloacae with bacteriophage (phage) counteract some hindrance such as phage stability and immunological clearance. Our research is focused on the encapsulation of phage HK6 within chitosan nanoparticles.
Result: Encapsulation significantly improves stability, efficacy, and delivery of phages.
Mini Rev Med Chem
January 2025
Centre for Nanobiosensors, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 600017, India.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the "back-to-nature" movement, which has brought biopolymers derived from natural sources into the spotlight. These biopolymers are gaining attention for their versatile surface-active properties, anti-adhesive capabilities, excellent biocompatibility, non-toxicity, biodegradability, and antimicrobial effectiveness against a wide range of oral microorganisms, including both bacteria and fungi. Researchers have been actively modifying these eco-friendly, nature-based biopolymers to enhance their interaction with surrounding cells and tissues, improving their performance in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!