Amid the global push for sustainable solutions, researchers have turned their attention to the untapped potential of natural biopolymers. This comprehensive study explores the recent advancements in the development of processable natural biopolymers, such as cellulose, chitosan, eggshell membranes, and silk fibroin, and their diverse applications. With the urgent need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, these eco-friendly materials hold the key to a greener future.
The Biopolymer Revolution
The population in the world is increasing day by day, which has led to an increase in material, chemicals as well as energy resources. Regrettably, much of these resources are now rooted in fossil fuels thus largely sustainable alternatives come at a particularly high environmental cost. According to some estimates, polymer production alone requires nearly 8% of fossil fuel consumption and that share is expected to climb to 20% in the coming three decades.
This has led to a resurgence in the development of processable natural biopolymers [5]. They come with a set of advantages that other eco-friendly materials do not, including good sustainability and inherent biocompatibility because of how they are produced and their unique hierarchical structures, which give them structural integrity, toughness, and flexibility. More than ten years of research has indicated that a variety of proteins and polysaccharides, which are naturally available, abundant, and are widely used in food grades as well as novel applications in several fields [27-31], such as cellulose (paper manufacturing), chitosan [32] (wound healings), eggshell membrane (cosmetics) silk fibroin[].
How to solve processability issues
Though natural biopolymers are very desirable, their utilization in the production of final products is challenging due to the lack of direct processing. These materials are defined by inherent long-range order across molecular to nanoscopic length scales and a dense world of hydrogen bonding at all levels. This complexity requires additional steps for their processing: e.g., extraction, or isolation.
To overcome these material limitations, researchers have been striving to provide potential solutions and promote a material revolution in the field of functional natural polymers. Unlocking the full utilization of processable natural biopolymers will open proactive pathways toward a sustainable future while mitigating the carbon footprint associated with polymer use and driving our reliance away from finite fossil-based resources.
Unlocking a Greener Future
Hundreds of studies have been performed to date on the sustainable production and applications of natural biopolymers due to their versatile nature. Nevertheless, current studies related to bio-material innovations in the literature mainly pay attention to the preparation and dedicated application of individual natural biopolymers but omit the essential processability level, sustainability status, or versatile realm.
This intensive study is focused on filling this gap in knowledge and aims to bring an all-encompassing approach to the recent progressions and possibilities in processable natural biopolymers. Researchers are shedding light on the obstacles while sharing opportunities to pave the way for a material revolution that aids in developing into environmentally-friendly well-preserved future. Thus, considering the increasing global population and resource shortage, there is a marked requirement for environment-friendly materials that are both economical (cheap) and functional making natural biopolymers play an important role.
