Utilization of polymers as biomaterials has greatly impacted the advancement of modern medicine. Specifically, polymeric biomaterials that are biodegradable provide the significant advantage of being able to be broken down and removed after they have served their function. Applications are wide ranging with degradable polymers being used clinically as surgical sutures and implants. To fit functional demand, materials with desired physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical, and degradation properties must be selected. Fortunately, a wide range of natural and synthetic degradable polymers has been investigated for biomedical applications with novel materials constantly being developed to meet new challenges. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the field over the past 4 years, specifically highlighting new and interesting discoveries in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Biomedical applications of biodegradable polymers

Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives.

Effects of microplastics on soil properties: Current knowledge and future perspectives

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Plastic waste exposed to the environment creates problems and is of significant concern for all life forms. Plastic production and accumulation in the natural environment are occurring at an unprecedented rate due to indiscriminate use, inadequate recycling, and deposits in landfills. In 2019, the global production of plastic was at 370 million tons, with only 9% of it being recycled, 12% being incinerated, and the remaining left in the environment or landfills. The leakage of plastic wastes into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is occurring at an unprecedented rate. The management of plastic waste is a challenging problem for researchers, policymakers, citizens, and other stakeholders. Therefore, here, we summarize the current understanding and concerns of plastics pollution (microplastics or nanoplastics) on natural ecosystems. The overall goal of this review is to provide background assessment on the adverse effects of plastic pollution on natural ecosystems; interlink the management of plastic pollution with sustainable development goals; address the policy initiatives under transdisciplinary approaches through life cycle assessment, circular economy, and sustainability; identify the knowledge gaps; and provide current policy recommendations. Plastic waste management through community involvement and socio-economic inputs in different countries are presented and discussed. Plastic ban policies and public awareness are likely the major mitigation interventions. The need for life cycle assessment and circularity to assess the potential environmental impacts and resources used throughout a plastic product’s life span is emphasized. Innovations are needed to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover plastics and find eco-friendly replacements for plastics. Empowering and educating communities and citizens to act collectively to minimize plastic pollution and use alternative options for plastics must be promoted and enforced. Plastic pollution is a global concern that must be addressed collectively with the utmost priority.

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions

Microplastics change soil properties, heavy metal availability and bacterial community in a Pb-Zn-contaminated soil

Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands.

The impact of microplastic-microbe interactions on animal health and biogeochemical cycles: A mini-review.

Effects of co-loading of polyethylene microplastics and ciprofloxacin on the antibiotic degradation efficiency and microbial community structure in soil.

There has been a steady rise in the production and disposal of biodegradable plastics. Unlike the microorganisms present in the biofilms on non-biodegradable plastic surfaces (the “plastisphere”), the plastisphere of biodegradable plastic has not been well-characterized. As the polymer structure of biodegradable plastic has a higher microbial affinity than that of non-biodegradable plastic, their plastispheres are assumed to be different. This review summarizes the reported differences in microbial communities on the surface of biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics, discusses the driving forces behind these differences, and discusses the potential environmental risks. Overall, the plastisphere biomass on the surface of non-biodegradable plastic was observed to be lower than that of biodegradable plastic. The community structure of microbes in both plastispheres was diverse, mainly due to the properties of the plastic surface, such as surface charge, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, roughness, and bioavailability of polymer components for microbes. Further research should focus on developing biodegradable plastic that degrade faster in the environment, revealing the mechanism of enrichment of ARGs and potential pathogens on plastics, and understanding the potential influence of plastispheres on the evolution and selection of plastic-degrading microbial potential.

Chu Peng

Papers

Distinct microplastic distributions in soils of different land-use types: A case study of Chinese farmlands.

The impact of microplastic-microbe interactions on animal health and biogeochemical cycles: A mini-review.

Effects of co-loading of polyethylene microplastics and ciprofloxacin on the antibiotic degradation efficiency and microbial community structure in soil.

Differences in the Plastispheres of Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Plastics: A Mini Review

Slower antibiotics degradation and higher resistance genes enrichment in plastisphere.