Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

18.5K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
18.5K
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?00:54

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

32.1K
The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.
32.1K
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.2K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
2.2K
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

2.7K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
2.7K
Polymers02:34

Polymers

35.8K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
35.8K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

2.4K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
2.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Contribution of C1 Biotechnology to the Achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Advances in Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production, Volume 4.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Methanotrophic Poly(hydroxybutyrate) Through C1 Fermentation and Downstream Process Development: Molar Mass, Thermal and Mechanical Characterization.

Polymers·2026
Same author

The bio-transformation of green tea infusion with tannase enzymes produced by <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> KMS2-2.

Journal of food science and technology·2025
Same author

Biodegradability of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters in nature: a review.

Biodegradation·2025
Same author

Molecular Insights into Rice Immunity: Unveiling Mechanisms and Innovative Approaches to Combat Major Pathogens.

Plants (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

3.5K

What Are "Bioplastics"? Defining Renewability, Biosynthesis, Biodegradability, and Biocompatibility.

Maximilian Lackner1,2,3, Anindya Mukherjee1,2, Martin Koller4

  • 1Go!PHA, Oudebrugsteeg 9, 1012 JN Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Polymers
|December 23, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel plastics, with potential to replace 90% of conventional plastics. Clear definitions for biobased and biodegradable properties are crucial for their integration into a circular economy.

Keywords:
EN 13432aerobicanaerobicbio-attributedbiobased carbon contentbiodegradabilitybioplasticsbiopolymercircularcircular economycompositecompostingdegradationlittermarinerenewablerenewable carbon

More Related Videos

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

30.6K
Stereolithographic 3D Printing with Renewable Acrylates
08:28

Stereolithographic 3D Printing with Renewable Acrylates

Published on: September 12, 2018

9.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

3.5K
Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

30.6K
Stereolithographic 3D Printing with Renewable Acrylates
08:28

Stereolithographic 3D Printing with Renewable Acrylates

Published on: September 12, 2018

9.5K

Area of Science:

  • Material Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Conventional plastics derived from fossil resources persist in the environment, causing widespread pollution due to inadequate waste management infrastructure.
  • The linear economic model of plastic usage leads to accumulation of waste, microplastics, and detrimental environmental effects.
  • Bioplastics, defined as partly biobased and/or biodegradable materials, emerge as a potential solution to mitigate plastic pollution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically discuss various perspectives on bioplastics, focusing on biodegradability and biobased carbon content.
  • To establish a common understanding for categorizing bioplastic materials.
  • To explore the role of bioplastics as a key component in a circular economy.

Main Methods:

  • Review and critical discussion of existing standards and test protocols for bioplastics.
  • Analysis of scientific literature and industry viewpoints on bioplastic properties.
  • Examination of definitions and terminology related to biobased and biodegradable materials.

Main Results:

  • Bioplastics currently represent only 1-2% of the plastics market but have the technical potential to replace up to 90% of fossil-based plastics, especially in packaging.
  • Bioplastics offer diverse applications, including thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and composites, with recyclability and biodegradability as key features.
  • The potential for biodegradability is particularly relevant for mismanaged plastic fractions and specific applications designed for natural environments.

Conclusions:

  • Clear, standardized definitions for 'biobased' and 'biodegradable' are essential for informed decision-making by stakeholders regarding material selection and end-of-life management.
  • Standardization is also needed for terms like 'renewable carbon' and 'bio-attributed carbon' to facilitate the integration of bioplastics into a circular economy.
  • Bioplastics present a significant opportunity to transition from a linear to a circular economic model for plastics.