Environmental problems, such as global warming and plastic pollution have forced researchers to investigate alternatives for conventional plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), one of the well-known eco-friendly biodegradables and biobased polyesters, has been studied extensively and is considered to be a promising substitute to petroleum-based polymers. This review gives an inclusive overview of the current research of lactic acid and lactide dimer techniques along with the production of PLA from its monomers. Melt polycondensation as well as ring opening polymerization techniques are discussed, and the effect of various catalysts and polymerization conditions is thoroughly presented. Reaction mechanisms are also reviewed. However, due to the competitive decomposition reactions, in the most cases low or medium molecular weight (MW) of PLA, not exceeding 20,000–50,000 g/mol, are prepared. For this reason, additional procedures such as solid state polycondensation (SSP) and chain extension (CE) reaching MW ranging from 80,000 up to 250,000 g/mol are extensively investigated here. Lastly, numerous practical applications of PLA in various fields of industry, technical challenges and limitations of PLA use as well as its future perspectives are also reported in this review.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is considered the most promising biobased substitute for fossil-derived polymers due to its compostability, biocompatibility, renewability, and good thermomechanical properties. However, PLA suffers from several shortcomings, such as low heat distortion temperature, thermal resistance, and rate of crystallization, whereas some other specific properties, i.e., flame retardancy, anti-UV, antibacterial or barrier properties, antistatic to conductive electrical characteristics, etc., are required by different end-use sectors. The addition of different nanofillers represents an attractive way to develop and enhance the properties of neat PLA. Numerous nanofillers with different architectures and properties have been investigated, with satisfactory achievements, in the design of PLA nanocomposites. This review paper overviews the current advances in the synthetic routes of PLA nanocomposites, the imparted properties of each nano-additive, as well as the numerous applications of PLA nanocomposites in various industrial fields.

The sustained release of pharmaceutical substances remains the most convenient way of drug delivery. Hence, a great variety of reports can be traced in the open literature associated with drug delivery systems (DDS). Specifically, the use of microparticle systems has received special attention during the past two decades. Polymeric microparticles (MPs) are acknowledged as very prevalent carriers toward an enhanced bio-distribution and bioavailability of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drug substances. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and their copolymers are among the most frequently used biodegradable polymers for encapsulated drugs. This review describes the current state-of-the-art research in the study of poly(lactic acid)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles and PLA-copolymers with other aliphatic acids as drug delivery devices for increasing the efficiency of drug delivery, enhancing the release profile, and drug targeting of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Potential advances in generics and the constant discovery of therapeutic peptides will hopefully promote the success of microsphere technology.

Since the emergence of microplastics, the scientific community has been extremely alarmed regarding their potential risks for and threats to both the environment and human lives. MPs are traced in freshwater and marine environments, day-to-day-life ecosystems, and the bodies of animals and humans. Due to their usage advancements, MPs have become directly or indirectly an integral part of personal care, cosmetics, and cleaning products and appeared as a domestic cause of environmental pollution. Over the years, researchers have ascertained the harmful effects of MPs on the environment. In this regard, the monitoring and assessment of MPs in PCCPs necessitates considerable attention. The worldwide ban legislation on plastic μBs used in cosmetic products has driven researchers to investigate sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. This review paper summarizes the potential threats of MPs used in cosmetics and the utilization of potential alternatives.

In the present study, a chitosan (CS) derivative with the 2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SDAEM) zwitterionic monomer was prepared through chemical modification. The successful synthesis of CS-SDAEM was confirmed by Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopies. Its crystallinity was studied by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), while in vitro cytotoxicity and cell viability assays established its biocompatibility. Filtered fresh pomegranate juice (PJ) was loaded in nanoparticles of neat CS and its derivative via ionic gelation method. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) revealed nanoparticles sizes varying between 426 nm and 4.5 μm, indicating a size-dependence on the polymer concentration used during encapsulation. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detection (LC-PDA-ESI/MS) revealed that PJ active compounds were successfully and in sufficient amounts encapsulated in the nanoparticles interior, whereas XRD indicated a crystalline structure alteration after nanoencapsulation. The resulted PJ-loaded nanoparticles were further utilized for the preparation of innovative O/W cosmetic emulsions. All produced emulsions exhibited good pH and viscosity stability for up to 90 days, while the sun protection factor (SPF) was enhanced due to the presence of the PJ. Enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to the phenolic compounds of PJ were also observed.