This article provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in biopolymer technology, focusing on their environmental and economic impact across various industries. Key biopolymers discussed include cellulose, lignin, starch, algal polysaccharides, and protein-based polymers such as whey and casein, alongside essential biopolymers like chitin, chitosan, pectin, guar gum, xanthan gum, natural polyesters, and polyamides. These biopolymers have experienced rising demand due to their renewable nature and biodegradability, supporting the shift toward sustainable materials in sectors such as food technology, biomedical applications, and eco-friendly packaging. By synthesizing insights from industry reports, market trends, and scientific studies, the review highlights the growth trajectory, environmental benefits, and economic viability of biopolymers. The analysis emphasizes how these materials contribute to reducing fossil fuel dependency and waste, positioning them as critical components of the green economy. Furthermore, it addresses challenges such as production costs and scalability, advocating for ongoing research and technological development to maximize their potential. This work underscores the increasingly vital role of biopolymers in sustainable development and sets the stage for further innovation in the field.

Enormous usage of synthetic dyes in several industrial branches could pose detrimental effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The aim of this work was to examine photocatalytic properties of novely obtained biobased TiO2 (Ac-bTiO2) particles. Namely, photocatalyst was synthesized by cross-linking between aqueous extract of mandarin peels (eMP) and titanium alkoxide, under controlled reaction conditions. Preliminary structural properties of nanooxide particles were investigated by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X Ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). Photocatalytic activity was determined under imitated sunlight conditions, measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy. As a model pollutant, aqueous solution of methyl orange (MeOr) was used. Complete decolorization was observed after 60 min, while the degradation kinetics follows pseudo-first order (R2 > 0.98). Photodegradation studies performed in batch system proved that obtained photocatalyst could represent an improved choice for purifying water contaminated by different organics. Satisfying degradation rate of utilized photocatalyst demonstrated possibility for consecutive, multicycle usage under operative conditions.

The release of industrial effluents and agricultural runoff containing heavy metals, like lead (Pb), poses serious environmental risks and significant impact on human health. This study explores the adsorption capacity of potassium hydroxide (KOH)-modified oat straw (KOS) as an effective, low-cost biosorbent for lead removal from contaminated water. The modification process increased the surface area and improved the availability of functional groups, enhancing adsorption performance compared to unmodified oat straw. Structural analysis was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Batch experiments evaluated the effects of contact time, initialPb²⁺ concentration, and pH on lead removal efficiency. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, with chemisorption as the main mechanism. Isotherm studies indicated that the Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models offered the best fit, showing a maximum adsorption capacity of 191.41mg/g. These findings highlight the potential of KOH-modified oat straw as a sustainable solution for heavy metal removal from wastewater, effectively valorizing agricultural waste biomass.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants and have emerged as a growing global concern. In soil ecosystems, MPs frequently coexist with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), yet their combined effects on soil–plant interactions and phytoremediation processes remain insufficiently explored. This field-based study investigated the occurrence of MPs in urban soils from four Serbian cities and assessed their influence on the uptake of PTEs - copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and strontium (Sr) - by Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. MPs were extracted from soil using an optimized density separation method, while total (aqua regia) and phytoavailable (EDTA-extractable) fractions of PTEs were quantified in both soils and plant tissues. Maximum MPs abundance was recorded in Bor — 500 ± 100 MPs kg-1.The highest total concentrations of Cu (516.14 µg g⁻¹), Mn (553.46 µg g⁻¹), and Sr (173.69 µg g⁻¹) were detected in soils from Bor. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated moderate to heavy contamination levels. CuEDTA accounted for UP to 50.7% of CuAR, MnEDTA for 34.4% of MnAR, and SrEDTA 27.3% of SrAR. After the uptake, C. bursa-pastoris primarily translocated the elements to the aerial parts, indicating shoot accumulation as the dominant strategy. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct clustering of samples by city, while Spearman correlation analysis highlighted significant associations between MPs and PTEs mobility in the soil-plant system. Strongest correlations were found between MPs phytoavailable Cu fraction (ρ =+0.49) and Cu content in shoots (ρ =+0.56). The highest BCF values were determined for Sr, ranging from 2,40 (SM) to 5,41 (BO). PTEs were mainly transferred to the shoots. TF range for Cu was 0.54 (BO) – 1.48 (VR), 0,68 (BO) to 1,42 (VR) for Mn, and 0,76 (BO) to 1,34 (VR) for Sr. Strong correlations among MPs abundance and Cu mobility and accumulation in shoots (ρ = +0.56), and Sr bioaccumulation potential (BCF up to 5.41), highlight the role of MPs in modifying element transfer within urban soil–plant systems and consequent phytoremediation potential.

Microplastics (MPs) are omnipresent contaminants, becoming a global environmental and ecological concern. MPs and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) often coexist in soil. However, the impacts of MPs on soil-plant systems and phytoremediation of PTEs are still poorly acknowledged. This field study investigated MPs prevalence in four Serbian cities and evaluated potential impacts on the uptake of PTEs (Cu, Mn, and Sr) by bioindicator Capsella bursa-pastoris L. Medik. MPs isolation from soil samples was conducted using the optimized density separation method. Total (aqua regia) and phytoavailable (EDTA) PTEs fractions in soils were analyzed alongside the concentrations in plant roots and shoots. Soils from Bor contained the highest total concentrations of Cu (516,14 µg g-1), Mn (553,46 µg g-1) and Sr (173,69 g-1). Igeo index exhibited moderate to heavy soil contamination. Up to 50.7% of Cutotal, 34.4% of Mntotal, and 27.3% of Srtotal were extracted in the phytoavailable pool. After the uptake, C. bursa-pastoris predominantly translocated PTEs to the aboveground parts, demonstrating phytoextraction as the prevailing strategy. PCA analysis indicated clear distinction based on sampling sites and the formation of separate clusters belonging to four cities. Moreover, Spearman correlation analysis revealed the significant interconnection among MPs and PTEs mobility in the soil-plant system. MPs positively correlated to Cu phytoavailable fraction in soils (ρ=+0.49) and with Cu content in shoots (ρ=+0.56), suggesting that it might stimulate Cu availability and improve the efficiency of uptake by plant. These findings provide insights into MPs-PTEs interactions, thereby contributing to a better understanding of potential environmental impacts.

Waste biomass (WB) represents renewable resource that can be used in solving complex energy/environment demands. Possible route of WB revalorization is its thermochemical conversion into the biochar, which has remarkable potential as sustainable tool in biomass waste disposal issue, climate change mitigation, and soil environment protection. In this paper, four types of biochar were obtained by WB pyrolysis with intention to be applied as soil amendments. For that purpose, biochar samples were characterized according to Test Category A: Basic Utility Properties requirements according to the International Biochar Initiative (IBI). Analyses included basic properties required to assess the utility of biochar material for use in soil, such as physical properties of particle size and moisture, as well as the chemical properties of elemental proportions obtained from elemental organic analysis (EOA), ash proportion, electrical conductivity, pH and liming ability. Carbon stability was calculated from molar ratios of both H/C and O/C, as well as from proximate analysis results. EOA results shown that all investigated biochars have high content of carbon, ranging from 62.5 to 68.4, classifying them in Class 1 materials. Values of pH ranged between 7.68 and 8.99 indicating alkaline nature of biochars with potential for remediating acidic soils. Calculated H/C ratio was around 0.04 for all samples, while the O/C ranged between 0.40 and 0.54, indicating that biochars pose stable structure and high carbon sequestering potential. Electrical conductivity values showed benefits of biochars incorporation into the soil and valuable agronomic implications, offering beneficial soluble salts content.