Researchers Developed a Biodegradable System That Uses Silk as a Replacement to Microplastics in Such Products

Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that are now widely distributed in the air, water, and soil, are becoming more acknowledged as a severe pollution problem, and have been discovered in the bloodstreams of both humans and animals.

According to the European Chemicals Agency, some of these microplastics are purposefully added to a range of goods, including paints, cosmetics, detergents, and agricultural chemicals, amounting to an estimated 50,000 tons annually in the European Union alone.

There are currently no viable substitutes; nonetheless, the EU has already mandated that these extra, nonbiodegradable microplastics be eradicated by 2025.

The Challenge Posed by Microplastics and How to Minimize the Use of It

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Even in the bloodstream of humans, microplastics, which are microscopic bits of plastic with a diameter of less than 5 mm, are now being found in some of the world's most isolated regions.

Plastic can be broken down into ever-tinier particles that eventually become microplastics since it doesn't biodegrade, as per Technology Networks

In some cases, microplastics are purposefully introduced to items like toothpaste or exfoliating creams for the skin.

Scientists still don't fully comprehend the full impact of microplastics on the ecosystem, animal health, and human health, as well as the possible toxicity issue posed by the harmful compounds that can attach to the surface of microplastics, and the ingestion by marine species is a welfare concern.

The number of microplastics that are present in the environment is thought to be between 10% and 15% of the total.

For an active ingredient to be delivered gradually over time, its application is frequently centered around this need.

To postpone a drug's absorption, distribution, and subsequent metabolism, it might be enclosed in a microcapsule, for instance. To ensure controlled release without harming the crop, a herbicide in agriculture may be encapsulated.

For such plastic uses, an alternate, biodegradable source has long been sought after.

A system based on silk, according to researchers including Dr. Muchun Liu, a postdoc at MIT, and Benedetto Marelli, professor of civil and environmental engineering (also at MIT), may be a viable replacement.

Because silk naturally breaks down within the body, it can be used in food and pharmaceutical items without risk.

High-quality silk, which is frequently used in apparel, can be pricey and is perhaps not the best source for an encapsulating material.

The focus of this investigation was on silk derived from cocoons of inferior textile grade.

Also Read: Microplastic Pollution: California State Government Adopts Strategy of Microplastic Cleanup

Silk as an Alternative to Microplastics

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Now, a group of scientists from MIT and other institutions has created a silk-based system that may offer a cheap and simple replacement, as per ScienceDaily

An article published in the journal Small by MIT postdoc Muchun Liu, MIT professor of civil and environmental engineering Benedetto Marelli, and five other researchers from the chemical corporation BASF in Germany and the United States describes the novel approach.

According to Liu, the silk protein utilized in the novel alternative material is more generally accessible and less expensive than the premium silk threads used for luxury garments.

While the tiny threads required for fabric must be painstakingly extracted from silkworm cocoons, non-textile quality cocoons can be utilized for this purpose, and the silk strands can simply be dissolved using a scalable water-based technique.

It is possible to provide a straightforward drop-in solution using existing factories since the processing is simpler and adaptable that the material produced can be made to work on current production equipment.

Since silk is harmless and naturally degrades in the body, it is considered as being safe for use in food and medicine.

A conventional water-soluble microencapsulated herbicide product was created using the silk-based coating material in laboratory experiments.

This product was then tested on a corn crop in a greenhouse.

The experiment revealed that it was even more effective than a currently available commercial solution and caused the plants less harm, according to Liu.

According to Liu, the silk material's versatility holds the key to making it compatible with already-in-use machinery.

The properties of the resultant coatings can be carefully tuned after they have dried and hardened by modifying the silk components' polymer chain configurations and adding a surfactant.

Although it is created and processed in a water solution, the material can be either hydrophobic (repels water) or hydrophilic (attracts water), or any combination of the two.

For a particular application, it can be tailored to have the same properties as the material it is meant to replace.

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