Bioactive Polymer Composites: Preparation and Properties

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer composites with bioactive compounds have wide applications in food packaging and are of particular interest to the healthcare sector. The introduction of bioactive compounds into polymer matrices makes it possible to transfer functional characteristics, such as antioxidant, anti-mould, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory capacities, to inert materials such as polymers. However, biomolecules are often vulnerable to weathering and degrade rapidly in the presence of oxygen, light, heat, and pH changes. The immobilization and encapsulation of bioactive molecules in carrier systems protect them from physical and chemical damage, prolonging their lifespan and, in some cases, promoting their controlled release. The resulting hybrid systems are dispersed in a polymer matrix or deposited on a surface, endowing a material with desirable functional properties. Recently, new methods for preparing bioactive polymer composites involving different types of organic or inorganic carriers were explored. These materials are attractive due to their undemanding processing methods (melt compounding, surface coating/spraying, electrospinning, thin-layer deposition) and the possible use of biomolecules derived from the agri-food chain waste, an approach that is well-suited to circular economy principles. We believe that this Special Issue, which highlights the advances and critical aspects of the synthesis, characterization, properties, and applications of bioactive polymer composites, will be helpful for researchers, academics, and even professionals in the packaging, cosmetics, and biomedical sectors.

Dr. Serena Coiai
Dr. Francesca Cicogna
Dr. Elisa Passaglia
Guest Editors

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• bioactive compounds
• polymer composites
• functional properties
• carriers
• antimicrobial
• antioxidant
• anti-inflammatory