Biodegradable polymers from lignocellulosic biomass and synthetic plastic waste: An emerging alternative for biomedical applications

In the current era of globalization, the exponential surge in the production, consumption, and disposal of agricultural and post-consumer polymeric waste material has emerged as a pressing environmental concern of paramount importance. The current situation, wherein the presence of plastic particles and other plastic-based contaminants in the food supply chain is increasingly evident, poses a profound health risk to mankind. In this regard, the utilization of conventional waste management practices, such as, open burning, landfilling, and incineration, leads to adverse consequences, like, the emission of greenhouse gases and substantial economic losses. To encounter such problems, researchers are actively engaged in the development of innovative recycling processes aimed at closed-loop circular economy by transforming these wastes into sustainable value added products. This comprehensive review emphasizes the necessity of sustainable recycling of lignocellulosic biomass and synthetic plastic wastes, with a specific focus on their transformation into biodegradable polymers and their potential biomedical applications. Moreover, we have critically discussed the recent trends and drivers in this field, global environment threat, different recycling route of lignocellulosic biomass and synthetic polymer wastes. Furthermore, this review provides a detailed discussion on the applications of these biodegradable polymers in the field of tissue engineering, drug delivery, and antimicrobial applications. Additionally, we have also addressed the critical challenges involved in this field and possible solutions to overcome them.