Abstract

Biopolymer coatings have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional petroleum-based coatings due to their eco-friendly nature and versatile properties. This abstract provides an overview of the current research and applications of biopolymer coatings, highlighting their potential as sustainable solutions for surface protection. The first section discusses the environmental advantages of biopolymer coatings. Derived from renewable resources such as plant-based polymers, proteins, and polysaccharides, biopolymers offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based coatings, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental impact. Furthermore, biopolymer coatings are biodegradable, promoting the circular economy and minimizing waste generation. The second section focuses on the unique properties and functionality of biopolymer coatings. Biopolymers exhibit a wide range of characteristics, including excellent film-forming ability, mechanical strength, barrier properties, and adhesion to various substrates. These coatings can be tailored to specific requirements by incorporating additives, reinforcing agents, or functional molecules, expanding their applications in diverse fields such as food packaging, biomedical devices, textiles, and electronics. The third section presents recent advancements and applications of biopolymer coatings. Researchers have explored various biopolymers, including chitosan, cellulose derivatives, starch, and proteins like gelatin and casein, for developing coatings with enhanced properties. Biopolymer coatings have been successfully employed as protective barriers against moisture, UV radiation, oxygen, and microbial growth. Additionally, they have shown potential for controlled release of active compounds, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility, making them suitable for biomedical applications. Finally, the abstract highlights future prospects and challenges in the field of biopolymer coatings. Ongoing research focuses on improving the mechanical strength, durability, and stability of biopolymer films, as well as enhancing their performance under different environmental conditions. Furthermore, scalable and cost-effective production methods need to be developed to facilitate largescale commercialization of biopolymer coatings.