journal article·2025-04-11Open access

Low-Temperature Green Synthesis and Assembly of Poly(Malate-co-Lactate) Gel-Based Microdroplets from Polylactate Plastic Straw Waste

Po-Hsiang Wang, Ming-Jing He, Ruiqin Yi, Rehana Afrin, Kun-Ti Liao, Wen-Chi Yu, Shota Nishikawa, Mahendran Sithamparam, Chen Chen, Kosuke Fujishima, Kuhan Chandru, Tony Z. Jia

ACS Applied Polymer Materials· Volume 7· Issue 7

Abstract

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Poly(malate- co -lactate) (PMALA) gels can carry molecular cargo, are immuno-negative and biodegradable in human plasma, and are also capable of passing the blood–brain barrier, making them plausible drug delivery vessels. However, the functional properties of PMALA of varying length and lactate-malate ratios remain poorly studied due to a lack of a cost-effective, sustainable synthetic method. As a proof of concept, here we showcase a low-temperature chemical method to synthesize PMALA oligomers that can assemble into gels and droplets derived from polylactate (PLA) plastic waste. Proteinase K followed by ethyl acetate extraction and evaporation first converts PLA plastic waste into free l -lactic acid ( l -LA) monomers. Taking inspiration from prebiotic chemistry, we used a low-temperature (80 °C), catalyst-free, and/or tin catalyst-incorporating synthetic method to synthesize PMALA gels by simple aqueous dehydration of plastic-derived l -LA and supplemented commercially available l -malic acid ( l -MA); subsequent rehydration of the PMALA gels resulted in spontaneous assembly of membraneless microdroplets. Chemical and microscopic analyses unequivocally validate that the droplets produced contained PMALA heteropolymers. This sustainable, cost-effective green method for PMALA droplet synthesis and assembly established herein combining techniques from biocatalysis, origins of life, and polymer chemistry may allow for the upcycling of PLA plastic waste to produce high-value biomedical materials used for drug delivery more sustainably in the future.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution · Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, No. 300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering, National Central University, No. 300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli District, Taoyuan 32001, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 600 First Avenue, Floor 1, Seattle, Washington 98104, United States

State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Processes and Resources

Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Earth-Life Science Institute, Institute of Future Science, Institute of Science Tokyo, 2-12-1-IE-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan

Space Science Centre (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia, UKM Bangi, Darul Ehsan, Selangor 43650, Malaysia

Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan

School of Life Science and Technology

Institute of Science Tokyo

Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan

Polymer Research Center (P.O.RCE), Faculty of Science and Technology

National University of Malaysia

Institute of Physical Chemistry, CENIDE

University of Duisburg-Essen

Funding

Mizuho USA Foundation · Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia · RIKEN · Japan Society for the Promotion of Science · Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung · National Science and Technology Council · DE&I Section of Science Tokyo · ELSI Director?s Office

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