PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOPOLYMERIC POROUS STRUCTURES FOR ADVANCED APPLICATIONS

Porous biopolymers received an increasing academic and industrial interest finding application in several fields such as tissue engineering, bioprocess intensification and waste removal. Tissue engineering combines the knowledge of materials science and bioengineering in order to develop structures able to substitute and restore the normal function of injured or diseased tissues. In this context, polymeric 3D or 2D scaffolds are widely investigated as temporary cell guidance during the tissue restore. Porous biomaterials can offer a versatile and cost effective way for immobilization of filamentous microorganisms in submerged fermentation processes for the production of biologically active compounds. Engineered biopolymeric membranes can lead to an increment of cell densities, improved gas–liquid mass transfer, stimulate microbial metabolism, protect cell from unfavorable agents, and preserve their physiological activity thus resulting in a net increment of bio-productivity. Finally, in the recent years, much effort has been dedicated to the development of sustainable and inexpensive sorbent materials for oil/water separation based on natural fibers, which combine attractive properties such as renewability, biodegradability, high specific strength and modulus, low density and environmental friendliness. In this context, porous bio-materials can act as a multifunctional devices able a combining the properties of sorbents materials and that of the organic carrier able to enhance the activity and viability of oil-degrading cells for bioremediation.