Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics
Abstract Traditional petrochemical-derived plastics are challenging to recycle and degrade, and the existing (re)process methods are organic solvent-based and/or energy-intensive, resulting in significant environmental contamination and greenhouse gas emissions. This study presents a sustainable bio...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62682-1 |
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| author | Yujie Ke Kai Lan Jing Yi Wong Hongfang Lu Shujun Gao Keunhyuk Ryu Feng Chen Wei Wei Loh Zhili Dong Jason Y. C. Lim Zhaogang Dong Xi Chen Itamar Willner Yuwei Hu |
| author_facet | Yujie Ke Kai Lan Jing Yi Wong Hongfang Lu Shujun Gao Keunhyuk Ryu Feng Chen Wei Wei Loh Zhili Dong Jason Y. C. Lim Zhaogang Dong Xi Chen Itamar Willner Yuwei Hu |
| author_sort | Yujie Ke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Traditional petrochemical-derived plastics are challenging to recycle and degrade, and the existing (re)process methods are organic solvent-based and/or energy-intensive, resulting in significant environmental contamination and greenhouse gas emissions. This study presents a sustainable bioplastic material characterized by multi-closed-loop recyclability and water (re)processability. The bioplastics are derived from abundant polysaccharide sources of dextran, alginic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, and DNA of plant and living organism waste. The process involves chemical oxidation of polysaccharides to produce aldehyde-functionalized derivatives, which subsequently form reversible imine covalent bonds with amine groups in DNA. This reaction yields water-processable polysaccharide/DNA crosslinked hydrogels, serving as raw materials for producing sustainable bioplastics. The bioplastic products exhibit (bio)degradability and recyclability, enabling aqueous recovery of the hydrogel constituents through plastic hydrolysis and the natural biodegradability of DNA and polysaccharides. These products demonstrate excellent resistance to organic solvents, self-healing, scalability, and effective processing down to nanometer scales, underscoring their potential for broad and versatile applications. The work provides potential pathways for advancing sustainable and environmentally friendly bioplastic materials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e42e77d817a543ee9e90d6d12a5bfd7a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-e42e77d817a543ee9e90d6d12a5bfd7a2025-08-20T03:05:10ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-62682-1Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplasticsYujie Ke0Kai Lan1Jing Yi Wong2Hongfang Lu3Shujun Gao4Keunhyuk Ryu5Feng Chen6Wei Wei Loh7Zhili Dong8Jason Y. C. Lim9Zhaogang Dong10Xi Chen11Itamar Willner12Yuwei Hu13Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, 2820 Faucette DriveInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jln Tan Tock SengSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological UniversityInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological UniversityInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Lingnan University, Tuen MunInstitute of Chemistry, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of JerusalemInstitute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03Abstract Traditional petrochemical-derived plastics are challenging to recycle and degrade, and the existing (re)process methods are organic solvent-based and/or energy-intensive, resulting in significant environmental contamination and greenhouse gas emissions. This study presents a sustainable bioplastic material characterized by multi-closed-loop recyclability and water (re)processability. The bioplastics are derived from abundant polysaccharide sources of dextran, alginic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, and DNA of plant and living organism waste. The process involves chemical oxidation of polysaccharides to produce aldehyde-functionalized derivatives, which subsequently form reversible imine covalent bonds with amine groups in DNA. This reaction yields water-processable polysaccharide/DNA crosslinked hydrogels, serving as raw materials for producing sustainable bioplastics. The bioplastic products exhibit (bio)degradability and recyclability, enabling aqueous recovery of the hydrogel constituents through plastic hydrolysis and the natural biodegradability of DNA and polysaccharides. These products demonstrate excellent resistance to organic solvents, self-healing, scalability, and effective processing down to nanometer scales, underscoring their potential for broad and versatile applications. The work provides potential pathways for advancing sustainable and environmentally friendly bioplastic materials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62682-1 |
| spellingShingle | Yujie Ke Kai Lan Jing Yi Wong Hongfang Lu Shujun Gao Keunhyuk Ryu Feng Chen Wei Wei Loh Zhili Dong Jason Y. C. Lim Zhaogang Dong Xi Chen Itamar Willner Yuwei Hu Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics Nature Communications |
| title | Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics |
| title_full | Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics |
| title_fullStr | Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics |
| title_short | Sustainable DNA-polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics |
| title_sort | sustainable dna polysaccharide hydrogels as recyclable bioplastics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62682-1 |
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