Busca de fontes renováveis e sustentáveis para substituição do plástico: uma análise cienciométrica de bioplásticos biodegradáveis e materiais à base de micélio

Abstract

Plastic, widely used as packaging due to its convenience and durability, is a polymeric material obtained from polymerization reactions, using petroleum and natural gas as raw materials. Its origin dates to 1862, when parkesine was introduced as an organic material based on cellulose, which had properties of malleability and shape maintenance after cooling. However, the inadequate disposal of plastic, due to its low degradability, led to a significant accumulation of waste, from the 1950s onwards with the popularization of plastic bottles. The destination of plastic packaging varies between landfills, incineration, and disposal in the sewage system, resulting in a large amount of plastic waste reaching the sea. Faced with these environmental problems, practical alternatives have appeared to replace synthetic plastics, such as biodegradable bioplastics produced from microalgae, bacterial fermentation, biomass, and industrial waste. These materials are sustainable and renewable, offering a solution to the environmental challenges related to the overuse of conventional plastics. Another promising possibility are fungal mycelium-based materials, this technology allows the production of solid materials with physical properties like polystyrene, making them suitable for use as termal insulators in beverage packaging, furniture, and flowerpots. These mycelium-based materials have favorable characteristics such as biodegradability and sustainability. In this context, the present study aims to conduct a scientometric analysis on research and development of biodegradable materials that can replace synthetic plastics derived from non-renewable sources. Using the Methodi Ordinatio method and the Web of Science database, scientific articles that have received the most attention from the scientific community were analyzed. Keywords used for the search include bioplastics, biodegradable, biodegradable plastics, biodegradable polymers, biodegradable packaging, composite, mycelium-based composite and myceliumbased biocomposite, covering the period from 1991 to 2023. The search on Web of Science and Patentscope generated 4716 articles and 3914 patents. The scientometric analysis of the data, visualized with R, Bibliometrix and Excel 365, revealed trends and patterns in the annual production of articles and patents, highlighting main authors, companies, lines of research, fields of activity, terms, keywords and the contribution of countries in scientific production and patents.