glycobased

Glycobased is an umbrella term used in science and industry to describe substances, materials, or technologies that are based on carbohydrates, especially sugars, starches, cellulose, and other glycans. The term is not universally standardized and can be used across polymer science, biochemistry, and chemical engineering to emphasize carbohydrate-derived feedstocks or building blocks rather than fossil resources.

Scope and examples: It covers carbohydrate-based polymers such as cellulose derivatives, starch-based plastics, dextran, and chitosan; glycopolymers and other materials in which sugar units act as monomers or architectural motifs; and chemicals or fuels produced from carbohydrate feedstocks via fermentation or chemical conversion.

Production approaches: Carbohydrates can be transformed into platform chemicals or polymers through fermentation, hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, glycosylation, or polymerization. Routes include enzymatic synthesis, chemoenzymatic processes, and direct derivatization of sugar units to create functional materials.

Applications: Glycobased materials find use in bioplastics, hydrogels for medical and pharmaceutical use, packaging, cosmetics, drug delivery systems, and food applications. They are of interest for sustainability due to renewability and potential biodegradability.

Challenges and outlook: Key considerations include cost competitiveness with petrochemical-derived materials, supply chain considerations for sugar feedstocks, processing energy and waste streams, and regulatory aspects for medical or food-related uses. Ongoing research aims to expand the range of glycobased building blocks and improve performance, durability, and end-of-life options.