A recent study by the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences founds that bioplastics may have a place in medical applications thanks to the antibacterial properties they exhibit. In specific, the plastics studies were made of albumin, whey, and soy proteins. Applications such as wound healing dressings, sutures, catheter tubes, and drug delivery are among the study's proposed uses. In addition the bioplastics may also be appropriate for food packaging.
One standout among bioplastic components was albumin, which demonstrated tremendous antibacterial properties when blended with a traditional plasticizer such as glycerol. In addition to seeking antibacterial alternatives, the researchers also hope to find fully biodegradable bioplastics, a requirement which the albumin-based plastic also satisfied. According to the researchers, the plastic breaks down in a landfill environment in two months' time.
It is hoped that the research will not only contribute to the environment but that it will eventually tackle the problem of hospital-acquired infections.
You can see the original press release here, and the researchers' published work in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science.