Recent Antibacterial Agents from Biomass Derivatives: Characteristics and Applications

Enhancing awareness of personal cleanliness and antibacterial resistance has intensified the antibacterial substance request on consumable products. Antibacterial agents that have been commercialized nowadays are produced from inorganic and non-renewable substances. This provides several drawbacks, particularly against health and environmental issues. Therefore, many scientists work on substituting fossil-fuel-based antibacterial agents with natural ones such as from biomass. Biomass derivatives, natural abundances of biopolymers in the world, amount to major compounds including polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitosan) and polyphenol (tannin and lignin) substances which are capable to combat the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. To date, no report focuses on a deep understanding of antibacterial properties derived from biomass and the internal and external factors effects. This work provides that gap because comprehensive knowledge is necessary before applying biomass to the products. The potency of biomass derivatives as antibacterial additives is also summarized. Basic knowledge of antibacterial characteristics to the application in products is highlighted in this review. Besides, the discussion about challenges and future perspectives is also delivered.