Microbial- and seaweed-based biopolymers: Sources, extractions and implications for soil quality improvement and environmental sustainability - A review.

Improving soil quality without creating any environmental problems is an unescapable goal of sustainable agroecosystem management, according to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Therefore, sustainable solutions are in high demand. One of these is the use of biopolymers derived from microbes and seaweed. This paper aims to provide an overview of the sources of extraction and use of microbial (bacteria and cyanobacteria) and seaweed-based biopolymers as soil conditioners, the characteristics of biopolymer-treated soils, and their environmental concerns. A preliminary search was also carried out on the entire Scopus database on biopolymers to find out how much attention has been paid to biopolymers as biofertilizers compared to other applications of these molecules until now. Several soil quality indicators were evaluated, including soil moisture, color, structure, porosity, bulk density, temperature, aggregate stability, nutrient availability, organic matter, and microbial activity. The mechanisms involved in improving soil quality were also discussed. [Display omitted] • The study analyses the biopolymer literature studies on soil quality indicators. • Little research on biopolymers concerns their impact on soil quality indicators. • The effects of microbial and seaweed biopolymers on soil are explored. • Studied biopolymers can contribute to sustainable agriculture. • Soil treatment with biopolymers can contribute to achieving SDGs of Agenda (2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]